Couples Counselling
Couples Counselling
Couples counselling can benefit all types of couples, whether you're neurotypical or neurodivergent, whether you’re in a new relationship or have been together for years. Couples counselling can be helpful if you and your partner are struggling and unhappy with your relationship. It can help you communicate better, understand each other’s perspective and experience, resolve conflict, repair your connection and build a stronger relationship.
For couples who are neurodivergent, it is important that they have the opportunity to meet with a counsellor and therapist who has an understanding of neurodiversity.
Couples where one or both have ADHD or AuDHD, may not achieve the success they hope for in counselling if it is not delivered through a neurodivergent lens. ADHD brain-based symptoms, either not acknowledged, misinterpreted or not well managed, can interfere with the very behaviours that couples are often trying to change. With ADHD-adapted couple counselling, there is an emphasis on reframing behaviours and situations through an ADHD lens. Couples then learn to respond to challenges in ways that are informed by ADHD.
Common Struggles in Relationships Impacted by ADHD:
Here are some benefits of couple counselling that you may experience.
Communicate Better
A common goal for many couples starting couple counselling is to learn better communication with their partner. Many couples struggle with communication, leading to misunderstandings, resentment, and conflict. This tends to be a major source of concern for couples where one or both members are neurodivergent. In neurodivergent couples where ADHD is present, if ADHD is not recognized, if ADHD symptoms are misinterpreted, or if symptoms are poorly managed, this can negatively impact communication and play a significant role in the couple’s distress. During counselling sessions, you'll learn how to communicate more effectively to express your needs and wants to your partner without causing hurt feelings or arguments. For couples where one or both have ADHD, you will gain new understanding and insight into how your neurobiology impacts communication and interactions with one another and then develop ADHD-informed strategies for change in the areas needed.
Resolve Conflict
Conflict is a normal part of any relationship, but it's essential to learn how to handle it healthily. Couples counselling can help you and your partner constructively resolve conflict, so it doesn't damage your relationship. You'll learn to listen to each other, understand each other's perspectives, and compromise to get what you both want out of the situation.
Build a Stronger Relationship
Couples counselling can help you and your partner build a stronger, healthier relationship. You'll learn how to best support each other, express your love for each other, and deal with difficult situations in a way that keeps your relationship strong. As a result, you'll likely find your relationship more fulfilling and satisfying than before you started counselling.
“Humans are hardwired for connection and feel distressed when the connection is broken”
When to Start Couples Counselling?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it might be time to start couples counselling.
Are seeking clarity on how ADHD may impact your relationship, family life or parenting?
Are you looking for help repairing a broken connection?
Do you feel disconnected and lonely in your relationship?
Do you feel frustrated or hopeless in a relationship with a partner who is neurodivergent or neurotypical?
Are you seeking clarity and understanding of what ADHD brain-based symptoms are?
Do you want to change how you respond to your partner who has ADHD?
Do you find it difficult to change unhelpful behaviours?
Do you feel like you’re always getting blamed when things go wrong?
Are you making great effort to please your partner, but feeling like it’s never enough?
Do you want the nagging and criticism to stop?
Has your adult relationship started to feel more like a parent-child relationship?
If you're considering counselling, talk to your partner and see if it's right for you both. If you’re ready to start reach out today. Let’s work together to increase understanding, repair breaks, and rebuild trust, closeness, and respect.
