Neurodivergent Couples Therapy in Newtown and online throughout Pennsylvania
Couples Therapy for Mixed Neurotype Couples
Does this sound familiar?
“I need everything ‘just so’ but my partner leaves everything a mess…how will we ever stop fighting about this?”
“My partner doesn’t understand that I can’t control my meltdowns, and they’re not personal attacks on my partner…can you help us?”
“I was diagnosed with ADHD or autism later in life, and now my partner and I are going over our whole relationship in our minds and analyzing everything from a different lens. We could definitely use help processing this”
Relationships are hard enough when you’re both neurotypical…but what happens when one or both of you is diagnosed with ADHD, autism, or AuDHD?
These differing neurotypes can have a huge impact on relationships, and can cause problems that other couples therapists might not understand or help. I specialize in the treatment of mixed neurotype couples, which is a fancy way of saying that one partner is neurotypical while the other partner is either autistic, has ADHD, or has AuDHD.
Especially when a person is late diagnosed, it can be jarring and reality-shaking to realize that you or your partner is neurodivergent. You may be looking at your whole life or your whole relationship through a different lens. You may be feeling hopeless, that your problems aren’t solvable or that your relationship is doomed.
I am experienced in helping mixed neurotype couples:
Communicate more effectively while taking into account your individual needs and communication styles
Express your emotions, even if it might be hard for one or both of you as a neurodivergent person
Find workarounds and strategies that help the relationship accommodate both of your neurotypes, not just one or the other
Work through issues of childhood trauma that may be impacting the relationship dynamics
I use emotionally focused couples therapy, which is an evidence-based strategy you can learn more about here. I adapt this modality to help accommodate folks with ADHD, autism, or any other neurotypes and help you work through things in a manner that works with your brain, not against it.
