Couples counselling for ADHD and ASD couples

Over the last decade, Sydney Couple and Family Specialists have seen a marked increase in people seeking couples counselling because ADHD and/or ASD is causing challenges in their relationship. What’s behind the increase? There are several factors at play.

• There are many more adults who are open to a diagnosis of ADHD or ASD.
• Many adults are being diagnosed with ADHD or ASD later in life and are keen to learn how they have been impacted by these diagnoses both individually and in their relationships.
• There’s less stigma about a diagnosis of ADHD and ASD, allowing adults to speak more freely about their challenges, and also embrace the strengths that often come with these diagnoses.
• Couples are keen to learn strategies and tools that are specially relevant when they have ADHD and/or ASD in their relationship.

How does couples counselling help a couple where one or both people have ADHD or ASD?

• Couples counselling provides a safe environment to name and explore resentments which one or both people may feel due to the challenges that ADHD and ASD bring.
• Couples counselling provides a place to discuss and implement specific strategies to help with communication, organisation and regulation which can all be challenges for neurodiverse people.
• The couples counsellor will be able to help each person understand neurodiversity and its potential impacts on a relationship. Greater understanding increases compassion and reduces resentment in relationships.
• A couples counsellor can talk clients through the options for additional support or professional help.
• Couples counselling can help a couple work out parenting strategies to overcome challenges which ADHD and ASD may bring.
• Couples counselling helps a couple living with ADHD and ASD work on behaviours that can improve their connection.
• Regulating emotions can be difficult for people who have ADHD and ASD, so conflict can be an issue in their relationships. Couple counselling can specifically work on reducing conflict in relationships – and help couples find healthier ways to engage and communicate.

Can all Couple Counsellors work with ADHD and ASD couples? 

Many people specifically want a couples counsellor who has an in-depth understanding of ADHD and ASD, and I think this not only understandable but crucial.  Therefore, it is worth enquiring about the specific knowledge and training the couples counsellor has working with neurodiverse people and relationships.

At the Sydney Couple and Family Specialists ALL Therapists have training in neurodiversity. Please reach out to us if you think couples counselling could help you and your partner https://sydneycoupleandfamily.com/contact/.

If you would like to read another blog on how ADHD can impact your family please read here.  If there is adult ADHD there are often one or two children who also show signs of ADHD or ASD

About Jacqueline Jacqueline has been in private practice for more than two decades, helping individuals, couples and families.  She has extensive experience in couple and family therapy and is considered a specialist in these areas. In her clinical practice, she has helped people deal with complex trauma, affairs, complex mental health issues, eating disorders, adolescent behavioural problems (including self-harm and suicidal ideation), behavioural issues in young children which are impacting parents and families, relationship issues and post-separation work. Jacqueline works with many different dynamics: couples, parents, families with young children, same-sex couples, foster/adopted families, families with teenagers and also adult families.  She is particularly interested in helping parents of children with behavioural issues, or with diagnosed conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, ASD and so on. Although Jacqueline’s work is supportive and friendly, she will challenge her couples and families to make the necessary behavioural changes, to repair relationships and to move towards healthier communication styles in the future. Jacqueline’s style is direct and fast paced and she is known for quickly getting to the heart of the matter.  Clients report that they feel safe and understood with Jacqueline.