“A great relationship is about two things: first, appreciating the similarities, and second, respecting the differences.” - Unknown
What Is Couples Counselling?
Couples counselling, also known as couples therapy or marriage counselling, is a form of therapy designed to help couples navigate challenges and improve their relationship.
In couples counselling, a trained practitioner works with both partners to address issues such as communication problems, conflicts, trust issues, intimacy issues, and life transitions. Through guided conversations, exercises, and strategies tailored to the unique needs of each couple, couples counselling aims to foster understanding, strengthen bonds, and promote healthier patterns of interaction.
Whether you're experiencing difficulties in your relationship or simply want to enhance your connection, couples counselling offers a supportive space for couples to explore, grow, and thrive together.
Counselling for Neurodivergent Couples
Relationship counselling when one or both partners are neurodivergent, or you suspect they may be, can help couples better navigate the challenges and misunderstandings that may arise due to differences in neurology. Couples with diagnosed (or undiagnosed) autism or ADHD have often tried self-help measures and counselling to address their difficulties without much (or any) improvement. Gaining more insight into the struggles related to being neurodivergent may alone help improve many of the problems you are facing.
Neurodivergence in a relationship can also make it difficult to define and/or address problems that typical couples may face, such as infidelity and trust issues, feelings of growing apart, parenting differences, intimacy or attachment issues.
Because our practitioners are well versed on the characteristics of neurodivergence they can help couples capitalise on each person's unique strengths and minimise miscommunications and frustrations.
What difficulties can couples counselling help with?
Communication Skills
Neurodivergent individuals may communicate differently or struggle with social cues. Counselling can teach effective communication strategies tailored to the unique needs of each partner, enhancing understanding and connection.
Conflict Resolution
Differences in neurology can sometimes lead to conflicts. Counseling provides tools and techniques to navigate disagreements constructively and find mutually satisfactory solutions.
Building Empathy
Neurotypical partners may have difficulty understanding their neurodivergent partner's experiences and vice versa. Counseling sessions can help both partners develop empathy and appreciation for each other's perspectives.
Managing Sensory Sensitivities
Many neurodivergent individuals have sensory sensitivities that can impact their relationships. Counselors can help couples identify triggers and develop coping strategies to manage sensory issues in their relationship.
Navigating Intimacy and Emotional Connection
Neurodivergent individuals may struggle with intimacy and emotional expression. Counseling can provide a safe space to explore these issues and develop strategies to deepen emotional connection and intimacy in the relationship.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Neurodivergent individuals may face unique challenges in relationships, and counseling can help couples set realistic expectations and goals for their relationship while celebrating their strengths.
If you suspect but have not confirmed there is neurodivergence in yourself or your partner, our practitioners can conduct preliminary assessments to determine if pursuing a formal diagnosis may be warranted.
Counselling for Couples with Trauma
Trauma can impact adult relationships in many ways, from the way we react to our partner’s communication style, to how our coping strategies are perceived.
While some types of traditional relationship counselling are ineffective or not recommended when one or both partners have untreated trauma, our trauma informed practitioners can help identify if trauma is playing a role in a couple's problems and whether additional support is needed before resuming couples' work.
However, even if individual trauma has been addressed/treated, relationship difficulties may still persist. Our trauma competent practitioners can help partners understand trauma responses and work on breaking negative interaction patterns.