Start with a free 15 minute chat, and we will work out whether couples sessions, individual sessions or the group is the best first step for you.
Adult ADHD and AuDHD in relationships
ADHD couples counselling
ADHD often shows up in a relationship long before it shows up in a GP’s office. One partner carrying the load and feeling like a parent. The other feeling criticised, controlled and never quite enough. Both are exhausted, and neither can quite name why.
I have worked with Adult ADHD and AuDHD in relationships for over 20 years, and I am astute at identifying the neurodiverse pattern within the relationship, even in couples where ADHD has never been mentioned. I see couples online anywhere in Australia, and face to face in Burrum Heads near Hervey Bay and in Camberwell, Melbourne.
The disparity
is the clue
It can go both ways. Sometimes the partner with ADHD / AuDHD has very little insight into the load they create, while the other partner is drowning in it. Sometimes the partner with ADHD has learnt to mask so well, at great cost to themselves, that their partner has no idea how hard they are working. Either way, the gap between how each partner sees things is often where the real story lies.
My free ADHD Relationship Quiz is built around exactly that awareness gap. It starts the conversation and informs the counselling process.
What we
work on
- Healing the trauma and building compassionate understanding for each other
- Releasing the “parent and child” dynamic, where one partner carries the executive load
- Soothing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and smoothing out the emotional highs and lows
- Resolving that same argument on repeat about forgotten tasks and broken promises
- Creating communication that works for an ADHD / AuDHD brain, not against it
- Rebuilding warmth, humour and intimacy once the resentment has been tended to
Start with a
free 15 minute chat
Tapping into
the ADHD brain
An ADHD mind can get lost and feel overwhelmed in traditional couples talk therapy. My approach, Tapping into Relationships — eft²®, calms the nervous system first so that you can both stay in the conversation. No more blowing up or shutting down, and that is an immediate relief for both partners.
Not sure about
couples sessions?
Not everyone can access relationship counselling, and I have never believed care should only belong to those who can afford it. The small groups I run are my way of making over 20 years of clinical experience available at a fraction of the cost of relationship sessions. Same tools, same care, shared journey.
My Adult ADHD in Relationship group is a friendly, supportive, lower cost way to start. You join with other people who truly understand the challenges.
Because a group has to be safe for everyone, I meet each person first. Book a free 15 minute chat and we will see whether the group is right for you.
FAQs
No. Many adults seek ADHD Therapy in Melbourne because they recognise the patterns in their lives, even without a formal clinical diagnosis. We can begin working on strategies and emotional regulation immediately. If you require a formal diagnosis for medication, I can help guide you toward a trusted ADHD Specialist in Melbourne for assessment.
Traditional relationship counselling often assumes both partners process information similarly. ADHD Couples Therapy acknowledges that behaviours like ‘forgetting a task’ often stem from executive dysfunction, not a lack of love. I prioritise emotional regulation to foster empathic reconnection, creating a space of compassionate curiosity. This allows partners to understand each other’s intent without rushing to judge outcomes, enabling them to co-create practical, mutually effective strategies.
Yes. This is a common reason couples seek ADHD Relationship Counselling. We move away from the “nagging” cycle and instead create collaborative systems that play to each partner’s strengths, using tools that account for the ADHD challenges with memory and initiation.
ADHD Relationship Counselling recognises the unique challenges of managing emotional regulation, including ADHD rage. While medication can play a significant role in supporting emotional balance, I can help you uncover the underlying triggers contributing to your anger outbursts. Together, we’ll work on strategies to manage these moments without losing your temper, fostering a sense of control and calm. I’ll also guide you in addressing and repairing relationships with those you may have hurt, creating a pathway for understanding, growth, and reconnection.
Absolutely. ADHD often runs in families. I provide support for parents navigating their own ADHD while raising neurodivergent children. My approach focuses on “emotion regulation coaching,” drawing on Dr. Stephen Porges’s theory to promote self-regulation. This helps you lead your family with greater patience and reduced burnout.