Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, ADHD'er or otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help. < Back Leila Pirnia, MA, LMFT, LPCC Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor At a Glance Dually licensed psychotherapist in California (LMFT and LPCC) specializing in neurodiverse couples and relationships, with extensive experience in ADHD, autism, AuDHD, giftedness, and twice-exceptionality (2e) Particular expertise with complex couples where neurodivergence intersects with attachment, executive functioning, emotional regulation, parenting, and years of accumulated relationship hurt Works frequently with highly analytical and high-achieving adults, including physicians, attorneys, engineers, executives, founders, academics, and other professionals Integrates neurodiversity-informed couples therapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment and psychodynamic therapy, family systems, and practical executive-function interventions Founder and Clinical Director of the Center for Twice Exceptional Counseling , with a clinical focus on neurodivergent individuals, couples, and families Former technology and business executive, bringing an additional understanding of high-pressure careers, leadership, achievement, and the ways those strengths and demands can affect intimate relationships Bachelor of Science from MIT and Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University Trilingual in English, Farsi (Persian), and Spanish Education & Licensing Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University Dually Licensed Psychotherapist in California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #150408) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #19451) Member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology; member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) When You Understand the Problem — and Still Can't Seem to Solve It Many of the couples I work with are smart, capable people who have spent years trying to understand their relationship. You may have read the books, learned about ADHD or autism, gone to therapy before, and talked through the same issues more times than you can count. You may even understand your partner's perspective quite well intellectually. And yet, when something happens, you find yourselves right back in the same painful place. One partner may feel as though they're always walking on eggshells, trying not to overwhelm or upset the other. They may feel lonely, overburdened, or unsure whether they can depend on their partner in the ways they need to. The other partner may feel chronically criticized or misunderstood, as though no matter how hard they try, they still seem to get it wrong. They may shut down, become defensive, or retreat because the intensity of the conflict feels impossible to manage. Over time, both people can end up feeling unloved and unseen, even when there is still a great deal of love between them. Underneath the frustration there is grief for the relationship you wish you were having. You may miss feeling like a team. You may miss affection, ease, friendship, sex, laughter, or the sense that your partner was the person you could turn toward rather than someone you had to brace yourself around. This is often where our work begins. The goal isn't simply to help you fight less, instead it's to understand what has gotten in the way of feeling close to one another and find a way back to a relationship where both of you can feel safer, more understood, and more connected. Neurodiversity Is Part of the Picture, But Rarely the Whole Picture Good neurodiverse couples therapy requires more than identifying a behavior as “ADHD” or “autism” and teaching better communication. We need to understand what is actually happening to the person underneath a diagnosis. Is this primarily an executive-function problem? A difference in processing or communication? Sensory overwhelm? Difficulty shifting or tolerating uncertainty? Rejection sensitivity? Alexithymia? Demand avoidance? Or simply two people whose expectations and needs are very different? Often, a genuine neurodevelopmental difference has become intertwined over time with hurt, resentment, attachment injuries, anxiety, avoidance, mistrust, and the ways each person has learned to protect themselves. Something that began as forgetfulness may eventually come to mean I can't rely on you. A need for time alone may start to feel like You don't want me. A request for connection may be heard as another criticism. And each partner's attempt to protect themselves can unintentionally reinforce the other's greatest fear. My job isn't to decide which partner is right. It’s to help us understand what is happening between you, why it keeps happening, and what would actually help. Once we can see the pattern more clearly, there is usually much more room for compassion, accountability, and change. Some of the Patterns We May Work On I frequently work with neurodiverse couples dealing with: Pursue-withdraw cycles, where one partner wants to resolve something immediately while the other needs space Shutdowns, flooding, meltdowns, defensiveness, or difficulty recovering after conflict ADHD-related forgetfulness, time blindness, inconsistency, difficulty initiating tasks, and follow-through Unequal mental load, household responsibilities, parenting, or decision-making Differences in emotional processing, communication style, and perspective-taking Rejection sensitivity and repeated experiences of criticism or failure Demand avoidance and escalating control-versus-resistance patterns Difficulty identifying or communicating internal emotional states Masking, burnout, sensory needs, and depleted capacity Different needs for closeness, independence, affection, sex, or emotional intimacy The impact of a late ADHD, autism, or AuDHD identification on a long-term relationship Parenting neurodivergent children while trying to protect the couple relationship Years of accumulated resentment in couples who still care deeply about one another Not every problem needs the same response. Some differences need accommodation. Some skills can be learned. Sometimes the couple needs a better system. Sometimes there is an old injury that has never really healed. And sometimes behavior that has been explained as neurodivergence needs to be addressed more directly as a relationship issue. A big part of our work is figuring out which is which. How I Work My approach is active, collaborative, curious, and individualized. I don't believe neurodiverse couples need to become more neurotypical. I also don't believe that understanding neurodivergence means that one partner's needs, expectations, or hurt no longer matter. I want to understand both of you. That may mean slowing down a recent interaction and looking closely at where it went off course. What did one person say? What did the other hear? What happened internally at that moment? When did one of you begin to feel threatened, criticized, overwhelmed, dismissed, or alone? We may help one partner notice overwhelm earlier and learn to communicate a need for space without disappearing. We may help the other express hurt or disappointment in a way that is less likely to land as criticism. If executive functioning is creating repeated conflict, we may build external systems rather than relying on goodwill and memory. Going Beneath the Surface and Understanding the Subtext Often, the conflict in front of us is carrying much more than the immediate issue. The argument about the dishes may not really be about the dishes anymore. After years of similar moments, it can come to represent something much more personal: I can’t depend on you. You don’t notice what I carry. Nothing I do is ever enough. You don’t really understand me. I’m failing you. I’m alone in this. These are the deeper meanings and attachment fears that can turn an ordinary disagreement into something much more painful. Each partner is no longer reacting only to what happened that evening; they may also be reacting to what that moment has come to mean about the relationship. Part of our work is helping each of you recognize that subtext and communicate it more directly. Instead of fighting only about the missed task, the tone of voice, or who said what, we can begin to understand the need underneath it: reassurance, reliability, autonomy, appreciation, closeness, acceptance, or simply the feeling that your partner is on your side. When those deeper needs can be understood and responded to differently, the relationship often begins to feel safer. The goal is not to eliminate every disagreement, but to help you move through conflict without repeatedly losing your connection to one another. I draw from psychodynamic and attachment-oriented therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy, family systems, CBT, ACT, DBT-informed approaches, and executive-function interventions. I value insight, but insight alone isn't enough. I want you to understand your relationship more deeply and also be able to do something different when the difficult moment actually arrives. Ultimately, the hope is not simply that you become better at managing conflict. It's that the two of you become better able to reach one another again, to feel understood, to repair when things go wrong, to trust that your needs matter, and to experience more of the warmth, friendship, intimacy, and security that brought you together in the first place. Who I Tend to Work Especially Well With I particularly enjoy working with couples who are intellectually curious and want to understand the deeper dynamics of their relationship. Many of my clients are highly accomplished professionally. They are used to analyzing complicated problems, learning quickly, and figuring things out. That can make it especially confusing and painful when the most important relationship in their life seems resistant to everything they know how to do. I work frequently with gifted and twice-exceptional adults, physicians, attorneys, engineers, academics, entrepreneurs, executives, and others whose intelligence, intensity, drive, sensitivity, perfectionism, or analytical style may be both a strength and an important part of their relationship dynamics. You don't need to arrive with a formal diagnosis. Sometimes part of our work is simply becoming curious about whether ADHD, autism, AuDHD, giftedness, anxiety, OCD, trauma, attachment, or another factor helps explain patterns that have never quite made sense. The diagnosis can help us understand the relationship, but it isn't the destination. The goal is to understand the two people in front of me and help you build a relationship that works better for both of you. Parenting Neurodivergent & Twice-Exceptional Children I also work with parents of children and teens with ADHD, autism, AuDHD, anxiety, OCD, giftedness, twice-exceptionality, executive-function challenges, and demand-avoidant/PDA profiles. Parents often come to me wrestling with one central question: When does my child need support, and when do they need a push? Your child may be extraordinarily capable in one area while struggling with something that seems as though it should be simple. Traditional parenting strategies may backfire. Rewards and consequences may work temporarily without addressing what is actually driving the behavior. Instead of beginning with How do we stop this behavior? , I usually want to know: Why is this happening? Is your child overwhelmed? Avoiding failure? Experiencing sensory distress? Protecting agency and autonomy? Struggling with executive functioning? Anxious? Ashamed? Under-challenged? Missing a skill? When we understand what is underneath the behavior, we can respond much more thoughtfully. My goal is to help parents develop a practical, nuanced roadmap for supporting their child's development while preserving connection, building skills, maintaining appropriate expectations, and protecting the wellbeing of the whole family. Education & Licensing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, California #150408 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, California #19451 Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Professional Background For the past several years, I have worked closely with Dr. Harry Motro and New Path Therapy Center, receiving ongoing specialized training and consultation in neurodiverse individual and couples therapy while working extensively with autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, and otherwise neurodivergent adults and couples. This work has shaped much of how I think about the intersection of neurodivergence, attachment, emotional processing, executive functioning, intimacy, and relationship conflict. I am also the Clinical Director of the Center for Twice Exceptional Counseling, where I work with gifted and twice-exceptional children, teens, adults, and families whose high cognitive abilities coexist with ADHD, autism, anxiety, executive-function challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and other forms of neurodivergence. My broader clinical training is psychodynamic and depth-oriented, and I integrate that foundation with Internal Family Systems, attachment and family-systems approaches, CBT, ACT, DBT-informed work, and practical executive-function interventions. Before becoming a psychotherapist, I spent many years in the corporate and technology world, including leadership roles as a president, CFO, COO, and founder. That experience still informs my work, particularly with clients who operate in demanding professional environments and are accustomed to being highly competent everywhere except, sometimes, in the relationship that matters most. I live in Los Angeles with my husband and two children. You can learn more about my background, clinical work, and areas of research and interest at Pirnia Therapy . Areas of Specialization Neurodiverse Couples ADHD, Autism & AuDHD Giftedness & Twice-Exceptionality (2e) Executive Functioning & Unequal Mental Load Emotional Regulation, Shutdowns & Relationship Repair Attachment & Long-Standing Relationship Injuries Internal Family Systems (IFS) Rejection Sensitivity PDA / Demand-Avoidant Dynamics Emotional & Sexual Intimacy Parenting Neurodivergent Children High Achievers, Executives & Professionals Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Alexithymia, ASD/Allistic Couples, Attachment, AuDHD, Communication, Divorce, Emotional Intimacy, Emotional Regulation, Family Conflict, General Couples Coaching, Life Transitions, PDA, Twice-exceptional (2e), Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients Leila Pirnia Take an Autism Test

Meet our neurodiversity-affirming counselors and coaches for autism, ADHD, and AuDHD couples, individuals, and teens. Find the right fit for you. More about the TEAM... We're a group of dedicated therapists and coaches who have come together to: treat the neurodiverse community with respect, develop a robust set of tools to help neurodiverse couples, approach neurodiverse healing from a strength-based approach , understand that the trauma of past misunderstanding needs to be healed in a gentle way, share best-practices for neurodiverse therapy amongst the team so we can offer you a beneficial experience, and offer integrated therapy where both the couple and each partner can each have their own counselor ; yet, the therapy is synchronized to achieve compatible goals. Please complete the contact form to be matched with a neurodiverse therapist or coach.

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, ADHD'er or otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help. < Back Tamala Takahashi Not accepting new clients See our other clinicians or Fill our our contact form to get matched About Tamala: Hi there! I was late-diagnosed ADHD (inattentive) at age 49. Two of my three adult children were also diagnosed with ADHD in their late teens/early 20’s. My oldest child is undiagnosed, however they are likely autistic/ADHD as well. My husband of 27 years is late-diagnosed with AuDHD (at age 48). After a fulfilling first career in nonprofit consulting, I decided to focus on helping couples heal and grow in their relationships. Today, I specialize in guiding couples to reconnect, improve communication, and build healthier, more fulfilling partnerships. I am sharing this with you because I believe it will help me understand and support you. I look forward to hearing from you. Navigating Neurodiverse Relationships Neurodiverse couples work is about building communication and coping skills that work best in this particular relationship while maintaining one’s autonomy and individual self. In neurodiverse relationships, clients may have difficulty understanding each other, may be unsure what is OK and not OK to do or say, may feel lonely or annoyed, and may feel like fights and conversations continue to go around and around without resolution. My goal with couples is to meet both individuals where they are at and to assist each individual identify their needs and wants, articulate them, and respond when their partner does the same. The couple decides where they want to go with the relationship and works best for them. And in this process, I hold space, grace, and validation for each individual’s experience in how they process the world as well as the emotional lessons they have learned from their past. You Are NOT Alone The neurodiverse experience can feel lonely. Whether you are neurodiverse or have a neurodiverse partner/family member, it can feel like you are expected to behave a certain way and say certain things, or that no matter how hard you try, you can’t do it right. Maybe you feel like there are things that just don’t make sense but nobody else can see it. That struggle can feel so lonely. My intention in therapy is to provide a space where you are no longer alone. Whether in couples or individual therapy, I am there to support you and hold space for your lived experiences. You Can Do This You have made it to this moment. Congratulations! But I’m guessing those coping skills you developed aren’t working as well anymore and you’re looking for something to help navigate life and relationships. The good news is that you can learn new skills that are more appropriate to your life now. You did it before, and you can do it again. I believe all of us have the capacity to heal and improve our inner lives. That said, it can sometimes be difficult to do this work alone, let alone know what to do at all. That’s where therapy can be a bridge to confidence and a calmer inner world . When humans work together interdependently, we can go further and do better than we can do alone. My position as a therapist is to support my clients in this journey to inner strength and groundedness . My Therapeutic Philosophy While it seems like today we have more understanding of (neuro)diversity, more grace and compassion for each other, and more freedom to move about the cabin without masking, we also live in the modern world where we witness folks’ lives on full display to be judged on social media, where we are told we can do anything yet can receive harsh criticism for not being perfect, and where there is a lingering feeling of uncertainty of the future. This mixed messaging can be destabilizing. In addition, our sense of self and perceptions of others are derived from a combination of our personal experiences (including trauma and triumphs), what we learned from our caretakers, the lessons from other authority figures, society’s messages, and our neurobiology. This mixture is unique to each individual. How we process information therefore has an impact on how we perceive and interact with ourselves and others. I believe a therapist’s role is to provide stability while the client(s) works through uncertainty, reality checks the lessons they learned in life, tries something new, and finds a healthy path to what it looks like for them to be grounded. The specifics will look different for each client(s), but all sessions are built around the principles of acceptance, patience, and kindness. I work collaboratively with the client(s) to identify areas of focus and what works best for them from their perspective. In our 50-min. sessions, therapy goals are usually a combination of gaining clarity, self-awareness, self-compassion, and coping skills. When working with couples or families, communication skills are a significant part of the work as well . Areas of focus Adult diagnosed/suspected ADHD/Autism/AuDHD ADHD/AuDHD with anxiety and depression Women/Non-binary with ADHD/AuDHD cPTSD and Trauma Adolescent diagnosed/suspected ADHD/Autism/AuDHD Parents of adolescent/adult neurodiverse children Childhood emotional neglect/emotional abuse Adult neurodiverse relationships with parents and other family members Empty nest/menopause transitions Multi-cultural relationships/families Intersection of neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ Young adult launching (college, early career, living away from parents, adult relationships) Self Esteem and Assertiveness Social media/video game addiction Religious/cult abuse recovery Modalities Client-centered Therapy Trauma Informed Therapy (CTP certified) Solution Focused Therapy Strengths-Based Approach Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) Somatic Therapy for Trauma Tarot Therapy Positive Psychology Relationship Anarchy approach: anti-hierarchical practices (everyone in the relationship is equal) anti-normativity (every relationship’s success criteria is unique to them) interdependency (partners can share feelings and needs openly and safely) individual autonomy (each partner is a complete human on their own) License & Certifications Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist, AMFT Registered Professional Clinical Counselor Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) Education Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Antioch University of Los Angeles Employment Information Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro , LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc . Specialty Areas: Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Neurodiverse Couples, Autism, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Teens, ADHD, Emotional Intimacy, Communication, Not Accepting New Clients, Attachment, AuDHD, LGBTQIA+, Trauma Tamala Takahashi Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, ADHD'er or otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help. < Back Danielle Grossman, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Supervisor Welcome! Hi, I’m Danielle. I specialize in working with neurodiverse couples who care deeply for each other but often feel stuck, misunderstood, or disconnected. If you’ve been struggling to bridge the gap between your experiences, communication styles, or emotional needs, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In our work together, we’ll explore what’s getting in the way of connection and build new ways of understanding, relating, and supporting each other —without asking either of you to change who you are. How do you bring two people whose minds, bodies, nervous systems and brains interpret the world and express themselves in very different ways, toward mutual understanding and connection? That is what we figure out together. “What we have here is a failure to communicate” - movie ‘Cool Hand Luke’ My Journey Towards Therapy I graduated from Yale University with a degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. After years of exploration and travel, I discovered my passion for psychology and earned my Master’s in Integral Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. My approach integrates the latest in neuroscience and psychological research with somatic awareness, meditative traditions, and social justice. I am always learning and evolving—both from my clients and from the ever-deepening fields of trauma and neurodiversity. My work has expanded over the years to include consulting internationally with other therapists , allowing me to continue refining and sharing what I learn. A Unique Approach to Neurodiverse Relationships Relationships where one or both partners are neurodivergent can be rich and rewarding—but they also come with unique challenges. Communication breakdowns, sensory mismatches, emotional disconnect, and conflicting needs can leave couples feeling isolated or misunderstood. When I work with neurodiverse couples, we explore how two brilliant but very different minds can build bridges of empathy, clarity, and connection. My role is to help you understand each other better—not to change who you are, but to shift the patterns that are causing pain. What Working Together Looks Like By the time couples come to see me, many are caught in painful cycles of miscommunication, frustration, and disconnection. But the truth is: patterns can change , even when people stay exactly who they are. Together, we work toward: Greater emotional and sensory safety Clearer communication and conflict resolution Stronger mutual understanding More intimacy, joy, and respect Calmer nervous systems and better co-regulation A deeper sense of partnership Some couples want to focus on deep emotional work; others need practical help with daily stressors like parenting, budgeting, or task-sharing. Most find a blend of both is ideal. I adapt to your needs and pace—and your feedback always guides the process. How I Can Support You As a Couple Neurodiverse couples therapy with me can include: Individual check-ins as part of the couples framework Support for relationship-specific challenges (conflict, intimacy, parenting) Guidance through life stressors (chronic illness, fertility, grief, career changes) Referrals to trusted colleagues for individual therapy if needed If you or your partner identifies as neurodivergent, or you’re a neurotypical partner trying to understand your neurodivergent loved one, I’m here to help you move toward connection and compassion—without losing yourselves. Life Stressors and Your Relationship Relationships do not take place in a bubble. My work with couples can include supporting you as a couple with a range of life stressors: Addiction (substance use and behavioral) Problems with food and eating Dealing with narcissistic or toxic people in your lives Deciding whether to have a child or more children Fertility issues Postpartum anxiety and depression Anxiety and depression associated with the menopause transition Chronic illness or medical problems Career transitions Aging parents Death of loved ones Children going through crises or developmental challenges Balancing time between athletics, special interests and relationships Managing difficult interpersonal aspects of your work environment Individual Therapy for Neurodivergent Adults In addition to couples work, I offer individual therapy —especially for adults who identify as neurodivergent or feel “wired differently” from the world around them My approach is always tailored to you —your brain, your body, your experiences, and your goals. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling confused about why life feels so hard, even when they're trying their best. You might feel stuck between what you know you're capable of and what feels possible in everyday life. You might be navigating anxiety, burnout, shame, unstable self-esteem, or patterns of self-blame that have taken root after years of being misunderstood. In our work together, we’ll gently uncover the patterns —emotional, cognitive, and nervous system-based—that have helped you survive, but may no longer be serving you. We’ll explore practical tools for s elf-regulation, build self-compassion, and work toward relationships and routines that actually support who you are. We’ll go deep—but we’ll also stay grounded in the realities of your life, your stressors, and your hopes for change. Education M.A. in Integral Counseling Psychology – California Institute of Integral Studies B.A. in Ethics, Politics & Economics – Yale University Approaches & Modalities Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Somatic Psychology Psychodynamic Theory Mindfulness & Meditative Practices Trauma-Informed Therapy License & Employment Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #42516 Clinical Supervisor - New Path Family of Therapy Centers Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Cassandra Syndrome, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Communication, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Eating & Autism, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Accepting New Individual Clients Only Danielle Grossman Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are autistic, have ADHD, or are otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help! < Back Jen Terrell | Neurodiverse Couples Specialist At a Glance: My Journey & Experience Specialist in Neurodiverse Processing & Communication – Helps partners navigate differences in sensitivity, sensory load, and emotional expression, fostering connection across neurotypes. Trauma-Informed, Nervous-System-Centered – Prioritizes regulation before resolution so communication and repair can actually land. Autism, ADHD, and Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)–Informed Care – Helps clients understand their sensitivity, manage sensory and emotional overload, and develop regulation tools that make daily life and relationships more sustainable. 28 Years Married – Brings long-term partnership perspective to real-world issues like rupture, repair, routines, and seasons of closeness/distance. Mother of Four – Parent of four children (ages 13 to 17) with decades of lived experience; helps parents understand behavior through a sensory and regulation lens and build connection through practical routines and repair. Culturally & Biculturally Fluent (Korean/American) – Welcomes bicultural families, immigrants, and intergenerational dynamics; builds bridges without forcing assimilation. Betrayal & Trust Repair – Experienced in helping couples recover from relational injuries (ranging from major betrayals to quiet accumulations of hurt). Healing for Neurodiverse Couples Welcome! I believe that every neurodiverse couple needs a clear, repeatable way to stay connected without burning out. My approach is to translate different communication styles, reduce avoidable overload, and design a rhythm of togetherness and solitude that keeps both partners regulated enough to connect. Partners often speak different “native languages”—one may be more literal, direct, and energy‑limited; the other more inferential, fast‑paced, and socially tuned. We’ll get specific about time (how you start/stop, transition, and reunite), communication (how bids are sent and received), and environment (sensory factors that either drain or refuel), with an eye on roles, fairness, and repair. Here are core practices we’ll build together: Communication mapping & translation: turn missed bids into clear asks; bridge literal ↔ inferential styles; agree on scripts and hand signals for “I’m flooding” and “please be concrete.” Time design: set a predictable cadence of together/alone; use “parallel play” and low‑demand connection; build entry/exit rituals so reunions don’t derail. Sensory‑aware connection : plan dates and talks around noise/light/texture limits; negotiate eye‑contact and touch preferences; create a quiet‑connection menu. Executive‑function scaffolding: externalize plans with shared calendars/boards; define task hand‑offs; use time‑blindness tools and realistic transition buffers. Repair rituals: slow down escalations with step‑by‑step time‑outs; separate intent from impact; use brief apology/repair templates and scheduled do‑overs. Role clarity & fairness: make invisible labor visible; rebalance loads in weekly check‑ins; document “how we do it” for recurring friction points. Intimacy agreements: map bids for affection/sexuality; create a pressure‑free intimacy menu and consent signals so closeness feels safe, not demanding. Who I Work With If you’re seeking a relational, trauma-informed, nervous-system-centered approach—and you want practical steps that protect the dignity of both partners—you’re in the right place. Neurodiverse couples and individuals who want to better understand their brains and strengthen their connection. Partners caught in protest–withdraw, collapse–escalate, or silence–pursuit cycles Highly sensitive clients who feel overwhelmed or chronically misunderstood Couples facing communication breakdowns and trust ruptures Families navigating bicultural, immigrant, and intergenerational dynamics If you want a relational, trauma‑informed, nervous‑system‑centered approach—with practical steps that protect the dignity of both partners—I’d be honored to work with you. Personal Story Between Worlds (Bicultural Roots) I’m the first‑generation daughter of a Korean immigrant mother and an American father. From the start, I translated more than words—decoding emotion, catching the rules no one said out loud, and learning how to belong in two cultures that didn’t always speak to each other. Fluent in the Unsaid (Alexithymic Parent) In our home, the loudest things were often unspoken. My dad—late‑identified with alexithymia—showed love in steady, practical ways, but emotional words rarely appeared. I became fluent in tone, timing, and tension. In sessions, that means I track micro‑shifts in breath, eyes, and posture so people feel understood even before the words come. I help partners name what they’re experiencing without shame or minimization, so truth lands without doing more harm. Highly Sensitive, Not Fragile (HSP) As a kid, I over‑functioned—anticipating needs, smoothing conflict, and carrying more than I could hold. Adulthood asked me to refine that sensitivity into a strength. Today I honor bandwidth, set clear boundaries, and use sensitivity as a precise instrument for connection. In practice, we pace the work to what your nervous systems can actually tolerate and design environments—sensory, time, and tasks—that support connection rather than sabotage it. (If HSP is new—or you’d like a quick read and a brief screener— here’s a short guide . Twenty‑Eight Years Married I’ve been married for 28 years. Long‑term love isn’t a straight line; it moves through seasons. I’ve lived chapters of deep connection and chapters that required grit, mercy, humor, and repair. That history shapes my lens. I respect the real cycle of closeness, distance, rupture, and repair. I focus on daily design—routines, roles, and transitions—that make safety repeatable. My hope is honest, not naïve: change is possible when it’s practiced, not just promised. And I carry a bias toward repair in real time rather than perfection in theory. Steady When Sessions Feel Intense Couples therapy can feel pressure‑filled—voices tighten, bodies brace, and it can seem like everything is on the line. This is a space where I feel at home. Years of leading through real‑world crises taught me how to stay calm, keep dignity intact, and guide two good people back to each other when the moment feels impossible. In the room, I slow reactivity so thinking can return, I name the pattern that’s hijacking the conversation, and I help you find the next caring step you can actually do. From Othering to Belonging Growing up in a Northern California suburb, I often felt like an outsider—present but out of sync. That experience sharpened my empathy for anyone who feels “too much,” “too little,” or simply “different.” In couples work, that becomes bridge‑building: not assimilation to one partner’s style, but a third way where both people are understood and supported. Why This Matters in Therapy This background means I translate across neurotypes and cultures so messages land as intended. I privilege nervous‑system reality over willpower so change is sustainable. And I protect the dignity of both partners while we practice new moves in the room. What to Expect in Session Clients describe my style as warm, steady, and clear. I am direct without shaming and structured without being rigid. We will name what is actually happening between you, not just what you wish were happening. We will practice in the room so you don’t have to build new habits alone at home. We will keep an eye on sensory load, processing speed, and executive‑function bandwidth so that plans are doable, not performative. And when repairs are needed, we will do them well—at a pace your bodies can tolerate—so trust has a chance to grow again. Neurodiversity & Identity I’m proud to be neurodiverse. I’m unequivocally a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and—when you look through the lens of how autism often presents in women—my profile includes strong autistic traits alongside very high camouflaging. That matches my lived experience: I feel deeply, notice quickly, and learned early to “blend in” to keep connection. I also experience meaningful sensory differences, so I pay close attention to sound, light, and tactile load—for myself and for my clients. Because I’m wired this way, I intuitively understand the push–pull dynamics many neurodiverse couples face, and I know how to translate, pace, and design safety so both partners can actually meet. Parenting Across Neurotypes I love being a mom of four precious children—ages 27 to 13. Parenting four different humans taught me more about neurodiversity than any textbook. Each child brought a distinct nervous system, sensory profile, and way of connecting. Strategies that soothed one could overwhelm another. I learned—sometimes the hard way—that what looks like “defiance” or “avoidance” is often a nervous system protecting itself from overload. I also learned that the same moment can require very different responses: one child needed quiet and deep pressure to come back online; another needed movement and a time‑boxed plan; a third needed humor and a snack before words; a fourth needed space and a predictable check‑in. That lived education is the backbone of my work with parents. In my work with parents, I translate behavior through a regulation and sensory lens, build routines that actually fit a family’s bandwidth, and protect connection while setting clear, sustainable boundaries. Structure and tenderness are not opposites; they’re partners. Decode: meltdown vs. shutdown; sensory overload vs. “oppositional”; lagging skills vs. willful refusal. Design: mornings, transitions, homework flow, screen‑time limits, and recovery plans after overwhelm. Co‑regulate: simple scripts, breath/grounding cues, sensory kits, and repair rituals after conflict. Boundaries: a few clear rules, visual cues, choices inside limits, and plans for high‑stress moments. Special Focus: Betrayal Healing Betrayal shows up in every relationship in one form or another—sometimes large and obvious, sometimes quiet and cumulative. However it appears, it wounds safety and reshapes the story two people tell about each other. My focus is to slow reactivity, put clear words to the harm, and build a steady, compassionate repair process that honors truth, restores safety, and rebuilds trust over time. This work is careful and paced to what bodies can tolerate; it’s not performative, and it’s not rushed. Training & Approaches My work is grounded in relational neuroscience—the brain is social and changes through co‑regulation. Insight matters, but change sticks through repeated, attuned moments of safety. I integrate: Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) — reference: PACT Institute Internal Family Systems (parts work) — reference: IFS Institute Polyvagal‑informed regulation work — reference: Polyvagal Institute Somatic tracking and attunement — reference: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute Attachment science for couples (EFT) — reference: ICEEFT Trauma‑informed principles — reference: SAMHSA Research‑based communication and repair tools — reference: The Gottman Institute License &Employment Information Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #155583 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Highly Sensitive People (HSP), Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Communication, Multicultural Challenges, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, ADHD, Blended Families, Cassandra Syndrome, Life Transitions, Teens, Trauma Jen Terrell Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are autistic, have ADHD, or are otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help! < Back Empowering Neurodiverse Relationships 🌿 I believe that neurodiverse couples can thrive when they are given the tools and support to better understand each other. Through neurodiverse couples counseling , I guide partners in embracing their differences. My goal is to help transform challenges into opportunities for growth and building fulfilling, connected relationships that honor each partner’s unique strengths. Specialties: Neurodiverse Couples Trauma Parenting (Neurotypical and Neurodiverse) Sex Addiction Substance Use Addiction Inner Child Work/Parts Work Life Experience Autistic & ADHD (AuDHD) Partner to a neurodiverse husband Mother to 2 wonderful children Identifies as a queer woman Experience being in recovery from addiction Clients: Couples Individuals Teens Families Group Therapy Modalities: IFS (Internal Family Systems) Family Systems Gottman Method Bowenian Family Therapy Emotionally-focused Therapy Solution-focused Therapy Trauma Informed Therapy My Professional Journey with Neurodiversity I believe my work as a therapist is enriched by a unique blend of personal and professional insights, particularly in the realm of neurodiversity. As an autistic woman also living with ADHD , I bring a deep, lived understanding of how neurodiverse traits—such as communication styles, sensory sensitivities, and emotional processing —impact relationships. My professional background, which includes working as a physician and now as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist allows me to support my clients in both the emotional and practical aspects of building healthier, more connected relationships. Through my own journey with neurodiversity, I’ve come to understand how differences can be both challenging and transformative. These experiences shape my empathetic approach, especially in helping couples navigate the unique dynamics that neurodiversity introduces into their relationships. Personal Experiences That Shape My Work As a queer woman in recovery from addiction, my personal experiences have been integral to my coaching practice. I’ve embarked on a long journey of self-discovery, working through childhood trauma, complex family dynamics, grief, loss, and understanding my own neurodiverse identity. These lived experiences allow me to connect authentically with clients, offering them a compassionate and empowering approach to their own struggles. My background enables me to provide a supportive environment for those who are navigating similar challenges in their relationships. Neurodiversity in My Family Life While raising my two wonderful children, my understanding of neurodiversity deepened. This understanding became even more personal when my husband was recently diagnosed with ADHD , further expanding my knowledge of neurodiverse relationships. These insights into both autism and ADHD have shaped my personal life and professional practice. They have also enhanced my ability to guide couples through their own neurodiverse relationships. Whether through parenting, marriage, or coaching, I’ve come to appreciate the complexities and gifts that neurodiversity brings to relationships. From Addiction to Recovery My struggle with addiction was deeply tied to feelings of overstimulation and stress, common traits among neurodiverse individuals. This experience led me to a place where I felt disconnected from myself and those I loved. The "gift of desperation" prompted me to seek help, and through years of recovery, including support from Alcoholics Anonymous and individual coaching, I found my way back to myself. Through this process, I realized that addiction doesn’t just impact the individual—it profoundly affects relationships . I believe that healthy relationships can be a foundation for healing, offering a supportive environment where both partners can grow and reconnect. My personal journey of recovery fuels my passion to help others experience this transformation in their lives and relationships. Couples and Neurodiversity 🧠 Neurodiverse traits—such as variations in communication styles, emotional processing, and sensory sensitivities—can deeply impact relationships. However, when these differences are understood and embraced , they can become a source of strength rather than tension. In my practice, I work collaboratively with couples to enhance communication, manage conflict, and embrace their unique differences. By creating a supportive environment for exploration and dialogue, I help couples build empathy and connection , ultimately leading to a more harmonious and fulfilling relationship. Navigating Neurodiversity and Addiction 💔 Neurodiverse individuals are more prone to addiction due to a variety of factors, including challenges with impulse control, emotional regulation, and difficulties with social interaction. Traits associated with neurodiversity, such as heightened stress responses and sensory overwhelm, can make certain individuals more vulnerable to seeking coping mechanisms through substances or compulsive behaviors like sex addiction. Unfortunately, these behaviors can create a cycle of isolation and emotional disconnection within relationships. In my coaching practice, I work with both sex addiction and substance use addiction, understanding that while they share similarities, they also present unique challenges. Both forms of addiction can create profound rifts in a relationship, leading to trust issues, secrecy, and emotional distance . However, they differ in how they manifest and impact the couple. Substance use often affects daily functioning and physical health, while sex addiction can result in deep feelings of betrayal and shame, particularly for the hurt partner. License: Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #153124 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, LGBTQIA+, Addiction, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Sex/Physical Intimacy, Emotional Intimacy, ADHD, Autism, Internal Family Systems, Attachment, AuDHD, Communication, Discernment, Highly Sensitive People (HSP), Trauma, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Not Accepting New Clients Malori Evans Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are autistic, have ADHD, or are otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help! < Back Maring Higa, Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist | Neurodiverse Couples Specialist 💛 Lived Experience Shapes the Way I Work I know what it’s like to fight for connection—and to finally find it, in a way that feels real, earned, and deeply alive. Earlier in life, I was in a neurodiverse marriage that ended in divorce. It was a relationship filled with both love and difficulty, and navigating the differences in communication, processing, and emotional rhythms taught me more than any training ever could. That experience was humbling and powerful—it cracked me open to what it really means to bridge worlds. I carry forward the insight, empathy, and hard-won clarity I gained from that relationship with deep gratitude. It made me who I am today. Now, I’m over a decade into a new relationship with someone I truly consider my soulmate. But “soulmate” doesn’t mean easy. It means we’re committed to doing the work—especially the work of blending families, healing old wounds, and growing through inevitable friction. We still have our differences. We still stumble. But we keep showing up with curiosity, humility, and care. Having lived through both disconnection and deep repair, I bring a grounded, compassionate hope to couples who are struggling. I don’t offer quick fixes—I offer real tools for real relationships. 🧠 How I Work with Neurodiverse Couples I specialize in helping neurodiverse couples —whether autistic, ADHD, or both—untangle the confusing, painful cycles that often arise when two very different nervous systems and communication styles collide. I don’t see either partner as “the problem.” Instead, I help couples understand how their unique wiring, regulation needs, and processing styles impact the way they connect—or miss each other. Together, we: Slow things down so both people feel safe and heard Shift out of blame and into shared curiosity Build a relational language that works for both neurotypes Learn how to repair misattunements with compassion and intention Respect sensory needs and differences in emotional pacing My approach blends depth and structure. Some of the methods I draw from include: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for co-regulation and secure attachment Imago Therapy for exploring how early wounds shape current conflict Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help each partner access compassion for their own inner world Gottman tools for practical support around communication, rituals, and conflict management Somatic and bioenergetic work to address what's held in the body, not just the mind Every couple is different—and in neurodiverse relationships, that difference is often wider and more profound than in neurotypical ones. That’s not a deficit—it’s just reality. With the right support, it can become a strength. 🌿 The Body Knows—Especially in Neurodiverse Relationships Before I became a therapist, I practiced acupuncture for 17 years. I’ve also trained in somatic healing and bioenergetic therapy, and I bring that deep respect for the body into my work with clients every day. Neurodiverse individuals—especially autistic folks—often live disconnected from their bodies. They may struggle with interoception (the ability to sense what's going on inside) or feel overloaded by sensory input, leading them to numb out or dissociate. Others may live in a state of chronic stress without even realizing it. In my work, I help clients tune back in—gently and safely. Whether through breath, movement, somatic tracking, or body awareness tools , we reconnect to the body not as a “fix,” but as a source of wisdom and regulation. This is especially important in relationships, where the body holds unspoken tension, patterns of shutdown, and the longings we can’t always verbalize. My training and experience include: Acupuncture and holistic bodywork Somatic therapy and bioenergetic release Support for postpartum health and hormonal transitions Women’s health and trauma recovery Personal experience as an athlete, injury survivor, and circus arts performer This embodied lens helps me work with clients whose nervous systems are exhausted, disconnected, or over-activated—especially in the context of neurodiverse relationships. 🌱 Parenting Neurodivergent Children I’m a mom of two amazing kids. My daughter is 9, and my son is 14 and autistic. Parenting a neurodivergent child has taught me more than any book or training ever could. I've come to understand the sensory challenges, the meltdowns, the brilliance, the beauty, and the fatigue. What’s more, I was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, which helped make sense of so many struggles I carried silently as a child—overwhelm, internal shame, and the constant feeling of falling short in a world that didn’t match how I was wired. This personal journey allows me to support other parents—especially those navigating diagnoses, school systems, and the emotional toll of loving a child who may not be understood by the world around them. I walk alongside you not as an expert from afar, but as someone in the trenches who deeply gets it. 👨👩👧👦 Co-Parenting After Separation I’ve lived the real-world challenges of co-parenting —trying to communicate with an ex while staying grounded in your values, protecting your kids' emotional safety, and managing the logistics of schedules, boundaries, and big feelings. Co-parenting can feel impossible at times, especially when there’s unresolved hurt or different parenting philosophies. I work with clients to develop r ealistic, compassionate strategies for communication, boundary-setting, and conflict de-escalation. My goal is to help you shift from power struggles to problem-solving, so your children get the best of both parents. 🏡 Blended Families: A New Blueprint Blending families isn't just about combining households—it’s about building a completely new system with its own rhythms, rituals, and rules. As someone who’s part of a blended family, I know the loyalty binds, the role confusion, and the emotional landmines that can appear unexpectedly. There’s grief for what was, hope for what could be, and lots of tension in the “in between.” I help blended families navigate common challenges like stepparent roles, co-parenting across households, discipline differences, and how to build connection when trust is still forming. Together, we create a new blueprint that honors everyone involved—including the kids. 🎨 And Just for Fun I’m endlessly curious and deeply creative. I love women’s soccer, making music, and getting lost in hands-on projects. I find beauty in the messiness of being human and believe that humor, creativity, and embodiment are essential parts of healing. Education & Clinical Training M.A. in Counseling Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy) – National University M.S. in Oriental Medicine – Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Certified Bioenergetics Therapist – Southern California Institute of Bioenergetics (in progress) Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #145908 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Trained in: Somatic Therapy & Nervous System Regulation Internal Family Systems (IFS) Trauma-Informed Couples Work Fertility, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Mental Health Women's Health & Holistic Medicine Acupuncture and Embodiment Practices Podcast Creator & Host: The Messy Middle (2016–2021) – Personal growth and emotional healing Body Talk (2024–Present) – Exploring somatic therapy, mind-body connection, and holistic wellness Specialty Areas: Autism, ADHD, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Blended Families, Somatic Therapies, IFS, Trauma, Neurodiverse Couples, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Attachment, AuDHD, Communication, Couples Retreats/Intensives, Discernment, Emotion Focused Therapy, Highly Sensitive People (HSP), Multicultural Challenges, Teens, General Couples Coaching, Family Conflict, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Integrative Spiritual Therapy, Cassandra Syndrome, Emotional Intimacy, Emotional Regulation, Life Transitions Maring Higa Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, ADHD'er or otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help. < Back Neurodiverse Couples One of the many tricks the human mind likes to play is convincing us that: "I am the only one.” More specifically, we often tell ourselves: "I am the only one who… thinks like this, acts like this, looks like this, struggles with this kind of thinking." For those experiencing the challenges of navigating a neurodiverse relationship, it can feel isolating. That was most certainly true for me in my neurodiverse marriage. There was tremendous power for my wife and I in naming our neurodiversity. This allowed us to feel seen and affirmed. Even though we struggled with our communication, our daily habits, our differences, and our life together, our understanding gave us a path forward. This allowed us to begin to see one another with compassion and grace. Hi, I am Jory Wilson, a dedicated couples counselor with a focus on supporting neurodiverse couples. `I help couples with the dynamics of relationships where one or both partners are neurodivergent. My practice is built on a deep appreciation for the complexities of neurodiversity, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and sensory processing differences, and how these aspects influence relationship interactions. My holistic approach not only addresses the challenges but also highlights the strengths that neurodiversity brings into relationships. My objective is to empower couples to gracefully manage their differences and to build robust, resilient partnerships that celebrate both individuality and unity. ADHD Support: Work, Life & Relationships Because I navigate the world with an ADHD brain, I understand that its impact extends far beyond a messy desk or a forgotten appointment. I know how ADHD ripples through every layer of life—from the pressure to perform at work while battling "imposter syndrome," to the sensory overwhelm that can make social gatherings exhausting, to the unique dynamics it creates inside a marriage. I support clients in understanding how their neurodivergence shows up in the boardroom, at the dinner table, and in their inner emotional world, helping to untangle the complexities of navigating a world designed for neurotypical brains. My approach goes much deeper than just "executive function" hacks or to-do lists. We will explore the nuanced reality of the ADHD experience, including the intense emotional waves, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and the dopamine-seeking behaviors that often get misunderstood as laziness or lack of care. Whether it is navigating the shame spiral of "not doing enough" or managing the burnout that comes from years of masking, I provide a space where you do not have to translate your brain to be understood. Ultimately, my goal is to help you move from fighting your brain to working with it. While we will certainly tackle practical strategies for organization and focus, we will also look for the unique strengths inherent in your wiring—your creativity, your ability to hyperfocus, and your deep capacity for empathy. I want to help you build a life and relationships that honor your authentic self, rather than trying to fit a neurodivergent square peg into a neurotypical round hole. Sex Addiction and Neurodiversity In addition to my focus on neurodiverse relationships, I have developed a specialization in addressing the complexities of sex addiction within these unique partnerships. Understanding that sex addiction can present distinct challenges in the context of neurodiversity, I approach therapy with sensitivity to the nuances of how neurodivergent traits can intersect with addictive behaviors. My goal is to help individuals and couples navigate the intricacies of sex addiction by fostering healthy communication, establishing boundaries, and rebuilding trust. I employ a compassionate, non-judgmental approach, blending therapeutic techniques such as IFS (Internal Family Systems), EFT (Emotion-Focused Therapy) and mindfulness-based strategies to support recovery and healing. My work with neurodiverse couples and individuals facing sex addiction is rooted in the belief that every person and relationship has the capacity for growth and transformation. By creating a supportive and understanding environment, I aim to empower my clients to explore their behaviors, understand the underlying causes of addiction, and develop coping mechanisms that align with their values and relationship goals. Recognizing the importance of tailored interventions, I collaborate closely with each client to craft personalized treatment plans that address both neurodiversity and sex addiction, working towards a future where both individuals and their relationships can thrive. Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (Candidate) What is a CSAT? Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) are professionals who have taken supplementary training to treat individuals experiencing unwanted or compulsive sexual behaviors, or sex addiction. CSATs take a deep dive into the root of the compulsive behavior, in many cases it is trauma, and provide a step-by-step guide to healing both the behavior and the wound it is protecting. Couples Retreats & Intensives I'm also passionate about helping couples in crisis find their way back to each other through innovative intensive sessions. My approach combines evidence-based therapeutic modalities with intuitive guidance, providing a powerful alternative to therapy (a process that can take months to years). Intensives are designed to be efficient and highly effective, providing tangible improvements in a rapid amount of time. Whether your relationship is on the brink of divorce, navigating trauma, or just stuck in unhelpful cycles, participating in an intensive with your partner can be a great way to jumpstart your healing journey. My Personal Story In a world that told me I needed to pick myself up by my bootstraps and tough it out I decided, after not being able to stuff emotions any longer, to go a different route. I left my career to focus on healing the deep wounds that I was not even able to name. That led to personal and couples therapy that forever changed my life for the better. I was so profoundly impacted by my experiences in therapy that I wondered if I could participate in the healing journey for others the way my therapist did for me. I decided to pursue a career in psychotherapy in efforts to extend the hand of compassion that was so lovingly extended to me. Make no mistake about it, the work of change is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it is also the most rewarding. I am living proof that couples therapy can have a profound impact on a relationship. My wife and I are living some of the most present and grateful years of our life as we raise a child together. We both entered our relationship with wounds that run incredibly deep, but the courageous work of change can heal in ways that I never imagined. If that is true in my life, then it is true for you as well. Specialties Sex Addiction Internet Addiction Affair Recovery Trauma OCD Modalities IFS (Internal Family Systems) EFT (Emotion-Focused Therapy) Person Centered Therapy Trauma Informed Therapy Clients Couples Individuals Teens Families Group Therapy License and Employment Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #1 65514 Associate Sex Addiction Therapist Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Sex/Physical Intimacy, Communication, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Addiction, Emotion Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Christian, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, IFS, General Couples Coaching, Emotional Regulation, Couples Retreats/Intensives, Trauma Jory Wilson Take an Autism Test

Adam Kootman, AMFT, an AuDHD couples therapist, helps neurodiverse couples with recurring fights, desire differences, and trust repair. Telehealth in CA. < Back Adam Kootman Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist At a Glance Autistic and ADHD (AuDHD). Diagnosed in his late 30s. Spent more than 15 years in one relationship before he had language for what was happening Knows how forgetting something can become much bigger than the forgotten thing Divorced, then rebuilt. Went to co-parenting therapy so his daughter could have a stable life in two homes. Trained in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) through ICEEFT Trained in how ADHD traits shape attachment in couples Talks about sex, desire, and affairs plainly. No shame. Professional musician and composer for more than a decade. Four albums. U.S. tours. Music for TV and major brands. LGBTQ+ affirming. Neurodiversity-affirming. The Same Fight You keep having the same fight. Maybe it's about chores. The phone. Who forgot what. Maybe it's about sex. You both care. You both try. You still end up in the same painful place. Pretty soon, the argument is no longer really about the thing that started it. That's the part I care about. What keeps happening underneath. I'm an autistic and ADHD therapist. I spent more than 15 years in a relationship before I had language for how my own brain was shaping moments like these. I'm not studying this from the outside. Why I Do This Work I think a huge reason I became a therapist is that I have spent a lot of my own life trying to understand why I experience the world the way that I do. I was diagnosed with AuDHD in my late 30s. By then, I had already been in a relationship for more than 15 years, gotten married, become a father, gone through a divorce, started over, dated again, and spent years in therapy trying to understand myself. The diagnosis gave me language for things I had spent years judging myself for. Impulsivity. Hyperfocus. Sensory sensitivity. Feeling things intensely. Getting emotionally overwhelmed. Masking. Forgetting something I genuinely cared about because my attention had gone somewhere else. I was always told I was sensitive. For a long time, I thought that was something I needed to toughen up about. Now I see it differently. I notice small shifts in people. Tone. Expression. Emotion. In the therapy room, that sensitivity helps me attune closely and notice what may be happening underneath the argument. Understanding my neurodivergence helped me stop asking, “What is wrong with me?” and start asking, “What is actually happening here?” That question changed the way I understood relationships too. Looking Back Looking back at my own long-term relationship, I can see ways neurodivergence was showing up long before I had language for it. Forgetting something could become much bigger than the forgotten thing. Getting emotionally overwhelmed could turn into shutting down. Rejection sensitivity, shame, attachment, and two different experiences of the same moment could all end up inside one argument. When nobody understands what is happening, everything can start to feel personal. I know that from lived experience. Now it's exactly the kind of moment I slow down for couples. Not to decide who's to blame. To help both people see what's actually going on. Divorce, Starting Over, and Two Homes I also know what it's like to rebuild after a relationship ends. Divorce forced me to figure out who I was outside of a relationship I had been in for most of my adult life. Dating again made me think differently about intimacy and attachment. Parenting and co-parenting taught me something different. My daughter has two homes. Her other parent and I eventually went into co-parenting therapy, and years later we have built a stable life for her across both households. That took work. I had to learn how to communicate directly, regulate myself when emotions were high, let go of things I could not control, and accept that another person can experience the exact same situation very differently than I do. These days, when my daughter and I are together, we're usually hiking, climbing, or out exploring somewhere. Neurodivergence Inside a Relationship That's a big part of why I'm drawn to neurodiverse couples. One person forgets something and their partner experiences it as not caring. Someone gets overwhelmed and needs space, while their partner experiences that space as rejection. One person wants more sex, affection, or reassurance, while the other feels pressure and pulls further away. Then attachment gets involved. Rejection sensitivity gets involved. Shame gets involved. Couples come in talking about chores, parenting, communication, sex, differences in desire, phones, schedules, or who forgot what. I'm interested in what keeps happening underneath all of it. Being AuDHD doesn't mean I know what somebody else's neurodivergence feels like. There is no single ADHD experience or autistic experience. It also doesn't put me on anyone's side. In couples work, I'm on the side of the relationship. I know my brain. My job is to get curious about yours. Sex and Desire A lot of couples carry a second argument they rarely say out loud. Sex has slowed down. Or it feels disconnected. Or nobody knows how to bring it up anymore. One of you wants more. The other feels pressure. Maybe things changed after an affair. In neurodiverse relationships, sensory needs, energy, overwhelm, and rejection sensitivity all shape desire. They rarely get named. I don't treat sex as a separate problem to fix. We look at what's happening underneath it, including what happens when one person reaches and the other pulls away. As pressure and shame come down, closeness has room to come back. I've trained in taking a sexual history and in sexuality after an affair. I'm comfortable having these conversations directly. Before Therapy Before becoming a therapist, I spent more than a decade working professionally as a musician in Los Angeles. I released four full-length albums. I toured across the United States. Later I composed music for film, television, and advertising, including campaigns for brands like Disney, Toyota, and American Express. I wrote music and spent years using it to evoke emotion. Looking back, I think I have been interested in what people feel beneath the surface for a long time. Eventually, that curiosity moved from music into people and relationships. Now I get to sit with couples and try to understand what is happening between two people who care about each other but keep ending up in the same painful patterns. That feels like a pretty natural progression to me. How I Work My work is emotionally focused, attachment-based, LGBTQ+ affirming, and neurodiversity-affirming. I'm trained in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), with a psychodynamic, trauma-informed foundation. I've also trained in how ADHD traits shape attachment in couples. In practice, we slow things down. We map the cycle you keep getting caught in. We find the feelings and fears driving each person's part of it. And we adapt the work to how each of your brains actually processes. The goal isn't to make anyone more neurotypical. It's to help you reach each other. Who I Work With Neurodiverse couples, with one or both partners autistic, ADHD, or AuDHD, diagnosed or self-identified Couples stuck in pursue-withdraw cycles Couples where forgetting, overwhelm, or rejection sensitivity keep turning small moments into big fights Partners with different levels of desire Couples rebuilding trust after an affair Adults discovering their neurodivergence later in life Separated and divorced parents learning to co-parent LGBTQ+ couples and individuals Creative professionals and performers What to Expect in Session Sessions are conversational, reflective, and collaborative. I'll tell you what I'm noticing. Then I'll check whether it fits. Neurodivergent needs are welcome here. Movement. Fidgeting. Less eye contact. Time to think before answering. Written summaries when they help. If one of you shuts down, I don't read it as not caring. I read it as a nervous system that has hit its limit. We work with that, not against it. Some sessions focus on what just happened at home. Others go into the longer patterns underneath. Nobody has to perform “fine” here. I'm especially interested in what is happening underneath the problem that brought a couple into therapy: the emotions, attachment fears, nervous-system differences, and patterns that keep repeating even when both people want something different. License, Training, & More License: Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #164632 (California Board of Behavioral Sciences) Education: M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy emphasis, Pepperdine University (Academic Honors, 2026) B.A. in Psychology, California State University, Northridge A.A. in Psychology, Santa Monica College Training: Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Essentials 1 & 2, International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) Attachment and ADHD: How ADHD Traits Shape Attachment Bonds in Couples, LA-CAMFT Taking a Sexual History: Unlocking a Client's Past, Los Angeles County Psychological Association Sexuality After an Affair, Los Angeles County Psychological Association Dream Analysis: Jungian Origins and Clinical Application, LA-CAMFT Cultural Competency in Dementia Care Clinical experience: Individual, couples, and group therapy with adults in private practice and community mental health settings Adult day program and counseling center work with adults and older adults facing anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and cognitive change Mentor and employment specialist for neurodivergent young adults, building executive functioning, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and confidence at work Approaches: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT and EFIT) Attachment-based therapy Psychodynamic and person-centered therapy Trauma-informed care Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, when they fit Before therapy: More than a decade as a professional musician, songwriter, and composer. Four full-length albums, U.S. tours, and music for film, television, and advertising. Professional memberships: International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) Affirming care: LGBTQ+ affirming and neurodiversity-affirming Specialty areas: Neurodiverse couples, mixed-neurotype relationships, AuDHD, ADHD, autistic adults, late-identified neurodivergence, pursue-withdraw cycles, rejection sensitivity, sex, intimacy, and desire differences, infidelity and trust repair, attachment, Emotionally Focused Therapy, divorce and co-parenting, men's issues, creative professionals, and LGBTQ+ affirming care Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Neurodiverse Couples, ADHD, AuDHD, Autism, ASD/Allistic Couples, Attachment, Communication, Emotional Intimacy, Emotional Regulation, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Divorce, Life Transitions, Mixed-Neurotype Relationships, Late-Identified Neurodivergence, Rejection Sensitivity, Co-Parenting, Emotion Focused Therapy, CBT, LGBTQIA+ Adam Kootman Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, ADHD'er or otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help. < Back Specialties and Certifications Neurodiverse Couples General Couples Therapy Depression and Anxiety Christian Couples Counseling Affair Recovery Parenting Grief Life Experience J oyfully married for 20 years, with a relationship that's grown stronger through dedication and mutual support, and a proud father to my young adult daughter. Over 25 years of work in non-profit organizations including urban youth, churches, and schools Adjunct graduate school professor teaching courses on the integration of psychology and spirituality Earlier career in the hospitality and semiconductor industries Education in psychology, theology, and spirituality at the Master & Doctoral levels About Dan Daniel Chung has over twenty years of wide-ranging experience working with people in all stages of life. He is a creative, dedicated therapist who is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families by coming alongside them, listening with empathy, helping to make sense of their concerns and needs, and providing vital tools to grow and thrive in life. Daniel focuses on providing a safe, nurturing, and judgment-free space that enables clients to heal and positively progress by fostering their agency to empower them to leverage their positive qualities toward lasting, satisfying, and harmonious relationships. He believes in holistic healing toward emotional, spiritual, and relational wellness that activates the mind, body, and spirit, and usher into deeper self-realization, purposeful living, better conflict management, and healthier coping skills over stress and grief. Neurodiverse Relationships Understanding the Neurodiverse Pain and Peace Cycles 💡 In neurodiverse relationships, the Pain Cycle can be especially challenging, as differences in communication styles, emotional expression, and sensory needs often amplify misunderstandings. Daniel helps couples recognize and interrupt these destructive cycles by: Identifying neurodiversity-related triggers that lead to feelings of blame, shame, or isolation. Bridging communication gaps by teaching partners to translate their emotional needs into language that both neurodivergent and neurotypical partners can understand. With his guidance, couples move toward the Peace Cycle, fostering trust, safety, and connection by: Developing shared tools for calm, respectful interactions that honor each partner’s unique needs. Building habits of empathetic listening to navigate differences without judgment or frustration. By teaching couples how to understand and manage their pain and peace cycles through a neurodiverse lens, Daniel equips them to deepen their relationship and embrace each other’s strengths. Enhancing Connection through Neurodiverse Collaboration 🤝 Daniel’s trauma-informed and client-centered approach creates a safe space for neurodiverse couples to explore their unique dynamics. He empowers couples to grow through: Open conversations about neurodiversity , helping partners express their needs and challenges in a non-critical environment. Practicing vulnerability , especially for neurodivergent partners who may find expressing emotions or needs more complex. By fostering collaboration, Daniel helps couples: Set realistic, shared goals that accommodate neurodiverse needs. Strengthen their relationship through teamwork, building a resilient partnership that honors each individual’s contributions. Through his compassionate guidance, neurodiverse couples gain the skills to navigate their differences and cultivate a relationship grounded in mutual respect and understanding. Navigating the Unique Challenges of Neurodiverse Relationships 🌟 For neurodiverse couples, challenges often arise from differences in how partners process and express emotions, manage sensory input, or approach social interactions. Daniel helps couples by: Promoting self-awareness : Encouraging neurodivergent partners to understand how their sensory sensitivities or executive functioning differences impact the relationship, while helping neurotypical partners appreciate these unique perspectives. Focusing on strengths : Highlighting the unique skills and insights each partner brings to the relationship. Providing practical strategies : Offering tailored tools to help neurodiverse couples navigate everyday challenges, such as managing overstimulation or scheduling meaningful quality time. Daniel believes that by embracing neurodiversity, couples can turn perceived obstacles into opportunities for growth and connection. Dan's Neuro-Informed Therapeutic Approach Daniel’s therapeutic approach is neuro-informed, trauma-sensitive, and client-centered , supporting clients in their healing journey while honoring the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals and their partners. He creates a working alliance rooted in empathy, acceptance, openness, and flexibility, ensuring that the therapeutic process is accessible and tailored to diverse neurodiverse experiences. Daniel’s work is informed by his deep understanding of how neurodiversity intersects with emotional and relational patterns. He provides tools and strategies that are practical and sensitive to sensory, communication, and executive functioning differences. Having worked with clients from diverse cultures, ethnicities, and neurodiverse profiles, Daniel relates to clients with authenticity, compassion, humility, and sensitivity. He strives to create a safe and empowering space where all clients feel seen, understood, and supported. My Therapeutic Modalities Daniel incorporates the following neuro-informed approaches into his work: Trauma-Informed Therapy : Acknowledging how trauma manifests differently in neurodivergent individuals and tailoring interventions accordingly. Restoration Therapy : Helping clients recognize and reshape destructive relational cycles, particularly those impacted by neurodiverse dynamics. Emotion-Focused Therapy : Supporting partners in expressing and interpreting emotions in ways that bridge neurodiverse communication styles. Brief Solution-Focused Therapy : Offering actionable, goal-oriented strategies that align with each client’s cognitive and sensory preferences. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) : Adapting CBT techniques to accommodate the thought processes and learning styles of neurodiverse individuals. Experiential Therapy : Using creative, hands-on techniques that honor sensory needs and promote meaningful emotional exploration. Adult Autism & ADHD Assessments Daniel specializes in providing neurodiversity-supportive assessments and therapeutic services designed to help individuals reach their full potential. His comprehensive approach includes administering questionnaires, engaging in discussions, making observations, and using tools such as the MIDAS-2 and SRS-2 for Autism, as well as the CAARS and Brown EF/A scales for ADHD. Daniel works collaboratively with clients to explore their unique traits and understand the value of a diagnosis in fostering success and fulfillment. Daniel also offers guidance, resources, and support to individuals and their families throughout the assessment process. By taking a holistic view, he identifies each person’s strengths and challenges from multiple perspectives. His goal is to serve as an ally, helping clients navigate the assessment journey and discover pathways to growth, progress, and lasting change. In his experience, Daniel’s clients have found the assessment process to be a transformative opportunity for self-discovery, leading to greater understanding and acceptance of themselves and fostering empathy in their relationships. Whether confirming or ruling out a diagnosis, Daniel emphasizes that neurodiversity is not a defect but a unique set of traits accompanied by gifts and areas for growth. With the right tools, clients can build essential skills to improve social, professional, and personal relationships. Clients Couples Individuals Families Adults Adolescents License Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapy #149769 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc. Specialty Areas: Emotion Focused Therapy, Neurodiverse Couples, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Christian, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Emotional Intimacy, Assessment, Communication, Not Accepting New Clients, Autism, AuDHD, Emotional Regulation, Family Conflict, General Couples Coaching, Life Transitions, Attachment Daniel Chung Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, ADHD'er or otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help. < Back Colleen Kahn Not accepting new clients See our other clinicians or Fill our our contact form to get matched Welcome, I am so delighted you are here. My Passion for Neurodiverse Couples I am dedicated to helping neurodiverse couples find a new way to love and appreciate each other. Understanding Neurodiversity First, let me cover the basic terms. A neurodiverse relationship is where at least one partner is neurodivergent (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Down’s Syndrome...). This means that you and your partner are different; not better or worse. Neurodiversity may be a new concept for you. Maybe it's what you have been searching for but didn't know. It may be an awakening to the difficulties you have been experiencing in your relationship but could not quite articulate. In fact, many neurodivergent adults have gone undiagnosed for most of their lives. Neurodivergent is “the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in different ways; there is no ‘right’ way of thinking, learning and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits,” according to Harvard Health. Please know that I recognize the distinct challenges you face. My personal experience has provided me with a first-hand rich understanding of the intricacies of neurodiversity. Communication Struggles Neurodiverse couples often struggle with communication breakdowns . The neurotypical partner may struggle to understand the neurodivergent partner's unique needs. The neurodivergent partner may face challenges with ADHD/Autism in expressing themselves in a way that resonates with their neurotypical partner. This two-sided communication breakdown is called the double empathy problem. Understanding this helps reduce blaming one person for the problem. This is the tip of the iceberg so to speak and one of many issues that you may be dealing with. I truly understand the frustrations that can arise. A Safe Place for Healing I am here to provide a safe and understanding space for you to explore your issues and relationship. My therapeutic approach offers a clear road map that emphasizes: fostering mutual understanding and compassion, enhancing communication skills, providing exercises and tools that you can work on separately and together, and embracing the unique strengths that each partner brings to relationships. Neurotypical Partners (Cassandra Syndrome) My journey is not just a professional one but also deeply personal. If you are in a relationship with a neurodivergent partner, it may feel isolating, frustrating, and exhausting. You may spend a lot of time and energy trying to make sense of your partner's behaviors and your reactions. You may seek books, podcasts, or any article to understand why your relationship is different. You may feel misunderstood, isolated, disconnected, and hopeless. I have been there. I have been married for 19 years. Every experience is unique. You are so special. You deserve to be seen and heard. Supporting Autism and Cancer: I recognize the importance of a compassionate, supportive ally for autistic individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer. I had the honor and privilege to work bedside with neurodivergent pediatric oncology patients and their families at Stanford Children’s Hospital. My firsthand experience at Stanford, expertise in supporting neurodivergent individuals, and being a stage four cancer survivor myself allows me to be a source of comfort and strength on the path to healing. I am here to provide a trusted environment that acknowledges and addresses your unique needs when facing a cancer diagnosis. You can read more about Cancer and Autism by clicking here . About Me: I bring a unique blend of professional expertise, passion and personal experience to my practice. I am a proud mother of two sensationally strong willed teenagers. I am also a former software engineer turned therapist. My journey took a fascinating turn from the world of coding to the intricate landscapes of the human mind. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and forged a successful IT career starting at Apple Computers. My love of learning led me into engineering and product management. I became the first female self-taught software engineer at Alcatel TeleCommunications. My team dubbed me the engineer whisperer. I was the essential communication bridge between our neurodiverse engineering team and our neurotypical sales and marketing team. I eventually learned that my heart yearned for something more – a meaningful connection with people and the opportunity to contribute to their lives in a significant way. Driven by my desire to help others, I embarked on a transformative path towards becoming a therapist and returned to school. I received my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University. While in school, I cultivated my passion for mental health and overall well-being. How I Work: My therapeutic neuro-informed approach covers a broad range of modalities. I tailor each session to meet the unique needs of each couple. My work is rooted in a client-centered, humanistic approach emphasizing compassion, building understanding, inclusive communication, empowerment with respect and dignity. In our sessions, we'll work on enhancing your relationship through mindfulness and effective communication. Let's navigate the challenges together so you can build a stronger, more connected partnership. Other areas of focus (in addition to Neurodiversity): Adolescent Counseling Art Therapy Caregiver Support Co-Parenting Couples Counseling Cancer Support Divorce Recovery Infertility Individual Counseling Life Transitions Neurodiversity New Parents Parent Coaching Teen Counseling Clients Couples Individuals Families License & Certifications Registered Associate, MFTA #324701 Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) Neurodiversity Specialist Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro , LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc . Specialty Areas: Cassandra Syndrome, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Teens, Neurodiverse Couples, Communication, Not Accepting New Clients Colleen Kahn Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are autistic, have ADHD, or are otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help! < Back Rachel Wheeler Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapist for Couples, Individuals, and Parents I don’t just study neurodiversity—I live it. I’m an AuDHD therapist, a neurodivergent parent navigating the complexities of raising a child with multiple neurodivergences, and someone who has spent her life learning how to translate across differences. I specialize in working with neurodivergent individuals and couples who are tired of being misunderstood—and ready to build relationships based on clarity, compassion, and connection. Neurodiversity Is My Special Interest If there were a degree in neurodiversity, I’d have it. I’ve taken over 50 courses across autism, ADHD, PDA (Pervasive Drive for Autonomy), trauma, relationships, and more. Understanding how the nervous system interacts with communication, identity, and attachment is my passion—and the foundation of how I work. Neurodivergence isn’t just a topic I care about—it’s who I am. I’m Autistic. I’m ADHD. I’m PDA. I’ve built a neurodiverse marriage and I’m raising a neurodivergent child. Everything I know clinically is grounded in lived experience. I’ve had to figure out, step by step, how to make relationships work outside the neurotypical mold. A Marriage Transformed Our Story My husband and I have been married for over 16 years, after spending 7 years as close friends. That long friendship built our foundation—but it didn’t prepare us for the confusion that came from not understanding our different neurotypes. We appreciated each other’s quirks, but communication was hard. We missed signals. We misread needs. It wasn’t until I received my diagnosis that everything finally made sense. Suddenly, what once felt like failure became clarity. Our relationship shifted from expectation and blame to mutual understanding and compassion. We stopped trying to force a mold—and instead began co-creating a relationship that supported both of us. One built not on obligation, but on respect and accommodation. Understanding our differences made room for greater connection. It allowed us to build a dynamic that amplifies our strengths and honors our needs. We’ve been through a lot. But time and again, we reconnect—and come back stronger. That’s what’s possible when both partners are committed to learning and growing together. How I Help Other Neurodiverse Couples My own experience allows me to support couples in ways that feel grounded, real, and hopeful. I work with partners who: Are just discovering they’re in a neurodiverse relationship Feel stuck in cycles of blame, disconnection, or shutdown Long for more clarity, respect, and emotional safety In therapy, I help couples: Understand the neurology beneath their differences Replace misinterpretations with curiosity and insight Create accommodations that support both partners Rebuild connection after ruptures or misunderstandings Neurodiverse relationships don’t need to be confusing or lonely. With the right tools and understanding, they can become some of the most resilient, creative, and fulfilling connections there are. PDA: A Drive for Autonomy, Not Defiance PDA—often called Pathological Demand Avoidance—is deeply misunderstood. I prefer to use the frame Pervasive Drive for Autonomy . People with PDA aren’t being oppositional—they’re responding to perceived threats to their autonomy. When something feels like a demand, their nervous system can go into shutdown or resistance. This trait shows up in kids, in adults, in couples. It impacts how we relate, how we parent, how we experience daily life. I help: Parents reduce power struggles and increase connection Individuals name what feels threatening and find accommodations Partners spot PDA patterns in their dynamic and respond with compassion Understanding PDA allows us to stop fighting what we don’t understand—and start connecting in ways that work. Twice Exceptional, Fully Myself I’m 2e — a person who lives at the intersection of giftedness and neurodivergence. My strengths are vivid and unconventional, but for years, my giftedness masked my challenges, leading to unmet needs, emotional overwhelm, and burnout. I’ve felt the weight of sensitivity — the kind that absorbs everything and can’t always let go — and I’ve known the ache of social isolation behind a capable exterior. Being twice exceptional means living with both brightness and complexity. It’s not about being “high-functioning” — it’s about being human in ways that don’t always fit the mold. I’m passionate about mental health, neurodiversity (including autism, PDA, and ADHD), and making space for people whose experiences don’t fit into neat categories. I now advocate for the kind of understanding I once needed — for myself and for others walking the same layered path. Parenting While Neurodivergent—and Raising ND Kids I’m parenting a beautifully complex, profoundly sensitive neurodivergent child. We adapt constantly. And we do it as two neurodivergent people learning from each other. What I’ve learned from my daughter is invaluable. She’s helped me understand masking, sensory needs, emotional safety—and how to advocate fiercely while staying grounded. That’s a skill I bring to the parents I work with. In therapy, I support parents who are: Struggling to find support that actually fits their child Grieving the loss of conventional expectations Managing meltdowns and shutdowns with limited reserves Trying to hold their child while also holding themselves Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, flexibility, and repair. I help parents feel resourced, seen, and ready to do things differently. The High Cost of Camouflaging I was a highly camouflaging autistic person. For years, I didn’t even realize how much I was masking—until I saw the difference in how my daughter moved through the world. Her authenticity gave me the courage to begin unmasking. Not recklessly—but thoughtfully. Purposefully. In ways that allowed me to stay safe while becoming more whole. In therapy, I help clients: Identify when and why they’re masking Reconnect with their authentic self Understand how camouflaging impacts mental health and relationships Masking is a brilliant strategy. But it doesn’t have to be your default. There are safer, softer ways to show up in the world—and we’ll explore them together. A Brush with Mortality That Changed Everything As an adult, I had a near-death experience. It was beautiful—but also clarifying. It reshaped my relationship to time, purpose, and presence. I carry that insight into my therapy work. Especially with couples, I hold space for: Savoring the present instead of clinging to old arguments Letting go of pettiness in favor of connection Remembering what really matters before it’s too late Therapy is where we slow down and remember how precious life is. It’s where we build relationships worth waking up for. Outside the Therapy Room I love walking in nature, practicing yoga, meditating, cooking with my daughter, listening to music, dancing, and watching British TV (another special interest). These joys keep me grounded—and they remind me that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Training and Background MS in Advanced Clinical Practice, Columbia University Continuing Education: Audited Intensive Lectures & Seminars, C.G. Jung Institute, Switzerland PDA North America Level 2 Certified PAST PDA UK Level 3 Certified 50+ advanced trainings in neurodivergence, trauma, and relationships What I Offer Therapy for neurodivergent couples, individuals, and parents Expertise in PDA, masking, emotional regulation, and communication A space grounded in lived experience, deep compassion, and clinical skill If you’ve felt like no one’s really gotten you—therapy with me might feel different. Not because you’re broken. But because you finally don’t have to pretend. When you’re ready, I’m here. More Associate Clinical Social Worker, ASW #126649 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: AuDHD, ADHD, Autism, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Neurodiverse Couples, PDA, Attachment, ASD/Allistic Couples, Assessment, Highly Sensitive People (HSP), Trauma, Somatic Therapies, Alexithymia, Twice-exceptional (2e), Not Accepting New Clients Rachel Wheeler Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you work on your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, ADHD'er or otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help. < Back Jen Evans Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist At a Glance Late-diagnosed autistic therapist — I work from inside the experience Parent of two teens — one diagnosed autistic, the other still exploring their own neurodivergence Lived experience of recovery — I understand the long arc, not just the early days LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming therapist — dedicated to supporting queer and gender-expansive individuals and partnerships. Primary modality: Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), adapted for neurodiverse couples Trauma-informed and nervous-system-centered — focused on how trauma reshapes neurodivergent life Why I Do Couples Work I work with neurodiverse couples because I know — from the inside — what it feels like to love, parent, and try to be understood across different nervous systems. I know the exhaustion of reaching for connection and missing. I know the loneliness of being told you are "too much," "too sensitive," or "too complicated" when what's actually happening is that your nervous system is doing its best in a world that wasn't designed for it. And I know the quiet grief of watching the same painful loop play out between two people who love each other but can't seem to land in the same place. My work is about slowing that loop down. Not by asking either partner to change who they are, but by helping both of you understand how your brains, bodies, and histories are shaping the moments that keep going sideways — and then practicing something different, in real time, in the room. I believe difference is not deficit, symptoms are adaptive responses to context, and healing happens in relationship. A Late Autism Diagnosis That Changed Everything I am late-diagnosed autistic. My diagnosis didn't simply add a label — it reorganized my entire identity and autobiographical history. Suddenly, patterns that had once been framed as "too much," "too sensitive," or "too complicated" came into focus as expressions of neurodivergence navigating a neurotypical world. This re-understanding was catalyzed by parenting. Seeking an assessment for my autistic teen opened a door I didn't know existed for myself. As I learned to advocate for them, I began to recognize my own lifelong patterns of masking, sensory overwhelm, and relational fatigue. Receiving my diagnosis allowed me to re-story my life with compassion. It helped me understand not only who I am, but how I have survived — and why relational safety and nervous system regulation are so central to my work today. When I sit with a couple where one partner is late-diagnosed or still in that "wait, is this me?" stage, I'm not theorizing. I know that moment from the inside. My Work With Neurodiverse Couples Many couples arrive in therapy caught in cycles of misunderstanding, shutdown, or repeated conflict — often carrying years of shame or self-blame rooted in difference. One partner may be more literal, energy-limited, and direct; the other more inferential, fast-paced, and socially tuned. Without a map, those differences can look like rejection, withdrawal, or "not caring." In our work together, I support couples in: Understanding how neurotype, trauma history, and attachment interact Translating differences without pathologizing either partner Creating relational accommodations that support both nervous systems Repairing ruptures and rebuilding trust after misattunement Moving from chronic defensiveness toward connection and repair Building communication grounded in clarity, emotional safety, and mutual respect I also work with individuals and families, recognizing that relational healing doesn't require all parties to be present for meaningful change to occur. Parenting Across Neurotypes I am the parent of two teenagers — one diagnosed autistic, the other still exploring their own neurodivergence. Parenting from inside my own neurodivergence has been one of my greatest teachers. Raising two kids whose nervous systems experience the world differently requires constant curiosity, flexibility, and repair. It has deepened my understanding of how profoundly different nervous systems can interpret the same environment — and how easily misattunement can occur even in loving families. The same dinner table, the same conversation, the same Tuesday night can be experienced as ordinary by one person and overwhelming by another. That lived experience shows up in how I work with couples. I take nervous-system reality seriously. I don't treat one partner's needs as "the right way" and the other's as a problem to be fixed. I help couples see how their two systems are actually meeting — or not — in any given moment, and how to design something more workable together. How I Work My primary modality is Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) — a non-pathologizing, attachment-based, experiential approach that treats emotion as a pathway to transformation, the nervous system as central to change, and relationship itself as the engine of growth. I have adapted AEDP for neurodiverse couples — pacing the work to honor sensory and energy load, building in concrete language and predictability where standard couples therapy can feel ambiguous, and translating between two nervous systems that often experience the same moment very differently. This is not AEDP done at a couple. It is AEDP designed for how neurodivergent brains and bodies actually meet each other. In practice, that means I work as an active co-traveler. You won't be alone with what you're feeling. We track the small shifts in real time — breath, posture, tone, the place a sentence catches — and we let emotions actually move rather than just talking about them. And we make as much room for the relief and joy of healing as we do for the pain that brought you in. Around that core, I integrate nervous system regulation and trauma-informed care, somatic therapy, nonviolent communication, and neurodiversity-affirming frameworks. The combination lets me work in a way that is structured yet flexible, responsive to difference, and oriented toward repair and growth rather than blame. Trauma, Neurodiversity, and the Work That Sits Beside My Practice Trauma is not an abstract concept to me. Alongside my clinical practice, I am deeply involved with a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people impacted by trauma — building safety, community, and access to care for people who have been hurt. That work sits beside my therapy practice and feeds it. Trauma changes how neurodivergent nervous systems organize themselves. It teaches the body to brace, the self to mask, the connection to flinch. So much of what gets labeled as "the autism" or "the ADHD" in adult life is actually the residue of years of being unseen, accommodated badly, or hurt inside relationships that were supposed to be safe. I take that seriously. It's why I refuse to treat anyone's adaptations as character flaws — and why repair, not insight, is at the center of how I work. Values I Bring Into the Therapy Room I believe that: Difference is not deficit Symptoms are adaptive responses to context Healing happens in relationship Curiosity softens defensiveness Repair matters more than perfection I strive to create a therapeutic space where clients feel seen, respected, and unpressured to perform — a space where authenticity is supported and growth is possible. Who I Work With Neurodivergent–neurotypical couples navigating communication gaps and the search for connection Dual-neurodivergent couples (autism, ADHD, AuDHD, and other combinations) Partners stuck in pursuit-withdraw, shutdown, or escalate-collapse cycles LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming therapist — dedicated to supporting queer and gender-expansive individuals and partnerships. Couples processing late diagnosis and the grief, relief, and reorganization it brings Parents of neurodivergent children whose relationship has taken the hit Individuals untangling identity, masking, burnout, or relational trauma What to Expect in Session I am warm, attuned, and direct. I'll name what I notice — gently — and I'll do it with care for both of you. Sessions are collaborative and paced to what your nervous systems can actually hold, not what looks productive on paper. I accommodate neurodivergent needs including movement, fidgeting, reduced eye contact, written summaries, and flexibility around sensory and energy load. I understand that what can look like resistance is often regulation — a nervous system protecting itself — and we work with that, not against it. You will not be asked to perform healing perfectly. You'll be asked to show up, be curious, and let us slow things down together. You don't have to do it alone. Relationships can become places of safety, creativity, and mutual care — even after significant adversity. On Recovery I bring lived experience to my work with addiction and recovery. I know — from the inside — what a recovery process asks of a person: what it costs, what it returns, and the slow rebuild of identity, relationships, and self-trust that follows. That experience means I can sit with clients in the early or fragile stages of recovery without flinching, and I can hold the long arc that comes after the substance is no longer the center of the story. I bring this most often into work with clients navigating substance recovery alongside neurodivergence, trauma, or relational rupture. License, Training, & Education Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) #162617 — California All sessions are virtual. I work with therapy and assessment clients in California, and coach clients worldwide. Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro , LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Education Western Institute for Social Research — M.A., Psychology UC Berkeley and CSU Fullerton — Undergraduate studies in Sociology, Legal Studies, and Criminal Justice Reform Certified Integral Coach through an internationally accredited coach training program Clinical Training & Modalities: Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) — adapted for neurodiverse couples, trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, somatic therapy, nonviolent communication, attachment-based relational work, neurodiversity-affirming frameworks Specialty Areas: Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Neurodiverse Couples, General Couples Coaching, Communication, Emotional Intimacy, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Attachment, Trauma, Life Transitions, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Somatic Therapies, Autism, ADHD, LGBTQIA+ Jennifer Evans Take an Autism Test

< Back Kimberly Hawks Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist My Approach to Therapy Welcome! I believe neurodiverse couples deserve understanding, practical tools, and compassionate support to navigate differences, repair ruptures, and strengthen their bond. Therapy with me centers on how you relate to yourself and how you connect with your partner, so we can co-create healthier patterns that respect your individual needs and the realities of your neurodiverse relationship. Together, we will design a clear roadmap with actionable steps for communication, shared growth, healing, and resilience —helping you navigate conflict, feel heard, cultivate compassion, and deepen your connection. M y Journey: Neurodiversity in Parenting, Partnership, and Life I’m a wife and mom in a neurodiverse family. Our three kids each have different neurotypes, my husband has ADHD, and I’m a highly sensitive person (HSP). As a couple, our different wiring impacts our parenting approaches, emotional needs, communication styles, and ways of showing and feeling love. Over the years, we’ve navigated the ups and downs of raising children, managing serious medical challenges for one of our children while keeping life “normal” for our other two, and juggling work and travel. In times of crisis and busy-ness, it’s easy to slip into survival mode and stop connecting—we’ve learned that relationships, especially between partners with different neurotypes, take intentional daily practice . Small, consistent efforts to stay attuned, adapt, and repair have strengthened our bond and our family rhythm. Children thrive when their parents are connected and in love. This experience informs how I support couples: empathy, practical strategies, curiosity, and consistent practice can make real, lasting change in relationships. Parenting Through Neurodiversity and Serious Medical Issues I’ve done the hospital all-nighters, medication schedules, insurance calls, and constant “Plan B.” I’ve navigated children with different needs, and when HSP and ADHD come into conflict at the least opportune times—and learned that clear communication and small repeatable routines steady a household better than one-off heroics. Families don’t need perfection; they need nervous-system regulation, aligned expectations, clear boundaries, and repair that actually sticks . Adoption, Attachment, and Complex Family Systems I was adopted as an infant and raised with split custody after my adoptive parents divorced. My mom came out as a lesbian when I was in first grade and built a large, loving blended family with her partner (now wife of 20+ years), her children, and my step-sister from a prior relationship. My dad remarried, and in that home I was an only child. As an adult, I reunited with my birth mother. Living between different households—and then doing the attachment work of reunification—taught me that belonging is built through safety, consistency, and trust , not titles. I bring those attachment lessons into therapy: predictable care, listening, straight talk, and small promises kept. Married 25 Years- Staying Connected My husband and I met in college on the East Coast, and in 2025 we celebrated 25 years of marriage. He was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult–learning about his neurotype, and understanding more about my sensitivity, enabled us to break old cycles of recurrent arguments, missed cues, and shutdown/flare patterns. Couples counseling has been key to our growth and staying connected , especially during medical crises and times of stress—prioritizing repair over being “right,” using clear scripts on hard days, and protecting time for intimacy and connection when everything else feels unstable. This experience informs my work as a couples therapist, helping partners navigate differences, improve communication, and strengthen their connection. Parent Coaching and School Support Before becoming a therapist, I helped to launch two schools –a preschool and a K-8 school, where I was deeply involved in school administration and admissions. That experience matters. I understand how administrators make decisions, how to make sure a school is a good fit for a child, and how to advocate for the support that each child needs and deserves through collaboration and IEP/504 processes. As a therapist, I bring experience working in elementary school settings and was honored with a California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) award in 2025 for my collaborative approach to working with neurodiverse children, their families, schools, and other specialists. Mind–Body Wellness Trail running with friends keeps me balanced—it’s nervous-system regulation in motion. Cooking with my family, whether we’re making homemade pasta or tackling creative kitchen challenges, brings joy and connection. Time with friends and family restores perspective, and reading keeps me curious. Playing with our golden retriever, going on dates with my husband, jumping on the trampoline with my son, and hanging out with my teen daughters make life deeply meaningful. These moments remind me that nurturing our closest relationships matters most, especially when life feels full and demanding. Neurodiverse Couples: Repair That Works Under Real-Life Stress Neurodiverse couples often love each other deeply but trip the same wires: intent vs. impact mismatches, processing-speed differences, sensory overload, executive-function gaps, and uneven social needs. When you add a child’s medical needs or school crisis, the bond can slide into logistics-only mode and resentment. What we build together: Shared language for neurotype differences. Clear, non-pathologizing terms that reduce blame and make needs discussable. Repair first, then reasons. Ownership before context; repair scripts that fit your brains and your stress window. Executive-function scaffolds for the relationship. Time anchors, transition plans, decision trees, and externalized reminders so love isn’t held hostage by working memory. Sensory-aware intimacy. Pressure-free closeness, pacing, and predictable rituals that make connection safe again. Conflict that ends. Shorter fights, calmer recoveries, and agreements you can actually keep during busy weeks or medical flares. Bottom line: we design routines and communication playbooks that hold under pressure—because that’s when you need them. Parenting Neurodiverse Children (Including Chronic Illness and 2e) Parenting neurodiverse kids is both beautiful and challenging. You’re balancing strengths with support needs, independence with safety, and your own burnout due to high demands. I help you: Stabilize the nervous system at home (yours and your child’s) before layering new skills. Build routines that survive chaos, using smallest viable steps and visual anchors. Translate assessments into accommodations schools will actually implement. Support 2e learners so giftedness doesn’t mask disability—or vice versa. Cope with chronic illness : pacing, grief, medical advocacy, and sibling care that doesn’t disappear. Manage dynamics between siblings of different neurotypes, fostering understanding, fairness, and connection. Align as parents to reduce conflict and create consistency, helping children feel safe and supported. Keep the couple strong so the family system can thrive. Blended Families (Informed by My Own Upbringing) Growing up across two homes—with different rules, values, and cultures—taught me how identity and belonging form in motion. In session, we clarify roles, set respectful boundaries, and create rituals that include everyone without erasing anyone. Small, predictable gestures build trust faster than good intentions. Working With Adult Adoptees Adults who were adopted in infancy or childhood often experience unique challenges around attachment, identity, and belonging. In my work with adult adoptees, I help clients understand how early adoption experiences can shape patterns of closeness and trust with partners and children, as well as how these dynamics may influence parenting. Together, we explore the impact of trauma, loss, and questions of identity while building tools for authentic connection and open conversations about adoption within relationships and families. Treatment Modalities- An Integrative Approach There’s no single approach that works for everyone. I take time to get to know you—both as individuals and as a couple—and tailor my work to meet your unique needs and goals. I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities and the latest evidence-based research to best support your growth and connection: Foundational Approaches: CBT, ACT, Humanistic/Person-Centered, Solution-Focused/Brief, Psychodynamic, Behavioral and Social Thinking interventions. Mind–Body & Experiential: Mindfulness, somatic-informed work, expressive arts to help clients connect with and regulate their internal experiences. Relationship & Systems: Family Systems Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Relational Life Therapy (RLT) to support connection and relational growth. Trauma-Informed: I use a trauma-informed lens in all of my work, creating a safe, attuned, and empowering environment to help clients process experiences and build resilience. Collaboration: I coordinate with medical teams, schools, specialists, and educational consultants when it supports the work and the client’s goals. Education Bachelor of Arts , Psychology — Boston College Master of Science , Counseling Psychology — Dominican University of California License & Employment Information Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #156426 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), CBT, Attachment, ACT, Blended Families, Communication, Emotional Intimacy, ADHD, Discernment, Emotion Focused Therapy, Family Conflict, General Couples Coaching, Highly Sensitive People (HSP), ND at Work, Teens, Trauma, Not Accepting New Clients Kimberly Hawks Take an Autism Test