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Discernment Counseling for couples, where a therapist helps partners decide whether or not to continue their relationship. Discernment counseling is different than traditional couples therapy and our neuro-informed experts are here to meet you and your partner where you are. DISCERNMENT COUNSELING < Back MEET EMMA AND LUCAS... (Not their real names) After years of misunderstanding and failed attempts with therapists who didn’t grasp the nuances of their neurodiverse relationship, they’re at their breaking point. Their latest fight was the last straw : Emma felt dismissed when Lucas forgot their anniversary, and Lucas was overwhelmed by Emma’s emotional response. Emma threatens divorce. But it doesn’t mean very much because she never acts on it. They don’t know what to do. Desperation brought them to me with one GIGANTIC question: Should we try to save this relationship?

Special therapy and support for ADHD women. No more feeling misunderstood. We'd love to help! ADHD WOMEN < Back THE OVERLOOKED SYMPTOMS OF AHDH IN WOMEN Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects people of all genders and ages, but the symptoms in adult women often go unrecognized or misdiagnosed. This is due to a lack of understanding about how ADHD manifests in women and the assumption that it only affects boys and men. The symptoms of ADHD in women can include forgetfulness, distractibility, disorganization, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation. Women with ADHD are often labeled as “scatter-brained” or “flaky,” but these symptoms can have a significant impact on their daily lives and relationships. UNDERSTANDING ADHD SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN AND CELEBRATING THEIR STRENGTHS It is important to note that ADHD is not just… Show More

Find answers to your questions about Adult Autism, Neurodiverse couples counseling, Cassandra Syndrome, and Skills Training. FAQ's for Neurodiverse Couples see below More questions? Check out our expanded FAQ click here Is empathy possible in our neurodiverse relationship? First, it is important to understand the different types of empathy. Psychologists Daniel Goleman and Paul Ekman break down the concept of empathy into three categories: Cognitive empathy is the ability to understand how a person feels and what they might be thinking. Cognitive empathy makes us better communicators, because it helps us relay information in a way that best reaches the other person. Emotional empathy (also known as affective empathy) is the ability to share the feelings of another person. Some have described it as "your pain in my heart." Compassionate empathy (also known as empathic concern) goes beyond simply understanding others and sharing their feelings: it actually moves us to take action , to help however we can. The AS partner may struggle at emotional empathy but, with the right context, be great at cognitive and compassionate empathy. Your therapist can help expand your view of empathy and rethink how empathy can be given and received, thus creating a deeper connection in your relationship. Can you explain "integrated neurodiverse therapy"?" WHAT: Integrated Neurodiverse Therapy is when you have a couple's therapist plus a separate individual therapist to support each partner. We should emphasize that all of your therapists or neurodiverse coaches should be well trained in neurodiversity and regularly coordinate with each other (with your permission of coarse). Our team approach makes this coordination easy to pull off. With the integrated therapy approach, each person can focus on growing individually so he/she can show up in the relationship in a healthy way. INVESTMENT: We realize that this requires a significant initial investment in therapy; however, our experience is that it significantly increases the effectiveness of therapy and most couples find that the integrated approach is well worth it. HOW TO GET STARTED: We recommend that you start with couples therapy. At your first session, your couples therapist will help assess whether integrated therapy makes sense for you and, if so, can connect you to the right support team. Do I have to get a diagnosis? Most of our clients do NOT seek to receive a diagnosis , nor do we find much benefit in providing one. It is much more effective to treat whatever unique characteristics which present themselves and avoid the negative effects of labeling and having a fixed mindset. On the other hand, it can be INCREDIBLY helpful to receive a diagnosis if it can help a couple reinterpret behaviors as a way of experiencing the world as opposed to a sign of bad intent. You can read more about getting a diagnosis on our ASD Diagnosis page . Will I feel stigmatized as Autistic, ADHD or otherwise labeled? We certainly hope not. We believe in a strengths-based model which focuses on perspective-taking and determining how to best provide resources to all of our clients including those who are considered neurodiverse. It is not that the neurodiverse individual is broken; it is that partners and society in general need help to connect and be inclusive. Our goal is to provide hope, resources and guidance for neurodiverse individuals and their partners to utilize their unique gifts to build a fulfilling relationship. Will you be able to tell if my partner is autistic versus narcissistic? We are very careful when using labels as they can be experienced as an attack and/or create damaging shame. With that said, individuals on the spectrum are often wrongly labeled as narcissistic . The need to be right and to correct others can be a reflection of black and white thinking (think autism). This is contrasted to a need to put others down and the need to be elevated in stature over others (think narcissism). Your therapist can help make the nuanced distinction so both you and your partner can get a clear picture of what is happening in your relationship. My partner has an anger problem. Is that because he is on the spectrum? This may or may not be true. People on the spectrum often expend most of their energy managing their way through an emotionally confusing world. The gap between their understanding of the world and that of many of the people around them can be extremely frustrating. At some point, it becomes too much and leads to a melt-down (anger) and then withdrawal. Thus, the Aspie's anger may be a result of the underlying neuro-differences so it is often most helpful to address those neuro-differences to take some steam out of the anger prior to addressing the anger directly. On the other hand, anger is a natural part of many relationships which can escalate to unhealthy levels. Talk to your therapist or coach to better understand it's origin and set a clear plan to address it together. My partner struggles to express emotions and thoughts. Can you help? Absolutely. You are describing "alexithymia" which is a deficit in the ability to identify and describe emotions experienced by one's self. The Aspie partner HAS the feelings and thoughts but just struggles to express them. This is where therapy can help tremendously. We slow communication down to give time and space to let the feelings and thoughts arise, without the usual pressure to come up with something. We also help you find alternate ways to express feelings and thoughts such as in writing, through music, poems, movies, and other create means. My autistic partner just doesn't understand me. Can you fix him? First, we understand that you are trying to help but the attitude of fixing your partner will most likely backfire on meeting your goals. What your statement of your partner not understanding you is a reflection of a problem with "theory of mind". Theory of mind is an important social-cognitive skill that involves the ability to think about mental states, both your own and those of others. It encompasses the ability to think about someone else's emotions, desires, beliefs, and knowledge. But the problem is not just the autistic partner. It goes both ways. The neurotypical (NT) needs to learn to understand the autistic mind. And the autistic needs to learn to understand the NT mind. By shifting from being critical to being curious and compassionate as you try to understand each other, your therapist will be able to address the theory of mind problem. What if we are both on the spectrum? It is common to have two partners on the spectrum. In such cases, the therapy is very different than an autistic/NT pairing. In the autistic/autistic pairing, the main problem may not be emotional disconnect but rather an inability to negotiate matters of daily life such as chore sharing, parenting, dealing with in-laws, money, and sex. Leading completely separately lives may be part of the couple's pattern due to repeated failures when trying to work together. Your therapist or coach will be able to act as an interpreter to help you understand each other and provide concrete strategies to experiment with to allow change to take hold. ND FAQ's

Thanks for completing our contact form. We will respond in 48 hours. Thank You! We aim to be in touch within 24 hours Interested in speaking with our Care Coordinator? Cassie Clayton, Client Care Coordinator Email: clientcare@newpathfamily.com Phone: (408) 475-2746‬ Meet with Cassie

Group therapy for Neurodiverse couples who are looking for a supportive setting to learn strategies for stronger communication and connection. NEURODIVERSE COUPLES GROUP < Back FEELING ALONE IN YOUR NEURODIVERSE RELATIONSHIP? Join us for Different Minds, One Heart: A Neurodiverse Couples Group Our group goal is to provide a safe space for you to speak with other neurodiverse couples about how neurodiversity affects your relationship. Most couples quickly realize that their issues sound similar to everyone else's. This helps lessen the shame and stress you may be feeling and, hopefully, be more open to learning new ways to change and grow. Furthermore, a group can inspire awareness and change that individual therapy or solo work cannot. Group dynamics can provide different perspectives and experiences, and these dynamics can be powerful as you explore a greater awareness of your neurodiversity.… Show More

One-on-one and group support for Cassandra Syndrome (neurotypical partners who are in relationships with someone on the spectrum). We help you feel understood and are here to encourage self-care and provide practical advice. SUPPORT FOR NEUROTYPICALS < Back THE NEUROTYPICAL EXPERIENCE Because the person with autism does not have the same relational needs as the allistic partner, he or she is often unable to instinctively recognize the emotional needs of his or her partner and may feel ill-equipped to meet them. Relationships can thus form seriously dysfunctional patterns. RELATIONSHIP OF CONVENIENCE? People who do not have autism enter a relationship with the normal expectation that the priority of a relationship will be about togetherness, mutual terms and meeting of needs, but in reality, the relationship ends up feeling like one of practicality and convenience for the person with autism. For those who had typical expectations of the mutuality of marriage,… Show More

Our experienced therapists are dedicated to supporting seniors who are on the autism spectrum and are here to provide you with guidance and affirming support. SENIORS & AUTISM < Back UNDERSTANDING AUTISM IN SENIORS We specialize in providing compassionate therapy services for individuals with neurodiverse conditions, including autism. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to supporting seniors who are on the autism spectrum, acknowledging the unique challenges they may face. In this section, we will explore the symptoms of autism in seniors, how it can impact their relationships, and how psychotherapy can be a valuable resource.

It’s common for neurodivergent people to get out of balance with eating. Our therapists understand are here to listen and help you create healthier eating habits. AUTISM & EATING < Back AUTISM & EATING We are here to provide affirming and effective support for neurodivergent people around food and eating. Whether you are autistic, ADHD, highly sensitive, sensory processing differences, seizure disorders, OCD or otherwise identify as neurodivergent, you are in the right place. STRUGGLING WITH EATING We are here to help you/your loved one with food struggles like: Skipping meals Forgetting to eat Overwhelm/avoidance with grocery shopping General anxiety around eating Shame or guilt around eating Negative thought patterns around eating Negative thought patterns around body size/shape Feeling gross in your body during/after eating GI problems causing fear with eating Pain with eating or after eating Underfueling in athletics Show More

Our therapists understand the unique struggles faced by those navigating cancer and neurodiversity. We are here to help you thrive and find happiness in your daily life. AUTISM & CANCER < Back AUTISM & CANCER SUPPORTING THOSE WITH AUTISM & CANCER Cancer can be a tremendous challenge for anyone. Yet, if you are autistic, you may face unique difficulties in dealing with the physical and emotional aspects of cancer. And, thus you deserve specialized support.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often intersects with neurodivergent conditions such as Autism and ADHD. Our therapists understand the unique challenges this brings and are here to help guide you toward your goals. OCD & AUTISM < Back OCD & AUTISM OCD, AUTISM, & ADHD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often intersects with neurodivergent conditions such as Autism and ADHD, creating a complex web of intertwined experiences. Recognizing and understanding these intersections is crucial for providing tailored support that meets your needs. Research indicates that a significant number of Autistic individuals, up to 37%, also grapple with OCD . The manifestation of OCD in Autistic individuals varies widely, necessitating a nuanced approach to diagnosis and treatment. The intersection of OCD and Autism presents challenges affecting daily life, impacting sensory experiences, routines, and social interactions. WHAT IS OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER? OCD is characterized by persistent, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions) aimed at alleviating the… Show More

Therapy for Neurodiverse couples who are looking to understand their neurological differences and find new, more effective ways to communicate and connect. NEURODIVERSE COUPLES COUNSELING < Back UNDERSTANDING NEURODIVERSE COUPLES NEURODIVERSITY MAGNET Initially, an autistic partner and a neurotypical partner feel a strong initial attraction to each other and couple up. The neurotypical may be attracted to the autistic partner's stability, focus and intelligence. The autistic partner may appreciate the neurotypical helping him or her navigate social situations. The neurotypical may be the autistic partner's special interest , at least during the dating period. Typically, the neurotypical soaks up the attention. They may view themselves as complementary, a perfect fit - like a "magnet" has pulled them together. DIFFERENCES TURN INTO DYSFUNCTIONAL PATTERNS Yet, it is easy for these neurological differences to lead to wires getting crossed. Building and… Show More

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Sex Therapy for Neurodiverse couples who are struggling to connect and want to learn how to increase intimacy in a safe, affirming environment. NEURODIVERSE SEX THERAPY < Back IGNITING THE SPARK IN YOUR NEURODIVERSE RELATIONSHIP Sexual intimacy is an important part of a couple’s relationship. Yet, it can feel like an unsurmountable challenge for neurodiverse couples to overcome. To make matters worse, sex often becomes so emotionally loaded that the couple will make an unspoken agreement that the topic is off limits for discussion. So, it should not be surprising that one study showed that 50% of neurodiverse couples had no sexual activity at all. Fortunately, with outside help, there is hope! Addressing the barriers to a healthy sex life with an understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity can set a couple on path to revive their sex life or… Show More