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 At a Glance: My Journey & Focus Who I Help: Neurodiverse Couples – Supporting relationships where one or both partners are autistic or neurodivergent, improving communication, connection, and emotional regulation Couples of All Backgrounds – Helping partners navigate differences, deepen intimacy, and resolve recurring conflicts in a way that fosters understanding and growth Parents of Neurodivergent Children – Providing guidance and support for parents raising autistic and ADHD children, with an emphasis on communication, advocacy, and self-compassion Neurodivergent Individuals – Assisting autistic and ADHD clients in self-exploration, emotional regulation, and navigating relationships and societal expectations Multicultural & Immigrant Families – Supporting mixed-culture relationships and families through acculturation challenges, language barriers, and cultural identity exploration LGBTQIA+, Polyamorous, & Kink-Affirming Clients – Offering an inclusive, judgment-free space for identity, relationship structure, and self-discovery Core Beliefs & Approach: Love Looks Different for Everyone – Relationships don’t need to fit a traditional mold; they need to work for you The Problem Is Not You, The Problem Is the Problem – Externalizing struggles to foster teamwork in couples therapy Depathologizing Neurodivergence – Your brain isn’t broken, and therapy shouldn’t try to "fix" you—it should help you thrive Communication Is a Skill, Not an Expectation – Every couple and family can build a communication system that fits their needs Honoring Identity & Intersectionality – Your culture, neurotype, sexuality, and lived experience all shape how you connect and grow in relationships Embracing the Complexity of Relationships Relationships are messy, beautiful, challenging, and deeply personal . When couples struggle, it’s rarely because they lack love—it’s because they lack understanding of each other’s unique ways of thinking, feeling, and processing the world . This is especially true for neurodiverse couples , where communication differences, sensory needs, and emotional regulation challenges can lead to misinterpretations, frustration, and disconnection . My work is centered on helping couples build a relationship that works for them— not one that fits neurotypical or societal expectations. Common Challenges in Neurodiverse Relationships: Communication Differences – One partner may prefer direct, factual conversations , while the other thrives on emotionally expressive dialogue Processing & Emotional Regulation – Conflicts escalate when one partner needs time to process, while the other needs immediate reassurance Executive Functioning Mismatches – Different organizational styles can lead to frustration around household management and responsibilities Social & Sensory Needs – One partner may need more alone time , while the other craves constant connection Misinterpretation of Love & Affection – Some express love through acts of service , while others need verbal affirmation Rather than focusing on who is "right" or "wrong" , we work on understanding and adapting to each other’s neurotypes , creating new ways of connecting that feel authentic and fulfilling . My Personal Journey: From Disconnection to Understanding I didn’t just learn about neurodiverse relationships in textbooks—I’ve lived it. When I first met my partner, I was fascinated by their brilliant mind, unique perspective, and deep emotional world . But as our relationship grew, so did the challenges. What I saw as emotional distance, they experienced as sensory overload. What I needed as verbal reassurance, they struggled to express in words. For years, we misunderstood each other’s reactions, mistaking neurological differences for personal failings . Conflict left us both feeling isolated and unseen —until we began learning how to communicate in a way that worked for our relationship, not just for one of us. Through therapy, we discovered: Love doesn’t always sound like "I love you"— sometimes, it looks like small, quiet gestures of care Space isn’t rejection—sometimes, it’s self-regulation Verbal processing isn’t better than non-verbal processing—it’s just different This experience reshaped my approach to couples therapy . I know firsthand how hard it can be to bridge these gaps—but I also know it’s absolutely possible with the right tools and support. Let’s Build a Relationship That Works for You Therapy should be a place where you feel understood, not judged . Whether you’re working through relationship struggles, parenting challenges, or personal growth, I’m here to support you in creating a life and relationships that truly reflect who you are . Neuro-affirming Practice In my view, a truly neurodiversity-affirming practice begins with being neuro-informed. By grounding our work in a deep understanding of neurodiversity, we can accompany you on your journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance with an informed and compassionate presence—one that validates the full spectrum of your traits and identities. The focus is not on counting deficits or pathologizing differences, but rather on cultivating curiosity to understand what is present and meaningful for each individual. From that perspective, my therapy and coaching work is about sharing knowledge about how others with similar neurotypes have developed supportive strategies, as well as integrating insights from emerging research and leading voices in the neurodiversity-affirming therapeutic community. Ultimately, with this approach you are neither alone nor broken, but part of a broader and valued spectrum of human experience. Specialties: Neurodiverse & Neurotypical Couples Counseling ADHD & Autism Relationship Coaching Emotional Regulation & Executive Functioning Support Complex Parenting Challenges Multicultural & Intercultural Relationships LGBTQIA+, Poly & Kink-Affirming Therapy Identity & Self-Exploration Therapy Modalities: Gottman Method (Levels 1 & 2) Narrative Therapy Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Internal Family Systems (IFS) Attachment-Based Therapy Education Touro University Worldwide – Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy University of Vermont – M.A. English Literature (2008) University of Cincinnati – B.A. English Literature (2002) License: Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #151193 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: ASD/Allistic Couples, LGBTQIA+, ADHD, Autism, Emotional Regulation, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), AuDHD, Attachment, IFS, Communication, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Emotional Intimacy, Not Accepting New Clients, Assessment, Buddist - Spiritual, Cassandra Syndrome, Emotion Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Neurodiverse Couples, Trauma, Highly Sensitive People (HSP) Lea Choi 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 Jenny Pan Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist | Neurodiverse Couples Specialist My Personal Story Caught Between Cultures I am a first-generation Chinese American, born in Taiwan and raised in New York. I’m fluent in Mandarin Chinese and deeply connected to my cultural roots. But growing up, I often felt like I had to shapeshift to belong—blend in, stay quiet, and strive for perfection in everything I did. I carried the weight of being “too much” in some spaces and “not enough” in others. Over time, I’ve come to embrace what makes me different. I wear my heritage with pride, speak my truth with courage, and hold my healing journey as a testament to resilience. Early Struggles With Differences I immigrated to the U.S. at age 9 and endured years of bullying due to emotional, physical, and learning differences. Like many kids in the '80s, I went undiagnosed for ADHD —though I carried many of its traits. A Neurodivergent Marriage - Unrecognized Later in life, I married someone who was eventually diagnosed with autism— after our divorce. For 15 years, we struggled to connect, not realizing that we were a neurodivergent couple trying to operate in a neurotypical model of marriage. Living Through Cassandra Syndrome I now understand that I was experiencing something many partners of autistic individuals face: Cassandra Syndrome. I was confused, emotionally depleted, and constantly questioning my reality. At the time, I didn’t have a name for the chronic sense of loneliness and the emotional disconnection I felt. Today, I can look back and name it—and I want others to know they are not alone. If this resonates with you, I recommend exploring Believing Cassandra , a powerful resource for partners of neurodivergent individuals. Parenting in a Neurodiverse World Today, I’m the mother of two amazing kids (now 14 and 12), including a daughter with ADHD. Our family continues to navigate the neurodiverse world—messy, beautiful, and real. At one point, I poured that journey into a poem, capturing the raw truth and hope that helped me move forward: Brokenness is not the end, it’s the place where light gets in, where truth unfolds in tender threads, and new stories can begin... This isn’t just poetry—it’s a path I’ve walked. The Impact of Therapy on My Life Therapy didn’t just help me—it changed everything. I often say my therapist was like a breath of fresh air to lungs that had forgotten how to breathe. Therapy gave me space to rediscover my voice, to grieve and heal, and to show up for my children in a way that felt grounded and whole. Becoming a therapist was a leap of faith. I wanted to give others the same compassion and clarity I received when I was lost. It’s been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life. Helping Neurodiverse Couples Find Connection Neurodiverse couples often come to therapy exhausted—not from a lack of love, but from the endless misunderstandings. I get it, not just professionally, but personally. I’ve lived the confusion of missed cues, clashing communication styles, and emotional disconnection. These couples aren’t broken. They’re navigating two different operating systems, often without a manual. My approach is rooted in this truth: neurodiverse relationships can thrive—when we stop trying to force sameness and start learning each other’s language. I also work with individuals and couples in Mandarin (and Chinglish), offering a space that feels more natural and deeply connecting for clients with shared cultural backgrounds. I have experience supporting multicultural and mixed-background couples in navigating the complexities of identity, language, and communication. I help couples: Understand their neurological differences without judgment De-escalate conflict and strengthen emotional regulation Build communication tools that actually work for both partners Create systems that support daily functioning, from parenting to housework Repair old wounds while building new habits of connection Common dynamics I address include: One partner needing direct, literal communication while the other craves emotional nuance Shutdowns, meltdowns, or missed signals leading to hurt or confusion Different needs for routine, sensory input, or social interaction Emotional burnout from masking, rejection sensitivity, or late diagnosis Couples with mixed cultural backgrounds Together, we untangle the pain, challenge the shame, and build something more authentic—something that works. Life Inside a Neurodiverse Blended Family I’m now remarried and living in a blended family that includes my two children and my husband’s adult children. Every day, we’re learning how to honor each other’s histories, personalities, and neurotypes while building something new together. Blended families aren’t easy—but they are rich with opportunities for grace and growth. Ours has been no exception. We’ve had to work through loyalty binds, competing schedules, co-parenting dynamics with exes, and very different ways of expressing emotion or asking for space. What helps us stay connected is our commitment to intentional practices. We hold weekly check-ins as a couple—not just to address problems but to stay tuned in emotionally. We also attend monthly couples therapy, even during the calm seasons, because we believe in proactive care. It’s like tending a garden—you don’t wait until things are dying to water the soil. Our family isn’t seamless. But it’s ours. It’s genuine, loving, and constantly growing. And that, to me, is beautiful. Supporting Coparents and Blended Families in Neurodiverse Contexts Blending families is never simple. When you add neurodivergence—whether in a parent or child—it introduces a whole other layer of complexity. From sensory needs to emotional regulation, from time blindness to executive functioning struggles, the everyday logistics of parenting can feel overwhelming. I help parents and stepparents: Co-parent with empathy across households and neurotypes Build trust with stepchildren while respecting boundaries Manage uneven transitions between two homes Support neurodivergent children who feel misunderstood in blended environments Navigate parallel parenting, emotional dysregulation, and the grief of “family ideal” myths This isn’t just theoretical for me—it’s lived. And I bring that experience to every session with compassion, clarity, and hope. When Cultural Identity and Neurodivergence Collide In some couples, one partner is navigating the world through a neurodivergent lens while also carrying the weight of cultural expectations, family loyalty, or identity struggles. That’s been my lived experience—and it’s a frequent reality in the clients I serve. That is why I offer individuals and couples in Mandarin (and Chinglish) - to provide a space that feels more natural and deeply connecting for clients with similar cultural backgrounds. I am passionate about supporting multicultural and mixed-background couples in navigating the complexities of identity, language, and communication. Some of the challenges I help couples face include: Cultural pressure to “save face” conflicting with the need to set emotional boundaries Differences in how love, care, or conflict are expressed across cultural or neurological lines A neurodivergent partner who struggles with social norms while their partner fears community judgment One partner taught to suppress emotional needs, the other wired for direct expression or sensory regulation I help couples slow down, translate, and build shared meaning in a way that honors both their brains and their backgrounds. The goal isn’t assimilation—it’s authentic connection. My Book I’m proud to be a co-author of Asian American Chronicles: Tales of Mental Health & Hope, written with my professor and classmates. It’s a heartfelt, honest look at the intersection of cultural identity and emotional well-being. For anyone who’s felt caught between expectations and authenticity, I hope it brings comfort and connection. Healing Trauma & Relational Wounds with EMDR In addition to talk therapy, I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a trauma-focused approach that helps the brain re-process painful experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming, intrusive, or defining. I use EMDR with clients who are navigating: Complex PTSD rooted in childhood or relational trauma Betrayal trauma, affairs, and repeated relationship ruptures Chronic shame, self-blame, and “never enough” narratives Experiences of racism, bullying, or cultural invalidation that still echo in the present Because many of my clients are neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or carrying cultural and family expectations, I tailor EMDR to honor pacing, sensory needs, and safety. That can look like: Spending extra time preparing your nervous system and building trust Using clear stop signals, check-ins, and collaborative choice at every step Integrating body awareness, imagery, and resourcing that fit your cultural and personal story The goal isn’t to erase what happened. It’s to lessen the emotional “charge” of those memories, so they no longer run your relationships from the shadows—and you can respond from clarity and self-compassion instead of survival mode. Specialties Neurodiverse & Neurotypical Couples Counseling Complex PTSD Divorce, Parenting & Blended Family Work Betrayal & Affairs Recovery Work Multicultural Relationship Challenges LGBTQ+ Affirming and Relationship Support Modalities Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) Gottman Method (Level 1) EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Brainspotting (Phase 1) Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & TEAM-CBT Trauma-Informed Therapy Existential Centered Therapy PREPARE/ENRICH assessment tool for premarital, marital or enrichment counseling Education M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, Western Seminary B.S. Finance & Accounting, New York University License & Employment Information Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #155590 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Trauma, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), LGBTQIA+, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Divorce, Multicultural Challenges, Cassandra Syndrome, Communication, CBT, Brainspotting, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Assessment, Attachment, ADHD, AuDHD, IFS, Christian, Discernment, Autism, Internal Family Systems, Life Transitions, ND at Work, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Emotion Focused Therapy Jenny Pan 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 Conor Cunningham Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) At a Glance Autistic adult with ADHD and OCD — navigating neurodivergence firsthand while supporting my daughter with the same diagnoses 5+ years in recovery from alcohol addiction; faith-based recovery is foundational to how I understand myself and relationships Navigated dating, long-term cohabitation, and co-parenting while neurodivergent — I've lived the couple dynamics I help you untangle Decades of masking followed by diagnosis in adulthood — I know the cost of trying to fit into a neurotypical world Grew up in the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program — I know the gifts and the costs of being a gifted kid from the inside, and I help parents navigate both for their own children Spent 15+ years in clinical settings before becoming a therapist: crisis intervention, case management, substance use treatment, behavioral health Walked through homelessness, incarceration, and psychiatric hospitalization — I know how systems fail people, and I know what recovery looks like Direct, literal, plainspoken — I won't expect you to perform emotions on cue or hide your authentic communication style I Know What It Costs I know what it is to love someone whose brain works differently than the world expects. And I know what it costs both people when the tools available to them weren't designed with either of them in mind. If you're in a neurodivergent-neurotypical relationship, you're already navigating a real structural challenge. One of you experiences the world in ways that feel obvious and natural; the other experiences it in ways that feel baffling, exhausting, or even impossible. You're probably both convinced you're the one telling the truth about what's happening. You're both right. And that's the problem. I'm here because I've been on both sides of that equation — the neurodiverse partner causing confusion, the one who couldn't quite understand why my communication style felt hurtful, why my intensity was too much, why I needed things a certain way. I've also been on the receiving end of neurodivergent behavior that I couldn't make sense of. I've fathered a child with autism and ADHD. I've co-parented across a divorce. I've done the relentless work of understanding what I couldn't intuitively grasp. This work changed me. And it's exactly what I bring to couples therapy. The GATE Kid Nobody Diagnosed I grew up in Southern California in a family that worked hard, valued education, and expected their kids to succeed. The problem was that I was already failing — not academically, but behaviorally. By first grade, my teachers were calling home. I was too much: too loud, too impulsive, too whatever. But my parents also recognized something else: I was sharp. I could think in complex ways. I could see patterns. So I got tested and placed in GATE — Gifted and Talented Education. I was the gifted kid. Case closed. What nobody figured out was that I was also autistic, ADHD, and OCD. I was just smart enough to compensate. I learned early that I could study the people around me, figure out what was expected, and reshape how I presented myself to meet those expectations. For decades, this was my survival strategy. It was also my slow poison. Looking back, I can see the pattern clearly: the sensory overwhelm I didn't have language for, the social rules that made no sense to me, the obsessive thoughts I couldn't turn off, the impulsivity I masked so thoroughly that people thought I was just "spirited." A teacher would complain about my behavior; my parents would respond with stricter consequences. Nobody asked what was actually happening in my nervous system. I wasn't diagnosed until adulthood. By then, the masking was so complete that I didn't recognize myself underneath it. Decades of Masking: The Real Cost Here's what nobody tells you about masking: it works. You can become so good at performing the neurotypical role that the people around you have no idea you're burning yourself alive to do it. You earn good grades. You make friends. You navigate relationships. You're successful by every external measure. What they don't see is the exhaustion. The constant mental calculation of how to sit, where to look, what to say, when to speak, how much emotion to show, which part of yourself to hide. I spent decades reshaping how I presented myself to meet neurotypical expectations. I was a high-functioning mask walking around in a human suit. The cost accumulated in ways I didn't even recognize at the time. Social awkwardness I couldn't explain. Relationships that felt confusing and painful. A persistent sense that something was fundamentally wrong with me — not because I was failing at being neurotypical, but because I was trying to be neurotypical at all. Then I found alcohol. And for a long time, it seemed to solve the problem. It quieted the obsessive thoughts. It made social interaction feel possible. It numbed the relentless effort of masking. It let me be around other people without the constant internal calculation of whether I was doing it right. I didn't understand at the time that I was medicating undiagnosed neurodivergence, social anxiety I didn't have a name for, and trauma I hadn't processed. For much of my life, alcohol was how I managed the weight of undiagnosed neurodivergence, social awkwardness, unprocessed trauma, and the relentless effort of masking. Getting sober meant losing that numbing agent. But it also meant finally being forced to look at what was actually happening underneath. And that's when I started to understand myself. Fatherhood, Parenting, Loss, and Advocacy Becoming a parent while still in active addiction and undiagnosed neurodivergence was chaotic. My daughter was born after a traumatic delivery with global developmental delays. At age three, she was diagnosed with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and OCD — the same constellation of diagnoses I would receive years later. In some ways, watching her journey awakened me. I recognized myself in her struggles, but I also saw something different: she had advocates. She had early intervention services. She had parents and a family who collaborated to support her and fight for her rights. By age twenty, she's navigated college and is learning to drive. She's not a polished success story, but she's a person who knows herself and has resources. My family as a whole has collaborated to support and advocate for her services during her lifetime, and she is a poster-child for the success of early intervention services. But fatherhood also brought me face-to-face with grief. I experienced the loss of a child, and it broke me open in ways I needed. It forced me to stop performing and start feeling. It made me understand what really matters. Co-parenting across a divorce, navigating my own recovery, and watching my daughter grow up neurodivergent taught me something crucial: the systems designed to help people are often designed by people who don't understand neurodivergent minds. They expect compliance, they miss the actual struggles, they measure success by neurotypical standards. My daughter has had to fight for access to tools that should have been obvious. And I've had to fight to understand what she's experiencing — not intuitively, but deliberately, carefully, with humility. That's the work I do with couples. The NT partner saying "I don't understand why you can't just do this." The ND partner saying "I'm trying my best and it's still not enough." Both of them are right. Both of them are exhausted. And the systems they've inherited aren't designed to help them meet in the middle. Rock Bottom and Recovery Sobriety didn't come easily. I walked through homelessness. I experienced incarceration. I was psychiatrically hospitalized. I hit bottom hard, and there was a long time when I wasn't sure I'd come back up. But I did. And the thing that saved me wasn't willpower or bootstraps or any of that mythology we tell ourselves. It was spiritual recovery. Faith became my keystone. Not in a dogmatic way — it's foundational to how I understand myself now, how I understand other people, how I understand the work of therapy. I'm five years sober. That doesn't mean I've arrived at some polished place of stability. It means I wake up and choose recovery every day. It means I understand viscerally what it costs to be an outsider in this world. It means I've experienced systems that were designed to fail me, and I've learned to build my own recovery anyway. For the past five years, I've been volunteering at First Step House North County. I work with people in early recovery. I know what they're facing because I've faced it. I know what the shame feels like. I know what it looks like when someone is desperate to change but the world keeps telling them they're fundamentally broken. I know how to sit with someone in that place without trying to fix it or minimize it. This experience is part of how I show up for couples. I don't judge the chaos. I don't expect you to be further along than you are. I know what it looks like when people are trying their absolute best with tools that don't fit them. From the Other Side of the System Before I became a therapist, I spent fifteen years on the other side of clinical work. I was a Behavioral Health Technician at Hope Canyon Recovery. A Case Manager at Telecare Corp, working with conserved clients, doing discharge planning, navigating co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. A Clinician at Telecare providing ACT services, counseling, and crisis intervention. A Client Advocate at Teen Challenge. I've also been a refinery engineer managing shutdowns. A firefighter and paramedic. A travel nurse recruiter. A hospice care specialist. A lab technician. My background is deliberately broad — not because I was directionless, but because I was searching for something I couldn't name. Work that mattered. Work where I could be direct and authentic. Work that aligned with my values instead of fighting against my neurology. This unconventional path taught me something crucial: systems fail people. Mental health systems, criminal justice systems, social service systems — they're all designed by people who think linearly, who expect compliance, who measure success by narrow metrics. And they fail the people who think differently, who have trauma histories, who need something outside the standard box. I've seen it from every angle. I've been the crisis counselor and the person in crisis. I've been the case manager and the conserved client. I've been the one trying to help and the one receiving services that weren't designed for me. This perspective is invaluable in couples therapy. I don't expect you to fit into the system. I expect the system is probably failing you in predictable ways. What You'll Actually Get in Sessions With Me I'm direct. I won't expect you to perform emotions on cue or package your experience in neurotypical terms. I won't misread your communication style as a character flaw. If I don't understand something, I'll ask. If I see a pattern, I'll name it clearly. I've trained in CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and substance use treatment. I'm also trained in LIGHT Therapy (Light-Induced Guided Healing Therapy) and hypnotherapy. But I don't lead with clinical frameworks — I lead with understanding. We'll talk about your actual relationship, the patterns you're stuck in, the ways you're trying and failing, the things that make no sense to one of you and complete sense to the other. For neurodivergent folks, I accommodate movement, fidgeting, reduced eye contact, and needing written summaries of what we discussed. I won't expect you to maintain constant verbal engagement or fill every silence. I won't interpret your communication style as disrespect or distance. I understand that neurotype shapes how we show up. For neurotypical partners, I get the confusion. I've been the ND partner causing it. I understand what it costs to love someone whose brain works differently and to feel like your needs don't matter because you "should just understand them." We'll work on that real dynamic. What to expect: vulnerability, directness, real conversation about real problems. No corporate therapy language. No pretending your relationship should look like someone else's. No shame about how stuck you are — that's what I'm here for. License, Training & More License & Supervision: Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC), California BBS #19221 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro , LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Education & Credentials: M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Walden University B.A. Human Services, Columbia College LIGHT Certification (Light-Induced Guided Healing Therapy), UCSD Hypnotherapist Certification, UCSD Training in CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Substance Use Treatment Specialty Areas: Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Autism, ADHD, Neurodiverse Couples, Communication, Addiction, Trauma, CBT, DBT, Christian, Alexithymia, AuDHD, Family Conflict, Teens, Transformational Coaching, Twice-exceptional (2e) Conor Cunningham 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 Jamison Haase Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapist for Couples, Individuals, and Parents Who I Am: Act One: Small-Town Beginnings, Big-Hearted Lessons Jamison grew up in a tiny Minnesota town where the family rule was similar to so many others: feelings stay under wraps. Substance abuse, depression, and shame shaped a household that looked picture-perfect from the outside but ran on unspoken pain. Labeled “flaky” and “irresponsible,” Jamison spent years believing those words defined him—while quietly building hard-won empathy for anyone who feels misunderstood. Act Two: Hollywood Hustle Armed with a BFA in acting (1997), Jamison spent nearly 25 years on Los Angeles sets, eventually founding an on-camera school that helped hundreds of performers find their voice. Coaching actors taught him to read subtext and body language, hold space for others’ emotions, and spot the moment a story shifts—skills that now power his therapy work. Act Three: Therapy & a Late-Bloom Diagnosis After COVID, passion for showbiz faded and Jamison pivoted to mental health. While earning his Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy, he finally discovered the real reason he felt so out of sync in life: undiagnosed ADHD. Almost overnight, decades of shame melted, and a new mission emerged: help others rewrite their own misunderstood stories. Neurodiverse Couples Building a life with different neurotypes can feel like two radios tuned to separate stations—lots of volume, little clarity. Jamison’s 15-year marriage has lived that static and found the harmony, giving him lived wisdom he now shares with partners who are: Untangling Misinterpretations – When “You don’t care” really means “My brain processes differently.” Stuck in Blame-Shutdown Cycles – Swapping criticism and withdrawal for curiosity and repair. Hungry for Real Connection – Replacing scripts that never worked with communication that finally lands. How He Helps Name the Neurology – Understanding ADHD, autism, or AuDHD removes moral judgment and guilt. Create Accommodations – Practical systems for time, tasks, and sensory needs keep love from drowning in logistics. Reignite Intimacy – Emotionally Focused and Gottman-informed tools rebuild trust and warmth. With the right map, neurodiverse relationships don’t just survive—they become some of the most creative, resilient partnerships around. Neurodiverse Parenting Jamison and his wife are raising two energetic kids—one gifted, gloriously neurodiverse child and one future world-builder who keeps everyone laughing. Every school form, bedtime routine, and sensory storm doubles as on-the-job training. What He Knows Firsthand The confusion of trying discipline strategies that implode on an ADHD brain. The heartbreak of watching a gifted child mask until they burn out. The joy of seeing strengths shine when accommodations finally fit. In Parent-Focused Therapy, He Helps Caregivers: Decode Behaviors – Is it defiance, overwhelm, or an executive-function gap? Build Family Systems – Morning routines, homework plans, and shutdown-recovery scripts that actually work. Protect the Parent-Child Bond – Navigating shame, grief, and guilt so love stays front and center. Jamison believes children thrive when adults understand the brain behind the behavior—and when families trade “fixing” for celebrating unique wiring. Men, Neurodiversity, & A New Masculinity Growing up in rural Minnesota, Jamison absorbed a clear script: real men keep quiet, push through, never show weakness, or almost any emotion outside of anger. When undiagnosed ADHD amplified distraction, frustration, and shame, the result was an unhealthy mixture of anger and self-doubt that no one—least of all Jamison—could safely name. That powder keg eventually sent him to therapy, where he discovered two liberating truths: 1) masculinity isn’t one size fits all, and 2) neurodiverse brains often process emotion, stress, and sensory input in ways the old script never even considered. Late diagnosis reframed his struggles, and helped redefine masculinity as less about “manning up” and more about showing up —vulnerably, authentically, and in full technicolor neurodiversity. Today, Jamison helps other men rewrite that script. Whether clients are wrestling with ADHD-fueled impulsivity, autistic social fatigue, or the quiet dread of “never enough,” he offers a space where strength and sensitivity coexist—where tears, laughter, and profanity can all live in the same sentence. In Men’s Work, Jamison Guides Clients to: Decode Emotional Overload – separating neurological overwhelm from “weakness.” Transform Shutdowns & Outbursts – mapping triggers, building regulation tools, and practicing direct requests instead of silent resentment. Cultivate Shame-Resilience – replacing self-berating narratives with self-compassion rooted in accurate brain science. Align Identity with Values – moving from inherited roles to consciously chosen definitions of partner, father, friend, and man. Because masculinity doesn’t need to be torn down – it needs a broader definition that includes every neurotype, every emotion, and every voice. Trauma, Overwhelm, & EMDR Jamison is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a research-backed approach that helps the brain reprocess painful experiences so they stop running the show in the present. He uses EMDR with clients whose lives are shaped by: Old shame stories that won’t loosen their grip. Medical, relational, or childhood trauma that still lives in the body. Freeze, flight, or shutdown responses that feel automatic and out of proportion. Because many neurodivergent clients process information visually, somatically, or in “high-def” detail, Jamison tailors EMDR to honor sensory needs, pacing, and consent at every step. That can mean more preparation, slower sets, clear stop signals, and lots of collaboration about what feels safe. The goal isn’t to erase the past. It’s to take the charge out of it—so flashbacks become memories, triggers soften, and people can respond from choice instead of reflex. Specialties & Approach Late-identified ADHD & Autism in adults Neurodiverse couples communication & intimacy Executive-function coaching for real life Men’s issues & redefining masculinity Attachment & trauma-informed, person-centered care Emotionally Focused Therapy Gottman-inspired skills Somatic & creative techniques EMDR-informed trauma work License &Employment Information Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #151355 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Autism, ADHD, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Emotional Regulation, Attachment, Communication, Family Conflict, Emotional Intimacy, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Blended Families, Discernment, General Couples Coaching, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Cassandra Syndrome, Trauma Jamison Haase 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 Alyssa Bayus Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist My Story Childhood: Reading the Room Early My parents divorced when I was born, so I grew up moving between homes, rhythms, and emotional climates. From an early age I learned to listen closely—to notice the small cues, the shifts in tone, the unspoken needs. That constant translating between worlds became its own kind of training, teaching me how to understand and attune to the nervous systems around me. It’s from that place of lived experience that this work first took root. Marriage: Lessons from the Inside I spent more than twenty years in a marriage that became a deep teacher for me—showing me so much about attachment, conflict, boundaries , and the tender truth that real change only lasts when both people are willing to look inward and try new patterns together. T hose years softened and steadied me. They made me practical, grounded, and clear about what truly helps people grow and stay connected. And when that marriage ended, the divorce became its own initiation. I had to start again—slowly, honestly, and with a courage I didn’t know I had. That experience didn’t harden me; it expanded me. It taught me that rebuilding is possible, that beginning again can be an act of wisdom, and that life after loss can be deeply alive and meaningful. Motherhood: Immersed in Neurodiversity I’m the parent of three wonderful kids who each learn and relate differently. ADHD is the loudest drumbeat in our home— time blindness, task initiation, emotional intensity, sleep shifts, school demands , and the constant need to right-size expectations. We’ve chased accurate diagnoses, weighed medication trade-offs, and rebuilt routines as they grew. Autism is also part of our extended family, so I understand the sensory and communication layers that shape daily life. I don’t treat neurodiversity as theory; I live it. How I Help Neurodiverse Couples I work with couples where one or both partners are autistic or ADHD. The goal is simple: reduce friction, increase connection, and build systems that fit your actual brains. What we map together Communication styles and processing speeds (literal vs. inferential, fast vs. deliberate). Sensory profiles (sound, light, touch, pacing) and how they affect conflict and intimacy. Executive-function load: who’s cueing, who’s tracking, and what regularly gets dropped. Stress cycles: masking, overwhelm, shutdown, and how each partner signals “I’m done.” What we build Effective rituals for connection, conflict repair, and de-escalation that either partner can start. Division-of-labor plans tied to energy and executive function, not wishful thinking. Conversation “lane markers”: slow starts, structured turns, timeouts that don’t feel like rejection. Sensory-informed intimacy plans (pressure/tempo/context/aftercare) that make closeness easier to reach. Burnout buffers : predictable recovery windows, transition cues, and re-entry scripts. A shared language for differences so misunderstandings stop turning into character judgments. How we work in session Short, plain language; concrete skills; measurable follow-through. One page of “what we’re trying” each week—small, repeatable, testable. Accountability and empathy in the same room. Methods I draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) The Gottman Method Neurodiversity-informed psychoeducation and skills training Habit and routine design based on executive-function science Results you can expect Fewer blowups, faster resets. Less guessing, more predictable connection. Systems that survive real weeks, not fantasy ones. Parenting Support for ADHD and Autism Parenting neurodivergent kids is a moving target. I help you trade shame and “shoulds” for fit and function. Core tools we focus on: Executive-function scaffolds: externalize plans (visual schedules, timers, “next two steps” lists), create “ready states,” and use time anchors to cut decision fatigue. Motivation and momentum: short horizons, immediate feedback, two-minute starts, novelty cycles without turning life into a prize hunt. Regulation and meltdowns: map heat zones, co-regulate first, solve later; keep debriefs brief and blame-free. Sensory and environment: identify triggers, build predictable retreats, and translate “won’t” into “can’t yet under these conditions.” School/IEP/504 : write short, winnable requests; design a weekly homework rhythm that anticipates energy dips. Family load: rotate the “primary executive” role, write silent defaults (what happens if nobody cues), and use micro-handoffs. Outcome Calmer days, more follow-through, and systems you can keep when life gets busy. Money and Relationships Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a financial planner and advisor. The biggest problems weren’t math—they were meaning: safety, control, freedom, fairness, respect. Executive-function differences and processing mismatches add extra friction. I will help you lower it. What we do Build a shared language : turn “too much spending” into specific thresholds, categories, and timeframes. Separate values from methods so you stop arguing about tools and start aligning on what matters. Protect the relationship: clear roles, cool-off rules for high-stakes purchases, and scheduled repair talks. Result Money stops running the relationship. You get calm, clarity, and a plan that sticks. Sexual Addiction and Betrayal Although this bio centers neurodiversity, I also work with couples facing sexual acting out and betrayal using a structured pathway that prioritizes safety for the betrayed partner and accountability for the acting-out partner. If that’s your situation, ask about my dedicated track. Faith and Mindfulness I was raised in both Catholic and Protestant traditions and now consider myself spiritual. I value mindfulness and welcome couples from all faith backgrounds—and none. Your values lead the work. Personal Interests Golf keeps me present. Pickleball brings energy and fun. Horseback riding sharpens the nonverbal listening I use every day in therapy. I have fostered over 50 dogs and I love all animals. Education and Training M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy, National University, 2009 B.A., Sociology, Ithaca College, 1994 License & Employment Information Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #158340 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers If You’re Ready If you want less friction and more connection—with systems that fit your brains and your life—I’m ready when you are. Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Emotional Intimacy, Communication, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Emotion Focused Therapy, Blended Families, Cassandra Syndrome, Divorce, General Couples Coaching, Attachment, ADHD, Emotional Regulation, Life Transitions, Not Accepting New Clients Alyssa Bayus 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 Joseph Kaiser | Neurodiverse Couples Specialist My Story Born and raised in the Redwoods of Northern California, I spent two decades in the advertising industry as a creative director, art director, and copywriter collaborating on regional, national and global campaigns. As a creative director nothing was more thrilling then collaborating with other creatives. Nurturing diverse perspectives and personalities to create high impact campaigns was a source of great personal and professional inspiration. Later I founded two small businesses; one in tech accessories and another manufacturing active toys developed for neurodiverse, neurotypical, and other children with special needs. I am a US Patent holder and was honored with a Silver Clio Award 2002, Bronze Clio 2002 and published in Graphis Design Annual 2004 and American Graphic Design 2003. My goal is to empower growth through the use of dynamic evidence-based theories and therapeutic rapport. Though I love my work with individuals, I am particularly passionate about couples work and how it can lead to individual well being and familial harmony. For better or worse, our earliest programming teaches us what we think marriage 'should' be. The truth is, marriage is what we make of it. We are the creators and, although painful at times, it can also inspire and empower. I am a firm believer that people heal and grow in connection to others. Main Areas of Focus Neurodiverse Couples Some couples have yet to realize they are neurodiverse. When they finally do, a diagnosis can feel like a relief after years of pain and contention. One common complaint from a partner may be that they are being "gaslighted” by the neurodiverse partner; accused of being irrational and not having their experience or feelings validated. The neurodiverse partner can feel overwhelmed and misunderstood. Common differences in communication are logical vs. emotional, concrete vs. abstract, absolute vs. relative, and avoidant vs. insistent. The first step is to help couples identify just how differences in their wiring affect their interaction cycles. Next is to break blame and shame patterns and find acceptance in differences through a structured step by step process that helps you rediscover love and acceptance. Couples De-escalation and healthy communication are a crucial place to start but only one dimension of couples work. Uncovering deeper unspoken truths and patterns by creating an environment of trust and acceptance is at the core of the healing process. Exploring and validating each partner's unique experience is essential to connecting. I help clients work past blame and shame. Major life changes like the loss of a job, the arrival of a child, or grief and loss, can bring about a shift in dynamics. My goal is to help couples grow together instead of apart while retaining their own identity. I provide a structured approach to couples therapy using elements of EFT, Gottman Method, CBT, Attachment Theory, Relational Life Therapy, Internal Family Systems and more. Affair Recovery Unfortunately, affairs transcend race, culture, sexuality, age, and socio-economic background. Whether it be emotional or sexual, infidelity is traumatic. The betrayed partner can develop depression, anxiety, and symptoms similar to PTSD while the unfaithful partner can be plagued with guilt. My first step is crisis management to stabilize your lives so the therapeutic work can begin. Once the immediate crisis has settled, the real work begins. If partners are willing, compassionate, and persistent, it can be an opportunity for tremendous growth. Affairs may be a reflection of long-standing wounds or struggles that pre-dated the marriage as well as patterns that developed during the relationship. Understanding why the affair occurred is critical to getting on a productive path to affair recovery. Using a step-by-step process, I will compassionately steer couples through this difficult minefield. Parenting And Co-Parenting It is in the best interest of their children for parents to move from an adversarial relationship to a cooperative and collaborative one. After 15 years of parenting and co-parenting of his own, I leverage my training and personal experience to help couples develop co-parenting plans and maintain a safe, secure, nurturing environment for their children to thrive. When done successfully, co-parenting counseling can improve the child’s confidence and self-esteem. Individuals As a compassionate professional, I am committed to helping individuals find healing, growth, and relationship transformation. This begins with building rapport which I believe is the wellspring of effective psychotherapy. I work with challenges such as depression, stress or anxiety, self-esteem, and career transition. Whether it is the cycle of life, health crisis, a move, a loss, relational struggles or change of circumstances, we can become overwhelmed. All too often there is a confluence of things that happen all at once. We thought we could handle it all but our body and psyche say no. I have a compassionate, accepting, curious approach that melds joining the client with various therapeutic methodologies and evidence-based practices. Other Areas of Focus Neurodiverse Couples Therapy & Coaching Trauma informed therapy Depression & Anxiety Treatment Life transitions High stress jobs Discernment Counseling Trauma-informed Therapy Pre-marital Counseling Depression and Anxiety Grief, loss, and shame Clients Couples of all ages Couples of all ethnic backgrounds Adult Individuals. Men, Women High achievers Modalities Internal Family Systems (IFS) Emotionally Focuses Therapy (EFT) Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Person-Centered Therapy Gottman Method Family Systems Positive Psychology Attachment-based Culturally Sensitive Existential Family Systems Humanistic Mindfulness Motivational License Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #151271 Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc. Specialty Areas: Addiction, Discernment, Sex/Physical Intimacy, LGBTQIA+, Neurodiverse Couples, Autism, ADHD, Blended Families, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Internal Family Systems, ND at Work, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients Joseph Kaiser Take an Autism Test

Our Neurodiverse Specialists are ready to help you improve your relationship. Whether one or both of you are Autistic, have ADHD, or are otherwise neurodivergent, we are here to help! < Back Education & Specialties: Neuro-Inclusive Nourishment Specialist Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Aurora University Certified Life Coach, Universal Coach Institute Client Focus: Neurodiverse women Individuals with Autism, ADHD, Highly Sensitive Persons Neurodiverse clients with eating struggles Neurodiverse couples Coaching Modalities: Solution-focused strategies Action planning Mindfulness techniques Motivational interviewing Journaling Cognitive-behavioral techniques My Story Hello, I'm Cassie Clayton. Since 2016, I've dedicated my career to supporting individuals on their journeys to recovery from eating disorders and mental health challenges. My path began as a Recovery Coach, inspired by my own experiences navigating recovery. Recognizing the profound impact of connection and support from those with lived experience, I've committed to helping others share their stories and find healing. Supporting Neurodiverse Couples At the Neurodiverse Couples Counseling Center, I specialize in working individually with a partner experiencing eating issues that affect their relationship. Understanding the intricate dynamics of neurodiverse partnerships, I provide tailored support to address these challenges. With your consent, I collaborate closely with your neurodiverse couples counselor to ensure our efforts are aligned, promoting healthier eating habits and enhancing relationship satisfaction. Neuro-inclusive Nourishment I am deeply passionate about empowering individuals to feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment. My empathetic, non-judgmental approach fosters an environment where you can thrive, receiving the encouragement and guidance needed to move forward. I specialize in helping clients articulate their visions, set attainable goals, overcome obstacles, and collaboratively develop actionable plans. In addition to one-on-one support, I've facilitated outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) therapeutic support groups, creating safe spaces for clients to connect, process emotions, and reduce eating disorder behaviors. I prioritize meeting clients where they are and assessing their unique needs, ensuring that each individual receives tailored support throughout their recovery journey. Personalized Care In a world often dominated by diet culture and unrealistic expectations, I advocate for a personalized approach to healing one’s relationship with food and body image. I celebrate the uniqueness of each individual, understanding that there is no 'one size fits all' solution in recovery. With extensive experience working with young adults and adults facing body image issues and disordered eating, I am dedicated to helping you navigate your path to wellness. Whether your struggles have been ongoing or more recent, you deserve compassionate support and understanding. I invite you to share your story with me. Together, we can explore meaningful steps toward your recovery—because even the smallest steps can lead to significant change. Specialty Areas: Eating & Autism, Communication, Autism, ADHD, Emotional Intimacy Cassie Clayton 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 Cristina Collins Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist At a Glance Loved an autistic man deeply — a relationship that changed how I understand communication, conflict, and the many different ways people show care Neurodivergent myself, with ADHD, significant sensory differences, and a mind that goes all the way in on whatever captures its attention Nearly fifteen years with a Marine Corps veteran, navigating two nervous systems with very different needs inside one relationship Air Force veteran — Command and Control Operations in Germany, supporting five nuclear bases in coordination with NATO Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology — I studied how people actually function inside organizations before I ever became a therapist I won't assume eye contact, small talk, or emotional narration are prerequisites for a meaningful connection Lifelong scholar — degrees in psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and clinical psychology, with a doctorate in progress Why I Do This Work I work with neurodiverse couples because I have lived inside the gap between two people who love each other and still cannot reach each other. Most of the couples I see are not short on love. They are short on translation. One partner is communicating care by solving the problem, remembering the detail, fixing the thing, or telling the truth — and the other is waiting for words that never come in the shape they were expecting. Both people are trying. Both people are exhausted. And neither of them has been handed a map. Loving Someone Whose Brain Worked Differently Than Mine I fell deeply in love with someone who was autistic. He was brilliant, loyal, and genuine, and he experienced the world very differently than I did. There was never a lack of love or effort between us — and yet sometimes we simply could not reach each other. Conflict revealed those differences most clearly. When I became overwhelmed, I needed space and silence to process. For him, unresolved tension created an urgent need to reconnect and know that we were okay. So in the exact moments when I needed distance to feel safe, he needed closeness to feel safe. We were two people who loved each other deeply, asking for completely opposite things from one another in the same moment. Neither of us had language yet for nervous systems, sensory overwhelm, processing differences, or mixed-neurotype relationships. We only had the conclusion each of us drew in the silence: that the other one had stopped caring. That relationship taught me what I now bring into every session. Processing time isn't rejection. Directness isn't cruelty. Needing clarity isn't rigidity. And showing love doesn't always look like talking about love. The Question I Ask Instead That experience made me much less interested in whether someone is expressing care the “right” way, and much more interested in a different question: How does this person actually communicate care — and is the person they love able to recognize it? People don't all communicate the same way, but some styles get treated as acceptable while others get treated as problematic. Someone speaks directly and is heard as harsh. Someone needs silence before responding and is read as disengaged. Intention and impact can both matter, and that is exactly where I get curious. If the way something is being communicated is creating outcomes you don't want, we will absolutely work on it. But we look at it as a question of translation, context, and fit — not as evidence that something is defective in either of you. Neurodivergent Myself I'm neurodivergent. I am ADHD, significant sensory differences, and a brain that tends to go deeply into whatever captures my attention. I've also spent time exploring whether autism may be part of my own story. Sound especially affects me. Loud rooms cost me. Background noise doesn't always stay in the background. So when a couple tells me their worst fights happen in the kitchen at 6pm with the TV on and the kids yelling, I don't treat that as an excuse. I understand from the inside that sometimes the environment really is part of the problem. Fifteen Years, Two Nervous Systems I've spent nearly fifteen years with a Marine Corps veteran, navigating the impact of PTSD, stress, and very different nervous-system needs inside a long-term relationship. That has taught me something couples work depends on: what looks like withdrawal is often regulation, what looks like overreaction is often a system already at capacity, and two people can be doing everything right and still land in the same painful loop. Building a shared rhythm out of two differently wired nervous systems is slow, unglamorous work. I know it from the inside, and I don't romanticize it. From the Air Force to the Therapy Room Before becoming a therapist, I earned a master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, studying leadership, organizational culture, motivation, communication, power, and the unspoken rules that decide whose style gets rewarded. Then I went and lived inside one of the most hierarchical organizations there is. I served in the United States Air Force in Command and Control Operations in Germany, working within a central command and control environment supporting five nuclear bases in coordination with NATO. I advised senior leadership, coordinated high-level missions, and worked in situations where information came in fast, precision mattered, and there was very little room for ambiguity. This matters more in couples work than people expect. Work follows partners home. When one of you is excellent at your actual job but keeps getting told to improve your “soft skills,” that lands in the relationship too — as exhaustion, as shortness at dinner, as nothing left over for anyone by the time you walk in the door. I'm interested in all of it. How I Work My approach is relational, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based , leaning on Emotionally Focused Therapy and Family Systems Theory, and drawing from other approaches when they're useful. I don't believe you should have to force yourself into a therapeutic model — the therapy should fit the people in the room. I'm warm, but I'm also direct. If I notice a pattern, I'll name it. If something doesn't make sense to me, I'll ask. If I disagree with your read on something, I'll tell you what I'm seeing rather than expecting you to infer it. And if I don't understand something about your experience, I'll stay curious until I truly get it. Who I Work With Neurodivergent-neurotypical couples caught in the pursue-withdraw cycle, where one partner needs space to feel safe and the other needs closeness Couples where intentions and impact keep missing each other despite real love and real effort Autistic men — diagnosed, self-identified, or still figuring it out — and the partners trying to understand them ADHD and AuDHD adults and couples navigating two very different attention systems Adults exploring autism or ADHD later in life, and couples renegotiating a relationship after a late identification Partners of veterans, first responders, and people in high-pressure careers where work follows them home Couples where one or both partners are experiencing autistic burnout, chronic overwhelm, or exhaustion from masking Men in engineering, technology, military, trades, science, and other technical or high-focus fields Individuals working on communication, boundaries, self-advocacy, anger, sensory load, identity, and unmasking Adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, PTSD, or major life transitions What to Expect in Session You won't have to perform therapy “correctly” with me. Move around. Fidget. Look away. Take a minute to answer. Bring notes. Make a list. Tell me you don't know. Ask me exactly what I mean, or why I'm asking the question at all. If your brain works better when you can see something written down, we'll write it down — a list, a diagram, a timeline, a concrete example. If naming what you're feeling is difficult, we'll slow it down rather than demanding an immediate emotional answer. Silence doesn't make me nervous. Sometimes a nervous system needs a moment before the words catch up, and I'm comfortable waiting with you. You also don't need to arrive with a diagnosis, a polished explanation, or a tidy summary of what's wrong. You don't have to convince me you're “autistic enough.” And the goal here is never to help you or your partner appear less autistic. Sometimes understanding yourself isn't about becoming somebody new — it's about finally having better language for the person you've been all along. License, Training, & More Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #156870 (California) Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in International and Multicultural Education, Racial Equity and Justice concentration — University of San Francisco (in progress) Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy — University of San Francisco Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology — Carlos Albizu University, Miami Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — San Francisco State University; Associate of Arts in Emergency Management — Community College of the Air Force United States Air Force — Command and Control Operations, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Advised senior leadership during critical incidents; supported mission monitoring during Operation Allies Refuge. Resiliency Trainer and diversity and inclusion leader. Distinguished Graduate, Command and Control Operations technical training. Clinical experience: Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, USF Center for Community Counseling and Wellness. Previously a Behavioral Intervention Specialist with Seneca Family of Agencies and a Family Advocate with the Family Mosaic Project. Published: Collins, C. (2016). Exploring Facilitating Factors in the Development of Global Leaders. International Journal of Business Management, 4(10), 446–456. Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Family Systems Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and neurodiversity-affirming psychoeducation. Experienced in telehealth. Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Neurodiverse Couples, Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, ASD/Allistic Couples, Cassandra Syndrome, Alexithymia, Communication, Emotional Intimacy, Emotional Regulation, Attachment, Life Transitions, Trauma, ND at Work, Multicultural Challenges, Emotion Focused Therapy, ACT, CBT, DBT Cristina Collins 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 About: Dr. Motro has made working with neurodiverse community the centerpiece of his life. He has extensive personal experiences with neurodiversity and believes that typical couples counseling falls far short for neurodiverse couples. Accordingly, he has dedicated his practice to providing life-changing counseling for these special but often misunderstood couples. His background includes the following: he spent his earlier work life in technology and then chose a second career in helping others, he is the founder and clinical director of the Neurodiverse Couples Counseling Center where he collaborates with other therapists equally dedicated to the neurodiverse community. he has collaborated with his team to develop specialized tools to assist neurodiverse couples, he serves as an adjunct graduate school psychology professor where he has incorporated neurodiverse couples counseling into the teaching curriculum, he is a clinical supervisor of other neurodiverse couples therapists, he serves on non-profit boards including, New Path Couples Therapy and Therapy in Motion. he has been married 40 years and the proud parent of adult children , and he has received specialized couples training at the Master's & Doctoral levels. His interest in neurodiverse couples is rooted in his personal life, his prior work in technology, and because his psychology practice is based in Silicon Valley, a neurodiversity hot spot. NEURODIVERSE COUPLES: Most neurodiverse couples start off woefully uninformed about their differences and how to support and accept each other. This misinformation leads to misunderstanding, which eventually morphs into the belief that the other partner is purposely cruel or simply uncaring. Emotional walls come up and intimacy fades and then dies. The most important part of our work in therapy is to free you from this painful blame and shame cycle. We work to gradually reframe how you understand and see each other, reshaping your patterns, and allowing a new relationship to blossom. You can read more on his approach to Neurodiversity at: https://www.harrymotro.com/therapy-for-neurodiverse-couples . Other areas of focus (in addition to Neurodiversity): General Couples Therapy Affair Recovery Sex addiction Modalities: Trauma-focused Neurodiverse Couples Therapy , Emotion Focused Therapy, Imago Therapy, Gottman, Person-Centered, Existential, Couples-Based CBT, Behavioral, Internal Family Systems, Experiential, Positive Psychology Clients: Couples and Families only License: California / LMFT53452 Specialty Areas: Christian, ND at Work, Discernment, Internal Family Systems, Emotion Focused Therapy Harry Motro Take an Autism Test

Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony, LMFT, helps neurodiverse couples stop having the same fight. Couples therapy, intensives, and adult autism and ADHD assessments. < Back You love each other. You keep missing each other. And you're both tired of having the same fight in different clothing. I've been with my high school sweetheart for more than four decades, in a marriage we now recognize as neurodiverse. We've weathered grief, financial storms and health crises, and we even separated for two years before choosing each other again. At 57, I discovered I'm neurodivergent myself. I have the gift of seeing both partners, because I have been both of them. What We Work On Together Communication. Misunderstandings escalate fast when two people express their needs in different ways. We find where the message gets lost and build ways of talking that work for both brains. Emotional regulation. Often one partner floods while the other goes quiet. Neither of you is wrong. We make room for both nervous systems instead of asking one of you to override the other. Triggers and sensory load. Sensory overwhelm can turn an ordinary evening into a fight. We name what sets each of you off and build routines, boundaries and recovery time that actually fit. We go at the speed of your nervous system. Couples Retreats and Intensives Some couples want more than an hour a week. An intensive gives you focused time together, in person or on Zoom, to understand the pattern underneath and leave with a plan that fits how you're both wired. Intensives can help when you keep circling the same loop, when old trauma keeps surfacing, or when you're standing at the edge of separation. Ways to Work With Me Weekly or twice-monthly couples and individual therapy Couples retreats and intensives Adult autism and ADHD assessments Nothing about you is broken. The connection has a different shape, and that shape can be learned. Credentials Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #151788 MA, Counseling Psychology, Sofia University, with a Certificate in Creative Expression BS, Home Economics, Fashion Merchandising, The Ohio State University Autism & ADHD Assessment Specialist · Advanced Certified Trauma Specialist · Advanced Certified Integral Coach · Brainspotting Certified, Levels I & II Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Autism, ADHD, Assessment, Cassandra Syndrome, Discernment, Couples Retreats/Intensives, Emotional Intimacy, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Kink/Poly-Affirmed, Brainspotting, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients Barbara (Blaze) Lazarony 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 Amanda is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a mother of 4, plus 2 children from a blended partnership. She is currently working towards the completion of her doctoral degree in counseling education and supervision. Amanda specializes in working with couples and individuals who want to strengthen their lives and relationships through positive communication, conflict management, and improvement in intimacy as well as self-care, so they are able to continue to care for others. Using a non-judgmental, strength-based approach, Amanda guides couples in finding solutions to problems, while also maintaining a safe and supportive space where couples can communicate safely and openly about the fears that paralyze them, such as fear of loss, disappointment, rejection, and loss of self. Neurodiverse Couples Communication is important in every relationship, and it can be particularly challenging for a neurodiverse couple. Amanda believes that it is vital to identify solid communication strategies between partners, using specific techniques for handling relationship troubles, whether perpetual or solvable. These techniques encourage the understanding that emotions are important, there is no absolute reality, only two subjective ones, acceptance is crucial, and a development of fondness and admiration within the relationship. Amanda encourages couples to celebrate the small steps towards a larger goal and helps keep focus on what the couple can do to set themselves up to thrive. Parenting Neurodiverse Children Amanda has personal experience as a mother of a neurodivergent 13 year old, working through the white waters of concern for her child’s behavior and development, receiving the diagnosis of neurodiversity, and wondering what it means to parent a child who is neurodiverse. Parenting neurodivergent children can be exponentially intense. Amanda teaches parents positive parenting skills that encourage the use of “Why?” to address the child’s behavior, focusing on an understanding of the purpose that behavior serves the child and what they are trying to tell you. Allowing the behavior to inform what needs to be put into place ahead of time to help the child manage the particular challenge, and also ensuring that consequences are related to the behavior/issue as a last resort to addressing behavior. Amanda encourages parents to catch their child’s positive behaviors whenever possible and to name specifically what they see so as to encourage the positive behavior to reoccur. Other areas of focus (in addition to Neurodiversity): Addiction Affair Recovery Major Life Transition Support, co-parenting, blended families, separation/divorce Parent Coaching Sex Therapy Clients: Couples and families Modalities: Coaching Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Gottman Method Internal Family Systems (IFS) Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Strength-Based Structural Family Therapy License: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #150002 Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc. Specialty Areas: Neurodiverse Couples, Cassandra Syndrome, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Intimate Partner Violence, Christian, Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients Amanda Silvester 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 Nara Ahn Neurodiverse Couples Specialist | Associate Marriage and Family Therapist | Associate Professional Clinical Counselor At a Glance Over two decades of firsthand experience navigating a neurodiverse marriage Mother to two beautiful neurodivergent daughters, nurturing their differences and helping them thrive uniquely More than 10 years supporting neurodivergent students in schools, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences Bilingual in Korean and English — bridging cultures and neurotypes UCLA, Pepperdine, and Cal Baptist educated — three graduate degrees Raised in a low-income household, with deep understanding of what it feels like to go unseen Integrates faith and personal values into therapy when welcomed by clients Why I Do This Work I work with neurodiverse couples because I've lived the complexity of loving someone whose brain works differently than mine — for more than twenty years. I know what it feels like to reach for connection and miss. I know the exhaustion of adapting, explaining, trying harder — and still feeling like you're speaking different languages. I also know that the gap between partners isn't a sign of failure . It's a sign that two people are still reaching for each other, still hoping for something better. My work with neurodiverse couples is about bridging those gaps. Not by asking one partner to change their brain to fit the other, but by helping both of you understand how your nervous systems work, where you're actually talking past each other, and how to build a connection that honors both of your ways of being in the world. Growing Up Between Worlds I grew up in a low-income household as the daughter of Korean immigrants. My childhood was shaped by scarcity — not just material scarcity, but emotional scarcity. I learned early to read the room before speaking, to anticipate needs before being asked, to make myself useful enough to be safe. What I didn't learn until much later was that this had made me invisible. I was reliable, but unnoticed. Helpful, but unknown. The people who loved me often didn't truly see me — not because they didn't care, but because they were exhausted or overwhelmed themselves. That kind of loneliness teaches you something. It taught me exactly what it means to feel misunderstood and hungry for recognition from the people closest to you. That childhood wound became my clinical compass. When I sit with couples where one partner feels invisible or unheard, I don't have to imagine what that's like. I know it in my bones. UCLA, Pepperdine, and Cal Baptist — A Foundation Built on Curiosity Education has been a through line in my life. I earned my Bachelor's degree in English from UCLA, then went on to complete two Master's degrees at Pepperdine University — one in Education and one in Psychology. Most recently, I completed my Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at California Baptist University, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counseling. Each degree deepened my understanding of how people learn, connect, and heal. My education background gave me the language for how brains process differently. My psychology training gave me the clinical tools. And my counseling degree brought it all together — equipping me to sit with couples in the hardest moments of their relationships and help them find a way through. A Decade in the Classroom with Neurodivergent Students For over a decade, I worked as an educator supporting students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. These were not students struggling from a lack of intelligence or effort—they were navigating systems that were never designed for how their brains work. I assisted in drafting IEPs, developed differentiated instruction, and advocated fiercely for meaningful accommodations. I witnessed profound shifts when students were finally given permission to learn in ways that aligned with their needs. That work reshaped how I understand neurodiversity. I came to see it not as a deficit, but as natural variation. At the same time, I witnessed something more difficult: how often the world pathologizes difference. Regulation challenges were labeled as behavior problems. Parents carried unnecessary blame. Bright, capable children began to see themselves as broken—simply because they did not fit an expected mold. This experience now informs my work with couples in a powerful way. When I work with partners where one person is neurodivergent, I do not begin from a deficit framework. I begin with curiosity : What does this person’s brain need? How are they attempting to connect? What may be interpreted as rejection or neglect that is, in fact, a difference in processing? Two Beautifully Different Daughters Parenting has deepened my understanding of neurodiversity in ways nothing else could. I’m raising two daughters who could not be more different from each other—and watching them grow has been one of the greatest teachers of my life. My girls experience the world in ways that don’t always align with what others expect. My older daughter’s mind moves quickly, making connections that others might miss, while my younger daughter notices the world with an intensity that can feel overwhelming. She cares so fiercely about the people she loves that it sometimes overwhelms her. I’ve also witnessed the world misread them both in ways that unfairly affect their self-perception. Raising these two wildly different humans has taught me that there is no single “right” way to be wired. What supports one daughter can overwhelm the other; what soothes one can unsettle the other. As a couples therapist, this understanding translates directly: I recognize that what one partner needs for safety and connection may look completely different from what the other partner needs—and both are valid. More Than Two Decades in a Neurodiverse Marriage My understanding of neurodiverse relationships didn't come from a textbook. It came from more than twenty years of marriage to a neurodivergent partner. Early in that marriage, I thought I was failing. We had communication breakdowns I couldn't solve with clarity and effort alone. He had sensory needs I didn't understand. I had emotional needs he sometimes couldn't meet — not because he didn't care, but because regulation and social reciprocity worked differently in his brain. We found ourselves caught in that painful cycle: I'd reach, he'd withdraw. I'd interpret it as rejection. He'd feel pressured and overwhelmed. We'd both end up feeling unseen. Over those years, I had to unlearn what I thought I knew about partnership. I had to stop expecting my style of connection to land the way I intended. I had to learn his language. And I had to realize that my needs were real and valid even when they looked different from his capacity in a given moment. We had to build a different rhythm — one that honored both of us. That lived experience is the foundation of the work I bring to couples today . Not theory. Not clinical distance. But the real, messy, hard-won understanding of what it takes to stay connected to someone whose brain wires things differently. I know the grief of it. I know the beauty of it. I know what it takes. How I Work I take a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and nervous-system-centered practices , tailored to how neurodivergent brains actually communicate, regulate, and connect. We begin by translating—identifying where partners are talking past each other—then rebuild from a clear understanding of what each person truly needs. Who I Work With Neurodivergent-neurotypical couples navigating communication gaps and the search for connection Dual-neurodivergent couples (ADHD-autism, ADHD-ADHD, and other combinations) Partners stuck in pursuit-withdraw, collapse-escalate, or silence-pursuit cycles Parents of neurodivergent children navigating parenting stress, co-regulation, and advocacy Couples dealing with invisible labor imbalances, emotional overload, and chronic misattunement What to Expect in Session I communicate directly and literally while staying sensitive to your feelings. I help uncover unspoken or implied meanings fueling misunderstandings. Sessions are structured, collaborative, and goal-oriented. I accommodate neurodivergent needs including movement, fidgeting, reduced eye contact, written session summaries, and flexibility around sensory needs. I understand that what looks like resistance is often regulation — your nervous system protecting itself — and we work with that, not against it. You'll feel understood without being pathologized. License, Training, & More Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT #160292 Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC #21068 Master of Science in Counseling Psychology — California Baptist University (2025)Master of Arts in Psychology — Pepperdine University (2012) Master of Arts in Education - Pepperdine University (2004)Bachelor of Arts in English — UCLA (2003) Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic approaches, and trauma-informed, nervous-system-centered care. Experienced in telehealth. Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers Specialty Areas: Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients, Neurodiverse Couples, Autism, ADHD, Multicultural Challenges, Communication, Emotional Intimacy, Life Transitions, Trauma, General Couples Coaching, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), ACT, Blended Families, Christian, Cassandra Syndrome, Divorce, Alexithymia, ASD/Allistic Couples, Attachment, Betrayal/Affair Recovery, Discernment, Emotional Regulation, Family Conflict, Highly Sensitive People (HSP), Teens Nara Ahn 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 Robin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has graduated with a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. She has a background in behavioral health, education, transitional youth, addiction and recovery services, and suicide prevention. She has worked with couples who have adult children struggling with ASD, ADHD, addiction, depression, and anxiety . She has experience working in diverse cultures and backgrounds in outpatient clinics, large healthcare systems, and private practices. She believes everyone has a voice and deserves to feel safe, respected, and heard. Robin encourages her clients to connect by offering a safe, nurturing environment, enabling clients to feel supported and valued. Life experience With 30 years of marriage and parenting four children. Robin's personal experience has given her a unique perspective to help her clients explore, reconnect, and rediscover their "sparkle." She understands the challenges of working, parenting, and finding time for self-care while strengthening personal and professional relationships. Working with couples She works with couples, individuals, and family systems to develop improved communication, respect, and love. She helps couples and individuals through life transitions such as a new home, first child, loss of career, or loss of a loved one by exploring coping skills to reduce stressors and move towards healing. In addition, Robin works with couples to become more self-aware of their behavior and how it affects their loved ones. Robin's approach to therapy Robin's approach is humanistic and creates a safe and non-judgmental environment for her clients to communicate openly. She has worked with families and children by guiding her clients towards rewarding and harmonious connections. She specializes in working with couples and individuals who want to improve their relationships, reduce stress, and make realistic goals with solution-focused therapy, positive communication, self-awareness, and self-care. Robin uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches by helping her clients to focus on building solutions by providing emotional and psychological safety to foster positive motivation and change. NEURODIVERSE RELATIONSHIPS The Basics: Neurodiverse couples have one partner that is neurotypical and one partner who has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Neurodiverse couples can have different communication styles and perspectives, making intimate and loving relationships a challenge. However, neurodiverse couples can grow together by finding meaningful connections, focusing on their preferences, and learning to understand each other better. Based on the goals of the Neurodiverse couple, Robin will help support stronger relationships and work on problem-solving skills. Couples will learn to focus on new ways to celebrate each other, reconnect, and interpret intention successfully. Through acceptance, education, and self-awareness, couples will practice relating to each other to create a more harmonious relationship. Common Symptoms: In adults, some common symptoms of ASD might look like: having difficulties interpreting facial expressions, interpreting body language, or understanding the social cues of others. Regulating emotions during conversations, reflecting emotions through vocal inflection, and engaging in repetitive behaviors might be challenging for someone with ASD. In addition, individuals with ASD may have specific and/or extreme interests and routines. The interests of individuals on the spectrum may seem obsessive, such as spending large amounts of time engaging in only certain activities under certain circumstances. Difference Turned into Strength: With these challenges, how can neurodiverse couples expand and enhance their relationship? Neurodiverse couples can use their different perspectives as strengths to shift away from conflict and understand each other’s thoughts and perspectives. Because everyone sees the world differently, a neurodiverse couple has a unique perspective. Each partner has a different way of thinking, different brain wiring, and experiences. While the neurodiverse couple may face challenges, having different ways of viewing situations and experiences can bring new and comprehensive perspectives. Neurodiverse couples can develop an awareness of their unique perspectives and accept their differences as a value rather than an annoyance . For example, each partner can see different ways of interacting or completing tasks. Working out tasks together can be an opportunity rather than a challenge for the neurodiverse couple to work together to become more tolerant of each other’s way of thinking. Having both shared and individual interests can encourage the neurodiverse couple’s autonomy and enhance the quality of life. Through acceptance and commitment, the neurodiverse couple can see each other through a new lens. Trust and Emotional Safety: Couples therapy can help the neurodiverse couple by finding how to deepen trust and understand how each partner views their experiences. By creating emotional safety and acceptance, couples therapy can help the neurodiverse couple to develop goals. Bringing importance to each partner and their intentions allows the neurodiverse couple to focus on their differences as a strength. Acceptance and commitment can help to increase feelings of compassion, connection, love, and happiness. Specialties Neurodiverse Counseling (ASD and ADHD) Couples and individual life transitions Discernment Counseling Pre-marital Counseling Depression and Anxiety Grief, loss, and shame Self-forgiveness Clients Couples, Elder Couples, Individuals Modalities Solution Focused Therapy (SFBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Family System Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Humanistic Approach License Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT #149872 Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc. Specialty Areas: Assessment, ADHD, Discernment, Neurodiverse Couples, Autism, Addiction, Cassandra Syndrome, DBT, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Accepting New Couples & Indiv. Clients Robin Greenblat 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 Nancy Rushing Not accepting new clients See our other clinicians or Fill our our contact form to get matched My Neurodiversity I am AuDHD , living with both Autism and ADHD. This combination shapes how I think and feel—offering a mind that can focus deeply on details while juggling a steady stream of ideas. AuDHD means I experience the world with a unique clarity, noticing subtleties others might overlook, alongside a restlessness that keeps me seeking new connections. It’s a way of being that balances routine with flexibility, teaching me patience and a quiet strength in embracing differences. I am a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). I am also raising two Highly Sensitive Children (HSC). Specialties and Certifications Neurodiverse Couples Specialist ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, Sensory Sensitivities and Processing Sex Anxiety and Depression Parenting Children (Neurodivergent and Neurotypical) Social Anxiety Intimate Partner Abuse Perfectionism/High-Achievement Grief Chronic Illness/Caregiving Support Brainspotting Phase 1 & 2 Languages Spoken English Mandarin Chinese Life Experience Born and raised in the South—in Louisiana and Texas—by immigrant Chinese parents, both of whom are neurodivergent. Experienced various neurodiverse relationships through family, friends, partnerships, teaching, parenting and counseling. I have been an Early Childhood Educator for over 10 years with direct experience working with children ages 4-17. Before attending graduate school, I was a stay-at-home parent for 8 years. I have been teaching yoga since 2011 and enjoy creating classes that bridge the mind-body connection in yoga with psychoeducation. Multicultural Competencies Intergenerational Trauma Immigrant/Refugee Trauma Second-Generation Immigrants- Bicultural/Multicultural BIPOC LBGTQIA+ Bilingual: Mandarin Chinese My Therapeutic Approach My approach is client-centered and tailored to your unique needs, incorporating an integrative approach based on our interactions over time that include: Neurodivergent-Informed Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Dialectical Behavioral (DBT) Emotionally Focused (EFT) Trauma-Informed Brainspotting Phase 1 and 2 Solution-Focused Attachment-Based More about Nancy I really enjoy making connections with people and am a naturally curious and inquisitive person. I am an avid animal lover and advocate for the benefits of the bond between neurodivergent children and animals, drawing especially from firsthand experience. I have perfect pitch and can identify notes in any song I hear immediately and can play the song on piano. This gift is linked to neurodivergent individuals, and a gift that I hid from others for most of my life, while I was still masking. Hi, I'm Nancy. I'm glad we connected today! I want to acknowledge how difficult it can be to take this first step in your journey in understanding more about yourself, your partner, and your relationship—especially if you’re at a crossroad. It takes courage to cross an unknown journey. You might be feeling hopeless, pessimistic, confused, and possibly filled with anger and angst about your relationship, especially when you notice recurring patterns—repeating the same conversations, and experiencing the same interactions, thoughts and emotions. In each of our personal journeys, we metaphorically travel a path and face various obstacles along the road— let’s call these life’s “challenges”. Sometimes, these obstacles can make us feel stuck, pressure us to turn back, confront them aimlessly, repeat familiar patterns, or find a new path and direction. Obstacles are an essential part of a journey, just as the challenges we face in our life experience are unique and contribute to growth and transformation . Without these hurdles, it would be difficult to gain insight into our strengths, understand ourselves and the world around us, and develop the resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges. Each obstacle we encounter shapes our character, deepens our understanding, and ultimately enriches our experience, making the journey more meaningful and rewarding. The goal of our therapy sessions is to help you explore and harness the power of perspective and the choices you make, leading to acceptance and understanding around your unique challenges. I aim to assist you in finding the right tools to gain insight and effectively navigate the obstacles along your life’s path. Additionally, I want to help you, and your partner reconnect and intertwine your paths, enabling you to continue the journey and create meaningful destinations together. My Story I am a child of Chinese Immigrant parents, born and raised in the south—specifically Louisiana and Texas. My neurodivergent journey started when I lost my mom in 2019 and discovered that she had undiagnosed mental health issues and was also neurodivergent. Witnessing the disconnect and misunderstandings that happen in a neurodivergent relationship helped me realize that every person wants to be loved and wants to love others. Every person deserves to be loved and longed for, the way they need and understand love to be. Since childhood, I have been extremely curious and inquisitive by nature and have a passion to learn about and understand others. I am a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) and was late-diagnosed ADHD during graduate school while I was studying about neurodiversity and discovered that my perceived anxiety was an excess of complex thoughts in my mind that was misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety. It took the right therapist to connect me to this understanding and acceptance. My passion is to support others on their neurodivergent journey—to help them discover their authentic selves embrace their unique differences and build meaningful connections in their relationships. I have been living in the Bay Area for 17 years, married for 13 years, and have two neurodivergent children who are 7 and 9 years old. When I am not spending time with my family, I enjoy teaching yoga, exercising, cooking, having meaningful conversations and experiences with others, and being an avid animal lover. Obstacles faced be neurodiverse couples: Communication Differences – How do you express yourself, interpret what your partner is saying, and understand their message: Are you feeling misunderstood? Sensory Sensitivities – Are there feelings of being uncomfortable or overwhelmed by sensory stimuli such as sounds, lights and textures that prevent you or your partner from processing feelings or engaging with each other? Emotional Processing – Is it difficult to recognize, interpret, and manage emotions during emotional experiences? Do you and your partner respond in a way that is challenging for each other? Contrasting Perspectives -Do you and your partner have different views on issues or, see them differently? Social Expectations - How do you and your partner navigate societal or cultural expectations in your relationship, and what impact do these expectations have on your interactions? Routine & Flexibility - How do you and your partner handle changes to your routines or plans, and what effect does this have on your relationship? Support Needs - How do you and your partner express and respond to each other's needs for support, and what challenges do you face in meeting these needs effectively? 🎯 Working with AuDHD Clients Living with AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) often means navigating a world that doesn’t fully understand your unique way of thinking, processing, and engaging. Whether you’ve always known you were different or recently discovered your neurodivergence, therapy can help you untangle challenges, embrace your strengths, and create a life that works for you. Many AuDHD individuals experience a mix of intense focus and executive function struggles, sensory sensitivities and sensation-seeking behaviors, deep emotional intensity, and difficulty with social expectations . These traits can impact relationships, career paths, and day-to-day functioning in ways that feel frustrating and overwhelming. In therapy, I help AuDHD clients: Understand their unique wiring – Recognizing the interplay of ADHD and autism and how it shapes their experiences. Manage executive function challenges – Developing practical strategies for focus, organization, and task completion. Navigate sensory sensitivities & overwhelm – Identifying triggers and creating coping strategies to reduce stress. Build meaningful relationships – Learning communication tools to express needs, set boundaries, and connect authentically. Regulate emotions – Developing techniques for processing feelings without burnout, shutdown, or emotional overload. Work with, not against, their brains – Creating routines, systems, and environments that align with their natural rhythms. Whether you’re struggling in your relationships, career, or personal growth, I provide a nonjudgmental space to explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to move forward in a way that makes sense for you. Your brain isn’t the problem—let’s find ways to work with it, not against it. Other Areas of Focus (in addition to neurodiversity) Sex Anxiety and Depression Parenting Children (Neurodivergent and Neurotypical) Social Anxiety Intimate Partner Abuse Perfectionism/High-Achievement Grief Chronic Illness/Caregiving Support Clients Couples Individuals Families License Registered AMFT # 149167 Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro , LMFT #53452 Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc . Specialty Areas: ADHD, Autism, Intimate Partner Violence, Emotion Focused Therapy, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Neurodiverse Couples, Sex/Physical Intimacy, Emotional Intimacy, Communication, Not Accepting New Clients, Assessment, Attachment, Buddist - Spiritual, Cassandra Syndrome, Discernment, Highly Sensitive People (HSP), IFS, Internal Family Systems, PDA, Teens, AuDHD, Twice-exceptional (2e) Nancy Rushing Take an Autism Test