Are you a neurotypical partner of someone who identifies as autistic or neurodiverse?
You love your partner. And you love being in a relationship with them! You want to do everything you can to support them, but sometimes you’re unsure of what the “right thing” is.
You may feel like you’re not communicating in an effective way, or, understanding your partner’s needs and intentions. It may feel like things often get “lost in translation” which results in conflict and a lack of understanding. You may feel like you take on more responsibilities in your relationship, and that you’re becoming burnt out. Or, that you’re disconnected from one another.
Your partner may have an autism diagnosis or know that they are neurodiverse. Or, you may suspect that your partner is neurodiverse. Either way, you want to learn how to support them without burning yourself out. And you want to understand how neurodiversity might be impacting your relationship.
Our Neurodiverse-Affirming Therapists Understand
Our team specializes in working with neurodiverse adults, their families, and their partners. They understand the unique challenges that neurodiverse individuals and their partners may face. They’re committed to helping you navigate these challenges in a supportive and empathetic way.
Our therapists understand that neurodiversity exists on a spectrum, and every individual’s experience is different.
We also know that similarly, every relationship dynamic is unique. We’ve worked with individuals at different phases in their relationships. From marriage, parenthood, to navigating living together for the first time. Our therapists are all LGBTQIA+ allied and educated. Plus, we offer LGBTQIA+ affirming services as well. Our services aren’t limited to individuals in monogamous relationships either. So, if you have a polyamorous relationship and need support, we can help.
The therapists at Open Doors Therapy are committed to learning more about your unique relationship. And, your experience as the partner of a neurodiverse individual. You don’t have to navigate these questions, challenges, or concerns on your own.
Neurodiverse-Affirming Therapy Can Help You, and Your Relationship
In individual relationship therapy, you’ll have a space to ask questions and gain perspective from someone outside of your relationship. You’ll be able to learn more about neurodiversity and how you can support your partner. A neurodiverse couples therapist can also help you communicate your own needs and concerns. All without shutting down your partner.
With the help of an individual relationship therapist, you can feel more connected, supported, and less burnt out.
Common Reasons that Neurotypical Partners Seek Support from a Neurodiverse-Affirming Therapist
Your experience will largely depend on your unique relationship challenges and concerns. But, a few of the common reasons that people seek support from a therapist are:
- Learning more about autism and neurodiversity.
- Learning how to support your partner through the challenges in their life related to autism.
- To gain skills related to communication, conflict resolution, and boundary setting.
- Learning more about your own needs within your relationship, and how you can support your partner without sacrificing your own needs.
- To be able to process your experiences and perspective in a healthy way.
Working with a therapist can help you identify and work through the challenges that impact your relationship. Many couples benefit from individual therapy. So, your partner may want to work with a therapist as well. In this case, you’ll both be set up with different therapists at our practice. By doing so, you will have the privacy to fully express and process your emotions and experiences separately.
Through individual relationship therapy, you can learn the skills necessary to strengthen your relationship.
You’ll feel more confident to communicate your needs, and set boundaries that are essential to maintaining a healthy relationship. You and your partner will both benefit by becoming more compassionate and supportive of your unique needs. Which will help you both feel more seen, heard, and valued in your relationship.
Neurodiversity is not an obstacle, it’s a difference. And your partner doesn’t need to hide or change their neurodiversity. You can gain a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and how it’s carried out in your relationship. By working with an individual realtionship therapist, you can improve the communication, compassion, and intimacy between you and your partner. So you can continue to create more joy together.
Begin Working with a Neurodiverse-Affirming Therapist in California or Illinois Today
Many neurotypical partners seek therapy to better understand their neurodiverse partners. And, to learn how to better support them. With the help of neurodiverse-affirming therapists, you can learn effective communication strategies. Together, you can learn to set healthy boundaries, and develop compassion for both yourself and your partner. If you’re interested in learning how our therapy services can help you, please follow these steps:
- Contact us for a free phone consultation. You will meet with one of our autism therapists.
- Like us on Facebook. On our page, we post useful information about our autism therapy clinic.
- Sign up to receive our newsletter.
Other Therapy Services and Autism Resources offered at Open Doors Therapy:
Individual relationship therapy for partners of neurodiverse individuals isn’t the only service offered. We also offer family therapy and parent coaching. If your partner is seeking support, our therapists offer individual therapy and neurodiverse-affirming groups. The online groups we offer include groups for neurodiverse working professionals, college students with autistic traits, gifted youth & caregivers, and autistic adults. We also offer online groups for women who identify as neurodiverse, a college transition training program for youth transitioning to college, teens & caregivers, and a mothers group.
Through online therapy, the therapists on our team are able to work with anyone located within the state of California and Illinois. If you have questions about our services, please feel welcome to reach out to our team.