ADHD, emotional dysregulation, and daily crises impact the whole family, not just the family member with ADHD.Â
In our ADHD-focused family therapy, we concentrate on the family as a whole as well as the concerns of individuals in the family.
We educate family members to be more understanding and supportive of the family members affected by ADHD (usually there is more than one), while also guiding family members with ADHD to take responsibility for their behavior and to develop a plan to reduce their negative, impulsive reactions. By increasing knowledge on the part of those without ADHD while increasing responsibility on the part of those with ADHD, the conflict and chaos at home can be reduced.
One of our major goals is to build stronger communication skills within the family unit.
The first step in family therapy is to develop ground rules so that all family members can feel heard. One of our major goals is to build stronger communication skills within the family unit. By learning to take turns, not interrupt, and truly listen to each family member can feel heard and validated. Only then can the family engage in constructive problem solving rather than engaging in blame, accusation and angry reactions.
We have different approaches to family therapy depending upon the particular family. Sometimes one family member will participate in individual therapy interchanged with therapy sessions involving a family member. Sometimes we will change the family member that is involved depending upon the issues that need to be addressed. Another approach is to bring the entire family together to focus on integrating strategies, structure, acceptance and constructive communication. No matter the structure of our family treatment, our goal is the same – to help families communicate effectively and engage in constructive problem-solving at home.
Couples Therapy
The divorce rate is twice as high for people with ADHD. By seeking treatment, applying stratgies, compassion and teamwork an ADHD relationships can thrive.
Our couples therapists focus on helping the non-ADHD partner to develop a better understanding of their spouse’s ADHD tendencies so that constructive problem-solving can take place. Our couples therapy is structured so that you are guided to develop goals and work toward them as a couple.
ADHD issues can create a high level of stress in a romantic or marital relationship. ADHD-focused couples therapy can help couples reach an accepting understanding of the causes of their struggles and find ways to communicate and problem-solve without destructive conflict.
Common Challenges for the ADHD Marriage:
• Poor Communication and Social Skills
• Need for stimulation by creating conflict
• Inattentiveness vs. Active listing
• Emotionally sensitivity and over-reactivity
• Impulsivity and poor decision making
• Executive Functioning, Organization, and Memory affting the household
• Non-ADHD spouse lacking understanding or patience
• Non-ADHD spouse feeling overburdened
Solutions & Strategies
• Initiating healthy dialogue
• Mirroring
• Acceptance
• Compromise
• De-escalating
• Validating
• Empathizing
• Accepting Influence