Thrive Together: Bridging Hearts Across Neurotypes
AN 8-WEEK ONLINE EDUCATIONAL THERAPY GROUP FOR NEUROTYPICAL PARTNERS OF LATE-IDENTIFIED AUTISTIC AND/OR ADHD PEOPLE
Now Enrolling for Fall 2024 Group Cohort
WHY THIS GROUP?
Despite what so may of us have been cultured to believe, good relationships take hard work.
For those of us in mixed neurotype partnerships, this work can feel even harder than what we expected, and can leave everyoen feeling misunderstood and exhausted.
What if there was a space for neurotypical folks to come together and learn more about their neurodivergent partners’ experience?
A space to safely begin to unlearn all of the lessons about Autism, ADHD and other ND identities that we’ve been taught over the years that harm both our partners and our relationships. A circle to ask the questions, to feel understood and to seek to understand.
In this 8-week process and education group, you will join with other neurotypical partners along with neurodivergent and neurotypical co-facilitators to do just that.
A place for neurotypical partners to…
This group is explicitly neurodiversity-affirmative, meaning, we don’t see neurodivergence as a “disorder” or “deficit”, but rather, as a natural expression of human biodiversity. Just like humans vary in our hair color, ethnicity, body size and shape, gender, personality and other countless traits, we also vary in our neurology. We believe neurodiversity is a good thing!
And…learning late in life that your partner is neurodivergent often comes with some unique challenges. It can involve confusion, clarity, grief, relief, anger, joy, fear, laughter, and conflict - maybe all in the same week!
We’re guided by the principle: Nobody’s broken. We just have to re-learn each other.
In this group, we’ll teach you about Autism, ADHD, and mixed-neurotype communication skills. We’ll share resources and insights we’ve learned from our professional and lived experience, and group members will learn from each other too! We’ll also cover the following topics:
Learn and unlearn about autism and ADHD
Be vulnerable
Receive support
Be courageous
Ask questions
Process your feelings…
…in a group of people who are all going through something similar, led by a neurotypical therapist and a neurodivergent therapist who specializer in neurodiversity and relationships.
The Double Empathy Problem
Sensory Profiles
Interoception
Alexithymia
Attachment
Masking
Burnout
Division of labor
Gender dynamics
Ableism and internalized ableism
Sex
Parenting
Demand avoidance
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)
…and more
AT A GLANCE:
Neurotypical partners of Autistic and/or ADHD people
This group will be co-facilitiated by Madeline Warnick, LPC, and Noelle Ferguson, LMFT. Both Madeline and Noelle are neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQ+ affirming, trauma-informed and specialize in neurodivergence and relationships. Read more about Madeline here. Read more about Noelle here.
Online for 8 weeks, starting April 29th, 2024
The total fee for the 8-week group is $800. You can pay in full upfront, or you can pay in two installments (one at the beginning and one at the half-way point). Payment is non-refundable.
Who is it for?
Who are the therapists?
When and where?
What is the cost?
A replacement for individual therapy
We’re not going to be focused on your individual mental health problems, like treating your depression, coping with anxiety, or processing childhood trauma. It’s absolutely fine if you have some ongoing struggles, but the focus of the group will be on learning about neurodiversity, and exploring your experiences in your romantic relationship.
A replacement for couples therapy
We hope our group helps you create more clarity, connection, and satisfaction in your romantic relationship! But it’s not a replacement for couples therapy where it’s needed. We encourage you to seek out couple therapy so you and your partner can learn hot to repair the hurt and disconnection between you, or gain the clarity that it’s time to separate.
A place to bash or vent about your neurodivergent partner
Grief, anger, disappointment, resentment, and other painful emotions are absolutely welcome. We’ll help you identify and process those feelings from a place that is respectful of everyone, including those not in the room. If that doesn’t feel right for where you are in your journey, we completely understand, and encourage you to seek out individual therapy.