JANET NELSON, LMHC, SOUTH SOUND THERAPY AND COUNSELING: IN PERSON AND ON LINE THERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES IN WASHINGTON STATE
THERAPY for COUPLES
When is it time to seek couples therapy?
You want to strengthen and deepen your already solid relationship.
You’re taking steps toward another level of commitment and want to set yourselves up for success.
You’re spinning your wheels in frequent and intense arguments.
You’re struggling to communicate effectively.
There are issues of trust and a lack of security in your relationship.
There’s a Loss of Intimacy.
A major life transition is putting stress on your relationship.
Growing distance in your relationship. One or both of you are emotionally withdrawing.
There are past hurts between you that you’ve been unable to repair and resolve.
Whether you are expecting a newborn or have older children, you want to make sure you are prioritizing your relationship as a couple.
When one of you has been diagnosed with ADHD or you suspect that one of you may have undiagnosed ADHD. I specialize in working with the unique challenges of ADHD in relationships
Therapy for couples can help you…
Improve communication
When you’re left to guess what each other are thinking or feeling it creates misunderstandings and conflict. The blanks are filled in with your own narrative, which may or may not be accurate. When you’re free to communicate your experiences and listen to each other you’ll be able to work through issues as partners, rather than adversaries.
Reduce emotional distress
No matter how content you feel in other areas of life, if your relationship is suffering it’s tough to feel at ease. Creating security and connection in your relationship provides a home base which feels comfortable, satisfying, and energizing. When you no longer feel lonely in your relationship, you are more able to thrive in other areas of your life.
Strengthen your connection and emotional bonds
You both want to feel seen and heard in your relationship. You want to know that you matter and are being thought of with love and care. We will work together to build the intimacy and deep attachment you both long for.
Build trust and safety
Feeling secure in your relationship provides you the solid foundation you need to deepen your love and connection. With commitment and determination you can experience safety, security, and ease in your relationship.
Shift unhealthy patterns to more healthy ways of relating
We’ll work together to clarify the dynamic and cycles in your relationship. I’ll help you understand how your interactions unfold and the ways you become stuck. When the patterns are brought to light, we’ll explore ways to shift from negative patterns to positive, healthy ways of relating to each other.
Feel empowered as a couple
One of the primary goals of couples therapy is to build a true partnership. A partnership in which you both feel valued, supported, and held close. As an indivisible team you can face the inevitable struggles that will come your way. Even in conflict, the attachment you’ve built will help you work through it and the skills you’ve learned will provide the road map.
Couples and ADHD: Understanding the Impact and the Role of Therapy
How ADHD Affects Couples
Misunderstood behaviors: ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, distractibility, or impulsivity may be interpreted by a partner as laziness, carelessness, or lack of love.
Uneven responsibility load: The non-ADHD partner often takes on more household, parenting, or organizational tasks, leading to resentment and burnout.
Communication breakdowns: Partners may struggle with missed cues, emotional reactivity, or difficulty sustaining attention during conversations.
Emotional dysregulation: Individuals with ADHD may experience intense emotional reactions, which can escalate conflict and create instability in the relationship.
Role confusion: The non-ADHD partner may feel more like a parent or manager than an equal partner, which can erode intimacy and respect.
Chronic frustration: Both partners may feel stuck in cycles of misunderstanding, unmet expectations, and repeated conflict.
How Couples Therapy Can Help
Clarifies the role of ADHD: Therapy helps both partners understand how ADHD affects behavior and the relationship, reducing blame and increasing empathy.
Improves communication: Couples learn how to slow down interactions, clarify needs, and use tools to stay present during important conversations.
Balances responsibilities: Therapy supports partners in renegotiating tasks in a way that feels fair, while also considering executive functioning challenges.
Strengthens emotional connection: By fostering understanding and validation, therapy rebuilds trust and helps both partners feel seen and supported.
Teaches practical tools: Couples learn strategies tailored to ADHD, such as external reminders, structured routines, and scheduled check-ins to stay aligned.
Supports identity and growth: Therapy creates space to explore how ADHD has shaped each partner's self-concept and patterns, allowing for individual and relational healing.
If you suspect that ADHD may be playing a role in making your relationship more challenging, please reach out.
Ready to get started?