DIY*ADHD: Couples helps couples therapists learn how to identify ADHD and confidently integrate ADHD-adapted treatment into couples’ work.
ADHD can be difficult to identify due to its heterogeneity. There is a lot of information (and misinformation!) to sift through, and it can be difficult to know where to turn for credible information. It's also challenging to find therapeutic experts with significant clinical experience.
Couple therapists can feel uncertainty about why therapy wasn't helpful for a couple - was it the modality? the couple? the therapist? the setting?
They might experience a loss of confidence, and ultimately pull away from helping myriad couples or families that need them.
The problem in traditional couple therapy
ADHD is missed in couple's therapy largely because it is still significantly under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated amoung adults globally.
- The heritability of ADHD, combined with the under-diagnosed and under-treated context, means people with ADHD have also been found to be more vulnerable to developmental or childhood and attachment trauma.
- Adults with ADHD report less stability in their love relationships, feel less able to provide emotional support to their loved ones, experienced more sexual dysfunction, and have higher divorce rates.
- ADHD is a risk factor for dating violence, family violence, infidelity, high conflict divorce, and adults with ADHD report lower marital satisfaction than their non-ADHD peers.
A couple with undiagnosed (or diagnosed, but unmanaged) ADHD within the dynamic, has this as a major feature that sets them apart: The reason these couples cannot be treated the same as 'neurotypical' couples is the behaviour of the undiagnosed partner(s) is being largely driven by invisible and involuntary brain function, rather than by choice or trauma.
This course allows you to:
- Identify the involuntary brain-driven behaviours commonly challenging the couples therapeutic process,
- How to integrate relational neurobiology into your chosen couples therapy modality through AECT Model of Practice: ADHD Experiential Couples Therapy.
- How to coordinate care with other practitioners confidently and
- How to provide hope for the future, anchored in science and healthy attachment.
Couples’ therapists will come away with a renewed confidence in identifying a truly solvable problem that is a significant unmet need within the couple and family therapy demographics.
Participants will also be able to articulate a vision of hope for couples and families, based on current science and what we know is possible.
The Benefits
- Neurodivergent-affirming and LGBTQ+-affirming,
- Downloadable Intake and Case Note templates,
- A Course Workbook, handouts and a resource list for further study,
- Eligibility for 5 OAMHP CEC’s hours, toward required continuing education requirements,
- Lifetime access,
-
Counts toward the upcoming DALD Canadian ADHD Certified Practitioner designation.
Who should take this course?
- Couple Therapists,
- Therapists who work with individuals struggling with their relationships,
- Family therapists,
- Therapists who work with parents, co-parents, blended family dynamics
- Clinical Supervisors
- Social Workers
- ADHD Coaches
The Curriculum
Are you a mental health
professional?
Participation in this workshop allows OAMHP members to apply for 5 Continuing Education Credit hours, towards their required continuing education requirements.
OAMHP’s review of the general content of this workshop recognizes the learning objectives meet and support the criteria (1) for best known practice in continuing education and (2) for educational requirements for mental health professionals.
Course Authors
With over a combined decade and hundreds of clients, John and Christina have put together a course that pulls together the best of the current science, experiential couples modalities and the adaptions that really work for neurodivergent couples.
John Foulkes, BSc., OPC-D Psych, CPCC, Registered Psychotherapist, (Cert.) IPT (he, him) is psychodynamically trained and certified in EFT, IPT, Reality/Choice Therapy and is a certified professional coach supporting adults with ADHD. John is an EFT Couples Therapist and provides individual and group supervision for Couples therapists. His specialty is working with couples and families, including those struggling with ADHD issues. Additionally, John has experience with adolescents and adults, providing personal, psychoeducational, and psychosocial counselling services.
Christina Crowe, H.BSc. MACP, RP, (Cert) OAMHP (she, her) is a neurodivergent-affirming Registered Psychotherapist, Certified IPT Therapist and Validated Clinical Supervisor. Christina works with individuals (ages 16+), couples and families. Christina has special interest in: First responders (and their families), Adults with ADHD, or late-diagnosed ADHD, Couples with ADHD, Parents trying to do it differently, and Clinical Supervision for therapists and interns.
ADHD Education for Individuals
Looking for more specific introductory education to support or treat ADHD in families (within the first year of diagnosis), or bundles including our neurodivergent-affirming, digital download Take Back Your Calendar: Time Mastery for the Time Challenged!
