One out of eleven couples has one partner with ADHD which can impact not only the individual, but also makes certain relationship dynamics more likely—and makes these couples more likely to show up in your office. Unfortunately, if the one partner’s ADHD isn’t addressed directly, the therapist will get stuck in the same traps as the partners do. We will begin with a more useful conceptualization of how ADHD impacts an individual’s abilities to meet daily demands. We will then discuss how this sets up the dynamics that commonly develop in these couples, so that you can help these clients break free of the disempowering tug of war and create a more balanced and satisfying relationship. This will include how ADHD impacts a couple’s sex life and how to make yet another area of discontent into a shared activity that adds energy to the relationship.
One partner’s ADHD can exacerbate the universal challenges that every couple needs to manage—how to negotiate different preferences and ways of doing things while still enjoying each other. Learning how to work more effectively with these couples will benefit your work with all or your couples and with individuals who are addressing relationship matters. Although grounded in theory and research, this presentation is all about strategies and interventions.
Disclosure Statement:
I would like to disclose that I am the author of several books that have been referenced in this workshop. If you have any questions or concerns about potential bias or conflicts of interest, please feel free to raise them during our discussions. Your understanding and participation are greatly appreciated.
https://nefesh.org/workshops/ADHDin/view
FREE WEBINAR
Learning Objectives:
- Utilize a comprehensive understanding of ADHD and non-prescription interventions to help clients manage their condition effectively, enhancing their daily functionality, and integrating this knowledge into therapy.
- Demonstrate the capability to discern the impact of ADHD on both partners in a relationship, identify common ensuing dynamics, and manage the therapeutic implications of a new ADHD diagnosis in a relationship context, acknowledging the potential for transformation in dynamics.
- Develop strategies to assist clients in creating sustainable solutions to conflicts arising from the ADHD diagnosis within the relationship, including fostering an environment that promotes active management of ADHD and sets realistic expectations.
- Demonstrate the capability to engage in discussions, answer queries, and apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios regarding ADHD in relationships.
Agenda:
- Introduction (20 minutes)
- How ADHD impacts functioning
- Goals of therapy
- An individual condition. . . with relationship dynamics (20 minutes)
- The easy slide into the classic dynamic of the under-/over-functioner
- A new diagnosis of ADHD can be a total game changer if the therapist knows how to work with it
- First, some targeted ADHD treatment (30 minutes)
- What non-prescribers need to know about medication for ADHD
- Help both partners actively manage ADHD—and also expectations
- What does research say about partners’ perceptions about treatment effort and effectiveness?
- Re-balance the relationship (50 minutes)
- Get the partner with ADHD to step up—and also the partner without ADHD to step down
- How to create better agreements and then actually see them through
- Can I trust you? How to increase honesty and follow through
- Help partners figure out what changes to push for and which are better to accept
- Sex and other fun stuff (30 minutes)
- Help your couples enjoy each other again—isn’t that why they’re together?
- What the research tells us about the benefits of (and barriers to) a better sex life for these couples
- Q&A and discussion (30 minutes)
This presentation is open to:
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
- CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.