What is Neurodivergent Couples Therapy?
Neurodivergent Couples Therapy is counseling for couples where one or both partners have neurological differences like autism or ADHD. It aims to improve communication and understanding by addressing the unique challenges of neurodiversity. We acknowledge the unique challenges couples face as they seek to gain a better understanding of their relationship, preferences, and one another. Relational concerns may not always pertain to neurotype differences, but we recognize the stigma that neurodivergent people face and how these experiences may affect the relationship.
Neurodivergence (ND) refers to differences in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical, including but not limited to Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Synesthesia, Tourette Syndrome, and other conditions in which there are neurological differences.
Neurotypical (NT): means having a style of neurocognitive functioning that falls within the dominant societal standards of “normal.” A person who does not exhibit neurological differences.
We place a strong emphasis on setting up a mutually supportive environment for both partners. Together, we help improve connection and communication which meets each partner’s sensory, executive functioning, and cognitive processing style.
While our couples-trained clinicians may utilize different treatment modalities, such as the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), the Gottman Method, and Prepare/Enrich, all SBCS clinicians work to understand the internal experiences of all our clients, whether they are neurodivergent or neurotypical.
Exploring Neurodivergence in Coupleships
While some couples may come in with an official or self-identified diagnosis, others may be exploring the idea of neurodivergence for the first time. We do not pathologize neurodivergence and are happy to direct clients who are interested in learning more about potential neurodivergence through a variety of affirming resources as well as discussing them with couples in session. We also provide individual counseling for those who would like to get a better understanding of what neurodivergence may mean for them beyond their coupleship.
According to the Autism Aspergers Network, “Neurology cannot be separated from a person because it affects personality, strengths, talents, and challenges, as well as the way a person views the world, thinks, speaks, behaves, and feels. Neurology matters a great deal in an intimate relationship since it impacts every conversation a couple has, how they make decisions together, how they raise children together, how they live together, and how they achieve goals together.” Our team of couples therapists at Space Between Counseling Services incorporates aspects of neurology and attachment to specifically understand and target problems that neurodiverse couples face.
Seeking Additional Information / Resources?
TELL ME ABOUT FEES AND INSURANCE?
Couples’ work fees at Space Between Counseling Services range from $275-$650 per intake session, and $275-$425 per follow-up appointment.
SBCS is not paneled with any insurance plans but can offer you what's called, "out-of-network benefits" (OONB). Not everyone has this as part of their benefits package so please call your healthcare plan and ask these questions:
Do I have out-of-network benefits?
What percentage of my therapist's fee does my plan pay for?
MOST OON Benefits PLANS REIMBURSE BETWEEN 50-90% OF OUR FEES.
At times insurance plans request upfront billing codes I will be using. You can share this list of codes for their approval:
90791 Psychiatric Diagnostic Assessment (from 1-4 sessions depending on the problem)
90847 Family Psychotherapy, conjoint psychotherapy with the patient present
90834 Psychotherapy, 45 minutes
90832 Psychotherapy, 30 minutes
When using OON Benefits your clinician would provide you with a document monthly called a "superbill" which is like an invoice but contains the service codes, dates of treatment, and monies paid during therapy. You would submit this to your plan directly and your plan would reimburse you directly as well.
You can get in-network therapy if this is out of your budget. Your plan can identify providers who are in-network should you need to use your benefits.
HOW ARE MY RECORDS STORED?
We at SBCS utilize a HIPAA compliant, encrypted, electronic medical record called Simple Practice that holds all of our client's mental health records safely in it. You will get a link to a client portal where you fill in demographic information and can access documents like invoices and superbills on your own.
HOW DO I PAY YOU?
Simple Practice has a credit card processing system named Stripe embedded in it. If choosing to work with a therapist at SBCS, you would upload your credit card number and your therapist will charge after each session or late cancelation for the fee. Your therapist will only have access to the last 4 digits of your card and it is completely secured.
DO YOU HAVE A CANCELLATION POLICY?
All clinicians at Space Between Counseling Services have a 24- business hour cancelation policy You will be responsible for an entire session fee ($275-$650) if the change is made in less than 24 business hours' notice. Exceptions may be made for emergencies such as sudden illness or accidents, at your therapist’s discretion. It should be noted that insurance does not reimburse for canceled sessions and HSA and FSA cards can't be used in these cases.