Stages of Change, Importance of Active Listening and How to Make a Paradigm Shift-Barbara Grant

During this episode, another wonderful AANE certified coach and therapist, Barbara Grant, shares how both her personal and professional experience have helped her better understand the strengths, differences and challenges in neurodiverse relationships.  She talks about her first marriage that ended after 20 years, and how unknown neurodiversity impacted that relationship  She also provides excellent tools and strategies that she uses to help neurodiverse couples and individuals on their unique journey's.  Barbara shares an overview of the 5 stages of change and talks about how each stage may look for neurodiverse couples.  Barbara also takes the audience through the process she helps couples navigate as they move from "education" about the neurodiverse paradigm, to "energized", as they work together to understand each other's unique strengths and differences and learn effective tools to  reduce challenges.    In addition, Barbara talks about the trauma that may occur for each partner and within the relationship.  

Other important issues that Barbara addresses include:

• The ABCDE's of Couple Burnout
• Anxiety and depression
• How a neurodiverse relationship is like a "3 legged race"
• The different types of presentation of neurodiversity 
• The process and benefit of "active listening" 
• How good communication is like a game of "catch"
• The importance of "discernment coaching/counseling"  

Barbara offers free 25 minutes consultations and she can be reached at: www.bg-hc.com or www.hopeforcouples.net

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If you are interested in becoming an AANE certified therapist, or coach, or would like to register for the "Neurology Matters' training available through AANE, for couples or individuals in neurodiverse relationships, you can register at: aane.thinkific.com.  Please use the code NeurodiverseLove25 to get 25% off the registration fee.  To learn more about AANE, or to find an AANE certified therapist or coach in your area, please click here and look at the map halfway down the page. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you liked this episode, please rate it, provide a review, and subscribe to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode.

For more information about the support groups available for "neurodiverse couples" or the "neurotypical/non-autistic partners", please check out: www.neurodiverselove.com or follow Mona on Instagram @neurodiverse_love.   You can also contact Mona at: neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com.

Thank you for being a part of the Neurodiverse Love community!