Neurodiverse Love with Mona Kay

To learn more about the Neurodivere Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos and the other resources available for individuals or couples in mixed neurotype relationships, check out ⁠Neurodiverse Love. _________________________________________________ Discover the 4 stage communication method that provides neurodiverse couples with the insights and tools to bridge the communication gap that exists in mixed neurotype relationships. This solution-focused method provides what traditional therapies have never done. Designed specifically to help partners understand the root causes of their misunderstanding and confusion, this method provides implementable tools for clarification of meaning and for updating relationship narratives while attending to each partner/s unique preferences and needs. To learn about the services and resources Jodi Carlton provides you can check out her website at: www.jodicarlton.com

To learn more about the Neurodivere Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos and the other resources available for individuals or couples in mixed neurotype relationships, check out ⁠Neurodiverse Love. _________________________________________________ Through the lens of neurodiversity, a movement to de-pathologize atypical neurological wiring, we will look at the application of IFS (Internal Family Systems therapy) to working with mixed neurology couples-effectively "looking under the hood" of what is happening for couples when they don't get along. A case example is discussed. You can contact Kim at: www.kimbolling.com

To learn more about the Neurodivere Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos and the other resources available for individuals or couples in mixed neurotype relationships, check out ⁠Neurodiverse Love. _________________________________________________ Just about everyone in a neurologically mixed relationship is confused about their partner's behavior and is often quick to assign motive. Instead, Joe Biel and Faith Harper offer tools to step back, listen, take care of yourself, and learn how to attack challenges as a team.  You can learn more about Joe at: joebiel.net You can contact Dr. Faith at: www.faithharper.com

To learn more about the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos and the other resources available for individuals or couples in mixed neurotype relationships, check out ⁠Neurodiverse Love. If you would like register for the 4 week workshop series that Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D. and Sarah Swenson, LMHC will be co-facilitating titled " How Can I Love My Partner and Still Struggle to Imagine a Healthy Future Together" that begins on July 9th, 2024 at 7:30pm EST click here. _________________________________________________ During this episode, Margot Alexis and Chelle share information about the long-term effects of Cassandra syndrome. Many NT women endure chronic isolation, anxiety and depression. Others have difficulty sleeping, digestive disorders and serious autoimmune diseases. Some exhibit persistent anger, severe resentment and feel helpless to change the situation. Almost all will experience a loss of self.  In this episode, Margot and Chelle discuss what Cassandra Syndrome is, it’s effects and how you can heal from it. They also share information on the following topics: Why NT women have a difficult time getting support from friends and family? The first step in recovery. What healthy emotional detachment looks like. How letting go is different than giving up. The support that is available, To learn more about Margot and Chelle please check out: www.healingcassandra.com

If you would like to register for the 4 week workshop series titled " "How Can I Love My Partner and Still Struggle to Imagine a Healthy Future Together", with Sarah Swenson, LMHC and Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D. ⁠click here. To learn more about the Neurodivere Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos and the other resources available for individuals or couples in mixed neurotype relationships, check out ⁠Neurodiverse Love.__________________________________________________________________ During this episode, Dr. Ali Arena Perkinson shares information about the 4 communication styles she has identified to help individuals and couples better understand themselves and each other. The goal is for you and your partner to learn more about your different styles and how you can better understand each other and communicate more effectively. The 4 communication styles are: Purposeful Captivator Listener Facter To learn more about Ali and the work she does, please check out her website at: https://www.connection-squared.com/

If you would like to register for the 4 week workshop series titled " "How Can I Love My Partner and Still Struggle to Imagine a Healthy Future Together", with Sarah Swenson, LMHC and Mona Kay, MSW, Ph.D. click here. To learn more about the Neurodivere Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos and the other resources available for individuals or couples in mixed neurotype relationships click here. _________________________________________________ Although the global awareness of autism continues to show signs of growth, little empirical research has been done on the way in which neurodiversity impacts romantic relationships. The existing body of knowledge points at a severe state of distress in women who are in couple relationships with men on the autism spectrum. However, the literature is mainly based on personal accounts of these women, in many cases, without their partner being formally diagnosed. Most professionals aren’t trained or lack the experience to recognize or diagnose ASD in adults. Hence, they fail to provide efficient help for neurodiverse couples and women in neurodiverse relationships. Aiming to raise the awareness, change the existing situation and help these women and couples, Dr. Pnina Arad conducted an extensive quantitative study about the physical and mental well-being of women in neurodiverse relationships. During this episode she describes her research, shares the findings, and discusses the conclusions and implications of her study results. To learn more about Dr. Pnina Arad, please check out her website.

To learn more about the Neurodivere Love Conversation Cards and Workbook, the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos and the other resources available for individuals or couples in mixed neurotype relationships click here. _________________________________________________ Professor Tony Attwood and Dr, Michelle Garnett have learned through their many years of clinical experience that there are some unique challenges to being in a love relationship as a female autistic partner, and yet much of the literature on relationships where one partner is autistic focuses on the male autistic/female neurotypical experience. In this session, they both describe some of the experiences they have discovered to be challenging for autistic women in love relationships, and give some ideas about how to manage these challenges. This session will be helpful to both autistic women and their partners. If you would like to learn more about the workshops and resources that Tony and Michelle have available, please check out their website.

To understand yourself, your partner and your neurodiverse relationship better, invest in the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards, Workbook, and the Neurodiverse Love Conference videos. In addition, check out the other resources available to help you find guidance as you move forward on your Neurodiverse Love journey. ———————————————————————During this session from the Neurodiverse Love Conference, Dr. Harry Motro shares how "Trauma Informed Neurodiverse Couples Therapy" can help create a path to lasting healing. When one or both partners has been traumatized by relationship patterns that are rooted in their neuro-differences, the partners must overcome two distinct challenges: 1. Heal the trauma, and 2. Understand and build bridges across the neurological differences. Unfortunately, most approaches to Neurodiverse couples counseling do not adequately address the trauma. As a result, couples get stuck in trauma-fed reactive behaviors that keep them stuck.

To help you and your partner better understand each other, you can buy the digital download of the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards for $11 or the Neurodiverse Love Conversation Card Workbook for $12.97 _________________________________________________ During this solo episode, Mona shares how she has rebuilt her self-worth and self esteem and healed emotionally, mentally and physically since her divorce 6 years ago. Other topics addressed include: Looking back I am able to get a clear understanding of what brought me the peace and joy I have today. Whether you stay in your current relationship or go please know that we all deserve joy and peace!!! You can’t change the past, but you can understand it to change the narrative or story you tell yourself and this helps improve life in the present and the future.   We all are doing the best we can in the moment and when we know better we CAN do better!!! (Maya Angelou) Understand what is changeable, focus on your side of the street, take action towards thriving!!! Feel it, visualize it and see yourself taking the action steps to move forward on making the changes you want to create to have the life you want! Emotional death by a thousand papercuts occurs because you don’t understand your own or each other’s neurotypes, childhood wounds or vulnerabilities. You wish your partner could change and do things more like you do and you are both unintentionally hurting and triggering each other…your nervous systems are continuously dysregulated and you may find yourself in a state of fight, flight, freeze or fawn often. Mourning, grief and disbelief that our marriage was ending after 30 years, yet we still loved each other!!! Resentment, anger and regret. Anxiety, depression, despair. Feeling all the feels and having a support system that could hold me close and love me through some of the most emotional and lowest points in my life. Working on my mental health, finding a good therapist, listening to podcasts and reading books, walking, spending time outside in the sun and at the beach. Reconnecting with the things I loved when I was younger, that I was no longer including in my life. Getting clear about my own needs, wants, desires, and non-negotiables. Practicing self-care and saying no to things that no longer mattered to me and saying "fuck yes" to the things that I was most passionate about or that brought me peace. Rebuilding my self esteem and self-worth, and then putting myself out there again to start dating. Eating healthy and exercising. Getting clear about my dreams and taking steps to move forward on making them a reality… asking myself “will I regret this if I don’t do it?” Having and communicating healthy boundaries in every relationship in my life which included work, friends, family and dating. Tapping into my life purpose and moving forward to making that a reality. Being kind and patient with myself, and fully accepting what I needed to heal and grow. Forgiveness, healing somatically and spiritually and finally, knowing that other peoples opinions of me is none of my business, and is oftentimes a reflection of their own unhealed trauma or pain.  You can’t do the work for two people!!!  Own your truth!  Let old patterns die!!!  Celebrating freedom from unintentional hurt and pain…healing, growth and living an aligned life.  Saying goodbye to the old version of me and embracing my authentic self. Radical acceptance and responsibility for living my truth!  Understanding my own neurotype, my wants, needs, desires, values and preferences.  Knowing that I deserve to live my best, most authentic life!!!! ______________ To keep up-to-date on all the resources available through Neurodiverse Love you can subscribe to Mona's newsletter at: https://www.neurodiverselove.com/newsletter-signup Follow Mona on Instagram: @neurodiverse_loveCheck out her website:  www.neurodiverselove.com If you want to contact Mona you can email her at: Neurodiverselove4u@gmail.com

If you are interested in learning more about the resources Mona has available for neurodiverse couples, or individuals in a neurodiverse relationship, you can check out her website at: www.neurodiverselove.com _________________________________________________ During this episode with Dr. Ali Cunningham Abbott, LMHC we talk about the self-discovery process for neurodivergent individuals and why it is critical for therapists, health care professionals and educators to have more knowledge and training about neurodiversity. Other topics addressed include: Ali's work at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Combatting assumptions about autism and romantic relationships. Counselors need to have the competencies to work with neurodivergent individuals or neurodiverse couples. Understanding the self-identification and self-discovery options and process.  Knowing if it’s necessary to get a formal diagnosis. Using free assessment tools may be helpful (ie: Autism Quotient; Social Responsiveness Scale). Go to www.embraceautism.com for a lot of free assessment tools. Understand your Sensory Profile. Hypo and Hyper social motivation. Understanding autism across the lifespan, for all genders, for different races and the diversity in sexuality identities. Autism representation in the media and stereotypes. Feeling alien or not belonging and getting a diagnosis or self-identification as an adult. Grieving what could have been because of unknown autism. Using strengths and assets to help individuals thrive. Project F.I.N.D. (Females in Need of Diagnosis). Making higher educational training more autism friendly. Ali is the Program Director for the Counseling Program at Lynn University and she has created an “Interest Network” at the Southern Association for Counselors Educators and Supervisors. If you would like to buy Ali's book the title is: Counseling Adults with Autism; A Comprehensive Toolkit.  The title of Steph Jones book is: The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy. You can contact Ali at Lynn University  or on LinkedIn