Living with ADHD — whether you experience it yourself or your partner does — can create unique challenges in a relationship. Forgetfulness, distraction, impulsivity, uneven household responsibilities, and emotional intensity can all affect how partners connect and support one another.
If you’re searching for a relationship therapist who understands ADHD, you’re not alone. Many couples want guidance but aren’t sure where to start. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we hear at The Couples Therapy Clinic, to help you understand what ADHD-focused therapy can do and how it works.
How ADHD Affects Relationships
Common ADHD Patterns That Create Conflict
- Forgotten plans or agreements
- Struggles with follow-through on chores or responsibilities
- Emotional reactivity or quick tempers
- Feeling like one partner is carrying more of the load
- Misunderstandings around priorities and intentions
These challenges don’t mean there’s a lack of love. With the right support, couples can learn strategies to strengthen connection instead of feeling stuck in conflict.
Why ADHD-Focused Couples Therapy Helps
What Therapy Looks Like
Traditional couples therapy often focuses only on communication. ADHD-informed couples therapy goes further, recognising how ADHD affects:
- Planning and organisation
- Emotional regulation
- Daily life responsibilities
In therapy, couples learn both:
- Practical strategies to manage daily responsibilities and routines
- Tools to improve communication, understanding, and emotional closeness
This dual focus helps reduce conflict and build a stronger, more balanced partnership.
Do We Need a Specialist ADHD Therapist?
Working with a therapist who understands ADHD can make a huge difference. An ADHD-informed therapist knows how to:
- Avoid blaming one partner for ADHD-related challenges
- Offer strategies that work with ADHD brains, not against them
- Support both partners equally, ensuring a balanced approach
Choosing a specialist ensures therapy addresses both the relationship dynamics and ADHD-related challenges effectively.
Can Therapy Help if Only One Partner Has ADHD?
Yes. Even if only one partner has ADHD, both partners are affected by the patterns it creates. ADHD-focused therapy looks at the relationship as a system, helping both partners understand each other, communicate effectively, and manage practical responsibilities without resentment.
What If My Partner Isn’t Diagnosed With ADHD?
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit from therapy. Many couples seek help around behaviours and patterns that may be linked to ADHD. Therapy can help address these challenges and improve connection, even without a formal diagnosis.
Does ADHD Couples Therapy Really Work?
Many couples report positive outcomes from ADHD-focused therapy, including:
- Reduced conflict and frustration
- Improved communication and understanding
- Fairer distribution of responsibilities
- Rebuilt intimacy and trust
- Feeling more like a team
Online and Local ADHD Relationship Therapy
At The Couples Therapy Clinic, we offer:
- In-person sessions in Melbourne – Brighton East, Caulfield North & Malvern
- Online sessions Australia-wide
Whether you’re nearby or across the country, ADHD-informed couples therapy is accessible to you. Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into your schedule while still receiving personalised guidance.
How Long Does ADHD Couples Therapy Take?
The length of therapy varies depending on each couple’s needs. Some benefit from short-term therapy (6–8 sessions). Others find ongoing support helpful, particularly if ADHD has been affecting the relationship for years. We work with you to find the right pace and depth.
Can Therapy Help With Chores, Money, and Intimacy?
Yes. ADHD-focused therapy addresses both practical responsibilities and emotional connection. Couples learn strategies to:
- Manage household tasks
- Navigate finances together
- Maintain intimacy and emotional closeness
The goal is to help couples feel supported, connected, and empowered — rather than stuck in cycles of frustration.
Final Thoughts
ADHD doesn’t have to define or derail your relationship. With the right support, couples can move from patterns of conflict and disconnection to understanding, balance, and closeness.
At The Couples Therapy Clinic, we specialise in ADHD-informed couples therapy, helping partners across Australia and locally in Brighton East, Caulfield North & Malvern feel heard, understood, and supported.
👉 If you’re looking for an ADHD-informed relationship therapist, contact us today to book an appointment online or in person.
