Attachment Styles + Neurodivergence: When Attachment Differences Aren’t the Only Challenge
If you’ve been reading about attachment styles—secure, anxious, avoidant—you might see some patterns show up in your relationship, but it probably doesn’t feel like the whole story.
Common insights might include:
“You’re avoidant because you shut down.”
“You’re anxious because you need too much reassurance.”
But if you or your partner are neurodivergent—such as having Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD—those labels might not be telling the full story.
“We’re Speaking Different Languages:” Navigating Neurodivergent + Neurotypical Love
Frequently, two people who love each other may be trying to express love, but in a way that isn’t landing with the other. When we can put clear language to expressions of love, then that miscommunication can be bridged and people can adapt their expression so that they can be better understood. Identifying love languages helps us do this.
The problem is, the book on Love Languages was written by and for neurotypical people. So what can we do if one or both people in the relationship is neurodivergent?
How Living in Phoenix Impacts Your Relationship (And What Couples Can Do About It)
Relationships are tough and often times, our environments play a big role in those challenges. In my clinical practice, I have noticed that in Phoenix, couples are facing specific challenges unique to the big city desert. Heat, rising costs, and a sprawling city are just some of the things that can make staying close to the person you love more of a challenge. These things aren’t your fault, but how you show up in your relationship is your responsibility and there are things you can do to improve how you do that through the stressors. This blog will explore a few small shifts you can make to help your relationship feel more connected and attuned, specifically while living in Phoenix.