Couples and Family Post-Diagnostic Support
Some people choose not to tell anyone that they are thinking about having an autism or ADHD assessment, or that they have (recently) received a diagnosis. However, it is more common for people to share this with at least one significant other, such as partners, parents or siblings. This can be for several reasons. For example, this can provide opportunities to talk through possible advantages or concerns about having an assessment, and reflect on strengths, preferences and any difficulties or needs from multiple perspectives. It can also mean a person is supported through the assessment journey by someone who knows them well, including after diagnosis.
Conversations with significant others are easy for some, but more challenging for others. It may be that not everyone in a relationship or family unit knows what the central traits and symptoms of autism and ADHD are, and how these can influence everyday activities and communication. Also, not everyone may agree that an autism or ADHD assessment will be beneficial, and opinions may differ about what difficulties a person has and how impactful these are. Receiving an autism or ADHD diagnosis may give rise to different emotions - one person in a relationship may feel relieved, whereas another may feel apprehensive. Similarly, thoughts about what a diagnosis means and what to do next can vary - one person may view this as life-changing information, whereas another may not.
Ending couples and family post-diagnostic support
We will make a plan together for when and how to end the sessions, including thinking about who wants to be at the last session.
We will review how you have all found the experience of couples or family post-diagnostic support. Everyone who has joined sessions will be invited to express their views in whichever way feels right for them.
If any of you think this would be helpful, we can also explore areas where further input may be appropriate. This may involve us sharing information about the post-diagnostic support group for the person who has received an autism or ADHD diagnosis, or talking about the psychological therapies we offer to address co-occurring mental health conditions or the impact of physical health conditions.
We will make a plan together for when and how to end the sessions, including thinking about who wants to be at the last session.
We will review how you have all found the experience of couples or family post-diagnostic support. Everyone who has joined sessions will be invited to express their views in whichever way feels right for them.
If any of you think this would be helpful, we can also explore areas where further input may be appropriate. This may involve us sharing information about the post-diagnostic support group for the person who has received an autism or ADHD diagnosis, or talking about the psychological therapies we offer to address co-occurring mental health conditions or the impact of physical health conditions.
Couples and family post-diagnostic support sessions
Our clinicians have a lot of experience of working with adults who have different and sometimes multiple roles (such as young adult, parent, sibling, grandparent and partner).
We have found that people choose to focus on a whole range of themes when they have couples or family post-diagnostic support. This is because no one size fits all.
We will be guided by what you all want to talk about.
We tend to offer sessions weekly or fortnightly to build momentum, but the frequency of sessions is up to you. Each session is usually 60 minutes, but it may be up to 90 minutes, depending on how many people join. We will agree on the duration of sessions at the outset, and can change this depending on what suits you all best.
In the first session, we will spend a bit of time exploring what each of you would like to gain from sessions, and how you tend to communicate with each other in good times as well as when relationships are more strained. We will think together about how each person can feel more confident to share their views, in a way that feels as comfortable as it can. We will also talk about how to end each session, so that you all feel as ready as you can to leave this, and continue with your day.
We cannot specify a set number of sessions in advance, because this depends on what you would like support with. However, we ordinarily suggest meeting for 6 appointments and reviewing at that point (or sooner if you would like).
Sometimes we offer couples and family post-diagnostic support with one clinician, and at other times, with two clinicians. We view this as a clinical decision - it is principally based on the overall aims for the sessions and which types of systemic approaches (the theoretical models that underpin how we work with couples and families) we think could be most useful. We will discuss this with you before the first session, and agree with you on any additional fee for a second clinician.
Our clinicians have a lot of experience of working with adults who have different and sometimes multiple roles (such as young adult, parent, sibling, grandparent and partner).
We have found that people choose to focus on a whole range of themes when they have couples or family post-diagnostic support. This is because no one size fits all.
We will be guided by what you all want to talk about.
We tend to offer sessions weekly or fortnightly to build momentum, but the frequency of sessions is up to you. Each session is usually 60 minutes, but it may be up to 90 minutes, depending on how many people join. We will agree on the duration of sessions at the outset, and can change this depending on what suits you all best.
In the first session, we will spend a bit of time exploring what each of you would like to gain from sessions, and how you tend to communicate with each other in good times as well as when relationships are more strained. We will think together about how each person can feel more confident to share their views, in a way that feels as comfortable as it can. We will also talk about how to end each session, so that you all feel as ready as you can to leave this, and continue with your day.
We cannot specify a set number of sessions in advance, because this depends on what you would like support with. However, we ordinarily suggest meeting for 6 appointments and reviewing at that point (or sooner if you would like).
Sometimes we offer couples and family post-diagnostic support with one clinician, and at other times, with two clinicians. We view this as a clinical decision - it is principally based on the overall aims for the sessions and which types of systemic approaches (the theoretical models that underpin how we work with couples and families) we think could be most useful. We will discuss this with you before the first session, and agree with you on any additional fee for a second clinician.
Introductory consultation
If you are considering referring yourself for couples or family post-diagnostic support with us, we offer a free 60 minute introductory consultation (online or by phone) to find out about the referral, talk through any questions you may have and share some general information about each of the approaches we offer. We will also ask if you have any previous experience of individual, couples or family support or psychological therapy, and a bit about your relationship(s) with the people you are thinking of inviting to these sessions. We may also ask about your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
At the end of the initial consultation, we will let you know if we do not think we are the best service to offer couples or family post-diagnostic support. We will explain why this is, and when possible, signpost you to other services.
Please note that we only see people aged 18 and upwards. If you would like a child or teenager in your family to be present at post-diagnostic support sessions, we recommend contacting our colleagues at the Effra Clinic who work with people under aged 18. Please see here for more information: https://www.effraclinic.co.uk/
If you are considering referring yourself for couples or family post-diagnostic support with us, we offer a free 60 minute introductory consultation (online or by phone) to find out about the referral, talk through any questions you may have and share some general information about each of the approaches we offer. We will also ask if you have any previous experience of individual, couples or family support or psychological therapy, and a bit about your relationship(s) with the people you are thinking of inviting to these sessions. We may also ask about your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
At the end of the initial consultation, we will let you know if we do not think we are the best service to offer couples or family post-diagnostic support. We will explain why this is, and when possible, signpost you to other services.
Please note that we only see people aged 18 and upwards. If you would like a child or teenager in your family to be present at post-diagnostic support sessions, we recommend contacting our colleagues at the Effra Clinic who work with people under aged 18. Please see here for more information: https://www.effraclinic.co.uk/
What to expect
Your questions answered
Testimonials
I was given a lot of information before the meeting and before we had even decided to go ahead with the assessment Debbie took a lot of time to talk to me in a very supportive way which put me at ease
You have both been incredibly kind and nothing has ever seemed too much trouble. The information, guidance and signposting to more sources of support will be invaluable.
It was a real pleasure to talk to people who really understood the complexity and subtlety of my son’s autism...it was great to see how you got beneath the surface to get the real story from him. You were kind, empathetic, encouraging and generous.
Very pleased that we were able to take advantage of their skills to assist [our son] in getting the diagnosis and help that he needs.
This was the best interaction I’ve ever had with professionals, they were super supportive and consistently made sure I was comfortable, and really took the time to understand me and my needs
Kindness, Compassion, Non-judgemental, Ethical, Collaborative