1st Edition
Neurodiverse Couple Therapy A Practical Guide to Brain-Informed Care
This inclusive and comprehensive manual equips marriage and family therapists with the skills to identify, support, and provide Brain-Informed Care to neurodiverse couples.
Written from Murgado-Willard's unique perspective as a neurodivergent couple therapist, this book addresses a knowledge gap in the couple counseling field and helps therapists develop and maintain an ethical standard of care for neurodiverse couples. The text also introduces a new style of couple therapy for use in private practice settings: Brain-Informed Neurodiverse Couple Therapy (BINCT). Chapters begin by providing some historical context of neurodiversity before offering invaluable training on best practices, assessment, treatment planning, and using non-ableist, practical interventions for this population. Case studies that present a variety of sexual identities are featured throughout as well as a glossary of key terms and checklists that therapists can use immediately in their practice.
This book aims to implement a paradigm shift in the field and is essential reading for therapy students. It is invaluable reading for practicing therapists that did not receive training on working with neurodiverse clients.
Section I: Foundational Concepts
Chapter 1. What’s Neurodiversity?
Chapter 2. What’s Brain-Informed Care (BIC)?
Chapter 3. What’s a Neurotype?
Section II: Best Practices
Chapter 4. Exploring the Relationship with Your Own Brain
Chapter 5. Respecting Neurodivergence from First Contact
Chapter 6. Understanding the Issues Neurodiverse Couples Face
Section III: Clinical Application
Chapter 7. Neurodiverse Couple Assessment
Chapter 8. Therapy Interventions for Neurodiverse Couples
Chapter 9. What’s Brain-Informed Neurodiverse Couple Therapy (BINCT)?
Section IV: Case Studies
Chapter 10. Wanda & Ben
Chapter 11. Celia & Julio
Chapter 12. Walker & Lizbeth
Index
Biography
Kelli Murgado-Willard is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 12 years’ experience. She writes from her first-hand experience of being neurodivergent and runs her own therapy practice, Love All the Brains, in Georgia, USA.
'Written with passion and intellectual rigor, this practical guide pulls readers into a unique approach that integrates the intersection of couple therapy and neurodiversity. With a foundation built on scientific evidence and theoretical rationale, Murgado-Willard offers a broad conceptual overview as well as specific techniques that can be implemented by therapists. Based on a decade of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, Murgado-Willard’s innovative approach to neurodiverse couple therapy will appeal to graduate students expanding their base of knowledge as well as to seasoned clinicians seeking to continue their professional development'
William F. Doverspike, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Emory University
‘Conversations with Kelli leave my head spinning with thoughts and possibilities. She approaches life with expertise, passion, and honesty. This book is no exception. My understanding of neurodiversity used to be limited in the past, but now I feel more confident and competent. I'm eager to apply these concepts and exercises in my work to best serve neurodiverse couples’
Rachelle Colegrove, MA, CST, Co-Founder of The Fun Marriage Workshop
‘Kelli adds an important, missing piece to the field of relationship therapy and mental health care in general. One size does not fit all in relationships, and this text provides a solid foundation for mental health professionals wanting to better serve our many neurodivergent clients.’
Dana Frederick, MA, LPC, LMFT
‘Embracing the emerging mind is our task and our delight. Kelli’s exploration of what we know now shows us ways to open to the wonder of our mind. Relying on personal and professional experience, Kelli gives the helper in all of us a glimpse of unity through our many differences.’
Laura A Hahn, LPC
‘Kelli's passion to educate her peers about neurodiversity has not only led to transforming my family's life, but also my entire counseling practice...for the better! Neurodiversity affects all of us, either directly or indirectly, which makes her book a must-read for counselors because informed care equals better care, every time!’
Lauren Dack, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, LPC, CPCS
