Communication in Relationships
Find your voice, honour your needs, and set healthy boundaries in relationships with confidence and clarity.
Communication is the #1 challenge in most relationships and it can feel even trickier when one or both people have a neurodivergent brain
Whether it’s with a romantic partner, family member, friend, or colleague, common experiences include:
Difficulty speaking up or advocating for your needs
Guilt, fear or panic when setting boundaries at work or socially
Feeling like you leave interactions stretched thin, resentful or misunderstood.
Freezing, fawning, or over-accommodating to avoid conflict and keep the peace
Difficulty repairing misunderstandings or resolving ongoing tensions
Fear of abandonment, rejection, or being smothered
Social anxiety, overwhelm, or shutdown in group settings
Low assertiveness in relationships and peer dynamics
The good news? With support, you can learn to navigate these differences, communicate more clearly, and connect in ways that feel authentic, safe, and sustainable.
Neuro-affirming relationship counselling can help with:
Romantic Relationships
• Starting, navigating, or ending relationships (dating or friendships)
• Expressing desires, needs, and boundaries clearly
• Understanding and respecting different communication and processing styles
• Balancing closeness and independence in the relationship
• Repairing misunderstandings and rebuilding trust
• Building intimacy that honours both partners’ neurodiverse needs
• Practicing vulnerability and emotional expression safely
Work or School
• Asking for what you need, such as more support, or accommodations
• Understanding social cues and unwritten rules in professional or academic settings
• Collaborating on projects or group work without losing your voice
• Reducing overwhelm in high-stimulation environments like open-plan offices or busy classrooms
• Navigating difficult dynamics or bullying
• Giving and receiving feedback in a way that feels safe and constructive
Family Dynamics
• Accepting family members while maintaining your own boundaries
• Communicating needs through guided practice and role-play
• Understanding and responding to neurotypical family members’ communication patterns
• Repairing misunderstandings or conflicts with siblings, parents, or extended family
• Developing strategies for family gatherings or holiday events and learn how to cope with emotional triggers during family interactions
What to expect
Sessions are 50 minutes and can be held online, in person at my Randwick, Sydney clinic (available Tuesdays).
First Session
We’ll start by exploring your current relationship communication experiences, including your challenges, fears, and shutdowns. We’ll discover your recurring patterns and how they are affecting you emotionally and somatically (physically). We’ll agree on themes to explore in our work together such as boundary work, conflict response or fawning.
Ongoing Sessions
We work with what’s underneath the communication struggle. Not just behaviour, but the nervous system, emotion and relational history beneath it. That way, we get to the root of the problem. You’ll learn practical strategies such as embodied exercises, co-regulation practices and communication scripts, as well as role-play difficult conversations. Over time, you’ll build the capacity to stay with discomfort, express needs and speak up with greater clarity.
FAQs
I freeze in conflict or feel overwhelmed. Will this help?
Absolutely. We’ll work gently with your nervous system to build capacity to stay present in communication that currently feels unsafe.
Can this help with dating, family, or work relationships?
Absolutely. Whether it’s setting boundaries with family, expressing needs with a partner or navigating work dynamics, we tailor the support to where it matters most in your life.
I’ve done assertiveness training before. How is this different?
This is trauma informed, neurodivergent affirming and somatically grounded. It’s not about sounding confident- it’s about feeling safe and centred while expressing yourself.
Can I bring someone to my sessions who I’d like to work on communicating better with?
While I don't offer couples counselling/therapy yet, you're more than welcome to have a loved one or someone you're actively wanting to work on your communication skills join in the session. I can support you both in practicing communication skills together in session.
I’m scared of hurting others if I speak up
This work honours both self-expression and relational care. You’ll learn how to express yourself clearly without collapsing or bulldozing- and how to hold your truth with kindness.
I’m not someone who’s naturally assertive. Can I still benefit?
That’s okay. This isn’t about becoming someone you’re not- it’s about reclaiming your own voice, in a way that feels aligned, grounded and self respecting.
What if I don’t know what I need or how to say it?
That’s often the starting point. Together we’ll gently explore your inner world and build language for what you’re feeling, needing or hoping for.
How do I know if I need this service or your general counselling?
It’s completely normal if you’re unsure. Sessions can blend relationship communication work with support around unmasking, self-identity, or any other areas you want to focus on. Everything is tailored to your needs and priorities, so we’ll work on what feels most important to you.
Are you a registered NDIS provider for counselling?
Yes, I am a registered NDIS provider for both counselling and speech pathology and can support you whether you are self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed.
Ready to
BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY?
Take the first step toward healthier, more fulfilling relationships that honour your needs and boundaries.