Soul Healing Love

Dear therapist, We have Communication Problems

Does your relationship have "communication problems?" Do you often feel like your spouse is talking "at" you instead of "with" you? In this episode of the Soul Healing Love Podcast we explore with Amanda and guest speakers, Drs. Bev and Tom Rodgers, that communication problems are typically more than they appear on the surface. Most communication problems are not the inability to talk to each other, but an inability to recognize that we are filtering tough conversations through our past soul wounds, traumas, assumptions and projections. This can often lead to reactivity in both parties and a breakdown in communication as a result. The Rodgers go on to explain that there is healing when we dig deeper to understand our own wounds and take ownership of them using the Soul Healing Love Model. In a few practical steps, they give guidance on how to regulate your nervous system, take ownership of your fears, and create emotional safety in the relationship, so healthy communication can return.

What is Neurodivergence Anyway? Getting Assessed for ADHD

So you've been listening to each episode of our ADHD Side Quest  (or you've been watching various reels on Insta or Tik Tok) and you think you may have ADHD. So now what?   Join host Amanda Cumbo as she is joined again by Rachel Cunningham as they talk through what to look for in a Clinical Assessment. They highly recommend someone who runs a battery of tests and has a lot of experience with both ADHD and Trauma. Why Trauma? Well, ADHD and cPTSD mirror each other in symptoms and you want to make sure a clinician can help distinguish between PTSD and ADHD.    It is also really important to have a clinician who understand how each part of the brain works and the neuroscience behind ADHD. They should have one or two interviews with you while also giving you several assessments; bonus if they talk to your current therapist and family members. Sadly ADHD-ers are not always the best at self-report, so the perspective of trusted loved ones is helpful.   And extra bonus if the clinician has ADHD themselves BECAUSE they can understand how masking comes into play for appointments. Rachel and Amanda talk through their professional frustration at sending clients for a confirmation of ADHD based on hours of time with the client only to have an assessor diagnose the client with something else because the client was masking. In fact, Rachel was so frustrated, she is now certified to provide ADHD assessments. So if you are in North Carolina, reach out and she can provide your official ADHD assessment!   Did you know The Soul Healing Love Podcast was named as one of the Top 60 Christian Counseling Podcasts? Learn more here: Feedspot: Top 60 Christian Counseling Podcasts   Learn more or Access our Online Courses and Books at  www.RodgersCC.Com

Parenting ADHD Kids and Teens

It can feel overwhelming and scary when you find out your kiddos are diagnosed with ADHD...so join Amanda and Rachel as we help you learn the keys to parenting for your neurodivergent kids!    One key is getting ADHD informed! The more you know about how your child's ADHD brain works so that you can enter into their way of thinking to move more in flow with them than thinking typical ADHD brain differences are a problem or a deficiency, which can result in unintentional shame on your kiddos.   It's also really critical to understand the genetic role in ADHD. It may even be worth getting yourself tested because ADHD is a highly genetic condition...you may have ADHD as well!    Also learn: --Tips for supporting Executive Function skills for your family --How Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and ADHD relate and how to move through the oppositionality --The way Pathological Demand Avoidance impacts getting things done and ways to work with your kids and choices    Did you know?? Soul Healing Love was named as one of the top 60 Christian Podcasts? Check out the full list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/christian_counseling_podcasts/

What is Neurodivergence Anyway? ADHD in Couples and Relationships

Listen in on part 4 of the ADHD side quest as Amanda and Rachel talk about what it's like to date, mate and relate when one or both partners have ADHD. A huge difference is the way the love cocktail-yes the Love Cocktail-affects the ADHD brain differently and for a different period of time than it affects people with a more neurotypical brain. Because the chemicals in the love cocktail are natural stimulants, love can have an addictive quality for people with ADHD, and then the cocktail wains in the partner's absence, creating biochemical withdrawal. and this can cause the ADHD person to hyperfixate on their romantic interest and even appear as if they are love bombing their partners.   Other huge challenges: communication conflicts, how rejection sensitivity impacts perceptions of intent from each partner, how ADHD symptoms like impulsivity and forgetfulness can erode your partner's trust. As Rachel and Amanda continue to reiterate, "Neurodivergence is not Bad; It's simply different." And understanding paves the way to intimacy.   The key to developing a healthy relationship whether you have ADHD or your partner does is a huge dose of healthy ownership and then the willingness to develop the appropriate accountability and coping strategies to manage brain differences with grace and compassion.   And don't get the impression that ADHD in relationships is all bad! ADHD-ers are incredibly deep feelers with tons of love and empathy. When trust is built, your ADHD partner can offer a depth of love--and fun!--like no other.   Listen to learn more about how to spot and manage the ways ADHD affects your romantic relationship!

What is Neurodivergence Anyway? ADHD in Men

This is part 3 of of 6 on our Neurodivergent side quest, how ADHD affects boys and men. While women get "lost in the diagnostic shuffle", boys tend to get diagnosed early on because with testosterone they tend to be more likely to have the hallmark Hyperactivity and Impulsivity. They're more likely to be the kids that just can't sit still in class and blurt out answers, but while they're more easily diagnosed, they tend to bear so much more shame over the years. So often when men come to counseling dealing with ADHD in adulthood they'll lament "I just don't think I'm where I should be in life" because of the societal standards imposed on these men early on. They also tend to have dopamine dysregulation which lends itself to addictive tendencies. They also can struggle with emotion regulation leading to anger outbursts and road rage. As always, as well, ADHD is not all bad! Men with ADHD are creative, playful, and make fantastic entrepreneurs! Learn more about ADHD in men…and maybe share with a friend!