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The Hidden 20%
Top Couples Therapist: The Number One Reason ND Relationships Fail
Season 1, Ep. 69
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What really goes on behind closed doors in neurodivergent relationships? Psychosexual Therapist and ND Relationship Coach Karen Doherty brings 20+ years of experience to this eye-opening episode on late diagnosis, emotional dysregulation.
In this chat with Ben, Karen unpacks why neurodivergent couples often struggle, and more importantly, how they can thrive. From the "code word" method to breaking the trigger cycle, Karen shares practical tools that help make strong ND couples. She also reveals hard truths about unmet needs, communication breakdowns, and the dangers of fast-moving, intense connections.
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00:00 Introduction
1:44 20 Years of Neurodivergence in a Relationship: What’s Changed?
7:11 Late Diagnosis VS Relationships
8:44 Post ADHD & Autism Diagnosis VS Relationships
13:33 The #1 Struggle Most ND Couples Face
14:02 Increased Communication Challenges: RSD & Emotional Dysregulation
22:20 The Danger of Unavailability: Karen’s Top Tips
27:24 ND VS Dating Apps: Karen’s Top 3 Tips
30:07 The Neurodivergent Intense Connection: From 0-100
33:58 Keeping The Magic Alive: Karen’s Top Tips
40:55 The Biggest Unmet Needs in Neurodivergent Relationships
44:16 The Impact of Neurodivergence On People’s Individual Lives
45:55 The Biggest Transformations of ND Couples in Therapy
47:33 Noticing Signs of Neurodivergence: Karen’s Advice for Couples
52:11 Neurodivergence and Integration
55:15 Should You Disclose Your ND Whilst Dating?
57:08 Shutting Down ND Myths
58:39 If ND Couples Therapy Resonates: What Next?
1:00:35 Karen’s Green Badge Choice
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On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.
Host: Ben Branson
Head of Production: Bella Neale
Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburné
Video Editor: James Scriven
Social Media Manager: Charlie Young
Music: Jackson Greenberg
Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348
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Follow & subscribe…
Website: www.hidden20.org
Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20podcast
Ben Branson @seedlip_ben
Karen Doherty Relationship Therapist @karendohertycoaching
If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.
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