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A photo of neurodiverse expert and therapist, Colleen Kahn. Colleen sees clients with Neurodiverse Couples Counseling Center and is here to support you on your journey.
At a Glance: My Journey & Experience

  • Specialist in Neurodiverse Relationships – Supporting couples where one or both partners are autistic or neurodivergent


  • Lived Experience in a Neurodiverse Marriage – Understanding firsthand the challenges and strengths of ND/NT relationships


  • Mother of Two Unique Children – Parenting an 18-year-old and a 13-year-old, each with their own beautiful way of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world


  • Diverse Educational Background – Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy, degrees in Communication, and a Doctorate in Education

  • Experience Across Multiple Fields – Over five years in nonprofit work supporting the unhoused, LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals with learning disabilities

  • Dedicated Educator – Adjunct professor at community college, undergraduate, and graduate levels

  • Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapist – Using evidence-based and strength-focused approaches to support clients


Creating a Safe, Affirming Space for Neurodivergent Clients

As a therapist, I am passionate about creating a compassionate, affirming, and effective space for neurodivergent individuals and couples. Too often, traditional therapy focuses on “fixing” neurodivergence rather than embracing it as a valid and valuable way of being.

I specialize in working with autistic individuals, ADHDers, and neurodiverse couples by tailoring therapy to their specific needs. My approach is rooted in neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based modalities that help clients navigate challenges while celebrating their strengths.


Supporting Neurodiverse Couples 💑

Relationships where one or both partners are neurodivergent can be incredibly fulfilling—but they also come with unique challenges. Many couples feel stuck in cycles of miscommunication, emotional disconnect, and frustration, not realizing that neurological differences play a major role in these struggles.


I help neurodiverse couples:


  • Bridge Communication Gaps – Understanding how neurodivergence affects emotional expression and processing


  • Navigate Sensory & Emotional Overload – Recognizing shutdowns, meltdowns, and coping mechanisms


  • Reduce Conflict & Misinterpretations – Shifting from blame to understanding and finding shared strategies


  • Create a Relationship that Works for Both Partners – Moving beyond "normal" expectations to embrace a neurodiverse love language


My personal experience in a neurodiverse marriage allows me to deeply relate to these challenges. I know how isolating it can feel when both partners struggle to communicate effectively.


Therapy is a judgment-free space where we explore new ways to foster connection, not by changing who you are, but by understanding each other better.


Specialties:

  • Neurodivergent & Neurotypical Couples

  • Autistic Individuals & Family Members

  • ADHD & Executive Functioning Support

  • Complex Trauma & PTSD

  • Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders

  • Complex Parenting Challenges

  • Identity & Self-Acceptance


Who I Work With

  • Couples – Navigating ND/NT and ND/ND relationships

  • Individuals – Supporting autistic adults, ADHDers, and those exploring identity

  • Teens & Families – Helping families adjust to neurodivergent needs

  • Group Therapy – Community-based neurodiversity support


Therapeutic Modalities

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Adapted for executive function and emotional regulation

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Building distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Encouraging values-driven living

  • Polyvagal Theory & Somatic Approaches – Supporting nervous system regulation

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Integrating different internal experiences

  • Strength-Based & Person-Centered Therapy – Empowering clients by focusing on their unique strengths


My Story

When I fell in love with my husband, I was drawn to his brilliant mind, his unique perspective on the world, and his quiet depth of emotion. His neurodivergence wasn’t a barrier—it was one of the things I loved most about him.


But over time, our differences became difficult to navigate.


Where We Struggled

  • When I needed to talk through an issue, he would retreat into silence—not because he didn’t care, but because conflict overwhelmed him.

  • I misread his need for space as rejection, which led to resentment and loneliness.

  • We both felt unheard and misunderstood, trapped in a cycle of miscommunication.


For a long time, I didn’t know how to reach him. I worried that our love was slipping away.


How Therapy Changed Everything

It wasn’t until we sought therapy that I began to understand:


  • His withdrawal wasn’t about me—it was about sensory overload and emotional regulation.

  • He needed structured ways to communicate, not spontaneous emotional processing.

  • I needed reassurance and engagement, even in small ways, to feel connected.


Through therapy, we:

  • Developed new communication tools – He practiced verbalizing when he needed space, and I learned how to give him time without feeling abandoned.

  • Created shared coping strategies – We found structured ways to process emotions without overwhelm.

  • Rekindled our connection – By embracing our neurodivergent differences instead of fighting them.


This experience reshaped how I approach couples therapy. I want to help others avoid the years of pain and confusion we went through and find strategies that truly work for their unique relationship.


Let's Work Together

Whether working with individuals or couples, I believe therapy should be a collaborative and affirming journey where clients feel heard, understood, and validated.


My goal is to provide the tools and insights needed to honor neurodivergent ways of thinking and being while fostering authentic and meaningful relationships.


If you or someone you know is seeking an affirming therapeutic space, I would be honored to support that journey. Please feel free to reach out for a consultation to learn more about my approach.


Education & Professional Background

  • Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy

  • Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication

  • Doctorate in Education

  • Worked in non-profit organizations for over 5 years including working with the unhoused, LQBTQ+ support organizations, and school learning disability programs

  • An adjunct community college, undergraduate, and graduate school professor


Credentials
  • Master’s in psychology of Marriage and Family Therapy

  • Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication

  • Doctorate in Education

  • Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452

  • Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc.

Specialty Areas:

ADHD, ASD/Allistic Couples, Addiction, Assessment, AuDHD, Autism, Communication, Parenting (Neurotypical & Neurodiverse), Trauma-Informed, DBT, CBT, ACT, IFS, Emotional Intimacy

Heather Emerson-Young

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