ADHD Effect Marriage Consulting

with Melissa Orlov

Development of personalized strategies for improving
your ADHD-impacted marriage with expert, Melissa Orlov.

Sessions are usually by phone with one or both members of a couple.  We will focus on developing specific strategies that each member of the couple can use to improve their daily lives immediately and over the long term.  I will help you and your spouse:

• understand which key issues in your marriage might be related to ADHD
• prioritize what to work on first for optimal improvement
• narrow the communication gap between distinctly different partners
• develop specific, usable and measurable tactics for creating change
• identify critical personal boundaries and goals
• help each partner come to terms with his or her role in marital issues and gain the inspiration to change direction
• create a plan to reach long-term goals for your marriage that align with who you are as individuals
• gain mutual agreement to those goals
• effectively identify and track progress
• locate useful resources as needed

After each session I provide a written conference report outlining the strategies and suggested deadlines, goals or agreements as discussed.

What it is not:

Medical advice.  For medical advice, please see your doctor.

How ADHD Effect Marriage Consulting Works:

While many of the issues facing couples with ADHD are similar, the workings of each partnership are unique.  Some couples will be able to identify key issues and develop a plan they like and can stick to within a short time (4-10 hours) while others may need longer and prefer regular “check ins” to monitor progress.  Since this program is personalized, you sign up for and receive only what you need.  My goal is to help you make progress with which you are happy as quickly as is possible, reasonable and sustainable.

Most couples will wish to consult with me 1-2 times a week for a designated period of time.

Charges:

Services are billed by the hour for talk time and specific research done on a client’s behalf (example: finding a doctor or resource in your area).  So that research costs don’t come as a surprise, I won’t start research for you until you’ve signed a “not to exceed” estimate.  I provide conference reports at no fee because they are important to getting the process to move smoothly.  This is a special service that other marriage advisors do not provide.

Payments made in advance of services will be given a 10% discount and can be purchased in a minimum of 4 hour increments.  You work against hours for which you’ve pre-paid.  Monies remaining in your account will be reimbursed within 4 weeks after your last session.

Do You Have Questions?

I would be happy to talk with you about whether ADHD Effect consulting is right for you.  Just contact me and I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can.

How to Start:

Once you've decided you need my counsel, I will send you the proper paperwork, including “Getting to Know Us” questionnaires that will give me a (non-billed) head start to learning about your personal situation.  At the same time we’ll set up our first meeting or call.

About Melissa Orlov:

Melissa Orlov is one of the top experts in how ADHD affects relationships and has been writing publicly about the topic since 2007.  She has honed her ADHD knowledge working with ADHD guru, Dr. Edward Hallowell, since 2004, writing ADHD articles and newsletters, and assisting with educational programs delivered by Dr. Hallowell and Dr. John Ratey.  She currently writes a regular column on marriage and ADHD for ADDitude Magazine, gives lectures, writes newsletters and writes online at www.adhdmarriage.com where she advises thousands of couples.  She is also a contributing author of Married to Distraction, a book written by Dr. Hallowell and his wife, Sue Hallowell, which will be released in early 2010.  Her own book, tentatively titled, The ADHD Effect: The Unexpected Ways ADHD Distorts Your Marriage and How You Can Thrive, Anyway should be ready for publication later in 2010.

Ms. Orlov has real-life experience with the pain, confusion and exhaustion associated with tackling the issues surrounding ADHD in relationships.  In fact, it was her experiences changing her own marriage from miserable to marvelous – and the realization that there is very little good information available to help couples affected by ADHD thrive in their relationships – that was the inspiration for becoming engrossed in this topic.

Before pursuing her passion for helping couples live better with ADHD, Melissa was a marketing, communications and research professional.  A graduate of Harvard College cum laude, and Phillips Exeter Academy, her hobbies include road biking, singing and being an enthusiastic supporter of whatever sport or pastime her children decide to pursue.  Ms. Orlov and her husband of 20 years live outside of Boston.