Captain Your Own Ship

ADHD & Marriage News - June 16, 2026

Quote of the Week

“The way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. You are the captain of your ship…"

- Claire Messenger

Captain Your Own Ship

I have a friend who has become a serious marathon runner. She trains seriously, and shares inspirational photos of her training journey on Instagram. She’s also an artist, so her photographs are also beautiful representations of the human body.

It is inspiring to watch her journey, and her words about giving up power ring true to me. We don’t always get to choose our destiny – health issues come to mind – but we do get to choose how we respond to our destiny. Will we remain open and receptive to new ideas, be flexible in our thinking, and seek to create the best with what we have? Or will we escape, close down, and run from our troubles?

This is an intensely relevant question when dealing with ADHD in relationships. The nature of ADHD – chronic distraction; difficulty engaging reliably; trouble following through; memory issues; emotional lability – these all hit at the heart of what relationships are all about. And yet…adults with ADHD are more than just their ADHD. They are also often compassionate; warm; joyfully in the moment, and more.

It saddens me when I see ADHD adults give up their power after years of battering from a world that has difficulty interpreting their actions. I’m not advocating simply saying ‘take me as I am’ and ignoring the basic needs of those around them for solid management of their ADHD symptoms. But I am suggesting that staying engaged and choosing to direct their own lives, rather than retreat, can create a life of joy.

Do you have ADHD? If so, what are you doing as captain of your own ship?

Seminars, Groups:

Intent to Action (i2a) Membership Program - (Registration Ongoing) - where couples stop feeling alone and start making real progress.

What's inside:
→ Live Expert-led Office Hours
→ Weekly Action Tips to keep you engaged
→ Workshops with tools that work
→ Book Clubs
→ Community Discussion Forum
→ Unlimited Video Replays

i2a delivers the strategies, expert support, and community that transform how ADHD-impacted couples communicate, collaborate, and connect. Learn more and sign up here!

Live ADHD Effect In-Depth Couples' Seminar - (Fall 2026) Is your relationship in trouble? Melissa and senior consultants help partners improve their lives together in this premier 9-session ZOOM seminar that has changed the lives of many, many couples impacted by ADHD. Mental Health Professionals, take $50 off and check out our Affiliates Program.

The Self-Study Seminar - (Ongoing) Move at your own pace. Includes materials & recordings from recent live seminar lessons and Q&As. 3 months of Office Hours to support your learning! Military and Mental Health Professional discounts.

Non ADHD Partner Support Group - (Fall 2026) - Join a community exploring similar issues; learn from each other's successes and struggles; find new, more effective ways to be your best self in your relationship.

ADHD Partner Support Group - (Fall 2026) Participants have space to speak honestly about what’s hard. Feel understood, connect with others who truly “get it” and gain valuable insight and advice.

Couples Support Group - (Fall 2026) - Seven sessions. 5 couples only will work with Internal Family Systems (IFS) master facilitator, Jason Weber, to understand what ‘parts’ of themselves are participating in the parent-child dynamics and learn how to compassionately move away from it.

Foundations in Habit Development - (Fall 2026) This special series is for ADHD partners who have completed The ADHD Effect Couples' Seminar. This two month program helps you solidify the changes you have started to make.

ADHD & Marriage Consulting Group - (Ongoing) - Work with an ADHD expert who understand the issues faced by individuals and couples impacted by ADHD. We STRONGLY recommend you also take the ADHD Effect In-Depth Couples' Seminar

Therapist Training & more - (Ongoing) - For counselors, therapists, social workers, coaches, and other professionals who currently work with adults and couples impacted by ADHD, or who would like training to help improve their skills in this important therapeutic area.

Free Resources:

Is there hope? This video may help you answer that question:

Register for free marriage tips here! "Your weekly messages are beyond wonderful to receive, I cannot thank you enough! Please know the gifts that you give are treasured."