Speak the Truth

ADHD & Marriage News - November 26, 2025

Quote of the Week

“‘I’m the only person who cares about you enough to tell you the truth,’ (my friend said.) Why did I keep going back for more abuse? Because I figured her honesty was keeping me honest – when in fact it was just keeping me injured.”

- Elizabeth Gilbert

One woman whom I respect greatly tried to convince me that being forthright was her way, and speaking the truth as it came to mind was fine no matter how much it hurt. My husband (when he was angry) used to do this, too. I called it ‘the truth at all costs.’ It felt like a weapon, yielded to bludgeon me into submission.

The reality is that there are lots of ways to speak the truth, and they don’t all hurt. And in healthy relationships you actively seek to find ways to be honest with your partner that are constructive, not destructive. You may be a blunt and honest person, but you don’t have to hurt your partner in service of this habit…for it is a habit, not a core personality trait.

Speaking honestly and well means being aware of your partner’s trigger points and avoiding setting them off. That means using kind words, even if they are strong, rather than spiteful words. That means using soft starts and talking about your own feelings, rather than critiquing your partner’s actions.

And it means listening to your partner’s differing point of view and considering it fully. Listening and considering is a critical part of being honest with another.

REGISTRATION OPEN:

December 3, 2025, 7:30-8:30pm EST - i2a Masterclass: Mastering Learning Conversation - Reserve your spot today.

Free, one-hour webinar — How to Turn Tension into Understanding in ADHD-Impacted Relationships. Learning conversations are structured, compassionate dialogues that replace blame with curiosity and create safety for real connection. Discover practical strategies, examples, and have a chance to ask your questions live with an ADHD & Marriage Expert Consultant. Learn More and RSVP Now! Apply these tools at home right away!

LIVE Couples' Seminar with Melissa Orlov - The ADHD Effect In-Depth

➤ REGISTER NOW for the Live Winter 2026 Seminar!
Starts Jan 14th / 9 Sessions / Wednesdays, 8:00pm - 9:45pm EST. This is Melissa Orlov's premier seminar that has changed the lives of many, many couples impacted by ADHD.
It provides hope, information and the tools you need to move towards a HAPPIER, HEALTHIER & THRIVING RELATIONSHIP.
The next live seminar will be in Spring, 2026.

ADHD Partner Support Groups

➤ REGISTER NOW. There's a lot to work through and think about when you are married to a partner with ADHD. These support groups for non-ADHD partners are given by Zoom and led by trusted, ADHD-savvy professionals.

Seminars, Groups:

Intent to Action (i2a) Membership Program - (Registration Ongoing) i2a helps couples impacted by ADHD find practical strategies, a safe space to work through challenges, and a supportive community of peers. Our mission is to equip you with actionable expert guidance, a reduced sense of isolation, and foster real, lasting change in your relationships. Learn more and sign up here!

Intent to Action (i2a) Book Club - Experts talk about their books. Join us!

December 1st 7:30p EST: We're thrilled to announce that Dr. Sharon Saline will join us on to talk about her fabulous book What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew.
"In the Community Forum and Office Hours I got ideas for how to look at things from my partners point of view, and it helped me so much to get direction on a different way to handle a long term issue -- and it really helped where I was really stuck!" (Non ADHD Partner)

Live ADHD Effect In-Depth Couples' Seminar - (Registration open) 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, learn about 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 - (Registration open) - 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.

Foundations in Habit Development - 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

Couples Support Group - (Full) - 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.

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."