Hi! I'm Heather Emerson-Young

Neurodiverse relationships are filled with unique strengths, but they can also come with profound challenges—communication breakdowns, emotional misfires, and cycles of frustration that leave both partners feeling unheard.

As a therapist with lived experience in a neurodiverse marriage, I understand these struggles firsthand.

At Neurodiverse Retreat, I guide couples through immersive, hands-on experiences designed to break through emotional barriers and foster deeper understanding.

In a retreat setting, couples have the rare opportunity to step away from daily stressors and focus entirely on their relationship, building the skills and insights needed to reconnect.

Couples retreats with Heather

Unlike traditional weekly therapy, retreats provide focused, uninterrupted time to work through the most common challenges neurodiverse couples face, including:

Bridging Communication Gaps – Learning how neurodivergence affects emotional expression, processing, and connection.
Reducing Conflict & Misinterpretation – Moving from blame and resentment to mutual understanding and shared solutions.
Managing Sensory & Executive Function Challenges – Identifying the impact of sensory sensitivities and executive function differences on the relationship.
Strengthening Intimacy & Trust – Creating a relationship model that works for both partners, without forcing neurotypical expectations.
Engaging in Experiential Learning – Participating in structured exercises that deepen empathy and relational insight.

Why I do this work

When I fell in love with my husband, I admired his brilliant mind, unique way of seeing the world, and quiet depth.

But over time, our neurological differences created real challenges. His silence during conflict felt like rejection to me, while my need for verbal reassurance overwhelmed him.

For years, we struggled—until we learned how to work with, rather than against, our differences.

Therapy transformed our marriage, and now I help other couples find their own path to connection. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based, and deeply personal.

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 five years, supporting the unhoused, LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals with learning disabilities
Adjunct professor at community college, undergraduate, and graduate levels

Credentials

Master’s in Psychology of Marriage and Family Therapy
Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452
Employed by New Path Couples Therapy Inc.