Jen Terrell, AMFT
Retreat Therapist for Neurodivergent Couples and Individuals
Why I lead retreats
Weekly therapy can crawl when your patterns are fast and deeply wired.
A private retreat gives us uninterrupted time to slow the spin, map what’s actually happening between you, and practice new moves until they stick.
I like to go deep, fast—enough structure and repetition to create real momentum in a short window so you leave with skills you can actually use at home.
About me (and why it matters in the room)
I’m neurodivergent and a Highly Sensitive Person. I experience the world intensely—sound, light, tone, timing—and I’ve done the work of unmasking, pacing, and building systems that fit a sensitive nervous system. I bring that lived experience to your retreat: calm pace, clear structure, sensory-aware breaks, and direct language without shame.
I’ve been married 28 years. I know rupture and repair from the inside—how easy it is to miss each other under stress and how powerful it is to find your way back.
I’m a mom of four (ages 13–27). Each is their own person—strengths, sensitivities, surprising wins, and seasons where progress didn’t look like the books promised. Parenting four very different kids taught me to treat human diversity as a strength, not a defect. I help couples build with differences (sensory load, processing speed, social energy, executive function) instead of fighting them.
I lost a sibling. Grief changes how you argue, plan, and hold each other. I make room for it without letting it swallow your connection.
I’ve owned a small business. I understand how work pressure drains capacity at the worst times. We’ll design handoffs and routines that protect your relationship in real life, not just on vacation.
I’m bicultural—Korean mom, Caucasian dad. I grew up translating more than words: what’s “respectful,” what emotions are allowed, who speaks first. If culture, faith, or family norms collide in your relationship, I help you build a third way that honors both of you.
What we’ll do in your retreat
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Stabilize the nervous system (for both of you). Short regulation drills you can use mid-conflict—brief breathing sequences, sensory resets, and pace changes—so your prefrontal cortex comes back online before damage stacks up.
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Map the loop precisely. Identify your conflict cycle (pursue/withdraw, explode/shut down, fix/defend), the specific cues that trigger it, and the micro-moments where it can be intercepted earlier. We’ll diagram it so you can see it coming.
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Rehearse new moves until they’re automatic. I’ll coach live—timing, tone, and wording—so you both experience success in the room. We’ll repeat the reps until you feel the difference in your body, not just in theory.
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Design friction points that usually derail you. Entrances/exits, screens, chores, money talks, intimacy, sleep, and weekend planning. We’ll build simple agreements and handoffs that survive Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
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Create a reliable repair pathway. A step-by-step protocol for what you do after you hurt each other: how to name impact, how to receive accountability without collapse or defense, and how to re-enter connection without rushing.
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Plan for sensory and executive-function realities. Environment tweaks, transition buffers, visual agreements, and time-blindness supports so your systems help you connect instead of sabotaging you.
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Translate differences without villains. We’ll replace blame with clarity—no heroes, no bad guys—just two nervous systems trying to find a workable rhythm.
Who it helps
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One or both partners are autistic, ADHD, or AuDHD (diagnosed or suspected), and missed cues or overload keep derailing good intentions.
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You’ve done weekly therapy and still fall into the same argument. You want a focused reset with practical tools.
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Trust cracks—big betrayals or the slow drip of disappointments—need a structured path to repair.
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Cultural/religious/family norms collide and you need a respectful “third way.”
Parents who are balancing neurodivergent needs at home: you want ways to protect your bond while raising kids who may have high sensory load, executive-function challenges, or different social energy. We’ll design routines and agreements that keep your partnership intact while parenting well.
Format & fit
Private intensives—virtual or in-person—in 1-day and 3-day formats. We’ll choose what matches your bandwidth and goals. The work is immersive, structured, and paced to reduce overload while building repeatable skills.
How I work
Direct, steady, kind. I protect both partners, translate differences without pathologizing, and keep us in the realm of doable—because if a tool won’t survive your next busy week, we won’t pretend it will.
Areas of Focus & More
Approaches
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Attachment-based couples work (EFT-informed),
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Parts-informed coaching (IFS-aware)
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Sensory- and nervous-system-aware pacing
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Executive-function scaffolding
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Practical habit design tailored for neurodivergent couples.
Training & Supervision
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Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, (AMFT #155583)
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Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452
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Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers