Description
Fans of the Showtime and Paramount+ series Couples Therapy spent a whole season getting to know Marjorie and Jason Caffrey. One of the most memorable episodes centered on a heated disagreement about their son, Ryan. Marjorie had taken him to the pediatrician for an ADHD evaluation without telling Jason first. Jason felt shut out of a huge decision about their child.
More than a year after their sessions with Dr. Orna Guralnik ended, the couple joins Juice Box host Jessica Shaw on a new couch to talk about where things stand now.
It turns out their reactions to Ryan’s diagnosis have a lot to do with their own stories. Marjorie was diagnosed with ADD in her late 20s, and it helped everything click into place. Jason was diagnosed as a child and put on several medications — a painful experience for him. Same diagnosis, very different memories.
Jessica asks how those histories show up in their parenting today. They talk about why Ryan’s homework turns into a marathon with Mom but not with Dad. They talk about whether to get a second opinion, and why Jason wants to be part of the process this time. And they share how they’re working toward a plan that’s about Ryan, not about them.
Plus: The simple listening exercise from Dr. Orna that the couple calls their North Star, and why they say it applies to their kids, too.
Footage of Couples Therapy courtesy Paramount+.
For more on this topic
Watch: Her daughter wasn’t “defiant.” She had an ADHD skill gap. https://youtu.be/y6GqTmp4FaA?si=KyyYW-E9-1pweEX0
Listen: Managing conflict with a partner with ADHD https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/sorry-i-missed-this/resolving-conflict-with-a-partner-with-adhd
For a transcript and more resources, visit Everyone Gets a Juice Box on Understood.org. https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/everyone-gets-a-juice-box/couples-therapy-adhd
You can also email us at podcast@understood.org.
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