San Diego & Online Across California

If You Feel Alone in Your Relationship

You love your partner. But somewhere along the way, their needs stopped mattering as much - or at all. You carry the emotional labor. You manage the household. You make it work. And you're exhausted.

That exhaustion is real. Your needs matter. And you don't have to keep doing this alone - even if it feels like you have to.

Let's See If We're a Match See If This Fits
Individual therapy space

You're Not "Too Demanding" or "Too Sensitive."
You're Depleted

When you're partnered with someone whose brain works very differently, the burden of managing the relationship often falls on you. That's not a personality flaw on your part - it's a mismatch in what the relationship requires. I want to help you see that clearly, and help you decide what comes next.

Your Experience Matters

What You Might Be Feeling

These are the patterns I see most often. If several of these resonate, you're in the right place.

Invisible Grief

You mourn the partnership you thought you'd have - not because your partner is bad, but because the dynamic keeps you feeling alone even though you're not.

The Emotional Load

You manage the relationship, the household, the feelings. Your partner doesn't see it as their job. So you carry it - and then feel guilty asking for help.

Hypervigilance

You're constantly tracking your partner's mood, their needs, what might go wrong. You've learned to anticipate what's needed so things run smoothly. It's exhausting.

Frozen Voice

When you try to express your needs, the conversation becomes about managing their reaction. So you stop trying. Your voice gets smaller.

Resentment That Won't Lift

You love them, but underneath there's a deep bitterness. Because they don't seem to see what you're carrying. And you're tired of explaining it.

Losing Yourself

Your life has become about managing their life. Your own needs, friendships, goals - they've gone quiet. And you're not sure how to bring them back.

Support and healing

Understanding What You're Going Through

Cassandra Syndrome & Beyond

Cassandra Syndrome refers to what happens when a neurotypical person is partnered with someone autistic or ADHD - and the autistic or ADHD person's differences aren't fully acknowledged or understood. The neurotypical partner often becomes the "manager" of the relationship, the household, the emotions. Their own needs disappear. And they end up deeply lonely.

But here's what matters: Whether or not your partner has a formal diagnosis, if you're feeling this way - unseen, unheard, carrying the weight alone - that experience is real and valid. And it matters.

My work with you isn't about diagnosing your partner or fixing them. It's about helping you get your voice back. Setting boundaries. Deciding what you actually need. And figuring out if this relationship can shift - or if something else needs to happen.

What to Expect

Individual Therapy for the Overlooked Partner

This isn't couples therapy. This is your space. Your needs come first. We work to help you see clearly what's actually happening, recover your own voice, and decide what you want moving forward - whether that's setting new boundaries in this relationship, making changes together, or something else entirely.

You Get Your Voice Back

We work on learning to express what you need without managing your partner's reaction first. Your needs matter. Full stop.

Somatic Grounding

Your body has learned to stay small and quiet. We use somatic work to help you feel what's true for you again - underneath all the managing.

Clarity About Your Choices

Together we look at what's actually happening in your relationship and what you actually want. Then you decide - with full clarity - what comes next.

Grief Processing

There's grief here. We make space for it. Not to stay in it, but to honor it and move through it.

The Path Forward

What's Possible

Recovery looks different for everyone. But most of my clients find their way to clearer boundaries, a stronger sense of their own needs, and a decision about their relationship that actually feels true.

Renewed Energy

When you're not managing everything, you have energy for your own life again.

Honest Communication

Learning to express what you need without guilt or apology.

Agency

You get to decide what happens next - not react to your partner's needs.

Self-Compassion

Understanding that you did what you thought you had to do. And you can do things differently now.

Ready for Couples Work?

Neurodivergent Couples Therapy

If the relationship can shift together. Learn more →

Body-Centered Healing

Somatic Therapy

Reconnect with what's true in your body. Learn more →

You Deserve Better

Your Needs Deserve a
Whole Person's Attention

Let's start with a screening form so I can understand your situation. I'll reach out within 24 hours with thoughts on how I can help.

Let's See If We're a Match

Or call / text Maring: 619-387-8725

Maring Higa, AMFT

Neurodivergent-affirming couples and individual therapy. Somatic healing. Couples retreats. Serving San Diego and all of California online.

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #145908
Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452

Services

Neurodiverse Couples Individual Therapy Partner Support Somatic Therapy Couples Retreat

Contact

maringhigacounseling@gmail.com 619-387-8725 Get Started
© 2026 Maring Higa Counseling · San Diego, CA · maringhigacounseling.com
Maring Higa
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Neurodiverse Couples Counseling Neurodiverse Partner Support Somatic Psychotherapy Couples Retreats Individual Neurodivergent therapy Acupuncture
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MainCoachingRatesAboutContact Services Neurodiverse Couples Counseling Neurodiverse Partner Support Somatic Psychotherapy Couples Retreats Individual Neurodivergent therapy Acupuncture
Maring Higa
Associate Therapist & Acupuncturist
Maring Higa
maringhiga@gmail.com
Hours
Wed 13:00 to 18:00
Fri 13:00 to 18:00
Sat 09:00 to 14:00