This session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference provides essential insights for couples navigating the complexities of relationships affected by problematic sexual behavior, including pornography addiction, emotional affairs, and compulsive behaviors. Participants will learn how relationships often begin with commitment and honesty, and how they can rupture through deception, abandonment, or abuse. Encouragement will be given to couples, offering strategies for partners to address emotional trauma and rebuild trust. With a focus on healing, communication, and professional support, this episode offers hope for recovery, even in the face of betrayal and neurodiverse challenges.

Bio: 

Shawna, a professional certified coach, specializes in supporting women experiencing betrayal trauma, particularly those in neurodiverse marriages with autism and Asperger profiles. As the founder of Living Stones Coaching, Mentoring, and Consulting in Arizona, she authored Determined for More, reflecting their 25-year marriage journey.

Kevin, also with Living Stones, mentors men struggling with problematic sexual behavior, especially those diagnosed with or considering autism (ASD1), focusing on recovery and relationship growth. Together, they offer personalized, relatable support to clients internationally, guiding couples through healing, sexual integrity, and sobriety. You can contact Shawna and Kevin at: Living Stones

If you would like to learn more about the resources Mona has available you checkout her website at: neurodiverselove.com

Interactions within a typical household often follow a "policing" model, grounded in rules, expectations, and a focus on shortcomings. The common messages tend to be “Do better” and “Be better.” In this episode from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference Dr. Regan discusses how recognizing the neurological differences among household members can transform this policing culture into one that fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration. This method promotes curiosity and problem-solving while reducing feelings of shame and blame. Such a shift encourages a strategy-based approach that helps each household member get their needs met as effectively as possible, while also understanding when their needs may not be fulfilled within the household and why. 

Bio:

Dr. Theresa Regan, PhD, CAS is a neuropsychologist with over 30 years of experience in hospital settings, specializes in autism in adolescents and adults. As the founder and director of an Autism Diagnostic Clinic in central, Illinois she has conducted nearly 1,000 autism evaluations and has provided care to clients across multiple states. She is the author of the Understanding Autism book series, host of the Autism in the Adult podcast with over half a million downloads across 150 countries, and a developer of continuing education courses, including the Zur Institute Autism Certificate courses for professionals. A dedicated clinician and educator, Dr. Regan combines professional expertise with personal insight as the mother of an autistic young adult. For more information, explore her website at: adultandgeriatricautism.com

Being understood, by both loved ones and strangers, is one of the core heart desires of every human being. Child development becomes particularly challenged when parents’ neurodivergence repeatedly contributes to children feeling misunderstood by their primary caretakers. Years of this disconnect

can create a variety of emotional and mental health dysfunction in the children. During this session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference Giji Dennard explored several of the effects of this dilemma, then offers hope for healing through the her 3-step jumpstart program.

Bio:

As a passionate, creative, and articulate storyteller, Giji Dennard brings a cornucopia of academic, professional, and real-world experience to every communication--written or oral—with particular expertise in the areas of healing in parent-child relationships, identity cultivation, and Kingdom living. From state champion orator in high school to sole female speaker at the inaugural Father-Shift Conference, she has engaged and inspired audiences for over five decades with her transparency and empathy. In 2022, Giji Dennard wrote and published Strange Fruit: A Paradigm for Changing the World by Our Choices (a digital devotional) and the 2nd Edition of Hungry for Wholeness: A Call to Pursue Healing &

Restoration in Your Father-Child Relationship, first published in 2012. Giji is on a mission to help you unstop the wellsprings in your life to pour out your full potential. Learn more about Giji at

https://www.wellfedresources.com/

Romantic relationships can be complex for anyone, but for neurodivergent individuals with alexithymia, navigating emotional expression, connection, and communication presents unique challenges. During this session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference Jasmine Loo explores how alexithymia impacts romantic relationships, from difficulties in identifying and articulating emotions to misunderstandings with partners. Jasmine shares practical strategies for fostering deeper connections, improving communication, and building stronger, more fulfilling relationships while embracing neurodivergent ways of experiencing love.

For more information on Jasmine or to work with her, click here

For more information about the support groups coaching services and many other resources x that Mona Kay offers you can check out her website here.

During this session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference, Dr. Jessie Mahoney shares her thoughts on why high-achieving professional women often find themselves in relationships with neurodivergent men, sometimes without even realizing it and what the hidden pain point is that keeps showing up in these relationships, and how can it be overcome.

Dr. Jessie Mahoney, a professional coach for high achieving professional women and a physician herself, shares a few powerful insights to help you navigate the challenges of your neurodiverse partnership.

If you’re a successful professional woman who has recently discovered that you are in a neurodiverse relationship, this episode is for you. You'll learn:

* The dynamics that often lead high-achieving women to neurodivergent partners

* The most common source of tension and frustration in neurodiverse relationships

* A game-changing mindset shift that can help ease conflict

Drawing from her personal experience and years of coaching, Dr. Mahoney will share how to shift your approach to your relationship and move forward with greater ease and harmony. 

Dr. Jessie Mahoney is a Board-Certified Pediatrician, Professional Coach, and an expert in helping high-achieving women who are successful on the outside but feel frustrated and overwhelmed beneath the surface. Through her coaching, Dr. Mahoney empowers women to connect with a sense of calm, clarity, and courage—transforming their struggles into actionable steps for personal and professional growth.  As the founder of Pause & Presence Coaching and Retreats, Dr. Mahoney provides both one-on-one coaching and immersive retreats designed to help women create lasting change. She is also a cohost of the Mindful Healers Podcast, where she shares strategies for mindfulness and well-being and is a certified yoga and mindfulness instructor, Dr. Mahoney is passionate about supporting healthcare professionals and women’s empowerment, serving as a wellness consultant and keynote speaker in these fields. In addition to her professional work, Dr. Mahoney has been married to her neurodivergent high school sweetheart for over 31 years. She brings a deeply personal perspective.  

To learn more about Dr. Mahoney and her transformative work, visit www.jessiemahoneymd.com

To learn more about the support groups, coaching services and many other resources Mona Kay has available, you can check out her website here.

During this podcast episode, you will have an opportunity to hear the 2025 Neurodiverse Love conference session from Laura Schreiner, LCPC

No matter how you arrived here or how you identify, this episode invites you to explore three transformative concepts that target falsely programmed self-narratives often found in Neurodiverse relationships. These concepts serve as a foundation for understanding how you perceive yourself, both internally and externally, as well as how you relate to your partner or loved ones. Featuring real-life examples and stories from diverse perspectives, the discussion offers practical tips and guidance for recognizing inherent individual strengths, fostering growth, and improving relationships for the betterment of all.

Laura Schreiner is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor since 2006, and the founder of Laura’s NeurodiverseCounseling, LLC (LaurasNC.com), a private telehealth practice based in Illinois. She specializes in supporting adult individuals and couples in Neurodiverse relationships. With 20 years of personal experience in a Neurodiverse marriage, including lifelong friends and family across the spectrum as well, Laura embraces her role as both a gifted emotional transmuter and advocate for Neurodiversity. Passionate about bridging communication gaps and fostering self-worth, she empowers her clients to recognize and celebrate their innate value, no matter how they are wired.

You can reach out to Laura at:

https://www.laurasnc.com

To learn more about the support groups, coaching services, and other resources Mona Kay has available, you can check out her website here.

If you would like more information about the resources Mona provides through Neurodiverse Love you can check out her website at neurodiverselove.com

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During this session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference Nicole Knowlton, MA, MDR, JD   shares information about neurodiverse mediation.

Neurodiverse Mediation focuses on resolving conflicts involving neurodivergent individuals, such as those who are autistic, or have ADHD, PTSD or a combination. It addresses challenges like communication differences, emotional dysregulation, and sensory needs, particularly in divorce, parenting, and estate disputes. Specialized mediators help create customized solutions and ensure fairness while managing the unique difficulties neurodivergent people face under stress. An additional part of understanding neurodivergence vulnerabilities includes a closer look at hormonal changes related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoria Disorder (PMDD), and menopause. These changes may have a significant impact on emotional regulation, medication efficacy, and relationship dynamics. By understanding these factors, mediators can foster more compassionate and effective conflict resolution.

Nicole would describe herself as a neurodivergent specialist. She has personal and family experience with autism, ADHD, PTSD and PMDD. Her education and training includes a focus on ASD and ADHD assessments, marriage and family therapy, family law, and conflict resolution among neurodivergent individuals, couples and families. Personally, she was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD late in life. It was thanks to her children that she obtained the correct diagnosis. Nicole is divorced after a 13-year neurodiverse relationship and was initially drawn into this area to do her part to spread awareness, help identify other untreated or undiagnosed autistics, and help families and couples separate with a long-term plan of success. Nicole had a very messy divorce and if she had the right information, everyone would have suffered so much less. She is so grateful when families opt to mediate divorce when there are children involved.

You can contact Nicole at the link below:

NICOLE KNOWLTON | Neurodiverse Couples

This presentation aims to help clarify and identify domestic violence in Neurodiverse relationships. From lived personal experience, and hearing the experiences of her clients, Brooke has realized that often the warning signs sometimes cannot be easily identifiable. Domestic violence does not discriminate, and can affect all neurotypes. This presentation will explore the reasons why domestic violence can be missed or minimized in the relationship or in therapy, and how this can be very harmful for the victim. Please note: Not all Neurodiverse relationships are abusive, and not all Neurodiverse individuals are abusive, either. Brooke does work with many Neurodiverse couples and individuals that are healthy and safe. 

If you are in danger or need further assistance leaving a domestic violence situation, please visit: 

https://www.thehotline.org/

https://www.domesticshelters.org/resources/national-global-organizations/international-organizations

Brooke LaLone, LMFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist located in Rochester, NY. Brooke is a certified Neurodiverse Couples therapist through AANE. Brooke specializes also in perinatal mental health, eating disorders, and trauma recovery. Brooke was previously in a Neurodiverse marriage for 4.5 years, and it did end in 2024 due to irreconcilable differences, and domestic violence. Brooke is now using her experience to help all neurotypes to improve their relationships, heal from their own traumatic experiences, help domestic violence survivors, and provide support for neurodivergent individuals navigating relationships. In her free time, she loves playing with her 3 year old daughter, going on hikes, exploring the Finger Lakes, reading, and spending time with her family. 

You can contact Brooke at the link below:

https://www.brookewardlmft.com/

If you would like to get more information about the resources, Mona offers through Neurodiverse love you can check out her website at neurodiverselove.com

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Enjoyable, loving relationships are far more likely when we first possess self-love. But this is often difficult for autistics. Not only do we experience many neurodivergent challenges, we are inundated with information about the negative aspects of autism. This limited picture prevents us from seeing ourselves fully. There are many wonderful, joyous things that come with being autistic. In this episode Jackie Schuld’s session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference , explores the joys of being autistic and how you can experience them more often. Through the information Jackie shares you will have a new perspective of autism, the ability to identify your personal autistic strengths, and an increase of self-understanding, appreciation, and love.

Jackie Schuld is an autistic/ADHD artist, writer, and general lover of life. She is also a Board-Certified Art Therapist who runs a therapy private practice that specializes in late-identified autism and ADHD. She is the author and illustrator of seven books, including Life as a Late-Identified Autistic, What is Autism?, Being an Autistic Writer, and her upcoming book The Joys of Being Autistic.

During this session from the 2025 Neurodiverse Love Conference, Daniel Dashnaw discusses the concept of demand avoidance, challenging the conventional view that it is inherently pathological. Demand avoidance can sometimes serve as a healthy response to overwhelm, misaligned expectations, or autonomy needs.  He will also briefly touch on research from neurodiversity, social dynamics, and stress regulation. His goal is to expand demand avoidance as a spectrum behavior that can signal unmet needs or adaptive coping rather than wholesale dysfunction. He will also offer a few clinical insights into recognizing, understanding, and addressing demand avoidance in a compassionate and constructive way.

Daniel Dashnaw MFT, is the co-founder of Couples Therapy Inc., the largest evidence-based couples therapy practice in the USA. Daniel specializes in working with the neurodiverse, in both his part time work in a public health agency, and his private practice. 

Known for his compassionate yet no-nonsense approach, he draws upon cutting-edge research and therapeutic techniques, including the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, to help couples rebuild trust, improve communication, and deepen their connection. 

You can reach Daniel at the link below:

https://danieldashnawcouplestherapy.com/