Unmasking, Creating a Safe Space in Your Relationship and Understanding Differentiation-Liz McClanahan

Liz McClanahan is a therapist who is in a neurodiverse marriage and family. During this episode, she talks about the expectations she had and the work she did after her and her husband divorced and then remarried (before they knew they were a neurodiverse couple). She also shares how her husband's autism diagnosis changed "everything" in their relationship and family. For the first time in his life her husband was able to unmask and together they created a "safe space" where they could both be their authentic selves.

Other topics addressed are:

• Viewing your family of origin through a neurodiverse lens.
• The importance of differentiation and not taking on each other's emotions.
• Understanding how to create smoother transitions in communication and activities.
• Understanding PDA and reframing it as "pressure and resistance".
• Trauma from having to mask.
• Reducing overwhelm by changing expectations.
• Understanding what you each need and communicating that to your partner.
• Safety=routine and sameness.
• Reading your partner's energy.
• The value of "soft start-ups" and listening to understand.

Liz asked her family what messages they would give to neurodiverse couples or families and she shares each of those at the end of the podcast.

You can contact Liz at: https://www.neurodiversecouplescounseling.com/liz-mcclanahan

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If you are interested in learning more about the support groups that Mona offers for neurotypical/non-autistic partners or neurodiverse couples, please send her a DM on Instagram @neurodiverse_love, or an email at: neurodiverselove4u@gmailcom

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