Dating, Boundaries & Burnout: Therapist Nicole Penrod on Mixed-Neurotype Love, Creative Healing & Autistic Adulting

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Today I’m sitting down with Nicole Penrod, MFT—a therapist and writer who works with neurodivergent adults, creatives, and mixed-neurotype couples. We dig into the real-world stuff: how to spot autistic burnout before it flattens you, unmask without losing your identity, set boundaries that actually stick, and navigate dating, breakups, and repair when ADHD and autism meet. Nicole also shares low-overwhelm tools (structured journaling, decision frameworks, nervous-system check-ins) you can start using today.

You’ll learn:

Burnout vs. depression vs. “I’m just done”—how to tell the differenceUnmasking with safety: scripts for work, friends, and partnersMixed-neurotype conflict: reduce shame, raise clarity, repair fasterDating while autistic/ADHD: green flags, hard passes, and pacingCreativity as regulation: using story to process big feelingsWhat therapists wish ND clients knew about progress and relapse

About Nicole:
Nicole Penrod is a Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in creatives, the entertainment industry, neurodivergent adults, and mixed-neurotype relationships. She blends clinical tools with practical, compassionate coaching to help you heal, grow, and move forward.

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 Events & Summits
• Social Connections Summit (Patterns of Possibility): https://www.patternsofpossibility.com/scs2025
• Thrive / NeuroThrive Autism Workshop (my link): https://autismsupport.live/july-aprilratchford

Support & Affiliates
🛒 Support the podcast & merch: linktr.ee/adultingwithautism
⚡ Tools for neurodivergent success: MFISH 4-in-1 Charger https://mfish.shop/discount/mfishAdultingwithAutismPodcast
• Show Merch: https://adulting-with-autism-shop.fourthwall.com/

Connect with Nicole
• Website: NicolePenrodMFT.com
• Instagram: @activate_resilience

Connect with the Show
• IG: @adulting_autism
• TikTok: @adultingautismbts
• YouTube: Adulting With Autism

Keep fierce. Keep focused. Keep Adulting With Autism.

The Social Connections Summit is a virtual two-day event for professionals committed to building more inclusive, compassionate, and connected workplaces.

This year, we’re centering the voices of late-identified Autistic, AuDHD, and ADHD professionals especially those who struggle to get accommodations, feel misunderstood, or find it hard to connect at work.

Come as you are. Leave with clarity, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.

mfish: Organize. Simplify. Win
Eco-friendly, high-quality tech tool to simplify school, work and life

NeuroThrive
Empowering autism families with expert workshops, live Q&A, and global support.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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