UN-masked with Stephanie DeSouza

In this week’s episode of Unlicensed, Jill is joined by neurodivergent coach and mental-health practitioner Stephanie DeSouza for an honest, deeply validating conversation about dating on the spectrum. Stephanie breaks down what autism actually is, beyond stereotypes and pop-culture misconceptions, and explains some of the most common misunderstandings autistic people face in relationships.They dive into why rejection and criticism can feel especially painful for people on the spectrum, how sensory and emotional processing differences show up in dating, and what autistic and neurotypical partners both need to understand to build healthy, reciprocal connections. Stephanie also shares practical tools for setting boundaries before a date, communicating needs without shame, and navigating the overwhelm that can come with new social or romantic situations. Consider this your soft launch into therapy!