Hi johntfs and welcome to the forums.
Now, the tough love.
You might find this works on average in a single player game, but, against anyone who knows what they are doing, you would be rushed before you could be a threat.
This race's biggest weakness is its lack of ability to grow.
Almost everyone would agree that races with a pop max modifier defeat the ones without one.
So, that would mean adding Aquatic, Subterranean, or Tolerant, somehow, to your race.
Otherwise, you will have many Low populauion planets (under 15) instead of High population planets (up to 42).
Test your race, and you will see this.
Creative works fine in single player games, but, in multiplayer games, you would get rushed before you could build all of those buildings you opened up with your expensive Creative pick.
Let me suggest a revised version, that I found worked well, in single and multiplayer LAN games I've had.
Unification (great start, no change here)
Telepathic (your race theme, no change here)
ok, that's 12 points, assuming MOO2 version 1.31 or 1.40 version
The other 8 points, I would spend this way.
Aquatic (5 points) - adding a pop max modifier
Production +1 (3 points) - for more production
Aquatic also gives you more food. Fewer farmers needed means another worker or scientist.
For the penalties:
Repulsive (great choice, no change here)
Try these two instead of -50 pop growth.
-20 Ground Combat
-20 Ship Defense
Your race will grow its population at the normal rate, and you could reword the intro you wrote to say, "They are weaker in ground combat, because, they focused on their mental abilities" or something clever like that.
Remember, Telepathic races have to build Cruiser or larger ships to be able to mind control planets, where others can build fleets of destroyers. So, you will benefit from the increased production that a simple Prod+1 can grant. It effectively makes every Poor planet an Abundant, every Ultra Poor, a Poor, and the higher ones, better at building ships faster.
Try it.
Let us know what you think.