About Me

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over thirty years of clinical and academic experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As the Clinical Director of the Family Guidance and Therapy Center in Petaluma since 2019 and a Lecturer in the Psychology Department at Sonoma State University since 2013, I am deeply committed to neurodiversity-affirming approaches in my work. Before my current roles, I served as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, from 2002 to 2013. I earned my Ph.D. in child clinical psychology from the University of Miami (1996 – 2001), completed my predoctoral internship at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (2000 – 2001), and my postdoctoral clinical training at the Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana (2001 – 2002). Throughout my career, I have published numerous academic papers on diverse topics in ASD, including attachment, joint attention, symbolic play, parent-child interaction, comorbid psychiatric symptoms, sensory processing differences, social anxiety, and neurocognitive profiles. My specialization lies in providing comprehensive support to neurodiverse clients and their families. I offer supervision, diagnostic assessments, consultation, and therapy services that address a wide range of neurodiverse presentations, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sensory processing disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, pathological demand avoidance, autism spectrum disorder, complex trauma, giftedness, and twice-exceptionality. In my practice, I emphasize neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed approaches to care. I integrate polyvagal-informed therapy, mindfulness, mindful self-compassion, non-violent communication, and collaborative and proactive solutions into my work with clients. I am also informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which enhances my ability to support clients in understanding and harmonizing their internal experiences. With specialized training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), I provide tailored therapeutic modalities such as Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Animal-Assisted Play Therapy, and Sand Tray therapy to meet individual needs. Additionally, I am an RDI® Certified Consultant and an EMDR Parent-Child Attachment Specialist, ensuring that my therapeutic approaches are both compassionate and effective for neurodiverse clients and their families.