Autism Therapists in Berkeley, CA

My aim is to accompany you in discovering your unique pathway to change or healing. We will identify the thoughts, beliefs, emotions and behavior patterns you wish to change, and those particular aspects of yourself that keep you feeling stuck or distressed. Working experientially, we will pay close attention to your moment to moment emotional, physical, and relational experience. Together we will not only address your problems but also deepen your awareness and experience of your strengths and capacities, both to help you face your life challenges and to feel more whole and fulfilled.

Hello! I am a psychotherapist in the Bay Area, California, who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and adults. My style of therapy is relational, strength based, evidence based, and integrative. I am warm, authentic, humorous (we have to have humor in the hard times!) and direct. The therapeutic relationship between my clients and me is of the utmost importance. I see it as a collaborative, personal, and ever evolving one.

BAPTA is the only practice in the Bay Area dedicated exclusively to providing psychological and neuropsychological assessment. We offer a free initial consultation. BAPTA's psychologists work with a wide variety of clients, including children, adults and elders. Through the administration of state of the art psychological and neuropsychological tests we are able to evaluate for learning disabilities, information processing disorders, developmental disorders (such as Autism and Aspergers) and other types of cognitive dysfunction. Because psychodiagnostic testing is able to provide accurate diagnostics, it can assist treatment providers by offering recommendations for intervention that have a high likelihood of success.

Our group practice, Savera Psychological Services has a team of skilled and compassionate clinicians who offer psychotherapy, evaluations, and educational consulting. Our therapists offer a diverse range of specialties, ranging from sensory/play therapy for children, to individual and couples therapy in areas of depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, grief/loss, fertility/family building, life transitions, relationship challenges and school or work related pressures.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

I'm Dr. Dean Leav, licensed psychologist and qualified medical evaluator (QME). I've been featured on ABC, NBC, KCAL, and other programs as an expert psychologist. I provide Evaluation Services, including (and not limited to): diagnostics (ADHD, Autism, Learning Dis.), cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations, workers' compensation (QME/AME), immigration-related evaluations, pre-adoption psychological evaluations, parenting/bonding assessments, drug & alcohol evaluations, pre-employment evaluations, and legal/forensics/criminal evaluations. These evaluations may be used to meet eligibility for certain services or accommodations.

Therapy Lab offers ADHD and autism assessments and teletherapy based on your needs. Visit our website (therapylab.com) to explore a menu of treatment plans based on common goals for therapy. With your input, we'll make a plan that's based on your goals, your timeline, and your budget. Our science-based plans are designed to support you in overcoming distress (anxiety, relationship problems, work stress) so you walk away with emotional health and insight. At your first session, your exceptionally qualified therapist will get to know you and pick or design a plan that’s customized to your situation.

Are you wanting to feel better once and for all? Maybe you can't move on from the past or you're worried about your future. If anxiety, panic, or even depression is stealing your joy, I get it. If traditional talk therapy hasn't helped you feel better, it's time to try a new approach to heal at the source of your pain. For 12 years I have refined my approach through professional training and experience in Relational-gestalt therapy and Brainspotting (derived from EMDR) while centering social justice and trauma-informed care.

We all need to be seen & witnessed. Whatever it is that feels too hard—be it exploring identity, navigating attachment wounds, combating obsessional sequences, or processing the collective grief in the world—one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself is dedicated time just for you & your needs. I would be honored to walk with you on your path. For me, therapy is relational. The human on the other side of the room (or screen) should feel like precisely that: a human! Together, we will create a container in which you can authentically examine your relationships with others as well as the pivotal relationship to self.

Whether it's managing a short-term challenge or dealing with a chronic struggle, fear, worry, and feelings of shame can hold an outsized presence in our lives. I work with clients who experience overwhelming anxiety, anger, and depression to build more resilient, rewarding, and value-driven lives. My areas of practice include preteens and high school students, individuals with Borderline Personality and Bipolar Disorder, people on the autism spectrum, and mood disorders that impact anxiety, depression, and sleep.

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by life? Do you struggle with self-prioritization, work-life balance, or are questioning your gender identity or sexuality? Whether you are a teen or an adult, you’re not alone. Perhaps you need space to freely express yourself. If this resonates with you, we can work together to process what you have gone through while increasing your coping skills for life’s hardships. Therapy can be hard; it's a growing experience. However, it's not uncommon that I share quite a few laughs with my clients along the way. Therapy doesn't have to be scary!

Are you an adult who has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, or do you suspect you might have ADHD? Do you have a hard time regulating your emotions and often find yourself irritated or frustrated by the little things, or find yourself in awe by the simplest things? Are self-criticism and perfectionism getting in your way? Do you get bored or restless from doing the same thing day after day, week after week? Have you ever been referred to as sensitive or a "deep thinker"? I am currently focused on gifted adults who have recently been diagnosed with or suspect they may have ADHD (and/or autism and/or HSP/SPS), particularly 2e women.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have the ability to help children and families understand and navigate learning differences and disabilities. The special education/IEP process can be overwhelming, and I am happy to help guide you and your family to make the best decisions for your child. I truly believe every child can be successful, and it's so rewarding to help children reach their full potential. I work often with children with learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For all of its rewards, parenting is also incredibly challenging. Do you find yourself thinking . . . I dread putting her to bed every night because I know it will be a struggle. I can't go to the grocery store because he always has a meltdown at checkout. We'll never to able to go out to eat as a family. Why does he only eat yellow foods?! You're not alone. Many parents struggle with how to address their child's challenging behaviors. My goal is to teach you how to use behavioral strategies to turn chaos into calm.

You may be navigating identity issues, feeling stuck in one or more areas of your life, wanting to experience more connection in relationships, or seeking a time and space that is totally separate from the other parts of your life—where you can pause, think, and feel in the privacy of a therapy relationship. I'll attempt to engage you in a co-created process of inquiry about your subjective experience (what you are feeling and thinking). I approach psychotherapy collaboratively, meaning, we will do this together.

I offer neurodiversity-affirming, client-focused care to children, adolescents and adults. My clients tend to have several of these qualities: They are highly intelligent and verbal. They often feel like they don’t fit in, but may form fewer and deeper friendships. They throw themselves enthusiastically into the things they’re passionate about. They struggle to find appropriate outlets for intense emotions. They often have “geeky” hobbies. Many identify as neurodivergent, autistic, or a person with ADHD, with or without a diagnosis.

I often find myself working well with creative individuals, self described geeks, teenagers in turmoil and inquisitive children. My unique brand of therapy is based on authenticity, compassion and collaboration while guided by a direct and pragmatic approach. I like to encourage self-care, building on personal strengths, while helping my clients in exploring their relational patterns and the significance of their dreams, fantasies and interests.

I have worked in education for over 20 years. I obtained a Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development. I am also a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP#3002), Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D#1-11-9745), and a Diplomat from the American Board of School Neuropsychology (ABSNP#10246). In addition, I hold a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in the areas of: Counseling, Child Welfare and Attendance, and School Psychology. My areas of special training and expertise include school neuropsychological evaluations, functional behavioral assessments, and treatment planning for a range of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect learning and behavior.

Have you been strugging with Depression, Relationship issues, or Life Transitions? I can help you find a place of acceptance and healing through our relationship and our work together. I have been helping people change their lives for 25 years. I use an interactive, relational approach to help guide you toward a higher level of self-awareness, and improved self-esteem. I believe therapy works through exploring your relationships to others, and by developing our relationship and connection to each other. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for us to explore who you are and who you want to be.