Autism Therapists in Palm Desert, CA

I have worked with people on the Autism Spectrum, foster children, and families.
Hey! My name is Patricia Gonzalez, please call me Patty, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. I am a client-centered therapist, who integrates different modalities to cater to my client’s needs. I have been trained in various modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Behavior Activation and Modification, and Solution Focused. When working with an individual I will collaborate with my client every step of the way as a team to find what works best and I am open to feedback.
I have worked with people on the Autism Spectrum, foster children, and families.
Hey! My name is Patricia Gonzalez, please call me Patty, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. I am a client-centered therapist, who integrates different modalities to cater to my client’s needs. I have been trained in various modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Behavior Activation and Modification, and Solution Focused. When working with an individual I will collaborate with my client every step of the way as a team to find what works best and I am open to feedback.

San Diego BrainWorks specializes in comprehensive evaluations, IEE (Independent Educational Evaluations) and differential diagnosis of specific learning disorders, ADHD, Autism, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health disorders, and genetic and medical disorders.
Dr. Savarese has worked in the field of clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and education for the past 17 years. She is the President of the San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA) and is involved in various community projects. San Diego BrainWorks works collaboratively with our clients and colleagues to provide the most thorough and useful evaluations.
San Diego BrainWorks specializes in comprehensive evaluations, IEE (Independent Educational Evaluations) and differential diagnosis of specific learning disorders, ADHD, Autism, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health disorders, and genetic and medical disorders.
Dr. Savarese has worked in the field of clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and education for the past 17 years. She is the President of the San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA) and is involved in various community projects. San Diego BrainWorks works collaboratively with our clients and colleagues to provide the most thorough and useful evaluations.

I obtained a Master Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. I have worked in recovery, as an MFT. I manage the Family processing group, Trauma in children groups, BED groups, Anxiety and depression individual and group settings. Individual and groups counselling: psychological or emotional problems; stress, substance abuse, or family situations, and developed and implemented therapeutic treatment plan: CBT Facilitator/Relapse Prevention/Process Groups/Co-Occurring.
I obtained a Master Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University. I have worked in recovery, as an MFT. I manage the Family processing group, Trauma in children groups, BED groups, Anxiety and depression individual and group settings. Individual and groups counselling: psychological or emotional problems; stress, substance abuse, or family situations, and developed and implemented therapeutic treatment plan: CBT Facilitator/Relapse Prevention/Process Groups/Co-Occurring.

Have you been feeling overwhelmed with anxiety? Or perhaps you've noticed your child or teen seems anxious, stressed, sad, or frustrated? Concerned that you or your child's behaviors or life events are interfering with relationships, academics, or self-esteem? Our team of therapists specialize in working with children, teens, adults, couples, and families; we know just how hard it can be to navigate the many stages of development while dealing with the demands of everyday life. But we also know that anxiety and stress don't have to rule your life! We're here to help you experience a life worth living.
Have you been feeling overwhelmed with anxiety? Or perhaps you've noticed your child or teen seems anxious, stressed, sad, or frustrated? Concerned that you or your child's behaviors or life events are interfering with relationships, academics, or self-esteem? Our team of therapists specialize in working with children, teens, adults, couples, and families; we know just how hard it can be to navigate the many stages of development while dealing with the demands of everyday life. But we also know that anxiety and stress don't have to rule your life! We're here to help you experience a life worth living.

Resilience Coaching and Counseling
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LCSW, ASW
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Have you been feeling stuck or limited? Do you believe that you will never feel loved or appreciated? Do you feel that no matter what you do the outcomes are always the same? Or no matter how hard you try you will never be good enough and fail? Well it is not a coincidence. We create negative beliefs and meanings (from our childhood) about ourselves to create these issues. Have you ever said to yourself over and over again "I'll never find love?" or "I'll probably fail" Well, they are not true, but you made it your reality through habitual ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Have you been feeling stuck or limited? Do you believe that you will never feel loved or appreciated? Do you feel that no matter what you do the outcomes are always the same? Or no matter how hard you try you will never be good enough and fail? Well it is not a coincidence. We create negative beliefs and meanings (from our childhood) about ourselves to create these issues. Have you ever said to yourself over and over again "I'll never find love?" or "I'll probably fail" Well, they are not true, but you made it your reality through habitual ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Do you feel overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and shame? Do you feel like you keep sabotaging all of your relationships? Wish you could feel more in control of your life? Porn addiction and other compulsive behaviors in adolescence and adulthood can turn lives upside down. Feeling anxious and alone can damage our relationships with ourselves and others.
Do you feel overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and shame? Do you feel like you keep sabotaging all of your relationships? Wish you could feel more in control of your life? Porn addiction and other compulsive behaviors in adolescence and adulthood can turn lives upside down. Feeling anxious and alone can damage our relationships with ourselves and others.

As a Licensed Educational Psychologist, and owner of El Paseo Testing Center, I work with children, teens, and adults and specialize in conducting psychological-educational evaluations. Benefits include implementation of 504 Plans (Public/Private Schools), IEP's, University testing accommodations, College Board entrance exams and most importantly understanding one's Learning Profile to be a successful independent learner. I'm an advocate for early intervention, calling it the key to success for an individual living with a learning or behavioral difference. We have a Comprehensive team of licensed Independent Educational Evaluators that conduct second opinion assessments for School Districts.
As a Licensed Educational Psychologist, and owner of El Paseo Testing Center, I work with children, teens, and adults and specialize in conducting psychological-educational evaluations. Benefits include implementation of 504 Plans (Public/Private Schools), IEP's, University testing accommodations, College Board entrance exams and most importantly understanding one's Learning Profile to be a successful independent learner. I'm an advocate for early intervention, calling it the key to success for an individual living with a learning or behavioral difference. We have a Comprehensive team of licensed Independent Educational Evaluators that conduct second opinion assessments for School Districts.

You can learn to take control of yourself, your family, and your life! Positive communication and interpersonal interactions can be yours! Having worked with children, teens, and families for over 30 years as a teacher, school counselor, or therapist, I am familiar with the challenges, frustrations, and unique demands of trying to managing school, work, and family life. I am absolutely passionate about providing a safe and comfortable place to help you achieve your goals.
You can learn to take control of yourself, your family, and your life! Positive communication and interpersonal interactions can be yours! Having worked with children, teens, and families for over 30 years as a teacher, school counselor, or therapist, I am familiar with the challenges, frustrations, and unique demands of trying to managing school, work, and family life. I am absolutely passionate about providing a safe and comfortable place to help you achieve your goals.

Throughout life, we question the challenges presented to us. We wonder why everything continues to compile and overwhelm us. That is where therapy comes in… By taking a variety of approaches, we can focus and organize the physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
Throughout life, we question the challenges presented to us. We wonder why everything continues to compile and overwhelm us. That is where therapy comes in… By taking a variety of approaches, we can focus and organize the physical, mental, and emotional challenges.

Feeling overwhelmed by special needs or life transitions? I’m here to help. I support individuals and families navigating challenges, offering tools to strengthen relationships and manage emotions. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or seeking personal growth, providing insight with clients of all ages, offering personalized strategies to manage emotions, improve communication, and achieve your goals. Whether you're seeking support for your child, yourself, or your family, I meet you where you are at. Together, we'll develop practical skills to overcome obstacles, boost confidence, and reach your potential.
Feeling overwhelmed by special needs or life transitions? I’m here to help. I support individuals and families navigating challenges, offering tools to strengthen relationships and manage emotions. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or seeking personal growth, providing insight with clients of all ages, offering personalized strategies to manage emotions, improve communication, and achieve your goals. Whether you're seeking support for your child, yourself, or your family, I meet you where you are at. Together, we'll develop practical skills to overcome obstacles, boost confidence, and reach your potential.

NOW Accepting IN-Person/Virtual Appointments. The decision to enter into therapy is very personal. My goal is to help you resolve obstacles in your life that are creating additional pain. I work with adults and adolescents in an individual and group counseling setting. This allows me to provide guidance for clients to resolve pain from difficult events and will come out with stronger coping strategies and self-care. We can't change our past experiences or current diagnostics, but we can work together to better understand and work with the challenges in your life.
NOW Accepting IN-Person/Virtual Appointments. The decision to enter into therapy is very personal. My goal is to help you resolve obstacles in your life that are creating additional pain. I work with adults and adolescents in an individual and group counseling setting. This allows me to provide guidance for clients to resolve pain from difficult events and will come out with stronger coping strategies and self-care. We can't change our past experiences or current diagnostics, but we can work together to better understand and work with the challenges in your life.

Struggling with intense emotions, mood shifts, or questioning your faith can leave you feeling unmoored and searching for solid ground. These experiences aren’t about weakness—they reflect the real complexity of living and growing. I’m motivated by the opportunity to walk alongside my clients with compassion and collaboration, and I continue to be inspired by the strength and courage it takes to lean into change. Watching people grow into their authentic selves is one of the most powerful parts of this work.
Struggling with intense emotions, mood shifts, or questioning your faith can leave you feeling unmoored and searching for solid ground. These experiences aren’t about weakness—they reflect the real complexity of living and growing. I’m motivated by the opportunity to walk alongside my clients with compassion and collaboration, and I continue to be inspired by the strength and courage it takes to lean into change. Watching people grow into their authentic selves is one of the most powerful parts of this work.

Living with anxiety, fear, worry, and depression can feel very discouraging, sometimes hopeless, and these feelings can grow to be so BIG that they inevitably impact our relationships, work, dreams and goals. If you're reading this today, you might be feeling sick and tired of being sick and tired; you might feel desperate, you may have hit rock bottom or perhaps you're just hoping, praying, to find relief and a chance at something better.
Living with anxiety, fear, worry, and depression can feel very discouraging, sometimes hopeless, and these feelings can grow to be so BIG that they inevitably impact our relationships, work, dreams and goals. If you're reading this today, you might be feeling sick and tired of being sick and tired; you might feel desperate, you may have hit rock bottom or perhaps you're just hoping, praying, to find relief and a chance at something better.

Change your mind and you change your life. You are important, powerful and valuable. You create your life. Hypnosis accesses the part of your mind that controls your emotions, behaviors and body. You are truly the master of your life. By working with the part of mind that brings your manifestations into fruition [it] makes everything in your world flow smoother, easier and simpler than you have ever imagined. Your mind is amazing; Isn't it time you utilized all aspects of it?
Change your mind and you change your life. You are important, powerful and valuable. You create your life. Hypnosis accesses the part of your mind that controls your emotions, behaviors and body. You are truly the master of your life. By working with the part of mind that brings your manifestations into fruition [it] makes everything in your world flow smoother, easier and simpler than you have ever imagined. Your mind is amazing; Isn't it time you utilized all aspects of it?

Whether you're struggling with consequences stemming from past trauma, chronic mental illness, grief/loss, hopelessness, anger, resentment or profound life changes; healing is possible. Therapy is the process of building insight and awareness into behaviors and thoughts that ultimately perpetuate the hurt and pain. My goal is to assist in you finding the best way to break this pattern, change old and ineffective ways of coping and building a better understanding of why we do what we do. We often are trying to make right or whole, something that was so broken, destroyed or distorted from our past.
Whether you're struggling with consequences stemming from past trauma, chronic mental illness, grief/loss, hopelessness, anger, resentment or profound life changes; healing is possible. Therapy is the process of building insight and awareness into behaviors and thoughts that ultimately perpetuate the hurt and pain. My goal is to assist in you finding the best way to break this pattern, change old and ineffective ways of coping and building a better understanding of why we do what we do. We often are trying to make right or whole, something that was so broken, destroyed or distorted from our past.

The journey of healing is a process where the client deserves to feel cared for in a safe environment. I have worked with a range of ages from children, teens to older adults. My experience has been with clients working through chronic symptoms of depression, self-harm, and psychiatric hospitalizations. I have been trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Seeking safety, motivational interviewing, and provide other therapy modalities. I feel privileged to work with my clients in helping them heal from their trauma and other challenges they might be experiencing.
The journey of healing is a process where the client deserves to feel cared for in a safe environment. I have worked with a range of ages from children, teens to older adults. My experience has been with clients working through chronic symptoms of depression, self-harm, and psychiatric hospitalizations. I have been trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Seeking safety, motivational interviewing, and provide other therapy modalities. I feel privileged to work with my clients in helping them heal from their trauma and other challenges they might be experiencing.

I have eighteen years of clinical expertise in the field of psychology. I have been a crisis clinician much of that time helping ease the pain in the most acute psychiatric situations. This also includes being a program director in a psychiatric facility. I am a loyal and supportive advocate in your journey to living a better life. We will work together to have a more fulfilling life and accomplishing the goals and positive future that you deserve.
I have eighteen years of clinical expertise in the field of psychology. I have been a crisis clinician much of that time helping ease the pain in the most acute psychiatric situations. This also includes being a program director in a psychiatric facility. I am a loyal and supportive advocate in your journey to living a better life. We will work together to have a more fulfilling life and accomplishing the goals and positive future that you deserve.

WELCOME! . FOR THE PAST 36 YEARS, I HAVE HELPED MANY PEOPLE AND I AM HERE TO HELP YOU. AT TIMES IN OUR LIVES, WE ALL NEED SOMEONE WE CAN TRUST , SOMEONE NEUTRAL, TO GUIDE US THROUGH SOME CHALLENGES AND ISSUES THAT WE ARE FACING. MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY HAS WELL PREPARED ME TO WORK WITH THE MANY SITUATIONS THAT I SEE DAILY. WITH A "POSITIVE PROBLEM SOLVING" APPROACH, I BELIEVE WE LEARN AND GROW THROUGH OUR CHALENGES. IF YOU ARE READY TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP , I AM HERE FOR YOU. PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE: WWW.PATRICIACRAINE.COM.
WELCOME! . FOR THE PAST 36 YEARS, I HAVE HELPED MANY PEOPLE AND I AM HERE TO HELP YOU. AT TIMES IN OUR LIVES, WE ALL NEED SOMEONE WE CAN TRUST , SOMEONE NEUTRAL, TO GUIDE US THROUGH SOME CHALLENGES AND ISSUES THAT WE ARE FACING. MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY HAS WELL PREPARED ME TO WORK WITH THE MANY SITUATIONS THAT I SEE DAILY. WITH A "POSITIVE PROBLEM SOLVING" APPROACH, I BELIEVE WE LEARN AND GROW THROUGH OUR CHALENGES. IF YOU ARE READY TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP , I AM HERE FOR YOU. PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE: WWW.PATRICIACRAINE.COM.
More Therapists Nearby

I have extensive experience working with adults with anxiety, autism, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Prior to beginning my clinical practice, I worked as a Special Education Counselor with a large South Carolina School District, where I helped children experiencing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and other mental health diagnoses to succeed in school.
I have extensive experience working with adults with anxiety, autism, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Prior to beginning my clinical practice, I worked as a Special Education Counselor with a large South Carolina School District, where I helped children experiencing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and other mental health diagnoses to succeed in school.

Do you wonder if they have autism, ADHD, or other challenges impacting their learning?
We provide assessments and consultation, identification and support for autism, ADHD, emotional and behavioral challenges, learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), speech and language, OT, PT, and transitions. We specialize in educational assessments and IEEs, and are known for our meticulous work and thorough reports.
Do you wonder if they have autism, ADHD, or other challenges impacting their learning?
We provide assessments and consultation, identification and support for autism, ADHD, emotional and behavioral challenges, learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), speech and language, OT, PT, and transitions. We specialize in educational assessments and IEEs, and are known for our meticulous work and thorough reports.
See more therapy options for Palm Desert
Nearby Autism Therapists Searches for Palm Desert
See More Autism TherapistsAutism Therapists
What is the most effective treatment for autism?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come to be considered the standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, and research has confirmed its effectiveness for many children. Therapists trained in ABA techniques work with children (and their parents) on developing social skills, communication and learning abilities, and everyday habits of hygiene and grooming. The clinician will tailor their program to the child’s particular need but the overarching goal will be to help them advance as far as possible toward independence based on their level of symptoms and decrease the need for additional special services. Families should seek a mental health professional specifically trained in ABA, and holding special certification in the technique, who has extensive experience not only with the approach but in using it with children with the same level of symptoms as the child who needs care.
How does ABA work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions, which typically focus on positive reinforcement, can be intensive, lasting two or more hours several times a week, and continuing for two years or more. Therapists can also be expected to ask parents to take an active role in reinforcing lessons. Research has found that the technique can lead to major improvements that decrease the need for additional special services.
How does treatment for autism work?
Therapy sessions based on Applied Behavior Analysis will likely be frequent, intensive, and highly structured. After a thorough assessment, a therapist will help a child understand and develop skills in a range of areas, including communication, motor skills, social skills, self-care, play, and academic skills, as well as routines of daily living like hygiene. Typically, the therapist will help a child break down the components of a behavior—often referred to as the antecedent (what prompts an action), the behavior, and the consequence(what immediately follows)—and then reward the child at every step, while also asking parents to reinforce the lessons, and the rewards, throughout the day. This core therapy may be supplemented by occupational or speech therapy, and antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed to address specific severe symptoms.
How long does therapy for autism take?
Some people with autism spectrum disorder may be engaged in some level of therapy for many years, but research shows that treatment will be most effective if it is begun early and delivered intensively. When therapy begins by age 3, children tend to be better able to grasp and adopt the skills needed to manage everyday life, including attending school and establishing social relationships. This type of early-intervention treatment regimen is highly structured, typically involving 20 to 40 hours of one-on-one therapy per week, along with additional hours of engagement managed by parents, for a period of two years or more, although the duration of treatment is dependent on the child’s level of symptoms and pace of progress.