Dr. Jessica A. Hobson
Petaluma,CA
Summary
Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over thirty years of clinical and academic experience, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Currently serving as Clinical Director at Family Guidance and Therapy Center and Lecturer at Sonoma State University. Expertise includes neurodiversity-affirming care, trauma-informed approaches, and comprehensive support for neurodiverse clients and families. Proven track record in publishing research on ASD and providing diagnostic assessments, therapy services, and supervision.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Director
Family Guidance and Therapy Center (FGTC)
Petaluma, California
04.2019 - Current
- I provide psychotherapy and advanced treatment interventions using specialized modalities including Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, sand tray therapy, play therapy, and neurodivergent-affirming care.
- I conduct comprehensive diagnostic and psychoeducational evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, learning differences, and complex co-occurring presentations.
- I also provide behavioral services including parent training and supervision of direct care staff for Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services.
- I provide individual and group supervision to Registered Psychological Associates, Registered Psychological Testing Technicians, and Doctoral Practicum Students in accordance with California Board of Psychology regulations.
- My supervisory responsibilities extend across both the Petaluma and San Diego locations, including oversight of the psychological assessment team. I currently supervise and mentor students from Sonoma State University, Meridian University, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and Walden University.
- Administratively, I manage the day-to-day functioning of the Petaluma clinic. I monitor staff billing and documentation practices, promote effective communication with families and appropriate follow-up, assist with coordinating staff coverage and scheduling, and collaborate with the CEO on business development decisions, including staff performance, rate structures, advertising, insurance, performance reviews, and client–staff assignments.
Lecturer
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California
08.2013 - Current
- With over 25 years of experience teaching college students and more than a decade at Sonoma State University, my courses span several departments and reflect a commitment to comprehensive education in developmental psychology, mental health, and therapeutic practices.
- In Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2024), I taught COUN 502: Whole Lifespan Development (Child & Adolescent Development).
- In Psychology (2013–present), I teach Child Development (PSY 410), Lifespan Development (PSY 302), Behavioral and Emotional Disorders of Childhood (PSY 411), Social and Emotional Development (PSY 409), Psychology of Play (PSY 490), Autism: Theory and Interventions (PSY 490), and Psychology of Self-Discovery (PSY 270).
- In Philosophy (2016–2022), I taught the Freshman Learning Course PHIL 160A/B: Heart of Wisdom – Compassion and the Good Life.
- In Early Childhood Education (2014–2017), I taught Families and Children in Diverse Societies (EDEC 270), Child Development in the Family, School, and Community (EDEC 420), Play Therapy and Special Needs (EDEC 490), and Infant and Toddler Mental Health (EDEC 490).
- In the Hutchins Program (2025), I taught LIBS 330: The Child in Question.
- I actively involve students in service learning and research, emphasizing neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed approaches to prepare students to support diverse populations effectively.
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Patrick MacLeamy & Associates Psychological Assessment, Inc.
Petaluma, California
04.2016 - 04.2024
- As an independent contractor, I specialized in providing comprehensive diagnostic assessments for clients on the autism spectrum.
- Utilizing gold-standard autism evaluation tools, including the ADOS-2 (for which I have been a certified trainer since 2005), I conducted thorough evaluations to ensure accurate diagnoses.
- My work involved detailed assessment of social, communicative, and behavioral characteristics and delivery of precise, insightful diagnoses that informed tailored intervention strategies for individuals and families.
Research Fellow → Senior Research Fellow → Senior Research Associate
University College London, Institute of Child Health
London, United Kingdom
11.2002 - 07.2015
- As Senior Research Fellow (2006–2013) and later Senior Research Associate (2013–2015), I led and sustained a long-term research program in autism and social cognitive development, including the administration of the ADOS-2 alongside standardized and novel assessments of play, social engagement, imitation, and parent–child interaction in participants with and without autism.
- My responsibilities included designing and conducting studies, preparing grant applications, and securing significant funding to support ongoing research initiatives.
- I supervised a diverse team of research assistants and students (undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral), maintained active publication pipelines, and presented at international conferences.
- Over this period, I secured grant funding totaling over $500,000 to support innovative research on autism and social cognitive development.
- Upon transitioning to Sonoma State University, I continued to collaborate with UCL colleagues on data collection, publication of findings, and supervision to ensure continuity and progress in our studies.
Clinical Psychologist /Psychology Lecturer
Tavistock Clinic
London, United Kingdom
07.2009 - 07.2013
- As a Lecturer, I delivered course lectures in Research Design and Methods and in Child, Community, and Educational Psychology; instructed the Research Methods course for master’s-level clinical students; and supervised several research projects.
- As a Clinical Psychologist, I developed evaluation and therapy services for clients on the autism spectrum, integrating assessment and tailored interventions.
Postdoctoral Clinical Associate in Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana, LLC
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
01.2001 - 01.2002
- During my postdoctoral training under Darlyne G. Nemeth (Certified Pediatric Neuropsychologist), I provided treatment for neurodiverse clients and conducted neuropsychological assessments, focusing on cognitive functions, diagnosis, and individualized treatment planning for autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
- I co-authored the poster 'Cognitive Profile Comparisons Between Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders' presented at the 26th Mid-Year Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society in Berlin (July 2003), and delivered a Grand Rounds presentation, 'Motor Planning and Autism Spectrum Disorders,' at the 22nd Annual National Academy of Neuroscience Conference in Miami (October 2002).
Clinical Psychology Internship, APA-Accredited
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry — Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
01.2000 - 01.2001
- My internship rotations included longitudinal outpatient psychotherapy, disruptive behavior disorders, autism research program, Center for Children and Families, psychiatric emergency and intake service, John Merck developmental disabilities program, child and adolescent inpatient units, women’s intensive outpatient program, Mayview State Hospital, the Infancy and Early Childhood Program, and Theiss Health Center.
- In collaboration with Nancy Minshew, I contributed to influential publications in autism spectrum disorders and cognitive neuroscience, including pieces in the Handbook of Neuropsychology (2003), Patient-Based Approaches to Cognitive Neuroscience (2nd ed., 2006), Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities (2002), Assessment for Effective Intervention (2002), and Neuropsychology (2002).
Education
Ph.D. - Child Clinical Psychology
University of Miami
01.2001
M.S. - Child Clinical Psychology
University of Miami
01.1998
B.A. - Psychology & Philosophy
Florida Atlantic University
01.1995
Skills
- Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Behavioral intervention techniques
- Psychological supervision
- Neurodivergent-affirming care
- Clinical training development
- Staff management
- Leadership skills
- Treatment service implementation
- Practice development
- Clinical leadership
- Clinical supervision
Affiliations
- International Society for Autism Research
- British Psychological Society
- Society for Research in Child Development
- Association for Child Psychology and Psychiatry
- Health and Care Professions Council (UK)
Certification
- California Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY 28015: California Board Of Psychology Issued Jan 2016
- British Psychological Society — Statement of Equivalence in Clinical Psychology, Apr 2009 - Apr 2012 Clinical Rotations: Adult Specialist Learning Disability Services St Peter’s House, St Albans; Community Mental Health Team for Older People, Goodmayes Hospital
- Chartered Psychologist The British Psychological Society Credential ID 237119
- Registered Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical Psychologist) Health Professions Council, United Kingdom Credential ID PYL28231
- RDI Consultant, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Consultant 2002 - Present: As an RDI Consultant, I specialize in Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) to support individuals with autism spectrum disorders in enhancing social-emotional skills and building strong family relationships. I develop customized intervention plans that focus on fostering meaningful connections, provide training for families to implement effective strategies, and track progress to ensure positive developmental outcomes. My work is dedicated to promoting emotional growth and relational development through evidence-based practices.
- Certified ADOS-2 Trainer, Jun 2005 – Present: Autism and Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS / ADOS-2) Course organizer and co-trainer on trainings at several sites including Tavistock Clinic; Institute of Child Health, UCL; Guy’s Hospital; Institute of Psychiatry (IoP), London; and University of California, San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- EMDR Therapy, Basic Training, 2022
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, Level 1 Training, in progress
- Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies & Research, CIIS, 2024-2025
Publications
- Guided Participation and Parental Tutoring in Preschool Children with Autism: A Pilot Study of Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Psychoanalytic Inquiry · Feb 22, 2022
- Collaborative competence in dialogue: Pragmatic language impairment as a window onto the psychopathology of autism Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders · Jan 1, 2017
- The Relationship Development Assessment - Research Version: Preliminary validation of a clinical tool and coding schemes to measure parent-child interaction in autism Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry · Apr 1, 2015
- Symbolizing as interpersonally grounded shifts in meaning: Social play in children with and without autism Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · Mar 1, 2015
- The Relation Between Severity of Autism and Caregiver-Child Interaction: A Study in the Context of Relationship Development Intervention Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology · Feb 1, 2015
- Dialogic resonance in autism Cognitive Linguistics · May 1, 2014
- Autism severity and qualities of parent-child relations Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · Jul 2, 2013
- The relation between social engagement and pretend play in autism British Journal of Developmental Psychology · Jun 1, 2013
- Personal pronouns and communicative engagement in autism Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · Sep 1, 2010
- Qualities of symbolic play among children with autism: A social developmental perspective Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · Dec 1, 2009
- Anticipatory concern: A study in autism Developmental Science · Nov 1, 2009 Nov 1, 2009
+ Fourteen publications across autism, social engagement, pretend play, and developmental psychopathology (2001–2009)
Awards
- School of Social Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (Sonoma State University)
- Commendations in all content areas on Doctoral Qualifying Examinations (University of Miami)
- Caring Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service (Florida Atlantic University)
- Susan T. Dewar Memorial Award for Distinguished Psychology Student (Florida Atlantic University)
Conference Posters
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to present a total of 37 posters at various prestigious conferences, spanning from 1994 to 2019. My poster presentations have been a significant platform for disseminating my research on autism spectrum disorders, highlighting key insights into social engagement, parental tutoring strategies, emotional regulation, pretend play, caregiver-child interaction, and collaborative competence among children with autism. Notable appearances include the International Meeting for Autism Research in locations such as Montreal, Canada; San Francisco, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Chicago, IL; and San Diego, CA, between May 2002 and May 2019. Additionally, I have contributed to the Society for Research in Child Development conferences in Albuquerque, NM; Tampa, FL; Denver, CO; Boston, MA; and Minneapolis, MN, where I presented on topics such as joint attention, symbolic play, social gaze, and the guided participation relationship in children with autism. My work has also been presented at the International Congress of Autism in Lisbon, Portugal, and the Language, Culture, & Mind Conference in Portsmouth, UK, where I discussed self-other orientation and communication challenges in autism. Other key presentations include the International Neuropsychological Society's mid-year meeting in Berlin, Germany, and the biennial meeting of the International Conference on Infant Studies in Atlanta, GA, where I focused on infant social skills and their development.
Conference Presentations
Over my career, I've delivered > 25 oral presentations at national and international conferences from 1994 to 2019. These presentations focused on interpersonal engagement, joint attention, emotional regulation, pretend play, and caregiver-child interactions. Notable presentations include the Annual Conference on Relationship Development Intervention in Houston, TX (Mar 2017, Oct 2011). At the University of Copenhagen, Denmark (Jun 2015, Nov 2014, Dec 2010), I discussed the interpersonal nature and treatment of autism. I co-authored two keynote addresses at the International Congress on Autism in Monterrey, Mexico (Nov 2010) and at the Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London, UK (Jul 2008). I also presented at the Love and Autism: A Conference with Heart at San Diego State University (Aug 2014) on affective contact in autism, and at the Sonoma County Early Learners Conference at Sonoma State University (Mar 2015) on pretending and playing in children with autism. At the Brocher Foundation Workshop on the Neuroethics of Caring in Geneva (Nov 2012), I explored caring in autism. The Speech and Language Therapy Autism SIG Conference in London (Jul 2012) featured my talk on parent-child interaction. At the Autism Working Group Meeting at Stanford University (May 2012), I discussed pretend play among children with autism. I also presented at the LISO Conference at UC Santa Barbara (Mar 2012) on pointing and personal pronouns in autism. Other significant presentations include the International Conference on Infant Studies in Kyoto, Japan (Jun 2006), the British Psychological Society Conferences in Oxford and Leeds, UK (Sep 2004), the European Science Foundation Conferences in Leipzig, Germany, and Alghero, Sardinia (Jun 2005, Sep 2009), the Jean Piaget Society Annual Meetings in Vancouver, Canada, and Amsterdam, Netherlands (Jun 2005, Jun 2007), and the International Neuropsychological Society Mid-Year Meeting in Berlin, Germany (Jul 2003).
Guest Lectures and Workshops
I have delivered numerous guest lectures and workshops on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related topics at prestigious institutions and organizations worldwide. These include Sonoma State University, Tavistock Clinic, University of Surrey Roehampton, University of Lancaster, Louisiana State University, and University of Miami. My presentations have covered a range of topics such as ASD diagnosis, assessment, and intervention, including "All About Autism" and "Girls on the Spectrum Conference" in Marin County. Notably, I have co-instructed workshops on "Compassionate Leadership" and "Self-Compassion for Parents of Children with Autism" at Sonoma State University and Child Parent Institute, respectively.
Timeline
Clinical Director
Family Guidance and Therapy Center (FGTC)
04.2019 - Current
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Patrick MacLeamy & Associates Psychological Assessment, Inc.
04.2016 - 04.2024
Lecturer
Sonoma State University
08.2013 - Current
Clinical Psychologist /Psychology Lecturer
Tavistock Clinic
07.2009 - 07.2013
Research Fellow → Senior Research Fellow → Senior Research Associate
University College London, Institute of Child Health
11.2002 - 07.2015
Postdoctoral Clinical Associate in Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology Center of Louisiana, LLC
01.2001 - 01.2002
Clinical Psychology Internship, APA-Accredited
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry — Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic
01.2000 - 01.2001
Ph.D. - Child Clinical Psychology
University of Miami
M.S. - Child Clinical Psychology
University of Miami
B.A. - Psychology & Philosophy
Florida Atlantic University
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