Dr. Jessica Hobson

Clinical Director of the Family Guidance and Therapy Center the Petaluma Office

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than thirty years of clinical and academic experience in autism and neurodevelopmental assessment. 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 and trauma-informed approaches to psychological assessment and therapy.

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 autism and related topics, including attachment, joint attention, symbolic play, parent-child interaction, co-occurring psychiatric conditions, sensory processing, social anxiety, and neurocognitive profiles.

My practice focuses on providing comprehensive psychological assessments, consultation, supervision, and therapy for neurodivergent children, adolescents, adults, and their families. I specialize in autism, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, trauma, sensory processing differences, giftedness, twice-exceptionality, and other complex developmental and mental health presentations. I believe that thoughtful assessment and therapy are complementary parts of helping individuals better understand themselves and move toward meaningful growth and healing.

I integrate neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed approaches throughout my work. I am an EMDR Certified Therapist and have completed Level 1 training in Internal Family Systems (IFS). My therapeutic approach also incorporates polyvagal-informed therapy, mindfulness, mindful self-compassion, Nonviolent Communication, and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions. With children, I integrate Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Animal-Assisted Play Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy. With adolescents and adults, I integrate EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support trauma recovery, emotional healing, and greater self-understanding. I am also an RDI® Certified Consultant and an EMDR Parent-Child Attachment Specialist.

View Dr. Hobson's CV.