Laurie Leventhal-Belfer PhD
|
Laurie Leventhal-Belfer, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in taking a developmental perspective in understanding children, adolescents, adults, and their families as they grapple with daily stresses, medical and mental health issues, challenges adapting to school, interacting with colleagues at work, and making friends.
Dr. Leventhal-Belfer, known as Dr. Laurie to many children and their parents, has a private practice in Palo Alto. She is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition, she is the founder and director of The Friends Program, a therapeutic group program for young children with high-functioning Autism/Asperger’s and their parents. Dr. Leventhal-Belfer has developed and taught many professional training courses and has written several books and articles in her areas of expertise.
|
I am the director of The Friends Program, a therapeutic group program for young children diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and related difficulties and their parents. The children must have been evaluated prior to starting the group. The program meets once a week, and includes a children’s and parents group that meets at the same time. Currently there is a group for children in:
- Preschool
- Kindergarten
- First or second grade
- Middle school (girls)
The childrens group focuses on the children’s
- Social communication
- Interactions
- Reciprocal/ symbolic play with peers
The parents spend time observing the children with an empathic professional
- Observing their child’s strengths and areas of difficulty
- Ways that they may intervene
- Receive support for their new role as advocate for their child’s special needs
Services
Therapy for children through young adult
Adult Therapy for those coping with life stresses such as divorce, parenting a child with special needs, loss, medical issues, or the challenges of having or living with a partner with Asperger’s Disorder.
Parent Consultations
Founder and Director of The Friends Program for Young Children on the Autism Spectrum/Asperger’s