Jenna Lebersfeld, PhD

Hi! My name is Jenna, and I am a clinical psychologist who works primarily with neurodivergent children, teens, young adults, and families. I have a particular passion for working with autistic individuals, people with ADHD, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, and children who are nonverbal or minimally verbal. I also welcome queer and transgender youth, young adults, and families. I believe every person deserves to be understood and supported as they are, and I strive to create a space where clients can be themselves without needing to fit a particular mold.

I take a strongly neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach. My goal is not to make someone appear more “typical,” but to help them understand themselves, communicate their needs, build skills they find meaningful, and navigate challenges in ways that respect their autonomy and individuality. I especially enjoy working with children through play, creativity, humor, and their own interests. I also work with parents who are feeling overwhelmed by challenging behaviors or the unique demands of raising a neurodivergent child, using parent training and behavior-based strategies that emphasize understanding, connection, and communication.

I enjoy helping children and teens develop executive functioning and greater independence, including routines, organization, daily responsibilities, self-advocacy, and life skills. For older teens and young adults, I can help navigate the transition into adulthood, independence, relationships, work or school, and building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. I also have experience supporting individuals and families with more significant autism, behavioral, developmental, and cognitive challenges. My approach is individualized and may incorporate play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), family systems approaches, behavioral therapy, and parent training.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northwestern University and my PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I completed my doctoral internship at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida, and my post-doctoral residency at NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Illinois. My clinical training has focused extensively on children, adolescents, families, and neurodevelopmental differences.

Whether a child is finding their voice, a parent needs additional support, a teenager is figuring out who they are, or a young adult is working toward greater independence, my goal is to help clients feel understood, build on their strengths, and develop tools that make life work better for them.

Populations Served

• Individuals ages 5 to 30

• Neurodiverse children and their families

• Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders

• Individuals with complex medical conditions

Education

• PhD in Medical/Clinical Psychology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham