Meet the Team
The Neurodevelopmental Collective offers comprehensive, collaborative, and affirming evaluations and care for families. Founded by Dr. Jessica Snowden Patel, our practice focuses on personalized guidance and support to help individuals thrive. We're growing towards an integrated model of care and invite professionals to join our vision.
Dr. Jessica Snowden Patel, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist • Mom of Four • Child Advocate • Roller Derby Retiree
I didn’t always know I’d become a psychologist. In fact, I was convinced I’d be a lawyer—until I watched Cape Fear at age 10, was absolutely terrified, and immediately changed course. My fascination with the way people think and behave never left, though—and eventually, I found my way to psychology, law, and the spaces where they intersect. For a while, I even thought I wanted to be an FBI profiler (because honestly, who didn’t?). But after learning it required 10 years in the FBI and a willingness to carry a gun, I quickly realized I was more suited for clinical interviews than criminal interrogations.
Education & Training
While earning my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, I also pursued a Master of Jurisprudence in Child Law at Loyola University Chicago, driven by a passion for advocacy and the desire to support vulnerable kids. Along the way, I trained in forensic psychology, volunteered as a court-appointed special advocate, and taught undergraduate classes on psychology and child law. (Fun fact: I also worked at a medium-security men’s prison doing parenting training and anger management.)
Experience
My early career was shaped by my time in rural Illinois, where I was part of a dream team of speech and occupational therapists building a multidisciplinary clinic from the ground up. We became the go-to site for evaluations of all kinds—developmental, educational, trauma-informed, autism, FASD, and more. I was the only psychologist within 300 miles doing this work, and I trained dozens of providers in evaluation practices, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based treatment protocols. I even joined the Thompson Center's ECHO Autism initiative and collaborated across state lines to expand access to quality assessments.
We did it all with a small-town spirit and a lot of heart—and that experience gave me the kind of comprehensive, birth-through-young-adulthood lens I still use today. No matter how a family came into the system—whether through Early Start (early intervention), school-based referrals, or foster care—our team was often where they landed. I conducted Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), early childhood assessments, trauma-informed evaluations, and collaborated directly with schools, pediatricians, and social workers. Everything seemed to lead back to us, and I learned how to flexibly adapt to the unique needs of each child and family. That depth and breadth of experience is exactly why I now feel so comfortable with a wide range of referral questions, from the most straightforward to the most complex.
In 2019, my family and I moved to the Bay Area when I joined the team at Stanford’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, working in a medical setting with pediatricians and psychologists. I continued to train residents, fellows, and early-career clinicians, while also recognizing how much families appreciated having one trusted guide through the evaluation process. That inspired me to begin offering private evaluations again, and I quickly realized how much I missed the opportunity to build strong relationships with families and support them from start to finish.
With over 20 years of experience, I now run The Neurodevelopmental Collective, a neurodiversity-affirming practice built on collaboration, clarity, and compassion. Evaluations with me are personal, comprehensive, and always focused on what’s best for your child, not just a diagnostic checklist. In addition, I consult with other providers and offer mentorship and teaching for professionals who want to grow in this important work.
A Few Fun Facts
Because yes, I’m a psychologist—but also a human who once skated under the name Patella Crusher.
I co-founded a roller derby team and was its first president. (You're welcome, Quincy, IL.)
I had music and theater scholarships in college, and I studied improv at Second City in Chicago during grad school.
I used to do stage managing and design for theater productions.
I started out as a preschool teacher during my college summer breaks, wrangling 10 toddlers at once for $5.67/hour—and weirdly, I loved it.
I have four kids (ages 4–12) and live the neurodivergent parenting life up close, every day.
I homeschooled my kids for a year and also did hybrid schooling during our time in rural Illinois.
I unwind by exploring new corners of California with my family and binge-watching crime thrillers and horror movies when the kids are asleep.
We spent nearly 10 years gut rehabbing a 5,000 sq ft Victorian from 1886 in rural Illinois—5 bedrooms, 5 baths, and more character than drywall. We finished just in time to move to the Bay Area, where we now live in one-fifth the space at five times the cost—but we love it.
Media Mentions
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Listen to Dr. Patel talk about Autism on Scrambled: The Children’s Mental Health Podcast
Kathryn Douglas, MSE, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor • Educator • Advocate for Neurodiversity
I didn’t always know I’d become a counselor. In fact, if you’d asked me in grade school, middle school, or even high school whether I liked school, my answer would have been a definite “no.” Ironically, school is the thread I’ve returned to again and again—first as a student, then as an educator, and now as a counselor and advocate.
After high school, I took a break from academics and went to work full-time at a local wheel and tire factory in accounting. It didn’t take long for me to realize I wanted something more. I started classes part-time while working full-time, and eventually shifted to full-time studies. Along the way, I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling from Quincy University.
Education & Training
I’ve always valued learning as a way to expand both my skills and perspective. After completing my master’s, I earned a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2019. But through experience, I realized ABA wasn’t the right fit for me—or for the clients I serve. Since then, I’ve shifted toward neuro-affirming approaches that prioritize respect, autonomy, and collaborative care.
Teaching has also been a big part of my path. Since 2012, I’ve taught Psychology and Sociology as an adjunct instructor, which inspired me to pursue additional graduate work in both Sociology and Forensic Psychology. Education remains a passion of mine, not only in the classroom but also in the way I support clients and families.
Experience
My career has taken me through many different corners of mental health. I’ve supported adults with chronic mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and I’ve worked with children and adolescents in inpatient psychiatric settings. In these roles, I collaborated closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, and interdisciplinary teams, always leaning toward individualized and creative approaches.
Those experiences taught me an important truth: healing can’t stop at crisis stabilization. Long-term growth and support matter deeply, and that’s where I wanted to focus my energy.
My most recent area of specialization is supporting individuals with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) profile. I’ve pursued specialized workshops, training, and certification in the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, and I continue to deepen my knowledge and practice in this area.
A Few Fun Facts
Because yes, I’m a counselor—but also a person who loves the quirks of everyday life:
I’m married with three kids, and much of my free time is spent cheering on volleyball, building modular Lego sets, or sneaking in a nap.
In high school, I wrote a persuasive essay to convince my parents to buy me a Honda Del Sol. They said no… but two years later, I bought one myself. Years afterward, I found that old essay and realized my teenage self would have been very proud.
Sam Kiyasu
Administrative Assistant
I was born and raised in San Carlos and am excited to return after 4 years at UC Davis. I graduated in June 2025 with degrees in Psychology and Sociology. I am hoping to eventually obtain my license in Clinical Social Work and practice therapy. In the meantime, I am thrilled to join the Neurodevelopmental Collective as an Administrative Assistant. In my free time I love to travel, read mystery books, play boardgames, and cook.