About us

Dr. Sterling earned her undergraduate degree in Psychobiology from UCLA and her Masters degree and Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington (UW) Autism Center.At UW, Dr. Sterling obtained her own grant funding to conduct research on the physiology of social and emotional processing among autistic adults; while she was interviewing research participants, it became clear that the ‘coexisting’ symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) that are frequently associated with ASD were often the most distressing aspects of life for autistic individuals. It became her passion to support autistic adolescents and adults struggling with emotional symptoms.

Dr. Sterling went on to complete her predoctoral Clinical Internship in Developmental Disabilities at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, where she treated adults with developmental disabilities and children and adolescents with a range of psychiatric conditions. She continued her training at UCLA as a Postdoctoral Fellow, where she obtained grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and from the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment to study the physiology of anxiety and stress response in autistic youth. As part of her postdoctoral training, she also pursued specialized training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) targeting anxiety in autistic youth.

Following her training, Dr. Sterling served on the clinical faculty in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and as a Staff Psychologist at the UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic. She then became an Interim Assistant Professor and Director of the Autism Center at Claremont McKenna College before serving as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University Long Beach (CSULB) for three years. At CSULB, Dr. Sterling directed a research laboratory where she and her team investigated depression, anxiety, and factors related to quality of life, including romantic relationships, among autistic college students. She loved working in the university setting but left academia in 2018 so that she could serve the neurodiverse community more directly through clinical work.

Dr. Sterling has been conducting comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for youth and adults with suspected autism for over 20 years, and has extensive experience and expertise providing individual therapy for autistic individuals, especially those who are also experiencing anxiety, depression, or other co-occurring symptoms.

In addition to her published peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Sterling has co-authored a 10-week group intervention to support the development of romantic relationships and dating skills for autistic adults, has published a book on social skills for autistic teens, and has consulted with human resources and staff at large companies to provide education around neurodiversity in the workplace. She has delivered keynote addresses, conference presentations, continuing education and community talks on topics ranging from autistic adults in the workplace, coexisting psychiatric conditions among autistic teens and adults, females on the autism spectrum, twice exceptional students, the transition from adolescence to adulthood, dating and relationships among autistic adults, and neurodiversity. She has also appeared as a guest on podcasts discussing these topics.

Since transitioning from academia to full-time clinical work, Dr. Sterling has grown the practice to meet the need for teen and adult support in the community and founded the Sterling Institute for Autism in 2021.

When she is not working at SIA, Dr. Sterling is enjoying time with her husband and two children. She loves helping other parents who are working through the challenges of parenthood!

View VC

Dr. Peterson earned her doctoral degree in Clinical and Forensic Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Orange County. During her graduate studies, she worked as a behavioral therapist, providing one-on-one interventions to children on the autism spectrum and collaborating with families to foster social, behavioral, and communication skills. This hands-on experience deepened her understanding of the unique strengths and challenges of autistic children, which continues to inform her compassionate and individualized approach.

During her predoctoral training at Palomar Medical Center, Dr. Peterson worked with individuals navigating significant mental health challenges, providing evidence-based interventions to support their well-being and recovery. Her postdoctoral neuropsychology fellowship focused on developing expertise in assessing neurodevelopmental disorders and distinguishing these conditions from similar presentations, including trauma-related challenges, early indicators of psychosis, and mood-related concerns.

Dr. Peterson is particularly passionate about identifying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in girls and women, a population historically underdiagnosed in traditional assessments. By staying at the forefront of emerging research and advancements in diagnostic tools, she ensures her evaluations reflect the latest understanding of autism’s diverse presentations. Dr. Peterson’s tailored approach empowers individuals and their families with actionable insights and strategies to support meaningful growth and success.

Dr. Marshall currently provides clinical care across private practice and integrated healthcare systems, including hospital settings, where she delivers psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumafocused interventions. Her work emphasizes emotional regulation, coping skills, resilience-building, and strengthening family relationships—core components of effective care for autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Marshall has extensive experience collaborating with interdisciplinary medical teams and developing integrative treatment plans that support both emotional well-being and functional outcomes. She has designed and led group programs for stress management, trauma recovery, and adjustment to chronic conditions, and has partnered closely with families, schools, and medical providers to ensure coordinated, individualized care.

Dr. Marshall is also a national speaker, researcher, and consultant in innovative psychotherapy approaches, including visual and experiential interventions that help clients make meaning of their experiences and build practical tools for daily life. She is known for her warm, grounded therapeutic style and her ability to translate complex psychological concepts into clear, accessible strategies for children and families.

She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus on child studies from Antioch University, and is licensed in the state of California (PSY27889). At The Sterling Institute for Autism, Dr. Marshall is committed to providing thoughtful, developmentally attuned, and strengths-based care that supports neurodivergent individuals and their families in building skills, confidence, and connection.

She went on to complete her Adult Psychiatry Residency from Stanford Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Bahl then pursued specialty training in autism and related neurodevelopemtal disorders through her Child Psychiatry Fellowship at UCSF.

Throughout her career Dr. Bahl has been praised for her comprehensive, integrative, empathic approach incorporating therapy into medication management and evaluation. In her spare time, Dr. Bahl enjoys time with family and friends at the beach, going to museums, and playing with her two young kids.

She is a proud University of Washington alumna and received her MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Seattle. Throughout her career, she has specialized in autism and related conditions while working in a variety of settings, including academic and clinical centers, research programs, private and community health clinics, and in private practice.

Ms. Brock has been the Executive Director at University of California, Irvine’s Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders since 2014. Prior to this position, Ms. Brock served for 20 years as the Associate Director at the University of Washington’s prestigious Autism Center.She has a range of clinical experience, with training in cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy techniques. Ms. Brock has worked as a clinician at Cadence Child and Adolescent Therapy in Kirkland, WA in addition to maintaining a private practice in Washington for over 15 years. She is excited to have a similar practice serving neurodivergent youth and adults in Long Beach, CA.

Clinically, she has received training at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UCI Psychological Services Center, and Compass Behavioral Health, where she conducted assessments and provided evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents presenting with a range of mental health concerns. At the Sterling Institute for Autism, she is excited to provide developmentally-informed assessments grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming framework.