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Claudia Cruz
About
Hi, I’m Claudia Cruz, PsyD, but I go by CJ. I’m a licensed clinical psychologist out of California. My clinical background includes working with eating disorders, anxiety, OCD, emotion dysregulation, and self-harm/suicidality in addition to autism assessment. Many of these difficulties can overlap with autism and neurodivergence. I approach assessment with warmth, curiosity, and an open mind. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself and can better understand how your brain works, why certain things may feel harder, and what support might actually be helpful.
I’m especially passionate about working with adults who are exploring autism later in life. Many people have spent years feeling like they are “different” without having the language to understand why. They may have learned to mask, push through, or adapt in ways that helped them get by but left them feeling exhausted or disconnected from themselves.
I believe an autism assessment can be about much more than getting a diagnosis. It can be an opportunity to connect the dots, make sense of experiences that may have felt confusing for years, and develop a more compassionate understanding of yourself. I love helping people leave the assessment feeling more seen, understood, and confident in what they need moving forward.
Autism is different for each individual and I don’t want clients to feel like they have to prove that they are autistic or fit a certain stereotype. I look at the whole person, including their developmental history, relationships, communication style, sensory experiences, strengths, challenges, and the ways they have learned to navigate the world.
My approach is collaborative, honest, and practical. I want clients to feel comfortable showing up as themselves rather than performing for an assessment. Whether the evaluation leads to an autism diagnosis or helps clarify something else, my goal is for the process to leave you with a better understanding of yourself and language for what you need.
