Patrick Lockwood

Dr. Lockwood is deeply passionate about supporting patients through the challenges of self understanding, helping them feel more understand with compassion and clinical precision. He has also has a history of supporting LGBTQ+ individuals on their personal journeys,  ensuring consultation and assessment that is both inclusive and affirming. With a strong background in health psychology, Dr. Lockwood also supports patients managing chronic pain, sleep disorders, and major life transitions. His clinical approach blends warmth, transparency, and problem-solving, empowering patients to navigate both everyday stressors and significant mental health challenges. Dr. Lockwood serves patients throughout California with a focus on creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space for growth and healing.Outside of his clinical work, Dr. Lockwood finds joy in reading, teaching, and learning new skills. He enjoys working out daily, fixing cars, and spending time with his two beloved cats, Max and Willow.

My motivation for working with people who happen to be on the autism spectrum, or part of the broader "neurodivergent" crowd, is twofold. First, from a personal perspective, it has been sometimes confusing, sometimes challenging, and ultimately reliving to understand my own journey as a person in this crowd. We all struggle to some degree to "fit in" and find our tribe in life. That's normal. Also, some of us in this crowd find ourselves comparatively unique in the type/intensity of social struggles we face on this journey to belong and relate. This has been my story. Second, from a professional perspective, the field of clinical psychology has been struggling with adequate assessment practices for neurodivergent persons. A lack of sophisticated understanding of the interplay of personality, culture, age, gender, sexuality, and, finally, potential neurodivergence, seems sorely lacking. I, therefore, look forward to providing nuanced, ethical, and clinically accurate assessment work.

People often cannot "see" their strengths. Some people grew up not feeling "seen" by their family and friends. Others have internalized norms of "otherness" that keep them feeling separate from the rest of society. I see it as my duty to help people feel "seen" and understood in all of my professional endeavors. In my clinical experience, and my experience as a professor, people are lacking in encouragement and affirmation. Your strengths exist. Maybe you can somewhat understand them, maybe you have a hidden strength. Maybe you have a difference, that, in the wrong environment or context, seems like a "deficit," BUT in the correct environment or context, can actually be a strength, and, in some cases, serve as a superpower. None of us are perfect, but all of us have strengths and add value to life. My goal is to help people see their unique value for the world.