My child is struggling in school, and I don't know why.
A careful look at barriers to learning, from ADHD or Autism to stress, bullying, or family strain.
Dr. Roberta Rubin, PhDClear answers, practical strategies, and a steady guide.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Alira's Director of Psychological Assessments, with more than 30 years of experience helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families with ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, and the challenges that get in the way of learning and connection.
- CA PSY 12748
- 30+ years of experience
- Telehealth
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing what's really going on.
Dr. Rubin helps families, individuals, and couples make sense of what they're facing, then turn that understanding into practical next steps.
The IEP process feels overwhelming.
Guidance from someone with deep knowledge of special education programs and the IEP process.
I've wondered for years whether it's ADHD or Autism.
Doctoral-level psychological assessment that brings clarity and practical recommendations.
Our neurodiverse relationship keeps hitting the same walls.
Support for both partners using Dr. Lucking's Island of Shared Meaning (ISM) model.
Solution-focused, trauma-informed care for children, teens, adults, couples, and families.
Solution-focused care, grounded in decades of experience.
Dr. Rubin brings more than 30 years of work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.
Dr. Rubin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who works with people of all ages who are living with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and Autism spectrum differences. She uses a solution-focused approach, and all of her work is done through a trauma-informed lens.
She has an extensive background supporting adolescents and parents of middle and high school students, and an expansive knowledge of special education programs and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process. As Alira's Director of Psychological Assessments, she leads our doctoral-level assessment team.
Dr. Rubin also works with neurodiverse couples alongside Dr. Thomas Lucking, using the Island of Shared Meaning (ISM) communication model he created to help partners bridge the neurodiverse gap.
Where Dr. Rubin focuses her work.
From school and parenting challenges to assessment and relationships, the work centers on clarity and practical change.
Parents, teens & academic performance
Dr. Rubin helps parents explore their child's barriers to learning and the stressors that may be affecting school performance. She often finds that bullying, strained family relationships, trauma, or other psychological issues interfere with a child's ability to learn, and she gives parents strategies to support learning and motivation.
She also helps parents look at their parenting style and whether it's helping their child, and guides families through special education and the IEP process.
Psychological assessments
As Director of Psychological Assessments, Dr. Rubin leads Alira's doctoral-level evaluations for ADHD, Autism, and related concerns, with clear diagnoses and practical recommendations.
Neurodiverse couples
Working alongside Dr. Lucking, Dr. Rubin supports neurotypical partners struggling with Ongoing Traumatic Relationship Syndrome (OTRS), and helps couples address conflict, relational wounds, betrayal, and infidelity on the foundation of ISM communication.
Anxiety, depression & ADHD
Support for adults and adolescents living with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or Autism.
Life transitions & trauma
Trauma-informed care for PTSD, life transitions, kinship care, women's issues, and LGBTQIA+ clients.
A practical, trauma-informed approach.
Dr. Rubin combines evidence-based methods with a focus on solutions you can use.
Understand what's in the way
Whether through conversation or formal assessment, the work starts by getting clear on what's really driving the struggle.
Build skills and strategies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT skills, and Motivational Interviewing turn insight into practical change.
Strengthen communication
For couples and families, ISM communication creates a shared foundation for understanding and repair.
A practical first step, without pressure.
Start with a free consultation with our care team. Mention Dr. Rubin by name, and we'll help you find the right next step, whether that's therapy, an assessment, or support for your child at school.
Request a free consultation- Title
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist; Director of Psychological Assessments
- License
- CA PSY 12748
- Format
- Telehealth (video)
- Clients
- Adults, adolescents, couples, and families, including parents navigating the school system to advocate for their child
- Modalities
- CBT, DBT skills, Motivational Interviewing, ISM communication; trauma-informed
- Practice areas
- ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, life transitions, relationship issues including affair recovery, kinship care, women's issues, LGBTQIA+
- Fees & insurance
- See our Fees & Insurance page, or ask our care team
Questions before you begin.
Starting therapy is personal. These are a few practical things you may want to know first.
Dr. Rubin works with adults, adolescents, couples, and families, including parents who want help navigating the school system or learning effective parenting strategies.
Yes. As Alira's Director of Psychological Assessments, Dr. Rubin leads our assessment team. Learn more about psychological assessments.
Yes. Dr. Rubin has extensive experience with special education programs and the IEP process, and helps parents understand and address their child's barriers to learning. See academic performance for teens.
Dr. Rubin currently sees clients by telehealth (video).
Book a free consultation through the Alira Family Therapy consultation calendar and mention Dr. Rubin by name.
This practice is not an emergency service. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and available 24/7. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
You can begin with questions.
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. A free consultation is a chance to ask questions and see whether working with Dr. Rubin is the right fit.