Inspiring Conversations with Jade Starleaf, PsyD of Starleaf Psychological Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Starleaf, PsyD.

Hi Jade, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My path into clinical psychology wasn’t traditional—it was born out of a life lived fully and sometimes boldly. Before I ever sat with clients in a therapy room, I was on stage as the lead singer in a touring rock band. I had moved to Los Angeles at just 15 years old to pursue music, and in those years I had the wild and unforgettable experience of performing across the country—even opening for Bon Jovi at the Staples Center.

While music was my first great love, it was not the end of my story. To put myself through undergrad, I began working as a nanny for an amazing family with two children—one who was gifted and another who had some behavioral challenges. I often accompanied them to therapy sessions, and it was there that I saw the power of clinical intervention up close. Watching how therapy helped the family better connect and understand one another was transformative. So much so that I shifted my major from entertainment law to psychology, knowing that this was where I could make a real difference.

While on a family medicine rotation with a developmental psychologist in graduate school, I did a rotation where I worked closely with the neurodivergent community and was introduced to autism assessment I immediately fell in love with the kids and their unique ways of seeing and experiencing the world. They drew me in and deepened my commitment to working with neurodivergent populations. Ironically, life later came full circle when I became a parent to my own neurodivergent child. That experience has given me a profoundly personal perspective and a deeper connection to my work. Now, when I walk alongside families navigating their own journeys, I do so not just as a clinician, but as a parent who understands the challenges, fears, and joys from the inside out.

Those early and evolving experiences—from touring stages to nannying, from graduate training to parenthood—have ignited my advocacy and shaped the compassion I bring to my work. I know what it means to carve an unconventional path, to face uncertainty, and to hold on to your voice when it feels difficult. That understanding continues to fuel the heart of my practice: the belief that healing and growth are born through connection and understanding.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth—but I think that’s what gives it meaning. Leaving home at fifteen to pursue music meant I had to grow up quickly. I was living independently, navigating an unpredictable industry, and learning to keep moving forward despite rejection, uncertainty, and the pressure to “make it.” Those years taught me resilience and self-reliance, but they were not easy.

Later, when I shifted toward psychology, there were challenges of a different kind. Putting myself through school while working as a nanny required grit and sacrifice. Graduate school was demanding, and like many clinicians-in-training, I had to face my own self-doubt while learning how to hold space for others. It’s humbling to sit with people in their struggles, and it took time and mentorship for me to grow into the clinician I am today.

On a personal level, becoming a parent to a neurodivergent child has been one of the greatest joys but has also challenged me to balance my professional expertise with the raw, emotional side of being “just mom.” It has given me a deeper empathy for the families I serve—but it has also required me to practice the same patience, flexibility, and compassion I encourage in others.

The road hasn’t been smooth, but I wouldn’t trade it. Every twist, setback, and challenge has shaped my ability to connect with others and given me the perspective that healing is not linear. Struggle and growth often walk hand in hand—and that truth is at the heart of how I work with my clients.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Starleaf Psychological Services was born from a vision of creating a space where neurodivergent people feel truly seen, heard, and supported.

Starleaf Psychological Services is a practice dedicated to helping children, adolescents, and young adults better understand themselves and thrive. We specialize in comprehensive psychological assessment and treatment for autism, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and mood concerns.

What sets us apart is the way we combine science with compassion. Our evaluations don’t just diagnose—they tell a person’s story, highlighting both strengths and challenges while providing families with practical tools and a clear roadmap forward.

I’m most proud of the culture we’ve built: warm, authentic, and grounded in trust. When families come to us, they aren’t just receiving a service—they’re stepping into a partnership where there is an opportunity for community, and support. A place where their voices are honored, their struggles validated, and their potential recognized.

At its heart, Starleaf Psychological Services stands for connection, compassion, and clarity. Our mission is simple: to provide understanding and hope that can truly change lives.

What matters most to you?
I’m especially passionate about reaching the kids who are often overlooked—the ones who fall through the cracks because their struggles are misunderstood or their strengths are hidden beneath layers of frustration, anxiety, or self-doubt. Many of these young people are simply trying to make sense of who they are in a world that doesn’t always understand them, and their families are often doing the best they can with limited guidance.

Helping those children and families find clarity, compassion, and a shared language of understanding is what drives me. I’ve seen how life-changing it can be when a child finally feels seen, or when a parent realizes their child isn’t “broken”—they just experience the world differently.

My mission is to help these children and families find understanding—through accurate assessment, compassionate guidance, and systems that finally work for them instead of against them. That means advocating for appropriate accommodations in schools, workplaces, and clinical settings so that individuals can access the support they need to thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://starleafpsych.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starleafpsychservices/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarleafPsych
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-starleaf-psyd-67249242
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StarleafPsych
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/starleaf-psychological-services-pasadena
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jade-starleaf-pasadena-ca/900584

Image Credits
Domain Photography LA