Bruce M. Gale, PhD | Clinical Psychologist | Assessment, Schools, LUNCH Groups Social Skills, Training, Technology Bruce M. Gale, PhD

On this website, you can learn about my clinical practice and work with schools conducting assessments and training; social skills programs; consultation services; and continuing education training opportunities for mental health and education professionals. You can also review my background and experience, and learn about current projects.

Questions? Feel free to send me a secure email, click here.

I have been in private clinical practice in California since 1988. I started practicing in Boston after completing my training at Boston Children's Hospital. At the time I was providing services to children with special needs while working in geriatrics (an interesting practice, to say the least!). I relocated to Los Angeles to accept a position at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. After maintaining a private practice for 15 years in the Cedars-Sinai area, I relocated to Encino (San Fernando Valley) right next door to Gelsons Market. I searched quite a bit before coming up with this location, which I custom-built to suit my practice needs. It is on the ground floor of a low-key courtyard-style building.

My primary specialties include the following areas: School-based IEEs (Independent Educational Evaluations) and related assessments; Social skills groups with students and adults who experience difficulties with friendships, conversations, shyness, attentional and impulse control problems, or problems with interfering anxiety; Limited individual treatment (see below for more details); Facility consultations; CE Seminars on diagnosis and assessment, positive behavioral treatment, and use of technology in clinical practice; Expert testimony in selected areas.

Service Descriptions

Assessment: I conduct mostly private and Independent Educational Assessments which involve psychoeducational testing and functional behavior assessment. I am certified as a Nonpublic Agency through the California Department of Education and have extensive knowledge and experience working with school districts, regional centers, and related agencies. Typically, I do not provide ongoing treatment at schools, but sometimes conduct trainings related to recommendations that I make, when requested. I also provide expert testimony when requested as part of the assessment process and I have been designated as an expert in due process, civil, and federal cases. My court-related testimony usually coincide with my expertise in developmental disabilities or special education. Learn more

Social Skills Programs: There are presently a total of eight groups, serving students and adults. In our Encino location, we have three groups for students aged 6-8, 8-11, 11-13, and 14-17 years old. The adult groups meet in West Los Angeles in a local restaurant (we currently have one group that meets weekly and two additional groups that meet twice per month). These evidence-based group treatment programs focus on improving skills in the following areas: Executive Functioning, Social Language, Social Competence, Academic and/or Vocational Readiness, and Environmental Awareness. By using a variety of technologies and incentives, the programs are both instructive and engaging for participants. Visit lunchgroups.com for the most current information about these programs. Learn more

Clinical Treatment: I provide a limited amount of individual and family-based treatment. Typical referrals usually involve specific behavioral challenges associated with the following childhood disorders: oppositional defiance, extreme shyness, fears and phobias, and obsessions or compulsions. My adult treatment services typically revolve around anxiety disorders such as phobias, generalized anxiety, OCD, as well as social shyness. I also provide assessment for Asperger's Syndrome and related diagnoses. Learn more

Training: I provide continuing education training on a variety of topics, which include assessment and treatment for behavior problems, challenges related to autistic spectrum disorders, methods for robust behavior observations, and ways to incorporate technology into the assessment and treatment process. Trainings can be scheduled at my office or nearby, on-site, or via secure tele-conferences. BehaviorTech Solutions, Inc is an approved Sponsoring Organization through the American Psychological Association and I am approved through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Learn more

Online Services: BehaviorTech Solutions, Inc offers secure Internet-based services as adjuncts for use in clinical assessment and treatment. Known as the C-BATT® (The Comprehensive Behavior Assessment & Treatment Tools), this collection of online programs provide for more efficient and powerful assessment and progress tracking than traditional methods. Rapid Screeener® allows multiple raters to collectively assess a student's social-emotional and behavioral functioning. Progress Communicator® can be used as a stand-alone method of comprehensive tracking so teachers can keep parents and other team members informed regarding student progress. It also can be used directly by students with at least a 2nd grade reading level to plan and report on their progress, with built-in behavioral coaching strategies customized for the student. Learn more

California Department of Developmental Services Appeal Process (916) 654-1987