About Leslie

Leslie's Purpose

I’ve been thinking recently about the difference between having a passion and having a purpose. I’ve decided that my work with young children and their families, must be more than just a passion, because I have never veered off of this path.

You see, I have other passions, but my dedication to them seems to vary from week-to-week. Sometimes I knit and sew, at other times I play flute or mandolin, I even planted a garden one spring. My purpose, though, has not wavered once.

I know first hand how hard it is to be a parent, but I also know the rewards. I want all parents to have the pleasure of enjoying their children and being proud of their children for who they are. I want all parents to have the satisfaction of having done the best job possible, and I want all children to have the support they need in every arena of their life.

Some children are easier than others to raise, and some parents didn’t get a fair start. Some children hit roadblocks at every turn and some parents have to surmount unpredictable hurdles with not enough support. It seems to be my calling to try to even the playing field.

You can read on about my official credentials and experience, but I wanted you to know first why I do what I do.

About Leslie Baxter, LMFT 51997, IFECMH

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Credentialed Teacher with a Master's Degree in clinical psychology

California Endorsed Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and Reflective Practice Facilitator II (Supervisor: see www.cacenter-ecmh.org for more information about this endorsement)

Clinical Social Worker in the Infant, Child and Adolescent Division of the Psychiatry department at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) for 18 years

UCSF's Infant-Parent Program: clinical supervisor, Early childhood Mental Health training coordinator and seminar instructor for graduate students and community practitioners in the field of infant and early childhood mental health

24 years as a bilingual early childhood mental health consultant and infant-parent psychotherapist

Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Early Childhood Education/Child Development Department at Cañada College for 15 years

Teacher and teacher's assistant for 10 years for toddlers through 6th grade

Certified parent educator for Circle of Security® and How to Read Your Baby®