Steve E. Gutstein, Ph.D.
Co-Director

Dr. Gutstein received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1980 from Case Western Reserve University. He interned and conducted post-doctoral training at Rutgers Medical School. From 1980 to 1987, he was on the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical School where he conducted research, developed innovative programs and published extensively on ways families can help their children cope with medical and developmental crisis.

As well as conducting his clinical practice, Dr. Gutstein is currently the co-director of ConnectionsCenter for Family and Personal Development. In addition, he sits on the editorial board for Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, a quarterly publication. He is also on the clinical staff of Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas and he has written many articles pertaining to autism.

He is the author of Autism/Aspergers: Solving The Relationship Puzzle. He is the co-author of Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD and NLD as well as being the co-author of Relationship Development Intervention with Children, Adolescents and Adults: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD and NLD. Read Dr. Gutstein's interview with Autism Aspergers Digest Magazine.

Rachelle K. Sheely, Ph.D.
Co-Director

Dr. Sheely received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1994 from The Union Institute. Her doctoral dissertation was a treatment manual for teaching young high-functioning autistic children the joys of collaborative play and interaction. She is a frequent consultant to school districts around the State of Texas. Dr. Sheely is a co-director of ConnectionsCenter and she serves on several boards both locally and nationally for non-profit organizations, which provide information on Autistic Spectrum related disorders.

Her national newsletter, Connections was designed for persons with Autism and Asperger’s disorder. She has co-authored Under The Big Umbrella, The Underground Guide to the Pervasive Developmental Disorders and is the co-author with Dr. Gutstein for Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD and NLD as well as being the co-author of Relationship Development Intervention with Children, Adolescents and Adults: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD and NLD.

She has the ability to anticipate beginning points of therapy in difficult cases and patiently pursue them. A person of high energy, her work often seems a collage of visual and musical expression.