Marci Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D.

Founder, Thrive College Counseling

Marci Schwartz, Ph.D., is the founder of Thrive College Counseling, created to support neurodiverse teens as they navigate the often challenging—but essential—transition into adulthood. Through Thrive, Dr. Schwartz guides students in identifying their best-fit colleges and programs, helping ensure a successful and confident transition from high school to higher education.

Dr. Schwartz received her Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension in 2016 and currently co-teaches an online UC Irvine course for individuals pursuing their college counseling certificate. The course, Working with Students with Learning Differences, reflects her long-standing commitment to inclusive, strengths-based educational support.

In addition to her work at Thrive, Dr. Schwartz serves as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. She began her career as a therapist and has provided counseling to parents of children with developmental and learning challenges since 1989. Her clinical work has focused on helping children and teens understand their strengths, build independent living skills, and develop effective self-advocacy.

Dr. Schwartz earned her Ph.D. from New York University. She brings decades of clinical, academic, and college counseling experience to her work with families, helping neurodiverse students prepare for the transition to college and develop thoughtful, individualized college lists that reflect both their unique strengths and long-term aspirations.