Dr Leslie Black

My clinical focus centers on supporting patients and their families through brain-based and neurodevelopmental concerns. I work closely with families navigating challenges related to cognition, behavior, emotional regulation, learning differences, and chronic health patterns that influence neurological development and overall resilience.

Brain health is deeply important to me, both professionally and personally. I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder in childhood, which gave me early insight into how profoundly the nervous system shapes daily life — from focus and energy to emotional regulation and resilience. This lived experience informs how I listen, how I assess patterns over time, and how I approach care with both empathy and precision.

My approach recognizes that brain-based and neurodevelopmental concerns rarely exist in isolation. I evaluate the whole person, considering immune regulation, metabolic health, nutrient status, gut–brain communication, environmental exposures, and nervous system balance. Rather than relying on standardized protocols, I emphasize thoughtful evaluation and targeted support that respects each patient’s unique physiology and life context.

Care is a collaborative process. Families are essential partners, and my role is to guide, educate, and support them as care evolves. Progress often unfolds in stages, particularly with neurological concerns, and meaningful change requires careful observation, reassessment, and adjustment over time.

Ultimately, my goal is to help patients build a strong neurological foundation — one that supports not only symptom improvement, but long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being.

My journey into naturopathic medicine began long before I ever considered a career in healthcare. I grew up in rural Illinois, where my father founded Dry Fork Herb Gardens—an organic farm dedicated to cultivating medicinal plants such as goldenseal, black cohosh, and echinacea for commercial use. From a young age, I learned about the healing properties of plants and how to prepare medicinal tinctures and remedies for common ailments. Immersed in this environment, a deep curiosity about the body’s capacity to heal began to take shape.

That curiosity deepened through personal experience. I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder in childhood, which introduced me early on to the complexities of brain health and the limitations of conventional explanations. While my condition was managed, I was left with many unanswered questions about why my body functioned the way it did and how interconnected systems influence neurological health over time.

It wasn’t until I worked with a naturopathic doctor as a young adult that those early questions began to find clarity. For the first time, my health was viewed comprehensively—addressing underlying patterns rather than isolated symptoms. That experience transformed a childhood spark into a clear sense of purpose.

I pursued naturopathic medicine so I could offer patients and families the same depth of investigation, compassion, and thoughtful care that once changed the course of my own life. Today, my work is grounded in the belief that healing unfolds over time, answers are often found beneath the surface, and meaningful care requires both scientific rigor and curiosity—applied intentionally, one layer at a time.

Dr. Leslie Black works with both women and men, with a particular focus on Preconception Support with an emphasis on optimizing fetal health and early neurodevelopment. She also sees pediatric patients. This is a wonderful option for individuals and couples preparing for pregnancy who want to proactively support brain, immune, and metabolic foundations from the very beginning.

At this time, Dr. Leslie Black is ONLY accepting patients located within California.