New to San Diego Kids First? Start Here
If you are scheduling an appointment for the first time, we want to ensure you are placed with the very best provider for your child/teen and your family!
Please schedule a complimentary phone consultation with our intake coordinator, Jenaya, via her calendly link: https://calendly.com/sandiegokidsfirst so she can learn more about you and your child/teen and make an individualized recommendation on the optimal provider or service for you. If you already know who you would like to schedule with, please feel free to contact Jenaya directly by phone (858-692-4187) or email (contact@sdkidsfirst.com) and she can check on your provider’s availability for you. You are also welcome to use the web contact form below to leave a message for Jenaya. Please note that all new clients are required to create an account on our online patient portal in order to complete the required intake forms. If you are a parent booking for a minor child, please create the account in the name of the MINOR.
NEW PATIENTS – please call us at 858-692-4187 or submit the web contact form below. You may also schedule a complimentary appointment with our intake coordinator, Jenaya by scheduling here : https://calendly.com/sandiegokidsfirst In order to place you with the ideal provider, we want to learn as much about you, your child/teen’s age, current concerns, and whether you are looking for an evaluation, therapy in-home services, or consultation. We will return your inquiry by the end of the following business day. Thank you, and we look forward to speaking with you!
The Intake Process– At San Diego Kids First, we strive to make the intake process as seamless and supportive as possible. When you call our clinic, our Intake Coordinator will be your first point of contact, guiding you through each step to ensure you receive the care that best fits your family’s needs.
Our Intake Coordinator works directly with Dr. Pontillo and our highly specialized clinicians to understand your concerns, answer any questions, and gather essential information about your child’s developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral needs. Through this process, we carefully match your family with the appropriate clinician and services. Once we determine the best next steps, the Intake Coordinator will schedule your initial consultation and provide you with all the necessary information to prepare for your first visit. Throughout the process, we are here to offer guidance, support, and reassurance to ensure a smooth transition into care.
Attention All Clients:
REGULAR/ONGOING THERAPY – If you are looking to begin REGULAR, ONGOING therapy/counseling for your child, teen, or for yourself, please call the office at 858-692-4187 to find out who is accepting new patients. We are PLEASED to offer appointments with our senior clinicians as well as lower-fee options for clinicians receiving direct supervision from our senior clinicians.
EVALUATIONS – If you are looking to schedule an evaluation for yourself or your child / teen, please contact us to schedule your initial 50-minute parent-only intake appointment with your clinician. This intake appointment is a crucial step too allow us to design an appropriate individualized assessment based on your child/teen as well as your needs and/or diagnostic questions.
GROUP THERAPY – We frequently offer groups for adolescents and teens. Please call the office at 858-692-4187 for current groups and registration information.
TELEHEALTH/VIRTUAL VISITS – We are pleased to offer telehealth/virtual visits through HIPAA-compliant platforms.
IN-HOME APPOINTMENTS – We have several behavior interventionists who offer in-home appointments.
IN-SCHOOL SUPPORTS – Several of our clinicians provide in-school services such as school observations, IEP meeting participation, or push-in support during classtime.
FEES AND INSURANCE QUESTIONS – San Diego Kids First providers are not considered in-network insurance providers on any insurance plans. However, if you have a PPO, we can have our insurance billing specialist send you a monthly super bill for out-of-network benefits for all sessions with one of our licensed psychologists. Educational services such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL), executive functioning coaching, academic/educational assessments, and any other services provided by our clinicians in our Educational Psychology Department are NOT reimbursable by insurance plans. In addition, some insurance companies do not reimburse for in-home or school-based services of any kind. Please contact our bookkeeper /insurance biller, Linda (619-889-4513), if you would like us to check on your out-of-network benefits for you. Click here for all insurance and fee information. Please note we are PLEASED to offer lower fee services with our clinicians who are supervised by our senior clinical team.
If you have any questions about services or appointments, please contact Jenaya, our Intake Coordinator at (858) 692-4187, at contact@sdkidsfirst.com, or please drop in to see her at our Carmel Valley Office!