FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Deborah Pontillo
Deborah PontilloPh.D.
Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychologist PSY #18934
Child Development, Behavior, and Learning Specialist
Owner/Director, San Diego Kids First (est. 2005)
Co-Owner/ Co-Director, San Diego Behavior Solutions (est. 2021)
Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, UCSD
Psy.D. Clinical Supervisor, Alliant International University
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EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Kaydon Schanberger
Kaydon SchanbergerM.Ed.
SDKF Director of the Educational Psychology Department
Specialist in Educational Psychology
San Diego Kids First Clinic Coordinator
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Jenaya Vasquez
Jenaya VasquezB.A.
Clinic Intake Coordinator
SDKF Educational Psychology Department, SEL Instructor
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LICENSED CLINICAL THERAPISTS & PSYCHOLOGISTS

Jacqueline Gamboa
Jacqueline GamboaPsy.D.
SDKF Director of Clinical Assessment
Clinical Psychologist
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Anna Williams
Anna WilliamsM.A., L.M.F.T.
SDKF Director of Therapeutic Services
Clinical Therapist
Behavior/Parent Coach Specializing in Behavioral Modification, Depression, Anxiety
Certified Specialist in Pediatric and Adult OCD
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Jordan Ko
Jordan KoPh.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Specialist in Early Childhood Development, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other Neurodevelopmental Differences
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Anna Basanty
Anna BasantyPh.D, NCSP
Licensed Psychologist
Director of Therapeutic Services
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT

Heidi Joachims
Heidi JoachimsOTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
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IN-HOME SUPPORTS

Alexandra Padilla
Alexandra PadillaBCBA
Lead Behavior Interventionist
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Lauryn Hall
Lauryn HallBA
In-Home Behavior Interventionist
In-Home OCD Treatment/Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Provider
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Nicolette Herrera
Nicolette HerreraBCBA
Behavior Interventionist
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DOCTORAL STUDENTS

Brooke Schuman
Brooke SchumanM.A.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student (Psy.D)
Digital Media and Marketing
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ADMINISTRATION

Maple
MapleFacility Dog
Linda Griebel
Linda GriebelInsurance Biller/Bookkeeper

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What Others Say About Us

Dr. Pontillo is an exceptional, and one-of-a-kind child psychologist. I have referred many children of my patients to Dr. Pontillo and she has always given them the best care and attention. Referring a patient to another professional is a big responsibility. I always look for a colleague who is efficient, professional, experienced and one who is able to come up with a clear diagnosis. I keep referring to Dr. Pontillo because of her expertise, efficiency and especially her warm and caring personality that is extremely necessary when dealing with children. I very highly recommend Deborah Pontillo, Ph.D as a child diagnostician, developmental and behavioral specialist, and therapist.

David Kravetz, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, UCSD

I’ve been referring my patients to Dr. Pontillo for the past several years with the utmost confidence that she will care and understand their developmental needs. Dr. Pontillo always provided them with a balanced and age appropriate intervention to help not only the child but the family as a whole.

Chrystal de Freitas M.D., Pediatrician Carmel Valley Pediatrics

I am a general pediatrician with a special interest in ADHD, spending about 20% of my clinical time caring for ADHD patients. I have known Dr Pontillo since 2005 and have an enormous respect for her clinical skills and insights. She is my “go to” psychologist for more complicated developmental issues and for diagnosis of subtle high functioning disabilities. Dr. Pontillo’s interest in her patients and her ability to clearly delineate developmental problems allows parents to move forward with establishing a treatment plan. She is an invaluable resource to the San Diego Pediatric community.

Nicholas Levy, MD, Medical Director, El Camino Pediatrics, V. Asst Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, UCSD