“Every child is unique. To help children overcome social, emotional, behavioral, developmental, and/or academic challenges, we must not become preoccupied with simply assigning labels. Rather, we need to identify the child’s individual strengths as well as their weaknesses, to design effective strategies that suit their needs. I work very closely with parents, schools and other professionals to establish a comprehensive picture of the whole child. This collaboration creates the most significant and dramatic change.”

Dr. Pontillo is Owner/Founder and Director of San Diego Kids First. She has over 25 years of education, training and experience in pediatric psychology and is regarded as an expert in the field of child and adolescent development, behavior, and learning.

Dr. Pontillo received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She went on to earn a Master’s and Doctorate in Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, rated one of the top Clinical Psychology training programs in the U.S. She completed an internship in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and then a specialized pediatric early childhood post-doctoral training program at the Developmental Evaluation Clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital. Dr. Pontillo opened San Diego Kids First in 2005, with the passion of identifying children’s strengths as well as their challenges, enabling them to maximize their developmental potential.

In addition to her work at San Diego Kids First, Dr. Pontillo is a Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine. There, she supervises Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows in their final year of training. Additionally, Dr. Pontillo is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Alliant International University where she is a Clinical Supervisor for the Alliant Educational Foundation sponsored site. Dr. Pontillo has also developed a downloadable online parent training course (entitled “Bright Stars”) for parents and teachers of children with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has participated in numerous speaking engagements, media interviews, and podcasts. Click here to learn more about Dr. Pontillo’s other professional activities.

Dr. Pontillo’s specialties include: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD/attention issues, learning disabilities/differences, giftedness, anxiety, emotional regulation skills training, social skills training, stress management, oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD), behavioral challenges, and other child developmental delays or concerns. She is trained in CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), short-term solution-focused therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. She is an expert in diagnostic assessment and conducts both abbreviated and comprehensive batteries, depending on the needs of the family. She provides consultations, treatment planning, and follow-up sessions, and is directly involved in all evaluations conducted at SDKF. Dr. Pontillo consults regularly with all staff clinicians at SDKF to ensure all SDKF families receive the highest quality of care.

Dr. Pontillo is not accepting new regular therapy clients at this time. 

Dr. Pontillo lives with her daughter, her son, our SDKF therapy dog Labradoodle named Maple, and with her cat, Pina Colada. She speaks Spanish and English, and loves sushi and Indian food. When not working, she can be found with her kids at baseball and softball practices and games, taking long walks with Maple, or visiting with her kids and friends.

“I truly value collaborating with youth and families to identify and tackle their goals while customizing each intervention to be as impactful as possible.”

Sawyer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in supporting children through young adults cope with ADHD, behavioral challenges (defiance, rigidity), social challenges, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. He is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), First Approaches Skills Training-Behavior (FAST-B) an empirically-validated program for children ages 4 and up demonstrating behavioral challenges from the University of Washington, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Sawyer prioritizes collaboration with children, teens, and their families using a strength-based approach in his work; Identifying each child or teen’s strengths and abilities, and using those strengths to build self-confidence, self esteem, and to improve in their areas of weakness.

Sawyer has extensive training and professional experience working with children, teens, and families. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Social Work degree from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to joining San Diego Kids First, Sawyer was a therapist within the Transforming Mental Health program at Rady Children’s Hospital which is a program where he served patients in a general pediatric medical setting. In this program, he worked closely with the doctors at Valle Verde Pediatrics in Poway. Other previous roles include providing crisis intervention services at The Bridge for Youth and conducting in-home therapy at Washburn Center for Children, both located in Minneapolis, MN. He also facilitated various therapeutic and life skills groups for caregivers and youth in Minneapolis and St. Louis, MO.

Additionally, Sawyer is experienced in supporting the mental health of LGBTQIA+ youth. He has facilitated support groups, provided individual and family therapy, and led trainings on best practices in serving this population, including for the UCSD School of Medicine.

When he’s not working, Sawyer enjoys spending time with his husband, hiking, playing guitar, and trying new restaurants in San Diego.

“I want you to get excited about who you are, what you are, what you have, and what can still be for you. I want to inspire you to see that you can go far beyond where you are right now” -Virginia Satir

Highlighted Service: Therapy for Children Ages (0-5)

Priscilla is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has experience working with children of all ages but especially loves working with the little ones (ages 0-5) and their caregivers. She is passionate about helping families find ease and joy in the ups and downs of their life. When working with families, Priscilla’s hope is to use reflection, curiosity and play as avenues to strengthen parent-child connections as well as support caregivers to gain new insights about their children and how to manage the challenging moments that arise.

Priscilla received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology while also studying Early Childhood Education at Vanguard University of Southern California. She earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University. She is currently a candidate for the California State endorsement for Infant and Family Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist.

Priscilla completed advanced training in Integrative Regulation Therapy (iRT) based in attachment, neurobiology, affect regulation and developmental theories. iRT has shaped her ability to create a safe, attuned therapeutic space for children and parents. While using iRT, she implements interventions from her experience in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent-Child Relationship Program (PCRP), Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation training as well as techniques from play based therapies such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Theraplay and Circle of Security. In addition, she has trained in Postpartum Mood and Anxiety disorders and loves supporting parents during the perinatal and postpartum periods while helping them connect with their babies through dyadic therapy.

In her free time, Priscilla loves finding the best cup of coffee in town, planning her next camping or travel adventure, and practicing yoga.

Highlighted New Service: In-home behavior interventions

Nicolette is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has over 6 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She utilizes behavior analytic techniques to support children, parents and families to make meaningful changes and reach their family goals.

Nicolette received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s Degree in Professional Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. She possesses prior experience providing behavior analytic services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Nicolette created personalized goals to support challenging behaviors as well as to increase skill acquisition across social, language, executive functioning and cognition domains. To foster the family unit as a whole, parent interviews were conducted alongside teaching parents to implement behavioral techniques in the home and community settings. Goal progress was also monitored by Nicolette using a variety of assessments to measure developmental milestones and skills. Nicolette is available for parent appointments via telehealth or in the Carmel Valley office. She also is available for in-home appointments for direct assessment and intervention with children and their caregivers.

Nicolette lives with her husband and one-eyed pup Tori in San Diego. In her free time she loves to dance, try new food, be at the beach and travel!

“My mission is to share the principles of Behavior Analysis to empower families and to help their children reach their full potential. Every child is unique. I take a personalized approach to ensure that the power of reinforcement is used only to enrich the lives of children while maintaining who they are as individuals.”

Highlighted New Service: Parent enrichment sessions and in-home behavior interventions

Alexandra Padilla is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst “BCBA” with over 6 years experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She specializes in providing behavior analytic and parent enrichment services to empower parents by supporting the entire family. She develops treatment plans as a team to ensure all learning and teaching opportunities embody individual family values.

Alexandra received a Bachelor’s Degree from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree at Florida Institute of Technology in the field of Behavior Analysis. Before joining San Diego Behavior Solutions, Alexandra was a BCBA Supervisor at an ABA company. This role included a multitude of skills such as Functional Behavior Assessments, a variety of milestone/skills assessments, and parent interviews. She has experience creating individualized unique goals for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , children with other social or behavioral challenges, and their parents to support treatment gains across the home and community environments. Across treatment Alexandra was able to support parents with implementing the same skills that were being taught during 1:1 sessions such as teaching replacement behaviors to increase functional communication and decrease maladaptive behaviors. Alexandra is available for parent appointments via telehealth or in the Carmel Valley office. She also is available for in-home appointments for direct assessment and intervention with children and their caregivers .

She lives in San Diego with her husband and their mini Australian Shepherd Winston. Alexandra enjoys spending her free time hiking, camping and finding every Alpine lake and hotspring she can with her family!

Dr. Alex Thibeault is a clinical psychologist (and former middle school teacher) who provides assessment and therapy for individuals, couples, and groups. He specializes in preteens, adolescents, young adults, and adults (including boys, men and fathers); transition from high school to college; couples therapy; and educational groups/ classes such as positive psychology (flourishing), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and support for life stressors. Areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, coping skills, relationship issues, sleep issues, self-esteem, social skills and interpersonal effectiveness, life transitions, maintenance of recovery from substance use, and challenging life experiences.

Dr. Alex earned a Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Psychology from University of San Diego. He completed a Master’s in Education (MAEd) with an emphasis in Teaching at Alliant International University in Northern California, where he taught in a public school while acquiring a single subject teaching credential in English. He then earned a Doctoral degree (PhD) in Clinical Psychology at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, followed by predoctoral internship at New Mexico VA Health Care System and postdoctoral fellowship at University of California, San Diego. Due to Dr. Thibeault’s background in both education as well as Clinical Psychology, he is San Diego Kids First’s expert in psychoeducational and testing providing both abbreviated and comprehensive academic batteries to quickly identify academic challenges or obstacles, and providing concrete action plans to remediate these difficulties. When not in the office, Dr. Thibeault, who is a San Diego native, enjoys outdoor recreation under the SoCal sun with his wife, his son, and his friends.

“Every time we ask questions of our children or recognize a teaching moment, we resist simply rescuing our children from their problems; instead, we teach them skills that will last them a lifetime.”

Highlighted New Service: Collaborative and Positive Co-parenting Skills 

Anna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience in Behavioral Therapy & Parent Coaching, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Behavioral Management for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and Depression.

Anna is a parenting specialist who focuses on positive co-parenting skills for collaborative and cooperative parents who are in the process of separating and/ or getting divorced. 

Anna Williams is certified through the International OCD Foundation BTTI to specialize in pediatric and adult OCD. She has been trained in cutting-edge treatment modalities, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Therapy.

Anna works with families, parents, children, and teens to produce lasting changes in the most naturalistic setting possible. She believes the parent-child connection is the most important intervention.  Anna is skilled and experienced in rebuilding this connection for healing. Anna provides Telehealth and in-office appointments. 

Anna received a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal State Monterey Bay and a Master’s Degree at Alliant International University School of Professional Psychology. She is an AAMFT Board-certified supervisor. Anna previously worked at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she specialized in depression and anxiety treatments for children and adolescents, frequently employing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Anna also treats ADHD, ODD, and other childhood mood disorders. She has worked with very severe populations of children who also possessed Co-Morbid diagnoses. She serves as clinical faculty at University of Phoenix, teaching in the Health and Human Services, Psychology and Masters in Marriage Family Therapy programs.

Anna volunteers for the Fleet Family Support Center and VVSD, providing pro bono counseling for returning sailors and their families.

Anna has two sons, a dog named Buddy and a husband who retired from the Navy. When she is not working, Anna loves to hang out with her family, watch sports and explore the beauty of San Diego.

Highlighted New Service: Targeted ADHD Evaluations

Dr. Grimes earned her B.A. at UCLA in 2001 and my Psy.D. at California School of Professional Psychology in 2008. She has practiced and taught in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD from 2007-2014. She has also worked in private practice for the past 12 years treating families, couples, and individuals. Dr. Erin Grimes specialty includes working with adolescents, teens, adults and families who struggle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, relational issues and grief issues. She also offers consultation services for couples.

Her treatment approach includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to offer clients effective and quick ways to change behavior and use more adaptive thinking styles to approach life challenges and stress. Dr. Grimes also uses existential psychotherapy approaches to help enhance self-awareness, insight, develop empathy and confidence in one’s personal relationships and professional settings. Both approaches integrate mindfulness exercises such as breathing, meditating, and self-care through healthy life-style choices as a way to improve psychological health and well-being.

Personally, Dr. Grimes is passionate about being a mother of two children and participating in her community. Through these life experiences, she has gained an understanding of the joys and struggles that accompany marriage and parenthood, which has supported her ability to empathize with the challenges her clients endure. Her own journey of life, personal growth and development help her to work with clients in their experiences.

“Wherever there is a child in need, there is an opportunity for kindness, for treating the child as an individual with unique strengths, and for making a difference.”

Highlighted New Service: Multidisciplinary Evaluation

Dr. Jordan Ko is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families in psychotherapy and assessment. 

Dr. Ko majored in Child Development at Tufts University. She completed her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her doctoral internship at UCLA Semel Institute. She acquired specialized training and experience in autism intervention and assessment at the UCSB Koegel Autism Center and UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental (CAN) Clinic.

Her 2-year postdoctoral fellowship took place at San Diego State University and the Child and Adolescent Services Research Center at Radys Children’s Hospital. She has experience in assessing and improving the social communication skills of young children, and served as the lead clinical trainer in San Diego, training therapists across California in a parent coaching intervention called Project ImPACT for Toddlers. 

Dr. Ko has a diverse background providing services to children and adolescents with various presenting concerns, such as autism, ADHD, behavior concerns, trauma, developmental delay, social skills, mood concerns, and anxiety. She utilizes a collaborative, strengths-based approach when working with children and families to partner with them to reach their goals. She aims to foster a safe space for clients to feel heard and validated, as well as build insight, skills, and confidence. Her goal is to provide culturally sensitive care that is informed by evidence-based practices, which are supported by research but tailored to the individual needs and values of each child and family.

She has experience with a range of evidence-based practices, including cognitive behavioral therapy, parent coaching interventions (Project ImPACT, Parent Child Interaction Therapy), autism interventions (Pivotal Response Treatment), and social skills interventions (UCLA PEERS® for Adolescents, the UCSB START Program).

Dr. Ko has conducted research on interventions to improve social communications skills in toddlers through young adults with autism, as well as implementing interventions in community settings. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented her findings at international research conferences, including the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR).

Dr. Ko was born and raised in Southern California and enjoys cooking, tennis, and a variety of outdoor activities with her husband and rescue pup (a beagle- terrier mix). 

“In working with families, I utilize a transparent and collaborative approach; YOU are the expert in your child, and therapy works best when we work together as a team to support your child. Similarly, when working with children, I take a child-centered and strengths-based approach, meeting each child with warmth, empathy, and acceptance of their own individual life experience. I believe that children, no matter how young, are deserving of respect and understanding, and I strive to create a safe space for children to heal – and to have fun in the process.”

Cassidy O’Brien is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose professional experience includes helping children cope with anxiety, depression, trauma, and difficult life transitions. She has experience working with children and adolescents of all ages, and specializes in working with “littles” (ages 0-5), with extensive training in early childhood mental health. Cassidy also specializes in working with children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, using a cognitive-behavioral approach to support children in learning adaptive coping skills and developing a sense of mastery over their anxiety symptoms. Additionally, Cassidy has a passion in working with individuals who have experienced trauma; supporting children and families in understanding the impact of traumatic experiences and walking hand-in-hand towards healing.

Cassidy earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University and her Master’s in Social Work Degree from the University of Southern California.She previously worked at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she specialized in trauma and early childhood mental health, while also treating children with anxiety, depression, ASD, ADHD, and emotion regulation challenges.Cassidy’s therapeutic approach is informed by several therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), AIM-HI(An Individualized Mental Health Treatment for Children with ASD), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF CBT), Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Mindfulness-based Interventions.She is completing her certification as a Registered Play Therapist and enjoys incorporating play therapy interventions into her work with children.

Cassidy approaches her work with children by viewing them in the context of the whole family, using a family-systems lens to cater to the unique relationships and dynamics within the family and to support the strengthening of those relationships. Drawing from her training in early childhood mental health, Cassidy strives to promote attachment in child-caregiver relationships, knowing that secure attachment with a caregiver is the foundation to a happy and healthy childhood – and beyond! Cassidy is passionate about supporting parents in developing tools to feel equipped to manage the ups and downs of parenthood.

Cassidy offers Telehealth services to children and adolescents of all ages, specializing in Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, and ASD.

Cassidy also offers virtual parent consultation and coaching, utilizing a strengths-based, individualized approach to teaching parenting tools, designed to improve challenging behaviors in children and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

“At Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, our mission statement was ‘We Treat Kids Better.’ I have adopted that mission statement wholeheartedly into my professional work with children, teens, and families as I strongly believe it is my role to look beyond the problematic behaviors, symptoms, and labels, and assist parents and teachers to view the child/teen as a unique individual with both strengths and weaknesses. It is in doing so that I feel that I am able to do my best work, as I customize my assessments and therapy to provide a better outcome for each child, teen and family I work with. It is my greatest joy seeing parents once again enjoy their children and their children enjoy their parents.”

Dr. Jesse Olague is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in developmental/ psychological assessment and psychotherapy for children, adolescents and their families. He is also one of San Diego Kids First’s experts in early childhood development and behavior.

Dr. Olague specializes in ASD/ADHD/Learning Disorders, and other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Anxiety/Mood Disorders, Emotional Dysregulation, Disruptive Behaviors/Behavior Management, Anger Management, and Trauma. He utilizes systemic, evidence-based practices such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Incredible Years-Parent and Child (IY). He is certified in Seeking Safety (SS) and Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP). Dr. Olague is a graduate from USC/CHLA’s California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CA-LEND) Training Program.

Dr. Olague is passionate about developing and implementing interventions and accommodations to allow children and adolescents to reach their potential. When necessary Dr. Olague helps families implement behavioral approaches and responses that will help diminish the child’s problematic behaviors.
Dr. Olague also provides services in English and Spanish, both in-person and via tele-health.

Before joining San Diego Kids First, Dr. Olague was a Faculty Clinical Psychologist at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital Child Partial Hospitalization Program where he was responsible for treatment planning /implementation, program development, and teaching/ training/supervision of doctoral students. Prior to moving to San Diego, Dr. Olague was a clinical psychologist at Kaiser Permanente Orchard Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he provided psychological assessments and therapy for preschool and school-aged children and adolescents.

Dr. Olague obtained his PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and completed his internship in clinical psychology at the Child and Family Guidance Center specializing in Trauma Psychology. He then completed a Two-Year Fellowship in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology specializing in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Trauma Psychology at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles (CHLA) with an appointment at University of Southern California’s (USC) Center for Excellence in Developmental Disorders.

When he’s not working, Dr. Olague enjoys spending time with his family, two dogs, and is an avid Dodgers fan. He also enjoys drawing, exercising, and cycling on San Diego’s bike trails.

“I strive to create a warm, positive, and fun testing environment for my clients so they can work to the best of their ability and we can achieve the most optimal results.”

Highlighted New Service: Multidisciplinary Evaluation

Dr. Gamboa is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults. She offers mid-day and after-school appointments for psychotherapy, counseling and consultation.  Dr. Gamboa contributes key expertise to the assessment team, particularly in standardized testing for children and adolescents with developmental and/or educational challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD.

Dr. Gamboa received a B.A. in Psychology from La Sierra University and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego. She has broad experience working with children, adolescents and families, and is an expert in treating Anxiety Disorders, Anger-Management and/or Behavioral Challenges, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Parenting, Family Relationships, Depression and Substance Use/Abuse. Dr. Gamboa has provided psychotherapy and assessment services in her role as psychologist at the San Diego Regional Center, Rady Children’s Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry, St. Vincent de Paul Villages, and the College Counseling Centers at USD and SDSU. Dr. Gamboa’s approach is primarily psychodynamic, but she also offers play therapy, family therapy, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and attachment and affect regulation-based interventions.

When Dr. Gamboa is not in the office, she enjoys traveling, hiking, riding her bike, playing guitar and spending time with her friends and her large Bengal cat, Gilby.

Emma is a practicum student at San Diego Kids First. She has a bachelors degree in clinical psychology and a minor in industrial/organizational psychology. Emma is currently completing her doctorate at Alliant International University. She is from Washington state and graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2022.

Her experience has been working with children who are on the spectrum of autism, and adults in a crisis house. She will provide individual assessments and therapy to young children under the supervision of our San Diego Kids First Director of Professional Education and Training, Jesse Olague, PsyD. In Emma’s free time, she enjoys going to the beach, skateboarding and hiking with her labradoodle.

“I’m so grateful to have spent the past few years growing with the San Diego Kids First team. I’m passionate about this amazing organization and am inspired by each clinician’s hard work and dedication. I’m thrilled to hold my position as a Social Emotional Learning instructor and School Support Aid and look forward to providing the best level of care for each of our families.”

Highlighted Services: Individualized Social Emotional Learning Sessions and In-School Behavioral and Social-Emotional Learning Support

Brooke Schuman is earning her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. Brooke also holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology from the University of California, Davis.

As a doctoral student with an emphasis in child and family psychology, Brooke has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings. She cultivates a positive learning environment for her clients to achieve their unique individualized goals by utilizing a collaborative approach that takes all perspectives into consideration.

Brooke is a certified Social Emotional Learning instructor and School Support Aide. She specializes in helping children develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship skills. Brooke is currently available for in-office and school support appointments.

In her free time, Brooke enjoys going to the beach, listening to podcasts, exercising and traveling. 

Kendal earned her bachelors in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from Arizona State University. While teaching resource students in a k-6 public school setting, she went on to earn her Masters of Education with an emphasis in Inclusive Learning, Special Education, and Universal Design from the university of San Diego. Through these degrees, Kendal has been able to support countless students in the general education, special education, and inclusive learning settings across Arizona and California schools.

Post masters, she went on to teach early childhood aged students within an inclusion classroom. Additionally, Kendal has worked with students ages 4-8 in a theatre extracurricular class. Through this experience, she was able to bring together two of her passions, student learning and performing arts. In her free time, Kendal loves cozying up at home with her husband, baby boy, and puppy, as well as exploring all that San Diego has to offer alongside friends and family.

Kendal will offer a select number of sessions with San Diego kids first in the following individual and small-group services: Social pairings and group thinking, parent sessions, Targeted Academic Assessments, Multidisciplinary Evaluations in conjunction with SDFK Clinical Psychologists, Social/Emotional Skills Development (Social Emotional Learning Curriculum), Dysgraphia/Fine Motor & Handwriting Skills Development (Learning Without Tears Curriculum), Individual academic support for Elementary School Learners in all subjects, 504/IEP planning, 504/IEP design and implementation, School observations to assist in IEP/504 development, inclusion support, or educational planning, Executive Functioning Skills Development (e.g Homework Completion, Project Completion, Time Management, Study Skills).

“Each child comes to me with their own unique story, their own set of circumstances. But what every child has in common is that each is the source of limitless opportunities for support, structure and success.”

Highlighted New Service: Dyslexia Screening

An Educational Therapist with more than 25 years of experience, Sheri is dedicated to meeting struggling students’ emotional, social, and academic needs. She works with a wide range of the pediatric population (and beyond), providing dyslexia assessments and targeted intervention to children and teens with ADHD, learning disabilities, executive dysfunction, and weak cognitive, auditory, or visual processing skills. With all her clients, Sheri’s mission is to provide each child with limitless opportunities for support, structure, and success.

What sets Sheri apart from other advocates is that she always has first-hand experience working with the child before requesting an evaluation or entering a school meeting. As a result, she can offer the school her informed observations, beneficial strategies, and specific recommendations unique to each child. Additionally, Sheri has held the unique position of working with IEP teams as both a school-employed Educational Specialist and a private Educational Therapist, quite literally sitting on both sides of the table. Over the years, Sheri has successfully secured specialized services and appropriate accommodations for hundreds of K-12 students in public and private sectors.

Sheri views each child from a holistic perspective, considering emotional, social, and behavioral issues that may impede learning. By exploring additional contributing factors, such as physical, sensory, speech, language, or processing delays, Sheri can offer the IEP team valuable information and feedback. Sheri starts by working with each student individually to identify the challenges that may impact or prevent academic success then formulates individualized and targeted recommendations for specific evaluations, treatment plans, and services.

Educational Advocacy is multi-faceted. Sheri’s services include: Parent meetings, Review of records, One-on-one educational therapy sessions with the child/teen, Writing a letter to the school requesting an evaluation, Providing referrals to private evaluators and specialists, Ongoing communications, and follow up with the parent and school, Parent coaching and consultation, Consultation with physicians, psychologists, SLP, OT, and school personnel, Administrative work/preparation for the meeting, IEP meeting-full participation, Debriefing immediately after the IEP concludes.

Sheri lays the foundation of success by creating a warm and trusting rapport with students, parents, teachers, physicians, and allied professionals. Sessions are individualized and specialized, integrating a variety of practical, creative methodologies along with evidence and brain-based therapeutic learning tools. In this way, Sheri prevents and circumvents the cycle of frustration, failure, and despair that affects so many children and their families—and replaces that cycle with joyful learning.

Sheri graduated with a B.A. in Child Development with a specialty in Child Mental Health. She went on to earn both Multiple Subjects and Special Education Teaching Credentials and a Master’s Degree in Psychology. 

“I am overjoyed to begin a new journey with SD Kids First and learn from every single clinician and member of our team! I cannot wait to further explore the world of counseling, therapy and consultation.”

Jenaya earned her Bachelors of Applied Arts and Sciences in Liberal Studies, Elementary Education at San Diego State University. Throughout her undergraduate experience Jenaya was dedicated to serving our local community through her volunteering and fundraising efforts with Girls on the Run San Diego, and Dance Marathon for the Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation. Having interests in working with children at an educational level Jenaya has volunteered at many local Elementary schools in San Diego from Jefferson Elementary School in North Park to Ira Harbison Elementary in National City. Alongside her passions in philanthropy and number of roles Jenaya has held in the K-12 classroom, she hopes to continue on her education and pursue a career in clinical psychology.

Following graduation, Jenaya is looking forward to beginning her new position at SD Kids First while exploring a new chapter in her life. Her post-graduate endeavors consist of visiting her favorite local hiking spots, the beach, and even finding more time to explore the wide range of restaurants and good eats San Diego has to offer!

Sutton is currently a Psychology major at the University of California Los Angeles. In her time as an undergraduate student, Sutton has been a Research Assistant at The Development of Anxiety in Youth Study (DAYS) and The Partners in Caring for Anxious Youth Study (PCAY). Here, she has gained experience in the research of child anxiety and the treatment of anxiety through therapy versus SSRIs. Sutton is also apart of The Association of Students in Child Development club and is on the executive board of B Positive, a club dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. Lastly, Sutton is preparing to apply to the Applied Developmental Minor at UCLA in hopes to gain more hands on experience in the child development field. With this, Sutton plans to continue her passion for psychology and go on to become a clinical psychologist, focusing on the treatment of children and adolescents.

Outside of her internship, Sutton babysits two young boys and loves reading, going to the beach, and spending time in the sun.

“Maple is loved by so many clients here at San Diego Kids First. Maple is amazing with the kids; cuddling, playing games and participating in sessions. She provides a calming support, often sensing and responding to a child’s innermost feelings before a clinician. She patiently participates in games like headbands (pictured here!) wearing the headband and making the children smile. She will also curl up on the couch or beanbag with the blanket and support a child processing big emotions. She is able to break down barriers with the children who are reserved and ground children who are easily elevated or easily triggered. One day in the office, I had a client; although this doesn’t happen often, hesitant to come in. When I shared we had a friend joining us-Maple-the little girl immediately changed her tune, her face lit up and she burst though the door. The children ask where she is and request her to join, she quickly has become the office celebrity.  Maple is also a calming influence on our full time therapists who work tirelessly providing support to children and their families . Maple makes the rounds , intuitively picking each and every office to go to and greet each clinician one by one , as if she wants to be sure no clinician is left out ♥️. We are so appreciative to our donor , to Patricia at Love Heels, and to Cynthia at Talakiridge Labradoodles for making such a profound impact on so many children , families and providers!”

Meet Maple, our San Diego Kids First Love Heels Facility Dog! We could not be more thankful for Cynthia Williams at Talaki Ridge Labradoodles for matching us with Maple, and Patricia Dibsie at Love Heels (and her generous sponsors), for providing us with training and certification to allow Maple to be a facility dog!

Maple is trained to accompany Dr. Pontillo in her professional duties which include individual in-person sessions, as well as volunteer opportunities in San Diego Schools, Head Start Programs, and in other community projects. 

San Diego Kids First contracts with Linda Griebel at Griebel Billing Services in order to provide monthly super bills for out of network benefits, to all our families with PPO plans. If you would like to take advantage of this free service, please call Linda at 619-224-6343, mention San Diego Kids First, and provide her your insurance information. 

Linda has been a bookkeeper for mental health professionals since 1987. She has been a wonderful asset to the San Diego Kids First team since 2005 and we are so grateful to her for providing such a wonderful and unique service to our families!