Brooke Schuman
Brooke SchumanM.A.
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student (Psy.D)
Developmental Assessments for Children and Adolescents

“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 work alongside Dr. Pontillo and look forward to providing the best level of care for each of our families.”

Highlighted Services: Developmental Assessments for Children and Adolescents

Brooke is a dedicated and compassionate doctoral student specializing in child and family psychology. She obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, where she is also pursuing her doctoral degree. Brooke also holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology from the University of California, Davis.

With extensive experience working with children and adolescents in various settings, Brooke is committed to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. She utilizes a collaborative approach in her practice, ensuring that all perspectives are considered to help clients achieve their unique, individualized goals.

Brooke works directly under Dr. Pontillo, the director and founder of San Diego Kids First. In this role, she administers developmental evaluations to children, helping them uncover their strengths and unlock their true social, emotional, and academic potential.

Brooke is currently available for in-office assessment appointments only.

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

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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 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

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