Infant Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
Clinical Therapist
Specializing in Family and Children
“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: Postpartum Support Services
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 lives. 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 is endorsed as an Infant Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist in the State of California, recognizing her unique skillset and experience in working with families with young children. 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.
Priscilla completed advanced training in Integrative Regulation Therapy (iRT) based on 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. She enjoys helping caregivers connect with their babies while finding hope and strengthening their confidence during their transition into parenthood. Priscilla is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional through Postpartum Support International.
In her free time, Priscilla loves finding the best cup of coffee in town, planning her next camping or travel adventure, and practicing yoga.
What Others Say About Us
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.
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.
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.