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Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder associated with impairments in social functioning, communication and by restricted and/or repetitive behaviors. Children with mild ASD may be incorrectly labeled as having ADHD, oppositional/defiant disorder, anxiety/fearfulness or simply seen by parents and teachers as being ‘strong-willed’ or ‘stubborn’. The earlier we are able to identify ASD in children, the greater gains we can make in maximizing their developmental potential. A thorough and accurate evaluation incorporating testing, information from parents and teachers, school observations (when appropriate) and in-office assessment is crucial in making a diagnostic determination. Creating an individualized developmental profile of your child’s strengths as well as their weaknesses is much more important than the label itself, as it will enable us to provide you with a tailored action plan that truly promotes your child’s growth.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Screenings can sometimes take the place of an initial intake appointment. Screenings are 50-minute appointments during which one of our specialists briefly screens your child for developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Screenings are preferable to parent-only initial appointments when you are seeking our impressions based on observations or interactions with your child. A screening does not allow sufficient opportunity for diagnostic conclusions to be made, but can lead concrete and specific recommendations. In addition, screenings can determine whether or not further evaluation or intervention is warranted. Developmental screenings are offered for infants as young as 3 months.

Our formal evaluations are tailored to suit the needs of each client. No two evaluations are alike. We aim to be comprehensive, while eliminating extraneous tests that would not prove useful for diagnostic clarity. The nature and content of the evaluation varies based on the question/concern and age of the client. Evaluations may include: interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, feedback sessions and written reports. All Evaluations result in an Action Plan, which is a set of specific and concrete recommendations.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions provide in-home behavioral health services to improve skills and support children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and other social and behavioral challenges. This includes : 1:1 Behavioral Modification with Child, 1:1 Observation, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Social Skills Training, In Home Behavior Intervention, In person Academic Support & In-vivo training of parents and caregivers to allow families to foster the growth and development of their children in natural settings in day-to-day life.

Elementary, middle, and high school children and their families may participate in individually tailored sessions with one of our experts to improve academic and organizational skills. Areas of focus include homework/task completion, study skills and strategies, problem solving, decision making, academic planning, goal setting, improving peer relations, improving frustration tolerance, and developing healthy self-confidence and self-esteem. Appointments for these services are available in-home to maximize your child/teen’s progress.

We provide a one-of-a-kind parenting support and education class for parents of bright kids who are diagnosed with mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We are passionate that you are your child’s best teacher, advocate, and support person. Our Bright Stars video parenting course provides the education and support you need to have the information and energy to be your best self, and to bring out the strengths of your child. Your child is not merely a diagnosis!

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

We act as advocates and technical experts in supporting our clients to obtain the most effective IEP/504 plans for their children. The goal of IEP/504 plans is to provide what is best for an individual student. But what is “best” is not always obvious and not always agreed upon by all of the parties involved in crafting the plan. Of course, parents have unique windows on their own children. As far as possible, we take a collaborative approach with teachers, schools and districts, but our ultimate allegiance is to the child and to the key needs that parents may observe for their children, even when other stakeholders do not.

Based on expressed community needs, we have designed and implemented group sessions and workshops for select audiences and concerns. Our Social Stars program supports social skill-building within distinct groups for boys and girls, preschool through teen. The Social Stars group dovetails with the curriculum of our Bright Stars video parenting course. In addition, we offer two weekly group therapy program for girls and women: Together We Rise!, which helps women develop key coping skills and take strides towards fulfillment; and Strong Together!, which help teens develop their own skills for grappling with the myriad demands of adolescence. Please don’t hesitate to share your ideas for additional group sessions and workshops!

Make an Appointment

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition which manifests prior to the age of 7. ADHD involves a deficiency in the part of the brain that helps us to sustain focus, concentrate, filter out extraneous information, organize, plan, understand others’ actions, and inhibit impulses. There is currently no established “test” which can conclusively diagnose ADHD, and symptoms of ADHD overlap with those of dozens of other conditions. So, diagnosing ADHD requires a very comprehensive approach. Fortunately, there are very effective treatments for ADHD once a solid diagnosis is made. Children who do not receive proper treatment for ADHD are at risk for a variety of issues in school, friendships, family life and mental health.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Screenings can sometimes take the place of an initial intake appointment. Screenings are 50-minute appointments during which one of our specialists briefly screens your child for developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Screenings are preferable to parent-only initial appointments when you are seeking our impressions based on observations or interactions with your child. A screening does not allow sufficient opportunity for diagnostic conclusions to be made, but can lead concrete and specific recommendations. In addition, screenings can determine whether or not further evaluation or intervention is warranted. Developmental screenings are offered for infants as young as 3 months.

Our formal evaluations are tailored to suit the needs of each client. No two evaluations are alike. We aim to be comprehensive, while eliminating extraneous tests that would not prove useful for diagnostic clarity. The nature and content of the evaluation varies based on the question/concern and age of the client. Evaluations may include: interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, feedback sessions and written reports. All Evaluations result in an Action Plan, which is a set of specific and concrete recommendations.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions provide in-home behavioral health services to improve skills and support children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and other social and behavioral challenges. This includes : 1:1 Behavioral Modification with Child, 1:1 Observation, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Social Skills Training, In Home Behavior Intervention, In person Academic Support & In-vivo training of parents and caregivers to allow families to foster the growth and development of their children in natural settings in day-to-day life.

Elementary, middle, and high school children and their families may participate in individually tailored sessions with one of our experts to improve academic and organizational skills. Areas of focus include homework/task completion, study skills and strategies, problem solving, decision making, academic planning, goal setting, improving peer relations, improving frustration tolerance, and developing healthy self-confidence and self-esteem. Appointments for these services are available in-home to maximize your child/teen’s progress.

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

We act as advocates and technical experts in supporting our clients to obtain the most effective IEP/504 plans for their children. The goal of IEP/504 plans is to provide what is best for an individual student. But what is “best” is not always obvious and not always agreed upon by all of the parties involved in crafting the plan. Of course, parents have unique windows on their own children. As far as possible, we take a collaborative approach with teachers, schools and districts, but our ultimate allegiance is to the child and to the key needs that parents may observe for their children, even when other stakeholders do not.

Based on expressed community needs, we have designed and implemented group sessions and workshops for select audiences and concerns. Our Social Stars program supports social skill-building within distinct groups for boys and girls, preschool through teen. The Social Stars group dovetails with the curriculum of our Bright Stars video parenting course. In addition, we offer two weekly group therapy program for girls and women: Together We Rise!, which helps women develop key coping skills and take strides towards fulfillment; and Strong Together!, which help teens develop their own skills for grappling with the myriad demands of adolescence. Please don’t hesitate to share your ideas for additional group sessions and workshops!

Make an Appointment

School – Academics and Social/Emotional

Starting school is a major transition in a child’s life. And the first several years of school are an early window into academic issues that—left unaddressed—can become major stumbling blocks with repercussions in all areas of life. Common preschool concerns include separation anxiety and behavioral problems, both of which can disrupt academic progress. During the first few years of school, early issues may manifest, giving us the first and best opportunity to intervene with critical support for cognitive, social/emotional and physical development, fine motor skills, behavior and self-direction. In addition, all of these factors and others play into selecting a “best-fit” school for your child.

In addition to addressing these common concerns, we help many children who are experiencing developmental delays or “lags” with respect to milestones such as speech/language development, motor development, potty training, and more.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Screenings can sometimes take the place of an initial intake appointment. Screenings are 50-minute appointments during which one of our specialists briefly screens your child for developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Screenings are preferable to parent-only initial appointments when you are seeking our impressions based on observations or interactions with your child. A screening does not allow sufficient opportunity for diagnostic conclusions to be made, but can lead concrete and specific recommendations. In addition, screenings can determine whether or not further evaluation or intervention is warranted. Developmental screenings are offered for infants as young as 3 months.

Our formal evaluations are tailored to suit the needs of each client. No two evaluations are alike. We aim to be comprehensive, while eliminating extraneous tests that would not prove useful for diagnostic clarity. The nature and content of the evaluation varies based on the question/concern and age of the client. Evaluations may include: interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, feedback sessions and written reports. All Evaluations result in an Action Plan, which is a set of specific and concrete recommendations.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions are scheduled with one of our experts to develop specific tools and strategies designed for the individual child and family. These sessions can be scheduled as needed, and often in conjunction with other types of services, such as therapy/counseling or evaluations.

Elementary, middle, and high school children and their families may participate in individually tailored sessions with one of our experts to improve academic and organizational skills. Areas of focus include homework/task completion, study skills and strategies, problem solving, decision making, academic planning, goal setting, improving peer relations, improving frustration tolerance, and developing healthy self-confidence and self-esteem. Appointments for these services are available in-home to maximize your child/teen’s progress.

We provide a one-of-a-kind parenting support and education class for parents of bright kids who are diagnosed with mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We are passionate that you are your child’s best teacher, advocate, and support person. Our Bright Stars video parenting course provides the education and support you need to have the information and energy to be your best self, and to bring out the strengths of your child. Your child is not merely a diagnosis!

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

We act as advocates and technical experts in supporting our clients to obtain the most effective IEP/504 plans for their children. The goal of IEP/504 plans is to provide what is best for an individual student. But what is “best” is not always obvious and not always agreed upon by all of the parties involved in crafting the plan. Of course, parents have unique windows on their own children. As far as possible, we take a collaborative approach with teachers, schools and districts, but our ultimate allegiance is to the child and to the key needs that parents may observe for their children, even when other stakeholders do not.

Based on expressed community needs, we have designed and implemented group sessions and workshops for select audiences and concerns. Our Social Stars program supports social skill-building within distinct groups for boys and girls, preschool through teen. The Social Stars group dovetails with the curriculum of our Bright Stars video parenting course. In addition, we offer two weekly group therapy program for girls and women: Together We Rise!, which helps women develop key coping skills and take strides towards fulfillment; and Strong Together!, which help teens develop their own skills for grappling with the myriad demands of adolescence. Please don’t hesitate to share your ideas for additional group sessions and workshops!

Make an Appointment

Anger and Emotion

Learning to tolerate and regulate one’s negative emotions (e.g., frustration, anger, etc.) is a developmental skill that often takes time and practice to master. If your child is exhibiting significant anger outbursts, or appears to “go from 0 to 60” when frustrated, he or she may benefit from learning more sophisticated self-regulation strategies.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Screenings can sometimes take the place of an initial intake appointment. Screenings are 50-minute appointments during which one of our specialists briefly screens your child for developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Screenings are preferable to parent-only initial appointments when you are seeking our impressions based on observations or interactions with your child. A screening does not allow sufficient opportunity for diagnostic conclusions to be made, but can lead concrete and specific recommendations. In addition, screenings can determine whether or not further evaluation or intervention is warranted. Developmental screenings are offered for infants as young as 3 months.

Our formal evaluations are tailored to suit the needs of each client. No two evaluations are alike. We aim to be comprehensive, while eliminating extraneous tests that would not prove useful for diagnostic clarity. The nature and content of the evaluation varies based on the question/concern and age of the client. Evaluations may include: interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, feedback sessions and written reports. All Evaluations result in an Action Plan, which is a set of specific and concrete recommendations.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions provide in-home behavioral health services to improve skills and support children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and other social and behavioral challenges. This includes : 1:1 Behavioral Modification with Child, 1:1 Observation, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Social Skills Training, In Home Behavior Intervention, In person Academic Support & In-vivo training of parents and caregivers to allow families to foster the growth and development of their children in natural settings in day-to-day life.

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

Make an Appointment

Anxiety

Many children struggle with anxiety. Extreme fear, worry, and anticipatory anxiety can lead children to begin to avoid situations and greatly limit their activities. Anxiety that is left unaddressed can also lead to poor self-esteem, poor self-confidence, and can put a child at greater risk for developing depression in the future. Fortunately, anxiety is one of the most well researched mental health concerns. There are extremely effective short term-treatments, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This therapy helps the child to change thoughts, beliefs, and ideas about the feared situation. And it creates gradual, systemic changes in behavior to allow the child to better manage the fear. 

Certainly, treatments that take into consideration the child’s individual strengths, environment (e.g., family relationships, peer relationships, school setting), temperament, level of insight, motivation, and other factors (e.g., health or other concerns) will be the most effective. In addition, anxiety that is situational or due to a major change in a child’s life (e.g., parental divorce, loss of a family member, transitioning to middle/high school, peer difficulties, coping with medical health issues) will require a less structured approach in order to tailor the therapy to the child’s individual circumstances.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Screenings can sometimes take the place of an initial intake appointment. Screenings are 50-minute appointments during which one of our specialists briefly screens your child for developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Screenings are preferable to parent-only initial appointments when you are seeking our impressions based on observations or interactions with your child. A screening does not allow sufficient opportunity for diagnostic conclusions to be made, but can lead concrete and specific recommendations. In addition, screenings can determine whether or not further evaluation or intervention is warranted. Developmental screenings are offered for infants as young as 3 months.

Our formal evaluations are tailored to suit the needs of each client. No two evaluations are alike. We aim to be comprehensive, while eliminating extraneous tests that would not prove useful for diagnostic clarity. The nature and content of the evaluation varies based on the question/concern and age of the client. Evaluations may include: interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, feedback sessions and written reports. All Evaluations result in an Action Plan, which is a set of specific and concrete recommendations.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions are scheduled with one of our experts to develop specific tools and strategies designed for the individual child and family. These sessions can be scheduled as needed, and often in conjunction with other types of services, such as therapy/counseling or evaluations.

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

Make an Appointment

Trauma

Many children experience trauma—both acute, single-event trauma as well as chronic trauma. A traumatic event is one that threatens injury, death, or the physical integrity of self or others and also causes horror, terror, or helplessness at the time it occurs. Almost all children who have experienced trauma experience short-term distress, but can return to normal levels of functioning if they receive proper treatment and support. The quality of the relationships a child has with therapists, family and others in their support networks is fundamental to their recovery. 

Our menu of services for trauma includes EMDR, a powerful technique for accessing and processing past traumatic events, bringing those events to a healthy resolution. Few practices include a certified EMDR practitioner, but our own Kim Brownell, LCSW, is certified to provide this effective treatment option.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Screenings can sometimes take the place of an initial intake appointment. Screenings are 50-minute appointments during which one of our specialists briefly screens your child for developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Screenings are preferable to parent-only initial appointments when you are seeking our impressions based on observations or interactions with your child. A screening does not allow sufficient opportunity for diagnostic conclusions to be made, but can lead concrete and specific recommendations. In addition, screenings can determine whether or not further evaluation or intervention is warranted. Developmental screenings are offered for infants as young as 3 months.

Our formal evaluations are tailored to suit the needs of each client. No two evaluations are alike. We aim to be comprehensive, while eliminating extraneous tests that would not prove useful for diagnostic clarity. The nature and content of the evaluation varies based on the question/concern and age of the client. Evaluations may include: interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, feedback sessions and written reports. All Evaluations result in an Action Plan, which is a set of specific and concrete recommendations.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions are scheduled with one of our experts to develop specific tools and strategies designed for the individual child and family. These sessions can be scheduled as needed, and often in conjunction with other types of services, such as therapy/counseling or evaluations.

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

Make an Appointment

Eating Disorders

Although more frequently recognized in adolescents and young adults, eating disorders frequently begin in childhood, but go unrecognized, undiagnosed and untreated. Eating disorders include not only anorexia and bulimia, but also many other, lesser known varieties. Disturbed eating behavior can be associated with concerns about weight and shape, but also by disinterest in food, phobic avoidance or avoidance due to the sensations of eating. Effective treatment includes both psychological and dietary components—dietary approaches alone are far less effective.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Screenings can sometimes take the place of an initial intake appointment. Screenings are 50-minute appointments during which one of our specialists briefly screens your child for developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Screenings are preferable to parent-only initial appointments when you are seeking our impressions based on observations or interactions with your child. A screening does not allow sufficient opportunity for diagnostic conclusions to be made, but can lead concrete and specific recommendations. In addition, screenings can determine whether or not further evaluation or intervention is warranted. Developmental screenings are offered for infants as young as 3 months.

Our formal evaluations are tailored to suit the needs of each client. No two evaluations are alike. We aim to be comprehensive, while eliminating extraneous tests that would not prove useful for diagnostic clarity. The nature and content of the evaluation varies based on the question/concern and age of the client. Evaluations may include: interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, feedback sessions and written reports. All Evaluations result in an Action Plan, which is a set of specific and concrete recommendations.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions are scheduled with one of our experts to develop specific tools and strategies designed for the individual child and family. These sessions can be scheduled as needed, and often in conjunction with other types of services, such as therapy/counseling or evaluations.

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

Based on expressed community needs, we have designed and implemented group sessions and workshops for select audiences and concerns. Our Social Stars program supports social skill-building within distinct groups for boys and girls, preschool through teen. The Social Stars group dovetails with the curriculum of our Bright Stars video parenting course. In addition, we offer two weekly group therapy program for girls and women: Together We Rise!, which helps women develop key coping skills and take strides towards fulfillment; and Strong Together!, which help teens develop their own skills for grappling with the myriad demands of adolescence. Please don’t hesitate to share your ideas for additional group sessions and workshops!

Make an Appointment

Family Issues

Children experience and react to any issues within their family. Sometimes the effects go unnoticed until they become more severe and obvious. Sometimes the effects are dramatic and immediately recognized. Sometimes children are seen as bystanders to disruptions in family dynamics, and other times they are seen as the source of the disruptions. But all of these situations point to the fact that children are interconnected with all the members of the family; they experience and participate in all its dynamics. Seemingly disconnected issues or problems experienced by a child are very frequently connected to—and exacerbated by—larger issues within the family. In therapy, the goal is not to assign blame, but to recognize unhelpful patterns of behavior, and replace them with patterns that support the wellbeing of all the members of the family.

Most clients begin with an initial 50-minute intake with one of our specialists. This is your opportunity to share your concerns, ask questions, and provide any documents or other information you feel would help us get to know your situation. Parents are welcome to bring their child with them to the appointment if they wish, as appropriate, but this is not required. By the end of the session, we have made a tentative plan about next steps.

Consultations are 50-minute sessions with one of our specialists to address concerns. Many individuals have all their questions and concerns sufficiently addressed within a single appointment, while others may choose to have subsequent consultative visits.

These sessions are scheduled with one of our experts to develop specific tools and strategies designed for the individual child and family. These sessions can be scheduled as needed, and often in conjunction with other types of services, such as therapy/counseling or evaluations.

Therapy/Counseling consists of 50-minute meetings with one of our specialists. Therapy sessions can be for individual children, teens, or adults, couples or families. Who is included in therapy sessions can change throughout the course of therapy. The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the circumstances of the client and their concerns. We are results-oriented therapists, and tailor our work to each individual situation to yield maximal gains in the shortest amount of time.

We also offer therapy/counseling appointments that are conducted via phone or video. These “Telehealth Appointments” can be either individual sessions or group sessions and are available to book with our staff therapist, Kimberly Brownell, LCSW, LICSW.

Make An Appointment

Are you ready for help? We’re ready to start you on your journey to maximize the developmental, social, emotional, behavioral, and academic potential of your child, teen, and/or family.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

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.

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

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