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Children and teens

Testing and therapy for kids and teens, and clear next steps for parents.

Request an appointmentCall 949.743.1457

Is this your family?

  • School is harder than it should be, and you do not know why.
  • A teacher or pediatrician suggested testing.
  • Your child seems anxious, sad, angry or withdrawn.
  • You have an IEP or 504 meeting coming up and want the full picture.
  • Your teen will not talk to you, and might talk to someone else.

What we help with

Testing for schoolAn outside evaluation you can bring to an IEP or 504 meeting.Learn moreADHDFind out whether focus and behavior concerns are ADHD, something else, or both.Learn moreAutismA careful look at whether autism explains what you are seeing, and what support will help.Learn moreLearning disabilitiesTesting for reading, writing and math.Learn moreNeuropsychological testingA full picture of how your child thinks, learns and remembers.Learn moreTherapy for kids and teensFor anxiety, low mood, behavior, trauma and family stress.Learn more

What a parent does first

  1. Call or request an appointment

    Tell our front office what you are seeing. If you are not sure whether testing or therapy fits, say so and they will help you sort it out.

  2. We match you with a clinician

    Our front office checks your insurance and finds a clinician who works with children or teens.

  3. The first visit

    For testing, it starts with a conversation with you about your child's history. For therapy, the first session is about getting to know your child and you.

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Cost and insurance

Coverage for testing varies by plan. We are in network with over 25 commercial insurance plans, and with Medi-Cal and Medicare. Call us with your insurance card handy and our team will check your coverage.

Insurance and cost

Who you will see

A few of the clinicians who do this work. Our front office matches you with a clinician who fits, who may be someone not shown here.

Dr. Michael Cao, PsyDPediatric neuropsychologist. Evaluations for children, teens and young adults.Read bio
Dr. Marian Nashed, PsyDWorks with children, teens and their families, and with young adults.Read bio
Dr. Brooke Davidson, PsyDTherapy and assessment with children, teens and families, including ADHD and learning disorder assessments.Read bio
Meet the whole team

Questions

How do I explain testing to my child?
Keep it short, calm and honest. You can say they will meet a friendly person who will do some activities and games with them to learn how they think and learn. There are no grades and nothing to pass or fail.
Will the school use the report?
A school district makes its own eligibility decisions. An outside evaluation gives you a thorough picture to bring to that conversation, written so people who are not psychologists can read it.
What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
An IEP is a special education plan with services and goals. A 504 plan gives accommodations, such as extra time, so a student can learn alongside classmates. Testing results help a school team decide which one fits.
Can my child do therapy by video?
Therapy can be by video from anywhere in California. Your child's clinician will help you decide whether video or in person fits. Testing is always in person. See Telehealth.
Do I need a referral from a doctor?
Call us and our front office will tell you what your insurance plan requires.

Related reading

From our Learn libraryHow to Prepare Your Child for a Psychological EvaluationFrom our Learn libraryAnxiety in Children: Signs, and When to Seek HelpFrom our Learn libraryHow Testing Supports an IEP Meeting
See everything in Learn

Request an appointment

You don't need to have it figured out. A few questions, at your pace, then a person from our front office calls you. Rather talk now? Call 949.743.1457.

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We only ask what the front office needs to get you scheduled.

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