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8 Best Child Psychologists in San Diego

Choosing a child psychologist in San Diego starts with matching the practice to the child’s needs, whether that means anxiety support, ADHD care, school guidance, or a formal evaluation.

The strongest options differ in how they coordinate care, involve parents, and support children at home or school. Families should also confirm age range, appointment availability, and whether testing or therapy is offered.

Our method for this guide

We chose child psychologists in San Diego with a proven record among their customers and ranked them with the specialists first. The list is reviewed regularly so it stays current.

No business can pay to be included. Those already in the guide may buy extra visibility, and it is always shown.

Top 3Complete listMapHow to pick one

Browse 8 local options

Get Psyched, San Diego#1

Get Psyched

5.022 reviews
8220 University Ave Ste 202, La Mesa, CA 91942, United States
Recommended for
Families seeking psychoeducational or independent evaluationsStudents needing learning support planning

Get Psyched provides educational assessments and learning support for children, families, schools, and providers in the San Diego area. Founded by Licensed Educational Psychologist Misty Bonta, the practice focuses on comprehensive learning disability evaluations, independent educational evaluations, behavior and learning support, and school-based consultation.

Evaluations are strength-based and neuro-informed, examining how each student learns, processes information, and functions in daily settings. Reports are designed to explain findings clearly and connect them to practical recommendations, helping families and school teams plan appropriate supports.

San Diego Kids First#2

San Diego Kids First

4.724 reviews
12625 High Bluff Dr #204, San Diego, CA 92130, United States
Recommended for
Children and teens needing coordinated psychological careFamilies seeking school or in-home support

San Diego Kids First is a specialized child psychology practice serving children, teens, young adults, and families. Its services include psychological testing, diagnostic evaluations, individual therapy, parent coaching, school consultations, social-skills groups, in-home support, and academic or organizational skills training.

The practice takes a tailored, family-centered approach that connects care with everyday life at home, in the community, and at school. It is particularly relevant for developmental, behavioral, emotional, social, and academic concerns requiring coordinated support rather than a single isolated service.

SoCal Child Psychology, San Diego#3

SoCal Child Psychology

5.09 reviews
3252 Holiday Ct #220, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
Recommended for
Children and teens with ADHD or anxietyFamilies seeking practical parent-supported therapy

SoCal Child Psychology provides child and teen therapy and psychological evaluations in San Diego, with a focused emphasis on ADHD, anxiety, OCD, learning differences, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and ARFID or extreme picky eating. Care extends from children as young as four through young adulthood.

The practice uses evidence-based treatment and practical tools that families can apply at home and school. Its approach includes close parent involvement, helping children and caregivers understand strengths, manage daily challenges, and build more consistent emotional and behavioral support.

Psycho-Educational Consultants Group, San Diego#4

Psycho-Educational Consultants Group

5.05 reviews
5405 Morehouse Dr Unit 230, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Recommended for
Families seeking learning or educational evaluations

Psycho-Educational Consultants Group provides LEP-led psychoeducational evaluations and school-focused support for children and teens in San Diego. The team assesses learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and related educational needs, translating findings into clear recommendations for families and school teams.

Its process keeps children involved rather than treating assessment as something that happens only around them. Students are encouraged to ask questions and receive their own review session, helping them understand how they learn and communicate what support they need. The practice serves children from age 3 through college age.

SLocal business
#5

Shari Mednitsky, Ph.D.

5.05 reviews
1420 Kettner Blvd Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Dr. Shari Mednitsky provides online and in-person therapy in San Diego, with a particular focus on physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Her work addresses burnout, anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, relationship concerns, and the pressure of sustaining a demanding clinical role.

The practice also supports adults navigating medical leave, disability assistance, workplace accommodations, and related documentation. A strong therapeutic relationship anchors the work, with attention to coping strategies, healthier patterns, and practical steps toward greater balance.

Aspiring Families Center for Mental Health and Wellness, San Diego#6

Aspiring Families Center for Mental Health and Wellness

4.414 reviews
12625 High Bluff Dr Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92130, United States
Recommended for
Families seeking therapy and assessment togetherChildren needing support for anxiety, ADHD, or school concerns

Aspiring Families Center for Mental Health and Wellness provides therapy, assessment, and psychological support for children, teens, adults, and families in San Diego. Its services include psychoeducational, diagnostic, and neuropsychological testing, play therapy, expressive arts therapy, neurofeedback, family therapy, and in-school or in-home behavioral support.

The practice addresses concerns such as anxiety, ADHD, trauma, parenting challenges, academic stress, and complex family dynamics. Care is individualized and integrates clinical expertise with practical strategies, while family therapy focuses on communication, connection, transitions, and emotional healing.

DLocal business
#7

Dr. Heather Johnson

4.316 reviews
9815 Carroll Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92131, United States
Recommended for
Adults seeking online therapyMilitary families and veterans

Dr. Heather Johnson is a licensed psychologist serving San Diego through virtual individual therapy. Her practice focuses on adults and older adolescents facing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, insomnia, relationship concerns, parenting challenges, military-related stress, and major life transitions.

Her background includes extensive work with active-duty service members, veterans, and dependents, alongside experience in trauma and PTSD research. The therapeutic approach is compassionate and structured, with sessions tailored to the concerns and goals brought to treatment.

Stars Therapy Services, San Diego#8

Stars Therapy Services

4.8148 reviews
2090 Otay Lakes Rd Ste 101, Chula Vista, CA 91913, United States
Recommended for
Families seeking early developmental supportChildren needing speech or occupational therapy

Stars Therapy Services supports infants, toddlers, and children through early intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA services in San Diego. The team uses play-based, relationship-centered care to encourage communication, motor development, social skills, and everyday independence while involving families in the process.

Its programs include Project Impact, early education, baby massage and bonding, and individualized therapy plans. ABA services are available for children ages 3 to 8, while free developmental screenings are offered for children from birth to age 3 to help identify possible areas requiring further evaluation.

How the options stack up

#BusinessRatingReviewsRecommended for
#1Get Psyched 5.022Families seeking psychoeducational or independent evaluations
#2San Diego Kids First 4.724Children and teens needing coordinated psychological care
#3SoCal Child Psychology 5.09Children and teens with ADHD or anxiety
#4Psycho-Educational Consultants Group 5.05Families seeking learning or educational evaluations
#5Shari Mednitsky, Ph.D. 5.05—
#6Aspiring Families Center for Mental Health and Wellness 4.414Families seeking therapy and assessment together
#7Dr. Heather Johnson 4.316Adults seeking online therapy
#8Stars Therapy Services 4.8148Families seeking early developmental support

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Map of child psychologists across San Diego

No specific neighborhoods are verified for this selection, so the most useful map view is the distance from home, school, or work. Practices may differ in their clinic, school-based, in-home, or online coverage. Before traveling, ask whether the first appointment is in person, virtual, or available at another setting. This can make a meaningful difference for younger children and busy families.

What each one offers

  • Child and teen therapySupport for children and adolescents facing emotional, behavioral, or school concerns.
  • ADHD and anxiety careTherapy and guidance for attention difficulties, worry, regulation, and related challenges.
  • Psychoeducational evaluationsAssessment support for learning needs, school planning, and independent educational evaluations.
  • Parent-supported therapyPractical strategies that give parents a meaningful role between sessions.
  • Early developmental supportCoordinated help for developmental concerns, including speech and occupational needs.
  • ABA servicesFamilies exploring applied behavior analysis can ask about available programs and scope.
  • School or in-home supportSome practices may coordinate care around the child’s everyday environment.

Choosing child psychologists in San Diego

  1. Match the first appointmentAsk whether the initial visit is a parent interview, child session, testing appointment, or a combination.
  2. Clarify school coordinationConfirm whether the practice can communicate with teachers or help turn findings into school support planning.
  3. Ask about parent involvementFind out how often parents receive coaching and what strategies they can use between appointments.
  4. Check the evaluation scopeIf testing is needed, ask which areas are assessed and whether the report meets the intended school or clinical purpose.
  5. Verify the care settingConfirm whether sessions take place in the office, online, at home, or in a school-related setting.

Frequent questions

When should a child see a psychologist?

Consider an appointment when anxiety, attention problems, behavior changes, learning difficulties, or emotional distress interfere with daily life, relationships, or school. A consultation can also help clarify whether therapy, testing, parent coaching, or another form of support is the right next step.

Can a child psychologist help with school concerns?

Many practices address school-related concerns, but the exact support varies. Ask whether the psychologist provides psychoeducational testing, learning recommendations, teacher communication, or planning assistance, and whether those services are separate from ongoing therapy.

What should parents bring to the first visit?

Bring a brief timeline of the concern, relevant school reports, prior evaluations, medication information if applicable, and examples of situations that are difficult. Parents should also note what has helped and what they hope the assessment or therapy will accomplish.

Are therapy and assessment available together?

Some practices combine therapy and assessment, while others focus on one service or refer families elsewhere. Ask how the practice separates clinical treatment from testing, how long each stage takes, and how the findings will guide the child’s support plan.

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