Psychological Testing and Evaluation Therapists in San Luis Obispo, CA

My early training and work with young children and their parents prepared me for my current work treating adults and couples; many of the struggles these families had centered around bonding and attachment. Today, most of my adult patients face relationship issues rooted in early life experiences. During psychotherapy treatments, I help my patients understand the value of working through early emotional losses so they can mature and enjoy healthy adult relationships.

Dr. Aponte is a psychologist and partner at Central Coast Evaluation Services, a specialized practice providing clinical and forensic psychological evaluations. Areas of assessment include psychopathology, cognitive/intellectual, attention, memory, personality, criminal responsibility/mitigation, mental status at the time of offense, competence to stand trial, and violence risk. She regularly provides expert witness testimony across the state of California.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California with 23 years of professional work experience. My mission is to deliver life-changing care to teens, adults, families, couples and geriatric individuals who experience a wide array of mental health conditions and current life challenges. Such as: traumatic stress, struggles with feeling scattered and not accomplishing your goals, managing emotions, challenging negative thinking, and reducing stress and anxiety. Today's world can be intense and stressful, and it's taking an unprecedented toll on kids, teens, adults, couples and families.

I provide psychotherapy, coaching, and assessment for individuals with a wide variety of needs including those seeking relief from anxiety and depression, those dealing with major life, relationship, and career transitions, those seeking diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and learning disabilities, as well as those dealing with significant health challenges related to cancer.

I specialize in assessing and diagnosing various learning, social, emotional, behavioral and developmental disabilities in children, adolescents and adults. I provide comprehensive psychological evaluations in the following areas: forensic (civil and criminal), public safety, academic, cognitive, and medical. I am a qualified medical examiner (QME) and POST-certified. In addition to psychological evaluations, I can assist as a neutral and independent expert witness or consultant.

I specialize in psychological assessment. Whether you would benefit from accommodations at school or work, need testing for private school admission/gifted placement, require an evaluation for employment or a medical procedure, are facing legal problems due to mental health issues, are interested in clarifying a diagnosis, or simply desire more insight into yourself and your strengths and weakness, I can help you obtain the answers you need. I am one of several psychologists at CCES, a specialized practice committed to providing the most up-to-date, comprehensive and objective psychological evaluations. Types of evaluations include:

Prometheus Psychological Services offers a full range of outpatient psychological services. The services include psychological assessment and a variety of therapies. People use our services for depression, anxiety, and problems in relationships. Treatment can also be utilized to address anger, marital conflict, and low self-esteem. Work with children and adolescents can focus on behavior problems at home and at school, developmental disabilities, and attention deficit disorders. We can also tailor programs for individuals with learning disabilities and problems with daily living. Many athletes are turning to us to help them reach their peak performance. Together we can develop a specific program tailored to your particular sport and your unique strengths and weaknesses. Our services can help athletes manage anxiety, develop relaxation techniques, and enhance leadership skills. Others have sought our services for help with a lack of consistency, to address difficulty maintaining focus, or to aid with recovery from injury. We can assist with goal setting, confidence, and visualizing yourself being successful, in an attempt to help you reach your full potential.

My primary focus in private practice is evaluation and assessment for a variety of psychological conditions, such as ADHD, Autism, Mood Disorders, Learning Disabilities and Personality Disorders. The second focus I have is treatment. I have an integrative approach to therapy in which I use multiple modalities that fit my clients’ individual needs. Some of the modalities I use are interpersonal therapy, supportive therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. I also view other factors that can affect the client, such as cultural, medical, and environmental factors.

Many people struggle with finding their way in life. It is very hard to do it on your own. Therapy is one of many tools that people can use to create and sustain change. My practice tends to draw individuals, couples and families who need support with a variety of different challenges and conflicts.

The therapeutic process is unique to every person. I take a collaborative approach to therapy so that together, we create a plan that fits for your life. I utilize therapeutic techniques that support your building a set of tools that can support you in building a meaningful life. I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with strong influences from Person-Centered Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). The therapeutic relationship we will build will be used as an agent for change. As we work together, we will develop meaningful and reasonable goals that feel empowering.

My ideal client is someone who approaches their challenges with a readiness to confront and understand themselves on a profound level. They courageously grapple with issues surrounding mood, trauma, and stress, demonstrating a genuine willingness to engage in the therapeutic process. Their overarching goal is clear – they aspire to enhance their lives, seeking a path toward greater well-being and authenticity.

Accepting new clients.

I treat clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, life stressors and transitions. I enjoy working with adults and couples who are experiencing all types of issues. Dealing with parenting and adolescence can be challenging, but these are the types of challenges I embrace. Whatever your issues or goals are in therapy, I can provide an integrated way of helping you due to my educational background and varied life experiences.

Each of us passes through struggles that are difficult to cope with. In working together to form a therapeutic relationship we can become healthier and more able to react more skillfully to the challenges that present themselves. My work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families is based off a strong clinical foundation and woven together with compassion, respect and caring. By resolving some of our issues we can become balanced and find improved overall health (mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, emotionally).

Need PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING to finally discover what is happening? Would you like to finally resolve issues within yourself/family/family business effectively and permanently? My style/approach is unique; my background lends itself well to families with small and large businesses who are trying to keep ownership a positive dynamic. Consultation in my office does not feel like another "thing to get done." If you put in effort, you'll find that our work together will be life-changing. Time is never wasted; I will listen to you while giving you the feedback you are longing for. You'll find that you grow and get stronger by the minute.

Looking for a therapist that is a part of the LBGTQ+ community? Do you want treatment that explores your concerns? I provide treatment that validates you and advocates for your needs. As a member of the LGBT+ community, I am passionate about my work. I also have a special interest in working with people that practice indigenous healing, Paganism, New Age practices, and Spiritualism.

I work from a depth and relationship based perspective while integrating play therapy and evidenced-based interventions to address the unique and personal needs of my clients. I have a special interest in working with individuals with trauma histories, including childhood maltreatment and abuse, and have completed formal comprehensive training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). I encourage gaining awareness and curiosity for all parts of self to better understand how your past can influence your present and future as well as how individual strengths can help you heal and become whole.

My name is Dr. Linnea Hagens, a clinical psychological associate for Dr. Tammy Dobbs. I provide personalized therapy aimed to relieve emotional distress and develop goals of improving some aspects of your life. Therapy sessions include examining and gaining insight into life choices and difficulties faced.

There are many paths up the mountain. I believe that each individual is as unique as the pathway they select in life. On every path there are difficult challenges that bring questions. Why do I feel this way? What am I missing? Is what I'm feeling a mental illness? Is my brain functioning properly? Do I need professional help?