Escondido · North County San Diego
Dr. Joanna Kennedy
PsyD · Clinical Psychologist · Child & Teen Specialist
Dr. Kennedy provides psychological and developmental testing for children and teens at our Escondido office, along with treatment for selective mutism, anxiety, and OCD. Parents often come to her after months of conflicting answers. Her job is to provide a clear one.
Psychological Testing in Escondido
Assessment
Some children are easy to diagnose. Many are not. A child might be autistic, or anxious, or both. Attention problems can look like ADHD, a learning disorder, or worry that never turns off. Dr. Kennedy specializes in exactly these overlapping presentations, and her evaluations are designed to tell the difference.
Before joining Pinnacle, she conducted evaluations at Rady Children's Hospital's Autism Discovery Institute in San Diego, where she assessed complex presentations of autism as part of a multidisciplinary team. She administers the ADOS-2, a gold-star diagnostic measure for autism, and approaches every assessment with the whole child in mind: strengths as well as challenges.
- Autism and other developmental evaluations (ADOS-2)
- ADHD and executive functioning assessment
- Academic and psychoeducational testing for learning disorders and giftedness
- Differential diagnosis for complex or contested presentations
- Adapted autism assessment for children with selective mutism
Every family leaves with a written report signed by a licensed psychologist, specific recommendations, and a feedback session where results are explained in plain language.
Counseling
Treatment
Dr. Kennedy treats selective mutism, anxiety, OCD, and the social and executive functioning challenges that often accompany autism and ADHD.
She is also a treating clinician in Pinnacle's Outside Voice camps, held right here in Escondido. Parents are partners in this work, not observers. Dr. Kennedy trains caregivers in the same techniques she uses in session, so progress continues at home, at school, and in the community.
For Families
School Support
Dr. Kennedy knows the special education landscape from the clinical side, including the IEP and 504 Plan process. She helps families request school evaluations, interpret results, and advocate effectively in meetings with Escondido Union, San Marcos Unified, and other North County districts. Her reports are written in formats school districts accept.
Also Available
Work with Adults
While children and teens are the center of her practice, Dr. Kennedy also provides adult psychological testing and counseling. This includes ADHD and autism evaluations for adults who suspect a condition that was never identified in childhood.
Credentials
Training & Background
Dr. Kennedy completed her PsyD in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in child and family psychology, at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, San Diego. Her doctoral research focused on mothers of autistic children participating in a mindful parenting course.
Earlier in her career she provided naturalistic developmental-behavioral therapy to toddlers showing early signs of autism, and conducted research on naturalistic behavioral intervention.
Our Escondido Office
Serving North County San Diego
Dr. Kennedy sees patients at 900 Canterbury Place in Escondido, with easy access from Interstate 15 and Highway 78. Families come to us from throughout North County San Diego, including: