Welcome! I am a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY34459) who specializes in the assessment of children and adults. My assessments can answer a broad range of questions, including those pertaining to neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD, learning disabilities, and autism) and psychological issues (such as anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, bipolar disorder, and OCD). I am very passionate about the therapeutic benefits of assessment, and I pride myself on using a strengths-based, collaborative, and integrative approach to evaluation. I focus on understanding the whole person and the nuances of their unique strengths and challenges.

I was fortunate to grow up in Santa Barbara, and am an alum of SBHS (Go Dons!). I am even more fortunate to have been able to move back and continue to call this beautiful place home. 

I attended the California School of Professional Psychology in Alhambra, CA where I received my doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology. I then completed my APA Accredited Internship at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, where I had the opportunity to work with patients of all ages for psychotherapy and testing. I also trained at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and a number of clinics including private practice, community mental health, and outpatient psychiatry. In addition to my clinical work, I have been an adjunct professor of assessment and biopsychology in the clinical psychology doctoral programs at Cal Lutheran University and Pacifica University. 

Clarissa Dewhirst is a post-doctoral Registered Psychological Associate who provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, families, and couples. Her clinical work is informed by a psychodynamic approach, with a focus on understanding how early experiences, relational patterns, and unconscious processes influence present-day emotional difficulties and relationships.

Clarissa offers a collaborative and reflective therapeutic environment where clients can explore longstanding patterns, develop deeper self-understanding, and work through emotional and relational challenges. Through attention to insight, emotional experience, and the therapeutic relationship, she supports clients in fostering greater emotional awareness, flexibility, and more satisfying connections with themselves and others.

Clarissa received her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Antioch, and completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Wright Institute Los Angeles (WILA).