About Me

My Experience

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of different settings, including public, charter, and therapeutic schools, community health centers, non-profits, hospitals, and private clinics. In addition, I have conducted program evaluations for community mental health organizations, served as an advocate for youth in the juvenile justice system, and supervised post-doctoral fellows. These diverse experiences all inform my assessments and treatment recommendations.

My Goals

While we will develop your specific goals for an assessment, I almost always seek to answer the following questions that are common to most families I work with: 

• What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?

• Why are they struggling?

• How can I help them be successful and happy?

I’m passionate about answering these questions thoroughly and accurately for each child.

When you gain a better understanding of how your child’s brain is unique, you will improve your ability to manage his behavior and foster his well-being. Teachers will be more informed about how to support your child in the classroom. Most importantly, your child will understand how to leverage her many strengths and know that support is available for academic or mental health challenges. 

My Philosophy

I believe that kids will do well if they can.

If your child is struggling, it is not because they are lazy, defiant, or don’t care. Challenges are likely due to skill deficits. Maybe they need support for reading, writing, or math. Maybe they have difficulty with attention and executive functioning. Maybe they do not know how to effectively cope with stress, anger, or anxiety. In any case, we know that these challenges can be overcome when they are accurately identified and met with appropriate intervention.

I believe that assessments must focus on the whole child.

This means that giving you a clear diagnosis is only a small part of my work. It is also important that we identify what your child does well. In the long run, I want your child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in an environment that is well-suited to their unique talents. Every child can be happy and successful in the right conditions. I see my role as helping you determine what those conditions are.

I believe my work with you as a child psychologist should be efficient and accessible.

I will schedule appointments as quickly as I am able. While ensuring a comprehensive assessment, I will only administer tests that answer referral questions and deepen our understanding of your child. I will provide verbal and written feedback 1-2 weeks after testing has concluded. A comprehensive report will follow within 2 weeks of our feedback session. This report will be thorough but succinct and written in plain language. 

My Journey

Growing up in the Bay Area, I am acutely aware of the academic pressures and social challenges that your children face. After high school, I attended Tufts University, where I graduated with honors in biopsychology and played varsity tennis. Following a year as a behavioral counselor in a therapeutic school, I completed my graduate training in clinical psychology at William James College (Newton, MA). I returned to the Bay Area to complete my post-doctoral fellowship, and have conducted assessments at several local organizations. I began Westerfield Psychological Assessment in 2020 with the goal of providing accurate, comprehensive, and strength-based evaluations to children, teens, and young adults.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing soccer, reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.