Sophia Genone, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical & Educational Psychologist
Building Well-being for Children & Teens
Comprehensive assessment and psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and young adults
I specialize in the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, including learning differences, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism. I also provide psychotherapy and parent consultation services to support children and teens in building the resilience and well-being to navigate life stressors with greater ease. I offer a warm and safe environment for young people to understand their learning patterns, express their emotions, and develop tools to more effectively manage their inner experiences. I also work with families and schools to understand a child's learning profile, including their cognitive, academic, and social-emotional capacities, and provide guidance around practical interventions to address specific needs and goals.
About
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY30183) and Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP3290) in independent practice in the Bay Area. With a doctorate in School Psychology from UC Berkeley, I completed my postdoctoral training through the UCSF Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and have been supporting children, teens, and families in school, clinical, and private practice settings since 2009. Bringing a strengths-based approach to assessment, I draw on a range of theories and frameworks to help families and schools better understand the whole child. My therapeutic work combines a variety of evidence-based modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and play.
Assessment Services
Psychoeducational Evaluations
Independent Educational Evaluations
Psychoeducational Evaluations
Children can have difficulty for many reasons. By integrating psychological and educational principles, a psychoeducational assessment offers insight into how an individual learns, problem-solves, and interacts with the environment in order to identify specific challenges, strengths, and treatment recommendations. It encompasses assessment of cognitive ability, neuropsychological processing, and emotional and behavioral regulation. Tailored to the needs of the individual, each assessment includes:
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Background & Record Review. The assessment process begins with a thorough developmental and medical history, as well as parent and teacher interviews and questionnaires to help determine areas of concern.
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Observations. Observations of your child across academic and social school settings provide information regarding school functioning under varying circumstances and demands.
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Testing. The one-on-one testing process usually requires 2-3 sessions in which the child completes an individually tailored battery of interactive measures designed to carefully assess cognitive ability, neuropsychological processing, academic functioning, and social-emotional development. Areas commonly examined include:
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intellectual aptitude
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language processing
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quantitative reasoning
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perceptual and visual-spatial skills
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long- and short-term memory
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attention
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executive functioning
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problem-solving
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conceptualization
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planning and organization
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mental flexibility
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fine motor skills
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academic ability
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social perception and perspective-taking
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Social-Emotional & Behavioral Assessment. Rating scales, screenings, and other behavioral measures specific to the area of concern are used to provide information regarding your child's social, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing.
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Written Report & Feedback. Parents receive a confidential written report with a clear analysis detailing their child’s learning and behavioral strengths and challenges, including a diagnosis when applicable. Parents attend a feedback session to review the results, specific recommendations, and answer remaining questions. When appropriate, children/adolescents are included in part of the feedback session to help them better understand their learning profile.
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School Collaboration. Upon completing an evaluation I am available to meet with teachers and school teams to help translate evaluation results into everyday practice and collaborate around the implementation of recommendations and accommodations.
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Follow-up. I also remain available to answer questions regarding your child’s evaluation and progress. Some families seek additional progress monitoring services to track how well a student is responding to accommodations and interventions and identify additional supports as their child develops.
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
If a parent disagrees with the results of a school district evaluation or if the child is not assessed in some areas of potential disability, an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) may be requested at school district expense. A comprehensive IEE includes assessment of cognitive, neuropsychological, academic, behavioral, and social-emotional functioning, in addition to a review of the student's history, parent and teacher input, and observations. The comprehensive IEE report is extensive enough to serve as a guide for the student's Individual Educational Program (IEP) development.
Psychotherapy Services
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
Parenting Support
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
Children and teens can experience a range of emotional challenges that impact their ability to self-regulate and develop rewarding interpersonal connections. I offer individual psychotherapy sessions, in person or via telehealth, for young people ages 3-22. Each session is typically 50 minutes long, and the duration of treatment varies based on need. For children, treatment includes close communication with parents to help assess progress and ensure that new skills can be translated and generalized across environments. With teens and young adults, I offer a reflective space to support them in managing the sometimes unsettling experiences that shape their transition to adulthood. We focus on wellness fundamentals such as positive mindset, connecting authentically with others, and feeling accepted and effective in the world.
Parenting Support
Parenting provides some of the most rewarding and challenging opportunities for personal growth, yet finding the patience and tools for managing family life can sometimes be challenging and benefit from new perspectives. Typical parenting concerns include: positive discipline strategies, navigating daily stressors, and supporting a child or teen's unique abilities, identity, and interests. In meeting with parents, I offer support to help them clarify their priorities and proactively increase creative problem-solving and positive communication with their children.
Contact
Email. sgenone@sophiagenonephd.com
Phone. 510-290-3273
Berkeley Office.1918 Bonita Ave., 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704
*Saturday appointments available.
Please call (510) 290-3273 to schedule a 30 minute complimentary consultation.
Questions? Please be in touch.
The cost of services varies and can be discussed during the initial consultation. Some portion of the assessment process may be covered by insurance or through Flexible Spending Accounts. A superbill will be provided for reimbursement.