Carissa Cerda, PhD
Licensed Psychologist, School Psychologist, Clinical Director
Dr. Cerda specializes in working with children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Her primary clinical interests include OCD, trauma, depression, and anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, separation anxiety, selective mutism, and panic disorder), disruptive behaviors, and body-focused repetitive behaviors. Additionally, given her experience working as a School Psychologist (SP), Dr. Cerda possesses an understanding of special education services within the Texas public school system.
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Dr. Cerda places emphasis on developing a trusting therapeutic relationship with the children and adolescents she serves. She prioritizes acceptance, compassion, collaboration, and approachability within the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Cerda is guided by a developmental framework and she takes an integrative approach to therapy, which allows her to tailor therapeutic services to the unique needs, goals, and pace of each individual. Dr. Cerda incorporates acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, self-compassion practices, and systems theory in her clinical work. Her professional and personal experiences have reinforced her belief in resiliency and the importance of heeding culture, identity, and the various, interconnected systems that impact children’s development. Dr. Cerda values consultation and collaboration with families, schools, and other treatment providers to allow for learning about the whole child and to support children within their various systems.
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Dr. Cerda earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She also received a Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in School Psychology at Texas A&M University. She has received training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (T-F CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and parent child interaction therapy (PCIT).
Prior to joining the practice, Dr. Cerda served children and adolescents in outpatient, school, and medical settings and in a child advocacy center. She completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Texas Child Study Center and Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas, where she gained experience providing evidence-based therapy to children, adolescents, and families experiencing a wide range of concerns. Dr. Cerda completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Bastrop Independent School District where she conducted monolingual and bilingual evaluations of children for special education services. She also gained experience in providing school-based counseling services, conducting functional behavior assessments (FBA), consulting in the creation/implementation of behavior intervention plans (BIP), and participating in Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings. She is a Licensed Psychologist (37492) and a School Psychologist (70777) in the state of Texas.
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Dr. Cerda loves animals, especially horses and dogs. She is particularly fond of her beloved beagle. Dr. Cerda’s favorite way to spend time is in the countryside with her friends and family or outdoors listening to live music. She also enjoys reading, creating art, exercising, going for long walks, and watching football.
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Dr. Cerda provides online video therapy sessions and also sees clients at our Westlake and Round Rock offices. For more information about Dr. Cerda’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call 512-246-7225 or visit our client portal.