The Neurobehavioral Clinic and Counseling Center staff is committed to helping our patients and their loved ones. We are a small clinic of specialists, owned and operated by clinicians. We sincerely believe that the quality of our work will always be our strongest asset.
Dr. Barbra McDowell is trained in the field of Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Child Psychology. She has received subspecialty training and experience in Pediatric Health Psychology, Pediatric Neuropsychology, and Pediatric Rehabilitation Psychology. Her philosophy is to treat the whole child within his/her environment. This includes addressing systemic issues including family functioning, educational placement, social adjustment, as well as any other context in which the child may function (i.e. legal, health).
Dr. McDowell's clinical focus is on the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with a variety of health conditions; including chronic illness, neurological trauma, learning disabilities, and cognitive deficits secondary to illness, trauma, or developmental delay. She also treats patients with general emotional and behavioral difficulties.
In addition to her work with patients in her private practice, Dr. McDowell has extensive experience working with inpatient medical teams. She was on staff at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Miller Children’s Hospital. She has consulted with pediatric rehabilitation teams where she evaluated and treated children and adolescents with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions. She has also worked with hematology/oncology, pulmonary, and endocrinology teams. Dr. McDowell has also developed and directed a School Reintegration program to promote successful school re-entry for children and adolescents with acute or chronic illness and/or injury.
Clinical Services for children and adolescents
Neuropsychological Evaluation
Psycho-educational Evaluation
Psychological Evaluation
Individual Psychotherapy
Family therapy
Play therapy
Behavior Management
Social Skills Training
Parent education and support
Social Cognition Groups/Social Skills Training
Consultation Services
School reintegration assistance
Forensic pediatric neuropsychological evaluations
In-service presentations
Guest lecturer
Treatment Approach
Dr. McDowell’s approach is to provide comprehensive care to her patients. She will partner with you through the evaluation/consultation process, as well as the implementation of a treatment plan.
The evaluation process begins with a comprehensive intake session in which the family is invited to share their concerns about their child. Dr. McDowell will obtain thorough background information in order to develop an appropriate treatment plan. This plan will be unique for each child. It may include consultation, assessment, treatment, or a combination of these.
If an assessment is indicated, it will be designed to your child’s specific needs. Each child is unique and deserves his/her own unique treatment plan. The assessment is conducted at your child’s own pace. We will respect your child’s needs and adjust the assessment process accordingly.
You will be provided with feedback about all of the assessment results and recommendations. Your input is welcomed and vital to the evaluation and feedback process.
You will be provided with a comprehensive report that includes all of the assessment results and recommendations. You are welcome to share this report with whomever you like. Dr. McDowell will never release a report to another party without your explicit written consent.
Dr. McDowell is happy to discuss the assessment results, with your permission, with your child’s educational team, health care professionals, or anyone else with whom you would like her to consult. Dr. McDowell is available to attend your child’s IEP meeting or school conference.
If treatment is indicated, Dr. McDowell will recommend a treatment plan that addresses your child’s and your family’s specific needs.
Except on very rare occasions, parents are involved in their child’s care. Confidentiality issues will be openly discussed in the initial session. Treatment is most optimal when environmental changes, in addition to therapeutic interventions, can enhance the generalization of therapeutic progress.
Therapy will be continually re-evaluated to ensure that an effective treatment plan is being implemented. All treatment approaches utilized by Dr. McDowell are empirically based.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pediatric Neuropsychologist?
A Pediatric Neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in brain-behavior relationships. She understands how the development of a child’s brain structures and systems is associated with learning and behavior.
What is Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment?
A neuropsychological evaluation assesses a child’s functioning in the areas of intelligence, achievement, memory, attention, executive skills, perception, coordination, language, and behavioral/emotional functioning. This information will help create a more thorough understanding of the child’s overall strengths and weaknesses and assist the child’s family, educational team, and treatment team develop interventions that will meet the child’ unique needs.
Does my child need a neuropsychological assessment?
Your child may benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation if they have difficulties in learning, attention, behavior, or social/emotional difficulties. Children with developmental difficulties and neurological illnesses or injuries also greatly benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation.
Is there a waiting list to see Dr. McDowell?
Dr. McDowell makes every effort to meet your appointment needs in a timely manner. There is occasionally a waiting list, especially for the afternoon hours. You are encouraged to contact Dr. McDowell as soon as you anticipate the need to schedule an appointment.
What are Dr. McDowell’s office hours?
Dr. McDowell’s office hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and weekend appointments may be accommodated under special circumstances.
Does Dr. McDowell bill insurance?
Dr. McDowell will clearly review her fees and policies with you during your initial phone call. All insurance options are reviewed. As a courtesy to her patients, Dr. McDowell does provide insurance billing.
To Schedule An Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Dr. McDowell, please call her office telephone number or email her. Dr. McDowell is often with a patient. In those cases, you will reach her confidential voicemail. Please feel comfortable leaving a confidential message and Dr. McDowell will make every attempt to return your call within one business day.
Credentials
Ph.D., M.A., Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology
Internship: Children's Hospital of Orange County
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Orange County
Member: American Psychological Association
Member: California Psychological Association
Member: Orange County Psychological Association
Member: National Academy of Neuropsychology
Member: Association for Play Therapy
Licensure
Psychologist, California: PSY15622
Education
California School of Professional Psychology (1991-1996) Program: Clinical Psychology
Specialty: Child Clinical Psychology
Degrees: M.A. and Ph.D.
California State University, Fresno (1985-1991) Major: Psychology
Degree: B.A.
Invited Lectures and Workshops
McDowell, B. (Jan, 2006). Behavioral management of pediatric rehabilitation patients with traumatic brain injuries. Presentation: Miller Children’s Hospital. Long Beach, CA.
Lechuga, D., McDowell, B., & Seay, R. (Mar, 2004). Health Psychology Ground Rounds: Child, Adolescent, & Adult Cases. The California Psychological Association (CPA) Annual Conference. San Diego, CA.
Lechuga, D., McDowell, B., & Ragual, T.L. (Apr, 2003). The California Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Project. Presentation: The California Psychological Association (CPA) Annual Conference. San Jose, CA.
Softley, T., McDowell, B.A. & Tyler, J. S. (Mar, 2002). Neuropsychological Assessment, School Re-entry, and the IEP Process. Presentation: The ABC’s of ABI: Conference on Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury. Miller Children’s Hospital at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach, CA.
Lechuga, D.M., McDowell, B.A., Seay, R.D., & Freas, S. (Jan., 2001). Distillation of Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty and Subspecialty Practice Approaches for Speech and Language Pathologists. Presentation: California Speech and Hearing Association.
McDowell, B.A. (November, 2001). Neuropsychological assessment and school re-entry for children with traumatic brain injuries. Presentation: Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Department of Health Psychology, Orange, CA.
McDowell, B.A. (June, 2001). Play therapy with abused and neglected children. Presentation: Prevent Child Abuse – Orange County Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA.
McDowell, B.A. (Feb., 1999). Have MS – will overcome: Challenging and overcoming the cognitive, psychological, and emotional effects of MS. Presentation: sponsored by Berlex Laboratories, Long Beach, CA.
McDowell, B.A. (Oct., 1998). Clearing up the questions of the mind: Memory and cognitive dysfunction inn multiple sclerosis. Presentation: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Tucson, AZ.
Lechuga, D.M. & McDowell, B.A. (June, 1998). The neurobehavioral aspects of multiple sclerosis. Presentation: sponsored by Berlex Laboratories, Mission Viejo, CA.
Lechuga, D.M. & McDowell, B.A. (May, 1998). Managing the cognitive effects of multiple sclerosis in the workplace. Presentation: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Irvine, CA.
McDowell, B.A. (Feb., 1998). Play therapy: A special focus with hospitalized children. Presentation: Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Department of Health Psychology, Orange, CA.
