Asal Houshiarnejad “Nejad,” Psy.D.
Pediatric and Young Adult Neuropsychologist
Fluent in English and Farsi | California License PSY28994
Dr. Asal Houshiarnejad “Nejad” is a Phoenix Children's Hospital/BARROW Neurological Institute and UCLA/The Help Group trained bilingual (English and Farsi) clinical neuropsychologist. Unique to Dr. Asal’s services is her breadth of training that allows her to bridge the gap between neuroscience and treatment across both assessment and therapeutic services.
Dr. Asal Houshiarnejad “Nejad” is a bilingual (English and Farsi) licensed clinical neuropsychologist (CA PSY 28994) who specializes in providing cutting-edge neuropsychological assessments and evidence-based therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and young adults who present with a broad range of neurodevelopmental, neurological, medical, and psychiatric conditions. Additionally, Dr. Asal accounts for cross-cultural and linguistic factors and personality features to understand the bigger picture of how each individual thinks, learns,and feels. Unique to Dr. Asal’s services is her breadth of training that allows her to bridge the gap between neuroscience and treatment across both assessment and therapeutic services.
Combining her vast clinical experience with her state-of-the-art training, Dr. Asal’s unique and warm approach to testing yields a comprehensive understanding of each child’s neurocognitive, academic, psychological, and social-emotional functioning. Dr. Asal creates an individualized roadmap, addressing each patient and their family’s needs, that identifies and prioritizes necessary treatment recommendations and/or academic accommodations.
She is committed to delivering high-quality care in a timely and sensitive manner that becomes the platform for transformation and effective change. Dr. Asal’s compassion and commitment underline her ability to provide patients with the keys to unlocking their success. She works closely with patients and treatment providers to ensure thorough and personalized care that empowers her patient's to reach their optimal potential. By developing a clear treatment plan as a guide, Dr. Asal aims to assist in every patient’s journey toward improved symptoms and greater health and well-being.
Therapeutically, much of her focus has been on teaching her patients concrete and tangible self-soothing skills to help self-regulate when upset, cope with anxiety, address behavioral issues, or deal with significant life stressors. She uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Social Skills Training, and Parent Management Training.
Education & Background
Dr. Houshiarnejad earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles and her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University, San Diego. Dr. Houshiarnejad has undergone extensive training, completing a pre-doctoral internship accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) at BARROW Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Additionally, she completed a formal two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology through the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior and the David Geffen School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences in partnership with The Help Group/UCLA Neuropsychology Program. In addition to Dr. Houshiarnejad’s private practice, she is also a devoted mother who enjoys her time outside of the practice with her two young children and husband.
