PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Thoughtful care begins with being understood.
Psychologists and therapists in Newport Beach and Irvine, Orange County
When something isn't right, it helps to understand why.
Most of the people who reach us have been paying close attention for a while. A parent sees a bright child struggling at school, or a teenager who has become anxious, withdrawn or quick to anger. A young adult isn't finding their footing. An adult has carried something for years and is ready to look at it more closely.
OC Psychology Center is a private practice of psychologists and therapists in Newport Beach, working with children, teens, young adults and adults from Irvine, Costa Mesa and across Orange County. Some come to us for a clear answer through a careful evaluation. Others want a steady place to talk and work through what is hard. Many families need both, and we offer both under one roof.
Testing and therapy
Under one roof
Depth over speed
Time to understand the whole picture
Children, teens & families
Our specialty
Newport Beach office
MacArthur & Jamboree, near Irvine
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Aaron Montgomery, Psy.D., ABSNP
Founder & Clinical Director · Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Montgomery founded OC Psychology Center to bring careful evaluation and depth-oriented therapy together under one roof. A licensed clinical psychologist and Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology, he has devoted his career to children, adolescents and their families.
He sees teens, young adults and adults for long-term, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and conducts psychological evaluations for children, teens and adults.
As featured in
HOW WE HELP
Do you need an evaluation, therapy or both?
It's one of the first questions families ask. The answer usually depends on whether you need to understand what is happening, or need support working through it.
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For when you need a clear answer. A thorough evaluation identifies what is driving the difficulty, whether that’s ADHD, a learning disorder, anxiety, autism, or several concerns overlapping. You receive a diagnosis where one applies, a written report, and specific recommendations for school, home and treatment.
Explore psychological testing and evaluations → -
A private, steady place to be heard and to work through what is difficult. Our approach is integrative and psychodynamic at its core, looking beneath symptoms to the patterns and relationships that shape them, with cognitive behavioral strategies along the way. Over time, many people find they understand themselves more clearly, and that school, work and relationships feel more manageable.
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Guidance for parents on understanding their child, responding to what they see at home, and working with schools. Often part of a child’s or teen’s care, and available on its own.
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That’s what the consultation is for. We’ll hear what’s going on and recommend the right starting point, whether that’s an evaluation, therapy, or both.
WHO WE WORK WITH
Care for children, teens and adults
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When a child is struggling with attention, worry, mood or behavior, parents want to know what is going on and what will help. We begin with understanding, through an evaluation, therapy or both, and keep parents closely involved.
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Adolescence and the years after bring more pressure and less structure. Teens have a private space of their own, young adults find support through the transition to independence, and parents meet with us regularly.
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Adults come to us for anxiety, depression, relationships, life transitions and long-standing patterns, and for evaluations such as adult ADHD testing. The work is unhurried and shaped around you.
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Explore a few of the most common concerns we work with:
ADHD in children
ADHD in teens
Adult ADHD
Anxiety in children
Teen anxiety
Teen depression
Learning and school concerns
Exam accommodations
Trauma and EMDR
Not sure where to start?
That’s what the first conversation is for. During a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation, we’ll talk through what you’re seeing, how we can help, and how to get started.
OUR APPROACH
What sets our approach apart?
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Evaluations are thorough and individualized, never a checklist. Therapy is long-term, with time to build trust and do meaningful work.
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Most of our work is with children, teens, young adults and their parents. We understand how development, school and family life shape what a young person is going through.
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When we work with a child or teen, we meet with parents regularly and, with permission, coordinate with schools, pediatricians and psychiatrists.
Meet our psychologists and therapists
Explore our clinicians’ backgrounds, specialties, and approaches to care.
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![Aaron R. Montgomery, Psy.D., licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Dr. Aaron Montgomery, Psy.D., ABSNP
Founder & Clinical Director • Licensed Psychologist
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![Carrie Kimpton Heald Ph.D.., licensed psychologist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Dr. Carrie Kimpton Heald, Ph.D., Ed.S.
Licensed Psychologist
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![Deborah Naghi, Psy.D., licensed psychologist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Dr. Deborah Naghi, Psy.D., ABSNP
Licensed Psychologist
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![Brittany Bell, Ph.D., licensed psychologist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Dr. Brittany Bell, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
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![Dr. Antonio Becerra Psy.D., licensed psychologist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Dr. Antonio Becerra, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
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![Dr. Reem Qaqish, Psy.D. LPCC, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Dr. Reem Qaqish, Psy.D., LPCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
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![Poppy Peluce Fune, LCSW, licensed therapist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Poppy Peluce-Fune, LCSW
Licensed Therapist • EMDR Certification
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![Cindy Ficken, LMFT, Licensed Therapist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Cindy Ficken, LMFT, LPCC
Licensed Therapist
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![Rubi Lopez Becerra, LMFT, Licensed Therapist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Rubi Lopez Becerra, LMFT
Licensed Therapist • EMDR Certification
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![Jennifer Heers, AMFT, Associate Therapist at OC Psychology Center in Newport Beach]()
Jennifer Heers, AMFT
Associate Therapist
Getting started
What happens when you reach out?
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Schedule a call
Choose a time for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.
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Talk it through
We'll listen to what's going on, answer your questions, and discuss how we can help.
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A clear recommendation
We'll suggest the right evaluation or clinician and explain fees and scheduling, so you know what to expect before you begin.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
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If the main question is what is going on, such as whether a child has ADHD or a learning disorder, an evaluation is usually the right starting point. If you already understand the problem and want support working through it, therapy may be the better fit. Many families do both. We’ll help you decide during the consultation.
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It’s a 15-minute phone call. We’ll hear what’s prompting you to reach out, answer your questions, and recommend a next step, whether that’s an evaluation, therapy with a specific clinician, or a referral elsewhere if another practice would serve you better.
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Our single office is in Koll Center Newport, at MacArthur and Jamboree, where Newport Beach meets Irvine and Costa Mesa. Many of our families come from Irvine. Online therapy is also available throughout California.
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No. We are a private-pay practice, which lets care be guided by your needs rather than an insurer’s requirements. On request, we provide a superbill you may submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
See Fees & Insurance → -
We provide assessment and therapy for children, teens, young adults and adults, along with parenting and family support. Children and teens are seen by clinicians on our team who specialize in working with young people and their families.
CONTACT US
Request a Therapy Consultation
Choose a time on our calendar for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll listen to what’s going on and talk through how we can help.
Prefer to leave a voicemail or text?
OUR OFFICE
In Newport Beach, close to home.
We provide counseling and psychological assessment in Newport Beach from our private office in Koll Center Newport, where Newport Beach meets Irvine and Costa Mesa. Many of the families we work with come from Irvine and nearby communities, and online sessions are available throughout California.
We’re five minutes from UCI & John Wayne Airport, with easy access from the 405, 73 and 55, and free visitor parking.
OC Psychology Center
4000 MacArthur Blvd - East Tower, Suite 600
Newport Beach, CA 92660