Cat Beer, Doctora en Filosofía.

Psicólogo asociado

La Dra. Cat Beer es psicóloga asociada (PSB94029451) en San Diego, California, bajo la supervisión del Dr. Jacob Ambrose (PSY34639). Trabaja con adultos que enfrentan ansiedad, trauma, depresión, TDAH, problemas de alimentación y problemas de relación. Su enfoque basado en el trauma combina la terapia basada en el sistema nervioso con TCC, ACT, TCD y mindfulness para promover un cambio significativo y duradero.

Seguros aceptados: Aetna, United Healthcare y Anthem Blue Cross

You Might Be a Good Fit for Dr. Pazirandeh If You are…

a parent wondering whether your child may have ADHD
an adult seeking ADHD testing to better understand attention, organization, or executive functioning challenges
a teenager or adult navigating ADHD or neurodivergence
experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, or emotional overwhelm
feeling stuck in relationship or attachment patterns
struggling with self-esteem, identity, or personal expectations
navigating chronic illness, health-related stress, or a major life transition
looking for a warm, genuine therapist who balances compassion, insight, and practical strategies

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ADHD Testing for Children, Teens & Adults in San Diego

Understanding ADHD begins with understanding the whole person. ADHD can affect attention, organization, motivation, impulse control, emotional regulation, and everyday functioning. For children, these challenges may become noticeable at school, at home, or in relationships with peers. For adults, ADHD may become more apparent as the demands of education, work, relationships, and independent living increase. Dr. Pazirandeh provides psychological evaluations for ADHD for children ages 6 and older, adolescents, and adults in San Diego. People seek ADHD testing for many reasons. Some have struggled with attention and organization for years, while others are beginning to wonder whether ADHD may explain difficulties they or their children are experiencing. For children and adolescents, concerns may include: difficulty paying attention or staying focused in school frequent forgetfulness or losing important belongings challenges following instructions or completing assignments hyperactivity, restlessness, or impulsive behavior difficulty with organization, planning, or time management becoming easily frustrated or overwhelmed by everyday demands concerns about academic performance or executive functioning For adults, concerns may include: difficulty focusing or following through on responsibilities chronic procrastination or challenges with time management feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks and competing priorities difficulty organizing thoughts, plans, or responsibilities struggles with motivation or inconsistent productivity longstanding feelings of frustration or self-doubt wondering whether anxiety, depression, or ADHD may explain persistent difficulties ADHD testing involves more than identifying a list of symptoms. A thoughtful psychological evaluation considers developmental history, attention-related concerns, emotional functioning, and how these experiences affect everyday life. Because anxiety, depression, stress, sleep difficulties, and other concerns can sometimes overlap with ADHD symptoms, comprehensive clinical understanding is important. Dr. Pazirandeh approaches evaluations with curiosity and an emphasis on understanding each individual's unique experiences. The goal of an ADHD evaluation is to provide greater diagnostic clarity and help individuals and families better understand the challenges they are experiencing. For some, this process may help confirm an ADHD diagnosis. For others, it may identify additional or alternative explanations for attention and executive functioning difficulties. The information gathered through an evaluation can help guide decisions about treatment, support, and practical strategies moving forward. Interested in ADHD testing for yourself or your child? Contact Restore Psychology to learn more about evaluation availability, the assessment process, and private-pay fees.

ADHD, Neurodivergence, and Emotional Well-Being

For many individuals with ADHD, the challenges they experience extend beyond attention and organization. Difficulties with executive functioning, emotional regulation, motivation, and everyday expectations can influence relationships, self-esteem, and the way individuals understand themselves. Over time, these experiences may contribute to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, or being misunderstood. These concerns may show up as: feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities struggling with procrastination, motivation, or follow-through difficulty managing strong emotions or stressful situations feeling misunderstood by others comparing yourself negatively to peers experiencing shame or frustration about difficulties with organization or attention feeling pressure to hide your struggles or meet expectations that do not fit your needs Dr. Pazirandeh provides ADHD-informed therapy for adolescents and adults who want to better understand their experiences while developing practical strategies for navigating everyday challenges. Her approach recognizes that ADHD affects individuals differently and that emotional well-being is often shaped by the interaction between neurological differences, personal experiences, relationships, and environmental expectations. Rather than viewing individuals solely through the lens of symptoms or limitations, she works collaboratively with clients to explore their strengths, understand longstanding patterns, and identify approaches that support their goals. Therapy may involve developing coping strategies, building self-compassion, improving emotional awareness, and exploring how past experiences have influenced self-esteem and identity. For individuals who have spent years wondering why certain aspects of life feel more difficult, therapy can provide an opportunity to develop a more compassionate, balanced, and meaningful understanding of themselves.

Anxiety, Depression, and Emotional Overwhelm

Anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm can affect how people think, feel, relate to others, and navigate everyday responsibilities. Sometimes these experiences develop in response to a major life transition or stressful event. Other times, they reflect longstanding patterns involving self-criticism, emotional avoidance, relationship difficulties, or persistent stress. These concerns may show up as: excessive worry, overthinking, or difficulty relaxing sadness, low motivation, or emotional disconnection persistent self-doubt or harsh self-criticism feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities or expectations difficulty managing uncomfortable emotions struggling with uncertainty or fear of making mistakes feeling stuck in patterns that are difficult to change Dr. Pazirandeh works with adolescents and adults seeking both practical tools for managing emotional challenges and a deeper understanding of the experiences contributing to their distress. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and acceptance-based approaches, she helps clients explore the relationships between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while developing healthier ways of responding to difficult experiences. Her psychodynamic and relational perspectives also allow space to explore how earlier experiences, relationships, and longstanding beliefs may contribute to present-day emotional challenges. Dr. Pazirandeh believes that meaningful change involves both developing practical strategies and understanding the deeper patterns that influence how individuals experience themselves and the world. Her work supports clients in strengthening emotional awareness, developing greater self-compassion, and moving through life with increased flexibility and confidence.

Relationships, Attachment, and Self-Esteem

Relationships can be a source of meaningful connection, but they can also bring longstanding emotional patterns to the surface. Early experiences and important relationships often influence how individuals understand themselves, communicate their needs, respond to conflict, and experience closeness or vulnerability. Sometimes these patterns are difficult to recognize, particularly when they have developed over many years. These concerns may show up as: repeating the same relationship conflicts or patterns fear of rejection, abandonment, or disappointing others difficulty setting boundaries or expressing personal needs struggling with vulnerability or emotional intimacy feeling insecure or uncertain in relationships relying heavily on external validation or reassurance difficulty trusting others or feeling comfortable depending on them questioning your identity, self-worth, or sense of belonging Dr. Pazirandeh is particularly interested in helping clients understand the relationship between their past experiences and present-day relationships. Through psychodynamic and attachment-based perspectives, she helps clients explore how previous experiences may have shaped the ways they connect with others, protect themselves emotionally, and respond to challenges in relationships. Her work encourages individuals to recognize patterns that may have once served an important purpose but no longer support the relationships or lives they want to build. By developing greater insight into these patterns, clients can begin making more intentional choices about communication, boundaries, vulnerability, and emotional connection. Therapy with Dr. Pazirandeh can be especially helpful for individuals who want to strengthen their sense of self while creating relationships that feel more secure, authentic, and fulfilling.

Dr. Pazirandeh’s Approach to Therapy

Dr. Pazirandeh's approach is grounded in the belief that meaningful psychological change begins with greater self-understanding. She utilizes an integrative framework informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, attachment-based perspectives, and acceptance-based approaches. Rather than relying on a single therapeutic model, she tailors her approach to each client's needs, experiences, goals, and preferences. Dr. Pazirandeh recognizes that many clients enter therapy hoping to find practical solutions to current problems while also wanting to understand why certain patterns continue to occur. Her work brings these goals together by combining practical coping strategies with deeper exploration of emotions, relationships, and personal history. Through therapy, clients often work toward: understanding longstanding emotional and behavioral patterns strengthening emotional awareness and coping skills developing greater self-compassion and self-acceptance improving communication and boundaries in relationships recognizing how past experiences influence present-day challenges navigating ADHD and executive functioning difficulties strengthening identity and personal values developing healthier relationships with themselves and others Dr. Pazirandeh believes that the therapeutic relationship itself is an important part of the healing process. She strives to create a space where clients feel comfortable showing up as their full selves, without needing to have everything figured out. Her therapeutic presence is warm, genuine, curious, and engaged. She balances compassion and validation with honesty, humor, and opportunities for deeper reflection. Rather than simply telling clients what to do, she approaches therapy as a collaborative process of exploration, understanding, and growth. Ultimately, her goal is to help clients develop greater insight into themselves while building the confidence and practical tools needed to move toward lives that feel more authentic, intentional, and meaningful.

Professional Background

Dr. Pazirandeh earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. She is a California-registered Psychological Associate (PSB94029968) practicing under the supervision of licensed psychologist Dr. Tilbe Ambrose (PSY36072) at Restore Psychology in San Diego. She provides individual psychotherapy to adolescents and adults, as well as psychological evaluations for ADHD for children ages 6 and older, adolescents, and adults. Her clinical interests include ADHD and neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, relationships and attachment, identity development, self-esteem, chronic illness, health-related concerns, stress, emotional overwhelm, and major life transitions. Dr. Pazirandeh utilizes an integrative approach informed by cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, attachment-based, and acceptance-based perspectives. Her work emphasizes understanding the ways developmental experiences, relationships, personal beliefs, and environments shape emotional experiences and patterns of behavior. She is particularly interested in helping clients explore the connection between past experiences and present-day relationships while identifying patterns that may no longer support their goals. Dr. Pazirandeh is especially passionate about working with emerging and young adults as they navigate the complexities of adulthood, relationships, identity, ADHD, and significant life transitions.

Working with Dr. Pazirandeh

Dr. Pazirandeh works with individuals who want to better understand themselves, navigate emotional and relationship challenges, and develop meaningful changes in their lives.

Many clients appreciate her warm, genuine, collaborative, and thoughtful approach, as well as her ability to balance compassionate understanding with honest reflection and practical strategies.

She may be a good fit for adolescents and adults seeking therapy for ADHD and neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, relationship and attachment concerns, identity development, self-esteem, chronic illness, stress, emotional overwhelm, or major life transitions.

For individuals and families seeking diagnostic clarity, Dr. Pazirandeh also provides ADHD psychological evaluations for children ages 6 and older, adolescents, and adults in San Diego.

Restore Psychology welcomes inquiries from individuals and families interested in private-pay therapy or ADHD testing.

Our intake coordinator can help you learn more about the evaluation process, therapy services, availability, fees, and whether Dr. Pazirandeh may be a good fit for your needs.