Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Zawacki.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The path to becoming an educational psychologist started at the University of Maine where I studied psychology with a great mentor, and then on to Tufts University, where I pursued my graduate and specialist degrees in school psychology.
After school, I went straight into the field, working as a school psychologist in San Jose in a community that was diverse economically, culturally, and linguistically. I quickly learned that there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to understanding how a child learns. Every child (and system) brings their own story, their own strengths, and their own challenges.
In 2006, I obtained my license as a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) that allowed me to work independently and provide comprehensive assessments and support to a broader range of learners. For the next 12 years, I worked alongside Dr. Damon Korb, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician in Los Gatos. Working with Damon taught me so much about the intersection of development, behavior, and learning. Most importantly, I learned that ‘Great Minds do not Think Alike.’
Simultaneously, I worked supporting students trying to navigate the intense academic and social pressures of one of the Bay Area’s most competitive school environments. As much as I loved working with everyone—and the Bay Area itself—the reality of living there as a single parent became increasingly unmanageable.
In 2019, I moved myself and my three kids to North County San Diego, where I feel I finally found my place. I continue to work in a wonderful local elementary school district, but also enjoy running my own practice as an educational psychologist, which allows a little more freedom and room for growth. Some kids are brilliant but struggle with attention. Some are incredibly creative but can’t seem to get their ideas on paper. Some are anxious perfectionists who need permission to make mistakes. Often, the connecting link is that they are all slightly misunderstood. My job is to help them and their families understand why things are hard and help make a roadmap.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have definitely been real challenges along the way—especially navigating school and graduate training with undiagnosed ADHD—but those struggles ultimately shaped who I am. They taught me resilience and the understanding that each of us is obligated to a lifelong journey of figuring out what truly works for us whether we want to or not. We never stop learning and growing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I provide comprehensive evaluations that assess cognitive and intellectual functioning, academic achievement, attention and executive skills, neuropsychological processes (including auditory processing, visual-perceptual and fine-motor skills, processing speed, and short-term, working, and long-term memory), as well as social-emotional functioning. My goal is to create a complete picture of how a student learns, thinks, and feels—and then translate that into an understandable action plan that can make a difference in their lives.
I’m really excellent at analyzing all the data into the ‘big picture’ and sometimes find what others may have missed. A child might come to me with a previous diagnosis of ADHD, and through testing, we discover there’s actually an underlying math learning disability that’s been worsening the anxiety. Or a young adult seeking documentation for extra time at college finds that he is on the autism spectrum—suddenly, a lifetime of social and sensory challenges makes sense. I can then connect them with the specific therapies they need to thrive. I’ve also come across profiles of teens who felt they had OCD but actually found they were intellectually gifted alongside some mild dyslexia. These “twice exceptional” kids are frustrated, but once their unique profile is understood, together we can determine individualized supports and research-based interventions to help pave the way to success. As Ross Greene says, “Kids do well if they can.”
I’ve worked in both private practice and public school settings throughout my 25-year career, so I have knowledge of what kinds of supports are appropriate and reasonable, which can often include 504 Accommodations, IEP services, or other community and medical resources.
Because I honestly love what I do and the clients, families, and professionals I work with, I’m committed to lifelong learning. I find new research on learning and attention fascinating. Humans are always evolving, so it’s essential to provide the most current, efficient, evidence-based interventions and guidance. I also work collaboratively with top-tier therapists like Kendra Pinamonti, LMFT, and highly qualified physicians like Dr. Samantha Cohen, MD, to ensure clients receive comprehensive, coordinated care. Just like kids need a ‘village,’ it’s just as important for professionals to collaborate and to know the best resources.
Everyone deserves to be understood. My practice is built on compassion, collaboration, and a deep commitment to helping children and families see the “why” behind the struggle and then giving them the tools, supports, and confidence to succeed. Whether it’s ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, giftedness, anxiety, or a combination of all or something completely different, I’m here to help you understand your child’s unique learning profile and advocate for what they need to thrive.
I would be honored to work with your family.
Lara Zawacki, M.A., LEP, is a Licensed Educational Psychologist based in Encinitas, California. She provides comprehensive psychoeducational assessments and consultation for children, adolescents, and families. For more information, visit www.edpsychservices.com.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My competence doesn’t come solely from textbooks and clinical training—it also comes from lived experience. I am not just a psychologist who reads about ADHD, I live it and continue to single-handedly raise three children through it, too. Life has helped me know firsthand what it’s like to help a tween who can’t regulate emotions, a kid who loses multiple water bottles every week, and a teen who grows more irritable throughout the school day feeling like they’re always disappointing everyone. I have also navigated family life alongside individuals with autism spectrum disorder, an experience that deepened my insight into neurodiversity. Being in the trenches has given me a different level of understanding, empathy, and gratitude.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.edpsychservices.com/
Image Credits
Lela Love Photography
