74/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 3.4★ from 36 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Best Psychologists in Poway, CA (2026)
299 psychologists ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Poway: Lisa A. Davidson, PHD, RP Score 74/100; 3.4★ from 36 Google reviews.
- 46
Most-reviewed: LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Poway, 361 Google reviews at 4.5★, the most of 299 ranked; ranked #46.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
299 Poway psychologists are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 124 open Saturdays and 27 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 299 rated practices.
Top 10 psychologists in Poway at a glance
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lisa A. Davidson, PHD | 74 | 3.4★ (36) | Poway | — | Overall |
| 2 | Kenneth S. Buhr, PhD | 71 | 5.0★ (4) | San Diego, 5 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | Stephen M. White, Psy. D. | 70 | 3.7★ (3) | San Diego, 4 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | Dr. Dana Carson Lopez, Psy.D. | 70 | 3.7★ (3) | San Diego, 5 mi away | — | — |
| 5 | Dr. Heather Johnson | 70 | 4.1★ (13) | San Diego, 6 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Dr. Alan Lincoln | 69 | 3.7★ (6) | San Diego, 6 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Houston Charlotte C | 69 | 5.0★ (3) | San Diego, 7 mi away | — | — |
| 8 | Valantine Bill | 68 | 5.0★ (3) | San Diego, 7 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | PCSD | 68 | 2.9★ (11) | San Diego, 5 mi away | Sat · Sun | — |
| 10 | Treatment and Consultation | 67 | 4.2★ (5) | San Diego, 5 mi away | Sat | — |
The 299 best psychologists in Poway, ranked
Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 4 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
70/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.1★ from 13 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 3.7★ from 6 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#9 PCSD
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
68/100RP ScoreRanked #9 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 2.9★ from 11 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
67/100RP ScoreRanked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in National City, 10 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #11 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 10 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 12 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #13 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.2★ from 10 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 13 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #14 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.9★ from 159 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 10 mi away
66/100RP ScoreRanked #15 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Encinitas, 13 mi away
65/100RP ScoreRanked #16 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.6★ from 19 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
65/100RP ScoreRanked #17 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
65/100RP ScoreRanked #18 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.0★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 12 mi away
64/100RP ScoreRanked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
64/100RP ScoreRanked #20 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
64/100RP ScoreRanked #21 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 4.2★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 12 mi away
64/100RP ScoreRanked #22 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Child psychologist”, 5.0★ from 7 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
64/100RP ScoreRanked #23 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 2.7★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
#24 Get Psyched
Based in La Mesa, 14 mi away
64/100RP ScoreRanked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychologist”, 5.0★ from 24 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 12 mi away
63/100RP ScoreRanked #25 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Child psychologist”, 4.4★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Psychologists ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RP Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 299 ranked psychologists here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Poway
20 more psychologists within 20 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Carrillo, MD | 3.0★ (2) | In Poway |
| Banafsheh Pezeshk, PsyD | 3.0★ (2) | In Poway |
| Better Life Behavioral Health | 5.0★ (1) | In Poway |
| Brilliant Start Wellness | 5.0★ (2) | In Poway |
| Cassidy Fan Therapy | 5.0★ (2) | In Poway |
| Cortney M. Waldorf, PSYD | In Poway | |
| Dr. Claire Andersen | 5.0★ (1) | In Poway |
| Emily Hoegberg, Counselor | 4.5★ (4) | In Poway |
| Goodman Psychiatry – Jake Goodman, MD, MBA | 5.0★ (5) | In Poway |
| Haack-Rogers Linda | 4.0★ (1) | In Poway |
| Helena Jayasuriya, L.C.S.W. (Jayasuriya & Associates) | In Poway | |
| Masse Monique MD | In Poway | |
| Michael M. Takamura, MD | 3.7★ (3) | In Poway |
| Nakhshab Cyrus | 3.0★ (2) | In Poway |
| Psycholology Health Center: Robinson Randy J MD | 5.0★ (1) | In Poway |
| SAN DIEGO PSYCHOLOGICAL & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC | In Poway | |
| San Diego Psychological Center, Inc. | 5.0★ (1) | In Poway |
| Stevens Mark W | 1.5★ (2) | In Poway |
| Susan R. Miller, EdD | 5.0★ (1) | In Poway |
| Tanya Stevenson-Gaines, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | 5.0★ (1) | In Poway |
How we ranked Poway psychologists
We scored 299 Poway psychologists on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Poway data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a psychologist
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure they regularly work with clients who have your concern, and ask what approach they use and why.
- If you may need testing as well as therapy (for example for ADHD or memory concerns), ask whether the practice does assessments itself.
- Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask a psychologist
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How often do you work with concerns like mine?
- Do you offer psychological testing, or therapy only?
- What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?
Terms explained
- PhD / PsyD
- Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
- Licensed psychologist
- A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
- Psychological associate
- In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
- LPC / LMHC / LCPC
- US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
- LCSW
- Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
- LMFT
- Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
- RP / RCC
- Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
- PSYPACT
- An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
- Telehealth
- Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
- CBT
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- DBT
- Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- ERP
- Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.
Psychologists in Poway: frequently asked questions
Who is the best psychologist in Poway?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked psychologist in Poway, CA is Lisa A. Davidson, PHD with an RP Score of 74/100. It has 3.4★ from 36 Google reviews. Kenneth S. Buhr, PhD (#2) and Stephen M. White, Psy. D. (#3) follow. We ranked 299 psychologists on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many psychologists are there in Poway?
RankedPsychologists ranks 299 psychologists serving Poway, CA. 2 of them are based in Poway; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 20 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
What should I do if I need help right now?
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.
Which psychologists in Poway work on weekends?
124 of 299 ranked psychologists post Saturday hours and 27 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are PCSD (#9), Treatment and Consultation (#10) and Pacific Integrative Therapy (#13). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do Poway psychologists have?
The median Google rating among 299 rated psychologists in Poway is 4.8★, with a median of 8 reviews. LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Poway has the most, 361 reviews, and ranks #46. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank psychologists?
Each psychologist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do psychologists outside Poway count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 20 mi of the Poway city center, our service radius for psychologists. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.
Can psychologists pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?
No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
How are psychologists in Poway ranked?
Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on psychology and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a therapist?
“Psychologist” is a protected title: only people licensed by a state or provincial psychology board may use it. Most hold a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and are trained in psychological testing as well as therapy. “Therapist” is a general word: licensed counselors, clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists also provide therapy under their own licenses.
Can I see a psychologist online?
Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.
What if I need help right now?
Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.
Update log for Poway
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 299 psychologists serving Poway.
- November 2026: 2 duplicate listings merged.
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