About Dr. Yanan Guo
Dr. Yanan Guo is a licensed clinical psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst dedicated to helping families understand their children’s unique developmental needs. She provides autism diagnostic evaluations for children and adolescents up to age 18, with specialized training and experience working with young children under the age of six using a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes each child’s emotional safety. She founded Pinnacle Psychology to provide thorough, compassionate diagnostic evaluations for children and adolescents.
Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist — PSY 34232
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst — BCBA #1-17-28804
Education
Dr. Guo earned her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, where she developed her specialization in developmental assessment. Before that, she completed a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University, building the behavioral expertise that complements her clinical training. Her academic journey began at the University of California, Davis, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Guo is a licensed clinical psychologist whose career has centered on autism diagnostic evaluation for children and adolescents. Across hospital, community, and private-practice settings, she has focused on delivering thorough, trauma-informed assessments that give families clear answers and a meaningful path forward.
Most recently, Dr. Guo worked as a licensed Clinical Psychologist at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she conducted autism diagnostic evaluations for children under the age of six using trauma-informed care. She administered, scored, and interpreted assessments, wrote comprehensive reports, delivered feedback to families, and participated in multidisciplinary team evaluations for families with more complex needs.
During her predoctoral internship at a community-based clinic in New York, Dr. Guo provided diagnostic assessments for clients with developmental disabilities, conducted individual and group therapy, facilitated parent workshops on developmental milestones, and trained fellow clinicians on Applied Behavior Analysis principles. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship focused on developmental evaluation, where she received specialized training in conducting assessments with children as young as 1 year old and up to age 6.
Dr. Guo began her career as an in-home therapist, providing direct support to autistic individuals and their families in their everyday environments. That foundational experience shaped her later work as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, where she designed individualized treatment plans for autistic individuals and supervised behavioral therapists.
Languages
Dr. Guo is fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese, and is able to conduct evaluations and provide feedback in either language.
Clinical Philosophy
Dr. Guo believes that every child deserves to be understood on their own terms. Her approach combines rigorous, evidence-based assessment with genuine warmth and cultural sensitivity. She is committed to providing families with clear answers, actionable recommendations, and a supportive path forward.