DR. FRANCESCA LUIZZA IS A LICENSED CLINICAL AND FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SHE IS A PASSIONATE, DRIVEN, AND CONSCIENTIOUS FORENSIC EVALUATOR WITH EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN THE ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT CAN LEAD TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
Dr. Luizza conducts meticulous psychological and forensic evaluations and provides psycho-legal consultation and expert witness testimony in civil and criminal proceedings. An intrinsic part of Dr. Luizza’s professional identity is her humble and nonjudgmental approach, her ability to meet her clients where they are at, and her strong work ethic and interpersonal skills. Her innate ability to listen, understand, and conceptualize why people think, feel, and behave the way they do helps her write comprehensive and unbiased reports that tell a story using both evidenced-based tools and applied forensic science. Dr. Luizza is committed to providing the highest caliber of diagnostics, consultation, and treatment to her clients, attorneys, and the courts, and treats each case with the utmost respect, compassion, and integrity it deserves.
Dr. Luizza also provides individual psychotherapy and psychological evaluations to adolescents and adults in the community, as well as court-ordered treatment to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. She specializes in treating substance abuse and addiction, depression and anxiety, emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, and criminal thinking and behavior. Dr. Luizza is trained in a variety of evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic, and relational therapy, and tailors her approach to best fit the unique needs and qualities of each individual she has the pleasure of working with.
About Dr. Luizza
Dr. Luizza is routinely retained by attorneys and the courts throughout California to provide forensic psychological evaluations, case consultation, and expert witness testimony in criminal and civil matters. Her forensic specialty areas include high risk offenses, Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and criminal behavior, mental health diversion, violence risk assessment, substance abuse, psychosexual evaluations, and emotional distress and trauma. Dr. Luizza is on the Expert Witness List for the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, is trained in a number of forensic psychological and risk assessments, and completed her APA internship at the Los Angeles County Jail.
Training
Dr. Luizza is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist in private practice in San Diego, California. Dr. Luizza has over 10 years of training and experience providing clinical and forensic evidenced-based treatment interventions and evaluations for a broad spectrum of patients and clients ranging from those with emotional adjustment difficulties to sociopathic and violent behaviors. She has treated and evaluated high-risk offenders at the county, state, and federal level and worked in various settings, including hospitals and long-term psychiatric facilities, intensive outpatient clinics, private practice, and detention facilities.
Forensic Evaluations: Forensic Psychology is an area of specialized practice that applies the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system.
Court-Ordered Treatment: When mental health conditions contribute to maladaptive or dangerous behavior, affect the way a person treats others, or increase the risk of recidivism, a court may order treatment as an alternative to jail or prison time.
Psychological Assessment: Psychological assessments provide information about an individual’s emotional, intellectual, behavioral, and/or academic and occupational strengths and challenges.
Psychotherapy: Our childhood experiences shape the way we view and experience ourselves, others, and the world. When we understand why we think, feel, and behave the way we do, we can begin to accept our past and enjoy our present.