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 has years of experience providing clinical and forensic evidenced-based treatment interventions and evaluations for a broad spectrum of patients ranging from those with normal adjustment difficulties to psychopathic first-degree murders. She has treated and evaluated high-profile cases 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.
An intrinsic part of Dr. Luizza’s professional identity is her humble and nonjudgmental approach, her ability to ask the right questions at the right time and 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.
About Dr. Luizza
Growing up in an Italian American family in two of the most diverse and fast-paced cities in the United States greatly influenced my development as a clinical and forensic psychologist. Living in the cities of Chicago and New York exposed me to a diverse array of people, cultures, and experiences at a young age. In addition, being raised in a culture that values hard work, respect, and human connection provided me with a gift to feel compassion and empathy towards others who are inherently different than me.
Training
Dr. Luizza earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego in 2020 and completed her APA internship at the Los Angeles County Jail. She is a licensed psychologist in the State of California and is credentialed by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and licensed eligible in all 50 states. As a doctoral student, Dr. Luizza trained at Alpine Special Treatment Center where she worked with patients on conservatorship...
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.