Hi, I’m
Dr. Loyola!
Meet Dr. Elizabeth Solomon Loyola, PsyD (She/Her)
Dr. Elizabeth, the founder and owner of Child Psychology Center based out of Carlsbad, California, is a compassionate child psychologist with a passion for helping young people and their families thrive. With a PsyD from the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, and over a decade of experience, she specializes in working with children, teens, and young adults, as well as providing support to parents. Dr. Elizabeth brings a neuroaffirming and strengths-based approach to her practice, ensuring that each client receives personalized, evidence-based care that’s practical and meaningful.
Therapeutic Approach
Dr. Elizabeth believes in combining high-quality, evidence-based treatments with personalized care to support families in achieving their goals. She is committed to making therapy accessible and feasible for each family, meeting them where they are and providing the tools they need to feel confident and capable. Whether working with young children, neurodiverse youth, young adults battling OCD, or parents navigating difficult child behaviors, she emphasizes the importance of family involvement in the therapeutic process.
Education and Training
Dr. Elizabeth began her academic journey at UC Davis, earning a BA in Psychology in 2008. She later pursued her PsyD at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, where she honed her expertise in child and family psychology. During her time in graduate school, she conducted significant research on social motivation in autistic youth and trauma treatments for young people. Her postdoctoral fellowship at UC Davis Health further solidified her dedication to working with youth and families.
Certifications & Additional Training
Dr. Elizabeth is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in California (PSY29471) and has accumulated numerous specialized certifications throughout her career, reflecting her dedication to professional growth and best practices in her field:
PC-Care Certified Clinician (since 2022)
5150 Designee, California (since 2018)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certified Clinician (since 2017)
Crisis Oriented Recovery Services (CORS) Certified Clinician (since 2016)
Professional Assault Crisis Training (Pro-ACT) Certified Clinician (since 2015)
Seeking Safety Certified Clinician (since 2015)
Additional Select Training:
2019: Child-Parent Psychotherapy Training and Consultation Calls
2015: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) – Certification of Completion, including web-based learning and supervised sessions
Professional Development & Associations
Dr. Elizabeth is dedicated to staying current in her field through conferences, workshops, and weekly consultation groups with fellow professionals. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the California Psychological Association, and the San Diego Psychological Association.
Presentations & Publications
Dr. Elizabeth has contributed extensively to her field through presentations, publications, and collaborative research. Her work includes studies on youth mental health, trauma, and autism spectrum disorder. Selected presentations and publications include:
Presentations:
Loyola, E., Wheeler, C., Peerson, S., Long, R. (October 2018). A client-centered approach to psychological testing feedback with youth. Sacramento Valley Psychological Association Annual Convention, Sacramento, CA.
Solomon, E., Carrion, V., Rettger, J., Garrett, A. (October 2014). Predictors of comorbid depressive disorders in youth with PTSD. American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Convention, San Diego, CA.
Odom, T., Lakhan-Pal, S., Wheeler, C., Loyola, E., Hopkins, M. (October 2024). Improving access to equitable pediatric mental health services at UC Davis Health by implementing a Collaborative Care Model. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Publications:
Uljarević, M., et al., including Solomon, E. M. (2020). Exploring social subtypes in autism spectrum disorder: A preliminary study. Autism Research, https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2294
Phillips, J. M., et al., including Solomon, E. M. (2019). Development of the Stanford Social Dimensions Scale (SSDS): Initial validation in autism spectrum disorder and neurotypicals. Molecular Autism, 10:48, http://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-019-0298-9
Salzman, E., et al., including Solomon, E. (May 2015). The lasting effects of a 12-week group parent education model in Pivotal Response Training.
Dr. Elizabeth’s ongoing work in psychological research and clinical practice demonstrates her commitment to advancing the field of mental health, with a focus on providing accessible, effective care for children, teens, and families.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Elizabeth offers a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Parent Management Training (PMT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Her special interests include working with parents of young children, helping them feel more effective in their parenting roles, and supporting children and teens with OCD and anxiety.
Services Offered
Dr. Elizabeth provides both in-office services in Carlsbad, California and teletherapy services all throughout the state of California. Her services include psychological testing, parent coaching, and clinical consultations. She also offers support to parents navigating challenging systems, such as schools or regional centers, to ensure comprehensive care for children and families.
What Inspired Her Journey
Before becoming a psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth worked as an aide in a special education classroom. Her experience supporting children’s emotional and social well-being, as well as her involvement in the IEP process, led her to pursue a career in clinical psychology. She wanted to do more to support families and help children thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Outside the Office
When she’s not working, Dr. Elizabeth loves spending time with her husband, children, and two dogs. You can often find her outdoors, enjoying bike rides, swimming, or walking the dogs. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks and podcasts, watching reality TV shows, and experimenting in the kitchen. Summers are her time for adventures, where she loves to try new activities like zip-lining and jet-skiing.
