About Dr. Jordan Ko
Dr. Jordan Ko is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in therapy and psychological evaluations for children and adolescents (ages 2–18), and families in Carmel Valley, San Diego and via telehealth.
She has specific expertise in ASD and neurodevelopmental differences, and extensive experience with anxiety, ADHD, mood concerns, and other social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Education and Training
B.A. in Child Study & Human Development, Tufts University (Magna Cum Laude)
M.A. in Counseling Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Predoctoral internship, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Postdoctoral fellowship, San Diego State University (SDSU) and Rady Children’s Hospital/Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC)
Dr. Ko has worked in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, community mental health centers, and private practice
Areas of Specialization
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
Anxiety and stress management
Social skills and peer relationships
Behavioral challenges
Emotion regulation
Executive functioning
Mood concerns
Parent-child interactions
Parent coaching and support
Approaches to Therapy
Dr. Ko uses evidence-based practices, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Autism interventions, including Project ImPACT and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)
Social skills training, including UCLA PEERS®, UCSB Social Tools and Rules for Teens (START) Program
Mindfulness and skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Motivational Interviewing and motivation-building strategies
Dr. Ko utilizes a collaborative, strengths-based approach to partner with children, teens, and families to reach their goals. She aims to foster a safe space for clients to feel heard and validated, as well as build insight, skills, and confidence. Her goal is to provide culturally sensitive care that is informed by evidence-based practices, which are supported by research but tailored to the individual needs and values of each client and family.
Specialized Expertise in ASD
Inspired by her experiences with loved ones on the autism spectrum, Dr. Ko acquired specialized in-depth training and experience in ASD intervention and evaluation at the UCSB Koegel Autism Center and UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental (CAN) Clinic. Her clinical experience supporting neurodivergent individuals spans from toddlerhood to young adulthood. Prior to working in a private practice setting, Dr. Ko served as a lead clinical trainer on a clinical research team at San Diego State University and Rady Children’s Hospital/Child and Adolescent Services Research Center (CASRC), training therapists across California in a parent coaching intervention (Project ImPACT) aimed at improving the social communication skills of young children. She has conducted research on interventions to improve social communications skills across the pediatric lifespan (from toddlers at risk for ASD to autistic young adults), as well as implementing these programs in community settings. Dr. Ko has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and presented globally on panel presentations at international research conferences. Click here to read more about Dr. Ko’s research and publications.
Personal Information
Dr. Ko was born and raised in Los Angeles, and has also lived in Boston, Santa Barbara, and Copenhagen, Denmark. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, tennis, and outdoor activities with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog, Rio.
Contact Dr. Ko today to learn more or Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation to get started.
