CLARITAS PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL SERVICES
INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION (IEE) SPECIALIST
ADHD, DYSLEXIA, DYSCALCULIA, ANXIETY & AUTISM
200 E. Del Mar Boulevard
Suite 104
Pasadena, CA 91105
Hi, I'm Ellie Morrissey, MS, LEP, BCBA, PPS, a Licensed Educational Psychologist in Pasadena, California. I'm a highly specialized assessor for all disabilities, with particular expertise in ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. But my support goes beyond just assessment; I bring unique expertise to the entire Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) process, from skillfully conducting detailed evaluations to presenting the findings to your child's IEP team. These factors, combined with my past as a Program Specialist at the WSGV SELPA, allow me to not only conduct thorough exhaustive assessments but also connect with the IEP team to maximize the possiblity of the recommendations being implemented.
My true passion is helping every child find the right educational path and identifying the specific services and supports to help them thrive. What made me specalize in IEEs was my journey as a mother to two fantastic children, one with autism and one with ADHD. Having personally navigated the often frustrating and chaotic IEE process, this firsthand experience fuels my dedication to ensure other families have a far more positive and productive experience.
Q1: Who are you? Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
Hello there! I'm Ellie Morrissey, MS, BCBA, PPS, and I'm so glad you're curious about the person behind the practice. My professional life, spanning over two decades, has been entirely devoted to supporting children with unique learning needs. I've walked many paths within special education – from starting as a general education aide and working in a residential facility to becoming a school psychologist and a Program Specialist at the WSGV SELPA. I'm incredibly passionate about the power of thorough assessment. My mission in private practice for the past ten years is to provide the most insightful and comprehensive Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) that truly illuminate a child's strengths and challenges, guiding them toward their best educational path.
Beyond my professional hats, I'm also a proud wife and mother to two absolutely wonderful children. My family and I have made Pasadena our home for the last ten years, although my roots trace back to Orange County, with a brief chapter in San Francisco in between. My personal journey as a parent, including navigating the IEP process for my own children (one with Autism, one with ADHD), has been profoundly impactful. It was a challenging experience, even for someone with my professional background, and it deeply solidified my commitment to making this process smoother and more productive for your family. I truly understand what it feels like to be on the other side of that table, and my goal is to transform what can feel daunting into a clearer, more hopeful journey for you and your child.
Q2: Where do you work and what's your approach as an evaluator?
My office is located in Pasadena, California. In every single case, my ultimate priority is always the child – I don't work for the school district, and I don't work for the parents; I work solely for the child. Being in private practice with a carefully limited caseload allows me to give the students I assess greatly augmented access to time, attention, and planning. As an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) evaluator, my role is to be a neutral, objective third party. My sole purpose is to use comprehensive data from a thorough evaluation to truly understand your child's needs and provide insights that can inform, improve, or enhance their special education program. Think of me as a dedicated detective, committed to leaving no stone unturned. My work involves meticulously gathering all the relevant facts, carefully interviewing all parties involved in your child's education, and then using this comprehensive data to inform recommendations, which might even include suggesting consultations with other specialists. My goal is to build the best possible picture for your child's success!
Q3: Which areas of Southern California do you serve?
My main office is conveniently located at:
200 E. Del Mar Boulevard, Ste 104, Pasadena, CA 91105
I proudly serve all of Los Angeles and Orange Counties for both Neuropsychological and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA). For our neighbors in surrounding counties, I take clients on a case-by-case basis. Just a friendly heads-up for families outside of Los Angeles County: FBAs require significant on-site observation time, so you might find it more practical to consider evaluators closer to home for those specific assessments.
Q4: I submitted your name to the district, and they denied it because your office is "too far away." Can they do this, even if I'm willing to travel?
It's certainly frustrating when you encounter a roadblock like this, and unfortunately, yes, they can. California Education Code (34 CFR § 300.502 (e)(1)) allows districts to impose "reasonable geographic limitations" on an examiner for an IEE. This typically means they can limit the travel distance, often to around a 60-mile radius. While it's disappointing, even though districts are sometimes allowed to make exceptions, the law is definitely on their side regarding these limits. It's also important to note that district processes often require formal board approval for the evaluator's contract, beyond just the initial IEE approval from your IEP team. This can sometimes lead to additional delays or complexities.
Q6: Do you work with other professionals?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis! I sometimes bring in other professionals whom I hold in extremely high regard to help with specific portions of the testing. For example, I might collaborate with an educational therapist who administers a neuro-academic battery like the FAR, FAM, or FAW for me. This wonderful collaboration allows me to incorporate results obtained from an extremely experienced teacher and then weave them seamlessly into my psychological findings. Rest assured, parents are always consulted and notified if a provider other than Ellie Morrissey will be working with their child. Transparency and teamwork are key!
Q7: Do you take a waitlist?
No, I do not maintain a waitlist. The nature of IEE approvals from districts means timelines can be incredibly varied and unpredictable, often due to the multi-step district approval process, including formal board approval for the contract (not just the initial IEE approval from your IEP team). I take cases in the order they are received once they have been formally approved by the SPED department. I intentionally work part-time to ensure I can spend quality time with my amazing children, and by keeping my caseload thoughtfully managed, parents aren't left waiting an extensive amount of time to begin their evaluation once I start. Unfortunately, this also means I'm not able to take every single case, and I will happily refer you to other trusted professionals if I am overbooked.
Q8: I’m tired of waiting for my IEE to get approved. Can I pay you and get reimbursed by the district later?
No! Please, please don't try this! The odds of you getting reimbursed by the district are extremely low if you pay out of pocket before approval. It's a common and very costly mistake. To understand why and how to navigate IEE funding properly, please see our dedicated module on IEEs under SpEd Snippets. We want to make sure your evaluation is covered!
Q9: I am still feeling really confused and overwhelmed about selecting an assessor. What should I do?
A: It's very normal to feel overwhelmed during this process. Remember, you are the expert on your child, and it's important to take all factors into consideration when selecting an examiner. An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a unique chance to get focused attention and valuable data on your child, so use this opportunity as wisely as possible. You may also want to look at our SpEd Snippets in the above navigation, which offers more in-depth information about the IEE process.
When researching examiners, go beyond simply asking friends. Here are a few key steps:
Deeply research them: Look up their professional licenses to see if there are any complaints, Google them, and follow up on any questions or concerns.
Leverage your network: Ask for recommendations and insights on parent chat groups (or join a chat group for this purpose).
Consider a variety of professionals: Don't feel pressured to choose the first person you hear about.
Interview candidates: You are the person interviewing them! Don't feel like you have to make a choice before you speak with several examiners on the phone. Ask them specifically about their experience relevant to your child's needs, their background, their ability to work collaboratively with an IEP team, their experience with IEEs, and whether they are simply a good fit for your child.
We wish you the best of luck on your journey!
Please use this form to contact Claritas Psychoeducational Services. All inquiries will be returned within 48 hours
Ellie offers a free 20-minute consultation for all parents. There is absolutely no obligation to proceed with services after the consultation. Sorry, it's limited to Southern California families only.
Licensed Educational Psychologist (# 3156)
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (# 1-12-12327)
PPS School Psychology (# 150045611)
PPS School Counseling (# 150045611)