Newport Beach · Telehealth in California & Alaska

Compassionate, Evidence-Based Psychological Care in Newport Beach

I provide specialized psychological therapy in Newport Beach, Orange County, and online via telehealth throughout California and Alaska. With over 30 years of clinical expertise as a licensed psychologist, I help adults navigate a full spectrum of mental health challenges, ranging from common anxiety and depression to severe, complex psychiatric conditions.

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Therapy office of Dr. Perry Passaro, licensed psychologist in Newport Beach, California — comfortable seating area for in-person counseling sessions

Perry Passaro, Ph.D., A Psychological Corporation

California Licensed Psychologist, PSY 20594

Alaska Licensed Psychologist, 246697

California Licensed Educational Psychologist LEP 2642

Diplomate Academy of Cognitive Therapy

EMDR Certified Provider

Specialties

My Clinical Therapy Specialties

01Complex Care

Treatment for Complex and Serious Mental Illness

Finding a Newport Beach therapist equipped to handle severe psychiatric diagnoses can be difficult. I have extensive clinical experience treating serious mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder, psychosis, dissociative disorders, and Functional Neurological Disorder. While medication is often essential for reducing acute symptoms in these conditions, empirically supported psychotherapy is what moves mental health treatment beyond basic symptom management. In all cases, and especially with serious mental illness, I work very closely and collaboratively with your psychiatrist, physician, and any of your medical providers. I strongly support psychiatric and psychopharmacological treatment. Together, we work toward substantial psychological recovery, helping you build a meaningful, independent life that includes successful employment and fulfilling social connections.

Learn more about complex care

Explore by condition

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Therapy + Medication: Why You Need Both

02Trauma

Complex Trauma and EMDR Therapy

Unresolved trauma can keep us stuck in the past. As an EMDR Certified provider, I specialize in helping individuals safely process deeply rooted traumatic memories, including complex PTSD. Through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, we work at a safe pace to desensitize painful triggers so you can reclaim your sense of safety, let go of past trauma, and move forward.

Learn more about EMDR & trauma

03Mood & Anxiety

Anxiety, OCD, and Depressive Disorders Treatment

Living with severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or deep depression can feel exhausting. As a Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, I utilize gold-standard, evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). These scientific psychological approaches help you break free from ruminative thinking, manage panic attacks, and develop lasting psychological flexibility.

Learn more about anxiety, OCD & depression

About

About Dr. Perry Passaro, Newport Beach Psychologist

Finding the right therapist is a deeply personal decision, especially when navigating a frightening or complex diagnosis. For over three decades, I have dedicated my psychology career to understanding how people heal and grow. I have served as a university professor and lecturer to psychiatric residents, and I have conducted multiple published research studies in the areas of education and clinical psychology. I am a licensed educational psychologist and former school psychologist. I worked in public education for over 20 years, primarily serving adjudicated students and students with severe emotional and behavioral challenges. I have served as an expert witness in numerous administrative law hearings involving psychological diagnosis and treatment, and I have conducted over one thousand psychological and educational assessments. I am a certified Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) facilitator as well as a SMART Friends and Family Facilitator. The SMART recovery model is built on the psychological tools of CBT and motivational interviewing to support individuals with addiction and their families. I am also a member of Al-Anon, which provides me with a firsthand understanding of the support family members truly need during addiction recovery. I integrate newer findings from CBT research regarding Eastern wisdom teachings, specifically mindfulness and acceptance, into traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This therapeutic orientation grows organically from my extensive personal experience in Eastern philosophy, having meditated regularly for over 40 years. I work closely and collaboratively with your physician and any of your healthcare providers. I strongly support metabolic therapies, like the ketogenic diet, in psychiatric treatment.

My diverse experience allows me to view my clients holistically. I do not just treat a diagnosis; I look at how those symptoms impact your career, your relationships, and your daily life. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where we can implement practical, evidence-based strategies to help you get out of your head and back into your life.

Approach

What to Expect: Therapy Treatment Modalities

My psychology practice is rooted in science. Depending on your specific mental health needs, I utilize EMDR therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and an emphasis on mindfulness-based interventions. Mindfulness is the shift from blindly believing our thoughts to gently observing them. It is not about transcendence; it is about achieving intimacy with ordinary life without psychological distortion.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

ACT

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

MBI

Mindfulness-Based Interventions

First Step

The First Step: Your Therapy Consultation

Therapy is an investment in your well-being, and the therapeutic relationship is the most important part of the process. I offer a brief, complimentary phone consultation to discuss the mental health challenges you are currently facing and determine if my clinical psychology approach is the right fit for your needs.

Call (714) 202-6128 Email Dr. Passaro

Fees & Insurance

Therapy Costs, Treatment Options, and Insurance Billing

My fee for an individual 50-minute therapy session is $300.00. This fee reflects the rising costs associated with maintaining a private practice and is in line with current standard market rates. I am an out-of-network psychology provider, and I am legally obligated to let you know that my therapy fees will likely be above your insurance reimbursement. Before you agree to psychological treatment, you can contact your health insurance company directly, or my Newport Beach office can offer you direct help with this process. By simply emailing Brenda at my billing office at billing@drpassaro.com and providing your insurance information, she will contact your insurance provider and then follow up with you on exactly what your insurance will reimburse you for an out-of-network therapist. You can then make an informed decision on whether to proceed with psychological treatment. If you make a request in writing to Brenda at my billing office (billing@drpassaro.com), she will submit your monthly therapy statement to your insurance provider for you. You will receive payment directly from them for any and all out-of-network reimbursements. I will also do my best to offer an estimate of the frequency and length of treatment to assist you in making a final decision. Please keep in mind that your commitment to the therapeutic process, especially out-of-session homework assignments, impacts this estimate. I will require at least one diagnostic session to make this determination. If therapy fees present a financial hardship, one lower-cost treatment option is working with my associate therapist, Bryan Vasquez.

Associate Therapist

About Bryan Vasquez, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Bryan is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) who joined my Newport Beach practice as part of his ongoing clinical training. He has been a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor through CAADE since 2018, and I have worked closely with him in his role as an addiction counselor for over 6 years. Bryan is a graduate-level clinician now working under my direct clinical supervision. He is available to see therapy clients at a reduced session rate of $180.00. Bryan’s areas of clinical expertise include substance abuse counseling, moderation management for alcohol and behavioral addictions, pornography and sex addiction therapy, couples counseling surrounding addiction, anger management, anxiety and depression treatment, career coaching, ADHD management, goal setting, and overcoming procrastination. He has worked extensively in both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, and private practice as an addiction counselor. In addition to his primary areas of expertise, Bryan has expanded his scope of therapeutic practice to include PTSD (he is EMDR trained) and OCD treatment. Bryan’s presence provides an excellent opportunity for those who may benefit from a lower therapy fee structure or who are seeking more flexibility in scheduling. While Bryan is still in training, he receives regular clinical oversight and guidance from me to ensure the highest quality and integrity of mental health care.

If you or someone you know might be interested in working with Bryan, or if you would like to learn more about this lower-cost therapy option, please feel free to reach out to us. We are happy to answer any questions and discuss whether this might be a good fit.

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me directly.

Email Bryan Addiction counseling

Where We Meet

Newport Beach Office and Telehealth Therapy

Bryan and I see clients in person at my Newport Beach psychology office and also offer secure telehealth therapy appointments for residents of California. (Dr. Passaro also provides telehealth therapy for Alaska residents).