Welcome! I'm Dr. Nyssa Petersen Ventura, founder of Ventura Psychological Consulting and Psychology Collaborative. I am a clinical psychologist licensed in Washington State. I have over 15 years of clinical experience in a variety of healthcare and educational settings, including school psychology, inpatient and outpatient mental health, primary care behavioral health, and geriatric neuropsychology.

My journey into psychology began long before my formal education. Growing up in a family with significant mental health challenges, I have personal insight into the unseen battles that individuals and families experiencing mental illness and complex life stressors face. These experiences shaped my belief in the power of integrative approaches—combining mental, physical, and spiritual health—as effective coping strategies and catalysts for growth.

Prior to my university studies, I was privileged to volunteer overseas in Asia and Eastern Europe, and also did a summer internship in cross-cultural service in California inner-cities. I went to serve, but I also gained perspective about the importance of social justice advocacy in my professional work. I later pursued my undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I channeled my love for learning and holistic health, and honed my research skills in the UCSB Lab for Attention, Brain, & Behavior. Afterward, I moved to Southern California for my graduate studies at Biola University, earning my masters and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology. As a bonus - in my doctoral program I met my spouse, who shares my passion for helping others through psychology and mental health support.

As a parent, I've faced challenges accessing diagnostic evaluations and effective supports for my own children, which has inspired my commitment to improve these services in our Wenatchee Valley. My postdoctoral continuing education and training in autism through the University of Washington's ECHO Autism consult groups and the Washington State Medical Homes Partnership Project (MHPP) has been instrumental in my work. I’ve been leading the School and Medical Autism Review Team (SMART) efforts in Chelan-Douglas counties for the past several years, which has recently expanded into the Valley Autism Support Team (VAST). I'm proud to be recognized as an Autism Center of Excellence (COE) Provider and a Washington State Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS).

I have lived in Wenatchee, Washington for over a decade now, with my family and our two dogs. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy hiking and exploring the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, California Bay Area, and Southern California coast. I have a lifelong love for learning and creative pursuits including music and writing. Volunteering and advocacy for mental health and neurodiversity-affirming care are also significant parts of my life.

At Ventura Psychology Collaborative, I provide consultation, therapy, assessment, and clinical supervision for a variety of developmental, mental, and physical health conditions. I specialize in testing and assessments for autism, ADHD, IQ, personality, and neurocognitive concerns. I work closely with colleagues in other healthcare disciplines including behavioral health therapists, speech pathologists, pediatricians, primary care providers, and psychiatric prescribers to ensure comprehensive care. My approach integrates strategies to address both mental and physical health, inspired by the diverse experiences that have shaped my life.