Meet Dr. Clarissa Annarella
Board-Certified Pediatric Physical Therapist
Hello!
My name is Clarissa Annarella (née Aguirre) and I am a licensed and board certified physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. I particularly love working with children ages 0-3 years old because this is when the biggest changes happen - personalities develop, crawling and walking begin, speech flourishes, and play explodes.
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I live in Yorba Linda with my husband, Donald. In my rare free time, I love to go on walks, swim, coach swim, try new foods, eat ice cream, and run Spartan races.
At a Glance
Education & Training
Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT): Columbia University
Undergraduate: Stanford University
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Clinical Experiences: New York Presbyterian Hospital Cardiopulmonary Department, SoCal Elite Physical Therapy, Next Steps Pediatric Therapy, Longevity Physical Therapy
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Specialty Training: Total Motion Release (TMR), Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) Level A, Integrating Primitive Reflexes
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My Story
A native of Orange County, California, I am so excited to provide my hometown community with pediatric physical therapy services. My passion for physical therapy began when I was 8-years-old receiving physical therapy for a knee injury that required multiple surgeries and intensive rehabilitation. My physical therapist, Iona, supported me, and especially my parents, through a hard, traumatic process. Now, I would love to do the same for other families as I know the tremendous positive impact a therapist's care can have on a child.
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Why Physical Therapy? I grew up a very active child, participating in many sports and eventually coaching swim for close to 10 years. While coaching, I discovered that I loved teaching children how to move their bodies and interacting with the swim team families. I also loved science, including physiology and anatomy, and always pictured myself in the medical field. Physical therapy was a great option to combine my love of medicine with my passion for moving my body and educating children on how to move theirs'. I also LOVE being able to connect so closely with my families while seeing them on a weekly basis.
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I obtained my undergraduate degree in Human Biology with an emphasis on anatomy and physiology from Stanford University, where I gained a strong appreciation for the resilience of the human body. I then travelled across the nation to obtain my Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Columbia University. But, right after graduation, I had to return to the beautiful OC! ​​
Why Good AND Enough?
While studying at Stanford University, I strived to achieve perfection and never felt like I was "good enough" despite thriving in my classes and working three jobs. Then, I met with a positive psychology professor and he told me to reframe my thinking - to describe myself and my abilities as "good AND enough." And, this stuck with me. I wanted to build my physical therapy practice around the idea that every kid and family I see is good and enough. That no matter a child's diagnosis or abilities, the child is good and enough.
My Specialty Training and Experiences
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Now in my third year as a pediatric physical therapist, I have continued to expand my knowledge to optimize patient care. I am certified in Total Motion Release (TMR) Level 1 - a technique utilizing nonpainful stretching and movement to target other tight areas of the body. TMR is great for babies experiencing increased body tension, torticollis, or reflux and constipation. I am also certified in Dynamic Movement Intervention Level A (DMI) - a technique that challenges a child's body to motor plan in new ways and take advantage of the brain's neuroplasticity to improve mobility. DMI is especially great for improving postural control to optimize sitting, standing, and walking. I plan on taking DMI Levels B and C very soon to broaden my knowledge and provide even better care to my patients.
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I am trained in integrating primitive reflexes - a vital skillset when working with the infant and pediatric populations. I also have experience with serial casting, aquatic therapy, scoliosis, and Rifton adaptive equipment.
Why Choose Good and Enough Physical Therapy?
Good and Enough Physical Therapy prioritizes optimizing your child's gross motor development so that he or she can be as independent as possible. Dr. Clarissa strives to educate parents so that they feel empowered to care for their child and confident in their ability to be "enough" for their child. Dr. Clarissa believes that treating a child means treating the entire family. She loves building a strong connection with her families and utilizes a family-centered approach to ensure her treatment is achieving the family's goals for their child. Each of her treatment plans prioritizes what's best for the child and family, which is why she does not accept insurance. Insurance is a limiting factor in optimizing a family-centered approach to care. Each child and family is unique and a standard insurance designated number of sessions is not always optimal. With Dr. Clarissa, you will feel supported, encouraged, and empowered.