Clarissa Aguirre

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. 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. 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"? 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. 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 & B (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. 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. Good and Enough Physical Therapy prioritizes optimizing your child's gross motor development so that he or she can be as independent as possible. I strive to educate parents so that they feel empowered to care for their child and confident in their ability to be "enough" for their child. I believe that treating a child means treating the entire family. With me, you will feel supported, encouraged, and empowered.