SPECIALIZATION
Dr. Willar is a licensed Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist, who specializes in the treatment of co-occurring mental health challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder. She works with children, adolescents and their families. She has focused her clinical and research efforts on providing effective, evidence-based assessment and treatment for individuals with autism in both outpatient and inpatient settings, resulting in over 12+ years of professional experience in working with those impacted by autism.
TRAINING
Dr. Willar received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Marquette University. She completed her Predoctoral Internship and Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado.
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Dr. Willar is a former Clinical Assistant Professor at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic at Stanford Children's Health. There, she served as lead psychologist within the school age and adolescent division of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic. Additionally, Dr. Willar supervised psychiatry and psychology trainees and established a research program focused on group treatments for adolescents with autism.
Currently, Dr. Willar provides clinical supervision to psychology graduate students within the University of Michigan Psychiatry & Psychology Department.
INSPIRATION
My drive for helping individuals and families impacted by autism is fueled by my own personal experiences of witnessing first-hand the strengths and challenges of living with a sibling with autism. This, coupled with providing years of childcare to a now, young woman who has autism, has developed a genuine passion for helping individuals with autism and their families lead a better quality life.
