Dr. John M. Pita, Ph.D., LSOTP-S
Dr. John M. Pita is a licensed Texas psychologist specializing in clinical and forensic psychology. With more than 30 years of experience, he provides psychological assessment, personality testing, child custody evaluations, forensic consultation, psychotherapy, threat assessments, and expert witness services. His practice serves adults, adolescents, children, couples, families, attorneys, courts, and organizations throughout Texas and participating PSYPACT jurisdictions.
Dr. Pita has extensive experience conducting psychological evaluations involving personality functioning, diagnostic clarification, parenting capacity, child custody and relocation matters, high-conflict family disputes, behavioral concerns, and other court-related issues. He also provides individual, family, and couples therapy for a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relationship concerns.
Psychological & Personality Assessment
Psychological testing and personality assessment services are available for diagnostic clarification, treatment planning, court-related matters, parenting concerns, behavioral issues, emotional functioning, personality dynamics, and other clinical or forensic referral questions. Evaluations may include clinical interviews, psychological testing, record review, collateral information, and comprehensive written reports when appropriate.
Interstate & Relocation Services
As a PSYPACT Authorized Telepsychology Provider (APIT®), Dr. Pita may provide telepsychology services to clients located in participating PSYPACT jurisdictions. This capability can be particularly beneficial in relocation matters, interstate parenting disputes, military family situations, college students attending school out of state, and families living in different jurisdictions.
Professional Background
Dr. Pita established his private practice in 1991 and specializes in clinical and forensic psychology. His practice emphasizes psychological assessment, personality testing, child custody evaluations, forensic consultation, threat assessment, psychotherapy, and expert witness services. He provides services to adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families and has extensive experience with court-involved matters, including court-ordered therapy, forensic assessment, consultation, and testimony. Treatment approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Insight-Oriented Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Career History
1991 – Present
Independent Practice – Clinical & Forensic Psychology
Dallas, Plano, Flower Mound, and surrounding North Texas communities
2002 – 2019
Chief Psychologist
Dallas County Juvenile Department
Dallas, Texas
1991 – 2002
Assistant Chief Psychologist
Dallas County Juvenile Department
Dallas, Texas
2000 – 2019
Adjunct Professor, Clinical Psychology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Dallas, Texas
1975 – 1978
United States Air Force – Active Duty
1978 – 1981
United States Air Force Reserve
Education
1986 – 1991
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Dallas, Texas
Clinical training rotations included the Dallas County Juvenile Department, Southwest Family Institute (Family Therapy), Parkland Outpatient Psychiatry, UT Arlington Student Counseling Center, Parkland Psychiatric Emergency Services, and the UT Southwestern Psychiatry Clinic.
1983 – 1985
M.S., Clinical Psychology
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, Texas
1982 – 1983
M.Ed., Counseling and Human Development
Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, Texas
Areas of Specialization
Forensic & Court-Related Services
• Child Custody Evaluations
• Relocation and Interstate Parenting Matters
• Psychological & Personality Assessment
• Court-Related Evaluations
• Threat Assessment
• Expert Witness Services
• Court-Ordered Therapy
• Adolescent Sex Offender Assessment & Treatment
Clinical Services
• Individual Therapy
• Couples & Family Therapy
• Anxiety & Depression
• Trauma & PTSD
• Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
• Divorce Recovery
• Premarital Counseling
• Anger Management
• Family Conflict
• Grief & Loss
Additional Areas of Focus
• Emotional Dysregulation
• Crisis Intervention
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Suicidal Ideation & Risk Assessment
• Personality Disorders