Educational Therapy & Executive Function Coaching in San Diego
Personalized support for students with ADHD, learning differences, and executive functioning challenges. Serving North County San Diego through in-home and virtual sessions.
Customized Sessions with Your Goals in Mind
Educational Therapy
Targeted strategies and resources to support learning differences and set students up for success in school.
Organizational Coaching
Support to strengthen executive functions like planning, organization, and time management.
Early Childhood Enrichment
Inspiring curiosity and supporting optimal development through thoughtful learning for children ages 0–5.
Parent Coaching
Support for parents to boost learning, manage behaviors, navigate school systems, and more!
OUR GOAL
Together, we’ll build the skills, habits, and confidence your child needs to thrive independently
Dominique Marinello
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What is educational therapy?
Educational therapy is a personalized approach that helps students build the academic, organizational, and learning skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Unlike traditional tutoring, educational therapy focuses on understanding why a student is struggling and teaching strategies that address the root of those challenges.
An educational therapist may work on executive functioning, organization, study skills, reading, writing, math, processing differences, self-advocacy, and confidence. Every session is tailored to the student's unique learning profile, helping them become more independent and capable over time
How is educational therapy different from tutoring?
While both educational therapy and tutoring support academic success, they have different goals.
Tutoring typically focuses on helping students learn specific classroom content or prepare for tests. Educational therapy goes a step further by teaching students how to learn more effectively. Rather than simply reviewing homework, educational therapy addresses underlying challenges such as executive functioning, attention, organization, study strategies, processing differences, and learning disabilities.
The goal isn't just better grades today, it's helping students develop lifelong learning skills and greater independence.
Who benefits from educational therapy?
Educational therapy can benefit students of all ages who are capable learners but need additional support to reach their full potential. Services are individualized to each student's strengths, challenges, and goals.
Educational therapy may be helpful for students with:
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ADHD
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Executive functioning challenges
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Autism
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Dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia
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Learning disabilities
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Processing differences
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Anxiety related to school
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Organization and time management difficulties
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Study skills challenges
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Gifted or twice-exceptional (2e) learning profiles
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Difficulties with reading, writing, or math
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Challenges with motivation, confidence, or self-advocacy
Whether a student has a formal diagnosis or is simply finding school more difficult than expected, educational therapy focuses on identifying barriers to learning and building practical strategies that foster long-term success and independence.
What is executive functioning?
Executive functioning refers to the mental skills that help us plan, organize, manage time, remember information, control impulses, and complete tasks. These skills are essential for success both in school and everyday life.
Students with executive functioning challenges may struggle to:
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Start assignments without reminders
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Keep track of materials
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Plan long-term projects
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Manage their time effectively
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Stay organized
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Follow multi-step directions
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Complete work independently
Executive functioning skills can be taught, practiced, and strengthened with the right support.
What is executive functioning coaching?
Executive functioning coaching helps students develop practical systems and strategies for managing school responsibilities more independently. Instead of focusing solely on academic content, coaching teaches students how to organize assignments, manage their time, prioritize tasks, plan ahead, and develop routines that work for them.
The goal is to build confidence and independence so students rely less on reminders from parents and become more successful on their own.
What are signs my child may have executive functioning challenges?
Every child occasionally forgets homework or procrastinates. However, consistent difficulties in these areas may suggest executive functioning challenges.
Common signs include:
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Frequently losing school materials
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Forgetting assignments or deadlines
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Difficulty getting started on homework
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Trouble planning long-term projects
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Constantly needing reminders
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Messy backpacks, desks, or folders
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Feeling overwhelmed by multi-step tasks
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Poor time management
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Homework taking much longer than expected
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Emotional frustration around schoolwork
These challenges are not a reflection of intelligence. Many bright students struggle with executive functioning skills.
Can executive functioning skills be improved?
Yes. Executive functioning skills are highly teachable and continue developing throughout childhood, adolescence, and even early adulthood. With individualized support, students can learn strategies for planning, organization, time management, task initiation, self-monitoring, and problem solving. Over time, these strategies become habits that help students become more independent learners.
What helps students with ADHD succeed in school?
Students with ADHD often thrive when they receive structured, individualized support that builds on their strengths.
Helpful strategies may include:
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Visual schedules and planners
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Breaking large assignments into smaller steps
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Organizational systems
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Time management strategies
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Frequent check-ins
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Movement breaks
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Clear routines
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External reminders
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Teaching self-advocacy skills
Because every student with ADHD is different, the most effective support is personalized to their individual needs.
Can educational therapy help students with ADHD?
Yes. Educational therapy can help students with ADHD develop the executive functioning and learning strategies they need to succeed in school.
Sessions may focus on organization, planning, study strategies, task initiation, emotional regulation around schoolwork, note-taking, memory supports, and building confidence. Rather than simply completing homework together, the goal is to help students become more independent learners over time.
Does my child with ADHD need tutoring or executive functioning coaching?
The answer depends on why your child is struggling.
If your child understands the academic material but struggles to stay organized, remember assignments, manage time, start tasks, or complete work independently, executive functioning coaching is often the better fit. Coaching focuses on developing the skills students need to manage school successfully.
If your child is struggling to understand specific academic concepts, tutoring may be appropriate.
Many students with ADHD benefit from a combination of academic support and executive functioning coaching. Educational therapy often integrates both, addressing academic content while teaching the organizational, planning, and self-management skills students need for long-term success.
Why does homework take my child with ADHD so long?
Homework can take much longer for students with ADHD because completing an assignment involves far more than understanding the material. Students must organize materials, remember directions, manage distractions, stay focused, monitor their progress, and transition between tasks, all areas that rely on executive functioning.
Other factors may include:
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Difficulty getting started
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Time blindness
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Perfectionism
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Working memory challenges
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Frequent distractions
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Mental fatigue after a full school day
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Difficulty estimating how long tasks will take
Rather than assuming a child is unmotivated or lazy, it's important to understand the specific challenges making homework more difficult. The right strategies and supports can dramatically reduce homework stress and improve independence.
Why does my child with ADHD have so many missing assignments?
Missing assignments are one of the most common challenges for students with ADHD and are rarely the result of a lack of intelligence or effort.
Students may:
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Forget to write assignments down
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Lose completed work
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Underestimate deadlines
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Struggle to start larger projects
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Become overwhelmed and avoid difficult tasks
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Forget to submit online assignments
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Have difficulty managing multiple classes and responsibilities
Educational therapy helps students develop systems for organization, planning, and follow-through so assignments are less likely to fall through the cracks.
How can educational therapy support autistic students?
Educational therapy is individualized to each student's strengths, interests, and learning profile. For autistic students, support may include executive functioning strategies, organization, study skills, self-advocacy, flexible problem solving, social understanding within academic settings, and reducing barriers to learning.
Rather than expecting every student to learn the same way, educational therapy adapts strategies to fit how each individual learns best while supporting independence and confidence.
Can autistic students benefit from executive functioning coaching?
Absolutely. While every autistic individual is unique, many benefit from support with executive functioning skills such as organization, planning, flexible thinking, time management, task initiation, prioritization, and managing multi-step assignments.
Executive functioning coaching focuses on developing personalized systems that work with a student's strengths rather than expecting them to fit a one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is to increase independence while respecting each student's individual learning style and preferences.
Do autistic students always need an IEP?
No. Every autistic student has unique strengths and support needs.
Some autistic students qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) because they benefit from specialized instruction or related services. Others are successful with accommodations through a 504 Plan, while some may not require either and instead benefit from supports outside of school, such as educational therapy or executive functioning coaching.
The appropriate level of support depends on how a student's needs impact their educational experience, not simply on a diagnosis.
What is the difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP?
Both a 504 Plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are designed to support students with disabilities, but they provide different levels of support and are governed by different federal laws.
A 504 Plan provides accommodations that help students access the general education curriculum. These accommodations remove barriers to learning but do not change what a student is expected to learn. Common accommodations include extended time on tests, preferential seating, organizational supports, access to teacher notes, reduced distractions, or the use of assistive technology. Students with a 504 Plan typically receive instruction in the general education classroom without specialized educational services.
An IEP, on the other hand, is designed for students whose disability impacts their educational performance to the extent that they require special education services. In addition to accommodations, an IEP includes specialized instruction, individualized annual goals, progress monitoring, and, when appropriate, related services such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, or adapted physical education. An IEP is a comprehensive educational plan that outlines how the school will meet a student's unique learning needs.
In short:
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A 504 Plan = accommodations that help a student access learning.
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An IEP = accommodations plus individualized special education instruction and services designed to help a student make meaningful educational progress.
Determining whether a student qualifies for a 504 Plan or an IEP depends on the results of a comprehensive evaluation and the student's individual needs. An educational therapist can help families understand evaluation reports, prepare for school meetings, and advocate for appropriate accommodations and supports throughout the process.
Does my child need a 504 Plan or an IEP
If your child is consistently struggling despite effort, accommodations, or outside support, it may be helpful to request an evaluation through your school district.
Students who primarily need classroom accommodations may qualify for a 504 Plan. Students who require more specialized support and instruction due to a disability may qualify for an IEP.
Determining eligibility involves a comprehensive evaluation and collaboration between families and the school team.
Can educational therapy help if my child doesn't qualify for an IEP?
Yes. Many students who struggle academically or with executive functioning do not qualify for special education services but still benefit from individualized support.
Educational therapy can help students who are experiencing challenges with organization, attention, study skills, reading, writing, math, or executive functioning, even if they are earning average or above-average grades.
Support focuses on teaching practical strategies, strengthening learning skills, and helping students become more confident and independent learners.
Why is homework such a battle every night?
Homework struggles are often a symptom of something deeper than motivation.
Students may be experiencing executive functioning challenges, attention difficulties, learning differences, anxiety, weak study strategies, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands placed on them.
Rather than focusing solely on getting homework finished, it's important to identify the underlying barriers. When those challenges are addressed, homework often becomes less stressful for both students and parents.
Why is my child smart but struggling in school?
Many highly intelligent students experience difficulties in school despite understanding the material.
Challenges with executive functioning, attention, processing speed, working memory, anxiety, organization, or specific learning differences can make it difficult to demonstrate what they know.
Academic success depends on much more than intelligence. Developing effective learning strategies and supports can help students better use their strengths.
Why does my child know the material but fail tests?
Many students understand classroom material but struggle to demonstrate their knowledge during tests. This can be frustrating for both students and parents, especially when it seems like they've spent plenty of time studying.
Poor test performance can be related to a variety of factors, including:
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Test anxiety
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Executive functioning challenges
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Working memory weaknesses
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Slow processing speed
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Difficulty organizing written responses
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Reading comprehension challenges
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Misunderstanding directions
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Time management during tests
Another common reason is that many students have never been explicitly taught how to study effectively. We often tell students to "go study," but the process of studying is rarely taught. As a result, students may reread their notes, highlight passages, or skim the textbook and feel confident because the information looks familiar.
I often refer to this as the illusion of mastery, when students mistake familiarity for true understanding. While recognizing information can create a false sense of confidence, it doesn't necessarily mean they can recall, apply, or explain it on a test. Effective studying requires active learning strategies such as retrieval practice, self-testing, spacing practice over time, making connections between concepts, and applying knowledge in new situations.
Educational therapy helps students identify the specific barriers affecting their test performance while also teaching evidence-based study strategies that improve learning, retention, and recall. Instead of simply studying longer, students learn how to study smarter, leading to greater confidence and stronger academic performance.
Why does homework take my child so long?
If homework regularly takes several hours, there may be underlying challenges affecting efficiency.
Common reasons include:
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Difficulty getting started
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Executive functioning challenges
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ADHD
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Reading or writing difficulties
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Perfectionism
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Anxiety
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Weak organizational systems
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Frequent distractions
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Difficulty understanding directions
Identifying the reason behind the delay is the first step toward finding effective solutions.
Why does my child avoid homework?
Homework avoidance is often a sign that something about the task feels overwhelming, frustrating, or emotionally draining.
Students may avoid homework because they:
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Don't know where to begin
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Feel overwhelmed by large assignments
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Struggle with attention or executive functioning
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Have experienced repeated academic frustration
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Feel anxious about making mistakes
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Lack confidence in their abilities
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Are mentally exhausted after school
Rather than focusing only on completing homework, educational therapy helps uncover the reasons behind avoidance and teaches strategies that make tasks feel more manageable.
Why does my child shut down when school gets hard?
Many students shut down when they feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure of how to move forward. What may look like defiance or a lack of motivation is often a stress response.
Shutting down can be caused by:
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Executive functioning challenge
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Anxiety
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Learning differences
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Perfectionism
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Fear of failure
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Sensory overload
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Difficulty understanding expectations
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Repeated experiences of academic frustration
Educational therapy helps students build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to approach challenges with greater independence and self-confidence.
Why does my child resist help from me, even though they need it?
If helping with homework has turned into nightly arguments, you're not alone. One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is, "My child will listen to anyone except me."
While every situation is different, it's important to know that this is often a normal part of development. As children and adolescents grow, they naturally seek greater independence from their parents. They may want to solve problems on their own, make their own decisions, or separate their academic life from their home life. As a result, even well-intentioned help can sometimes be met with frustration, resistance, or conflict.
Over time, this pattern can strain family relationships. Parents may find themselves taking on the role of teacher, homework monitor, or executive functioning coach, while students begin to associate schoolwork with stress and conflict at home.
Educational therapy provides a neutral, supportive environment where students can develop academic and executive functioning skills with a professional outside the family. Because the relationship is different, students are often more receptive to feedback, strategies, and accountability.
The goal isn't to replace parents it's to allow parents to return to their most important role: being parents. By separating school support from home life, families often experience less conflict, greater independence, and more positive interactions, while students build the skills and confidence they need to become successful learners.
My child is getting good grades. Do they still need support?
Possibly. Good grades don't always tell the whole story.
Some students earn strong grades while spending hours on homework, relying heavily on parent support, experiencing significant stress, or struggling with organization and time management behind the scenes.
Educational therapy isn't only for students who are failing. It can also help successful students become more independent, efficient, and confident while reducing unnecessary stress and building lifelong learning skills.
What happens during an educational therapy session?
Every session is individualized based on the student's goals and learning profile.
Depending on the student's needs, sessions may include:
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Executive functioning coaching
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Homework support
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Study skills development
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Organization systems
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Reading, writing, or math strategies
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Planning upcoming assignments
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Test preparation
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Self-advocacy skills
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Building independence and confidence
The focus is not simply completing today's homework but helping students develop skills they can continue using long after the session ends.
How often should my child attend educational therapy?
The frequency of sessions depends on each student's needs, goals, and schedule.
Many students benefit from one or two sessions each week, particularly when building new routines or addressing ongoing academic challenges. As students become more independent, the level of support may gradually decrease.
The goal is always to help students gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed independently.
What ages do you work with?
Educational therapy can support learners across a wide range of ages, from elementary school through college and beyond.
Because every student's needs are unique, sessions are individualized based on developmental level, academic demands, and personal goals.
Do you work with schools and other professionals?
Yes. Collaboration is an important part of supporting student success.
With parent permission, I regularly communicate with teachers, school counselors, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other members of a student's support team. Working together helps ensure that strategies remain consistent across home, school, and therapy settings.
I also frequently partner with families and schools to develop and refine 504 Plan and IEP accommodations that are individualized to a student's unique learning profile. Whether preparing for a school meeting, reviewing evaluation results, or recommending evidence-based accommodations and supports, my goal is to help ensure students receive the appropriate resources they need to thrive in the classroom while building greater independence and confidence.
Do you offer virtual educational therapy?
Yes. Virtual sessions provide flexible, individualized support for students and families who prefer to meet online or who live outside the local area.
Online educational therapy allows students to receive personalized instruction, executive functioning coaching, and academic support from the comfort of home while using many of the same evidence-based strategies as in-person sessions.
Do parents receive updates?
Yes. Parent collaboration is an important part of the educational therapy process.
Regular communication helps families understand the strategies being taught, celebrate progress, and reinforce skills between sessions. Depending on each family's preferences and the student's age, updates may include progress toward goals, areas of growth, recommendations for home or school, and strategies to support continued success.
When appropriate and with parent permission, I also collaborate with teachers, school teams, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to help ensure consistency across environments and advocate for appropriate supports.