Helping teens, young adults and their families succeed is something I’m passionate about. I work with students using patience, creativity and lots of encouragement. Adolescents respond well to my relaxed, upbeat personality and I am able to gain respect from them easily. I have over 18 years experience building relationships with adolescents and young adults and have helped hundreds of students succeed in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
My History and Technique
My technique is a combination of my Master’s in Counseling Psychology, my years as a school counselor and my work as an academic coach and tutor. Additionally, I have a deep love and commitment to help children enrich their lives. As a child, I had a tutor because I loved reading and writing so much. My tutor was a published author, poet and educator. During the 12 years we read, wrote and learned together I compiled a very large toolbox with which to pass on writing skills. My tutor imparted a love of writing and joy for learning that I didn’t receive in the classroom. As a result of our work together, one of my specialties is to help students find their inner voice, overcome writing blocks and procrastination, and build their confidence as writers.
During my internship for my Master’s degree I worked in a rural mountain community in New Mexico. While I was there, I set up a program in the local high school working with students and their families to improve academic performance and emotional well-being. After graduating, I moved to Hawai’i where I worked as a consulting clinical therapist in the public school system to improve academic performance as well as behavioral and psychological issues. I have worked with children and their families in a wide variety of issues extending from ADHD/ADD, anxiety, depression and more to improve academic performance and emotional health at school, in the home and community.
I have an insightful ability to assess a student’s blocks and strengths for learning. Given my background in psychology, I work with a youth’s academic, social, emotional and behavioral aspects of classroom learning. I help students overcome obstacles that prevent them from being able to achieve their goals and perform successfully at school.
Parents report that their children have become more motivated and inspired to organize themselves, do homework, improve study skills and prepare for exams. I help to make academic tasks more efficient and teach them lasting skills that they can use for life. The outcome is that students are able to approach their homework independently with improved self-esteem, confidence, and skill.
Credentials:
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Master’s in Counseling Psychology
- Bachelor’s in Psychology
- Over 18 years experience as a school counselor and therapist within the public school system
- College essay writing coach for 12 years
- English and writing tutor for 15 years
- Work with ADD/ADHD and other learning differences
- Extensive professional training
- Have trained teachers to work with ADD/ADHD, depression and anxiety using behavioral interventions in the classroom
- Member of American Counseling Association (ACA)
- Member of California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (CALPCC)
- Professional editor for 15 years
- Excellent references provided upon request