1. What is therapeutic tutoring?

Therapeutic tutoring is a powerful approach that combines psychotherapy and tutoring. At Wise Mind Learning, therapeutic tutoring solutions are co-created with learners of all ages (children, adolescents, and adults) who are struggling to achieve their full potential at school, work, or in their lives in general. People who benefit from therapeutic tutoring may:

1. not follow through and complete tasks

2. have difficulty paying attention at times

3. have reduced motivation 

4. have anxiety and/or depression

5. have emotional and/or social stress that is affecting their functioning

6. voice reduced self-efficacy or low self-concept when it comes to learning

7. have unique patterns of strengths and weaknesses that may indicate the presence of specific learning disability or an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

8. want to understand themselves better
   

2. How do I know if I or my child needs therapeutic tutoring?

Anyone who struggles with learning in any domain, does not seem to be able to access his or her intellectual resources, is stressed, anxious, or unhappy with how they are progressing towards their goals at school, work, or in life in general, is a good candidate for therapeutic tutoring.

3. Do you work with my child's teachers?

Yes. I work closely with the school and other collateral providers. Because therapeutic tutoring spans both educational and mental health support/strategies, I often play the role of case manager, to integrate services and supports, and to make them more cohesive and streamlined to benefit the individual learner.

4. Do you help students with their homework?

We address goals that are meaningful and of value to the individual. If homework provides a vehicle to do that, then we use homework as the context for learning. These decisions are made on a case by case basis, and with the learner.

5. How will we know if therapeutic tutoring is helpful? How long does it take?

When treatment starts, the first step after establishing a good working relationship, is to set a goal.  So, we constantly assess how we are approaching this goal.  This assessment can take the form of reflective practice on the part of the learner (e.g., Is my problem becoming smaller?  Are my difficulties less problematic?), formal assessments (e.g., questionnaires, surveys, formal tests) and parent-teacher-learner conferences (when applicable and/or appropriate) to hear from all stakeholders about how things are going.  

Therapeutic tutoring continues as long as the learner has a goal to work towards and would like to do so in the context of a therapeutic relationship with me.  Termination of treatment happens based on mutual agreement.

6. What type of treatment do you provide for anxiety? For depression? For AD/HD?

I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills (DBT skills), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to guide individuals towards personalized solutions to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. For AD/HD also, a CBT-based approach is used along with both cognitive and metacognitive strategy instruction. Treatment is anchored in an understanding of development and individual differences, as well as the impact of ecological factors on individual functioning (including culture). I employ a strengths-based, person-centered, relational approach to all my work.

7. How do you support executive function?

Executive function difficulties often arise due to a mismatch between the learners’ skills and developmental level on one hand, and environmental demands on the other. Executive dysfunction may also a symptom of other problems including anxiety and mood disorders, sleep disruption, trauma, and increased stress, to name just a few. To support executive function, I use a multipronged approach including:

• Identifying the root cause of the dysfunction and addressing this,

• Consulting with school and family to see how best to adjust demands so they are within grasp of the learner, and

• Working with the learner to develop personalized strategies for the specific executive skills that are lacking or problematic.

Fostering self-understanding (i.e., metacognition) is a key aspect of this treatment protocol. The learner’s strategies are scaffolded using coaching.

8. What is parent coaching?

Parent coaching is a CBT-based approach to help parents develop:

• A better understanding of the source of conflict or difference with their children and

• Tools for building a collaborative, supportive and conducive relationship with children that is anchored in mutual understanding, empathy and respect.

9. How often do you meet with students and/or parents?

Initially, meetings are typically once weekly. As skills and strategies become internalized and generalized, I often draw down the frequency to 1x2weeks based on mutual agreement. Eventually, the treatment frequency is reduced to 1x month, 1x3 months, and finally to an annual check-in as needed. Based on the need and mutual agreement, when I start to work with a minor on a weekly basis, the treatment may also include periodic meetings with parents.

10. What is the duration of the treatment?

Treatment is concluded either when treatment goals are met or by mutual agreement.

11. Do you attend school meetings?

Yes.

12. Do you prescribe medication?

No.

13. What is the first step to take?

The first step is to discuss your concerns with me and to assess whether my expertise and perspective is a good fit for you.

14. What if my child is uncooperative?

This is not unexpected! The first 6-8 meetings are a trial period for you, your child and me to make sure we are a good fit. If your child is not ready for treatment or refuses to work with me, typically I explore that unwillingness in a curious, open, compassionate and nonjudgmental way. If you child is not ready to change or otherwise not open to the work, we will terminate by mutual agreement until treatment can be more effective. Once your child commits to working with me, we worth through any lack of cooperation or motivation during the sessions, as this is part of the treatment. If your child refuses to attend a session due to anxiety or depression symptomatology; addressing that is also part of the treatment.

Readiness for treatment is an important consideration. Therapeutic treatment is about change. When one enters this type of treatment, one moving towards change. Sometimes, individuals are aware of the need for change but not ready to take the step yet. If one is content with the way things are, there is no motivation to change, and no motivation to engage in treatment. This is why it is critical for my work with you and/or your child for us to work towards goals that are of value to the individual.

15. How do I talk to my child about their therapy sessions?

This is something we will discuss as part of the treatment, based on what the goal of treatment is. That said, I introduce myself to children and adolescents as their “consultant”. I acknowledge that they are the experts in their lives and I am an expert in learning, development, self-regulation, and strategies. My role in their lives is to listen to what they have to share, to share what I know and to work together to help them move towards their goals.

16. Do you accept insurance?

No. However, upon request I will provide an invoice that you can submit to your insurance. Some families have successfully used their HSA/FSA accounts to pay for my services. Please check with your plan.

17. Can I be in the counseling session with my child?

This is something we can discuss on a case-by-case basis.

18. What are the rules regarding confidentiality?

Information discussed in therapeutic tutoring sessions is privileged and treated as confidential. Confidentially can be breached when there are concerns about safety, to protect the client and the public from serious harm. Disclosures regarding self-harm, and attempts to harm others falls under this clause. This policy is consistent with the ethical guidelines for practice per the National Association of School Psychologists (www.nasponline.org) and the American Psychological Association (www.apa.org).