For the most part, fear is nothing but an illusion. When you share it with someone else, it tends to disappear - Marilyn C. Barrick, Psychologist & Writer
Few choices have as great an impact as the choice of a behavioral
management program for a defiant troubled teen, a specialized boarding
school for a child with failing grades or a Christian summer camp for
a self-indulgent child. Families can find the decision overwhelming as
they struggle to evaluate options and make wise choices.
Educational Consultants counsel families in the selection of
educational programs and emotional growth schools, based on the
student's individual needs and talents.
Nothing is more varied than the preferences and personalities of
children and teenagers
Not tied to any institution, program or school, an educational
consultant works for you and does not accept any compensation from
camps, institutions, schools or programs for placement of a child.
Hiring a Consultant -- Is It Worth The Cost?
Special purpose schools and programs have monthly tuitions in the
range of $1,800 a month and up. An educational consultant who is
experienced and competent can increase the odds that the first choice
of a program or school will be the right choice, helping to avoid
financial failures for the family an additional failures for the
child.
Parents who work with experienced and qualified educational
consultants thus reduce the possibility of losing money and time as a
result of an inappropriate placement.
An educational consultant is a skilled professional who provides
counseling to help families choose an academic program or behavior
management school that is a good personal match: one that will foster
a particular student's academic, behavior and social growth.
Perhaps the most important consideration when selecting an educational
consultant is the level of trust and comfort you feel for that person.
Educational Consultants can provide a family with individual
attention, firsthand knowledge of hundreds of educational and
residential opportunities, and the time to explore all of these
options.
Role of the Consultant
An educational consultant is a skilled professional who provides
counseling to help families choose a program or school that is a good
personal match: one that will foster this particular student's
academic, behavioral, mental, physical, social, and spiritual growth.
Educational consultants can provide a family with individual
attention, first hand knowledge of hundreds of program and schools,
and the time to explore all of the options.
Ethical Guidelines
Educational Consultants work under a strict set of ethical guidelines
that govern their actions in their relationships with colleagues,
families, programs, schools, students, and treatment centers. These
include a responsibility to understand each student's special
needs, strengths and values, while striving to include all family
members in the educational and/or placement planning process. Our
Educational Consultants do not accept any type of compensation from
any educational institution, treatment program, or wilderness school
for placement of a child. For a full copy of these Principles of Good
Practice, ask your Educational Consultant to send them to you
directly.
Who We Help
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Parents who are considering behavior modification programs,
boarding schools, military schools, or other residential settings
for their child
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Parents whose teens have eating disorders
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Parents with adolescents who are struggling with academics
and/behavior
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Parents with young children who have special learning needs
Assisting Families with Troubled Teens -- Putting the Pieces
Together
In times of crisis a barrage of emotions often overwhelms parents. The
confusion and desperation associated with a troubled teen can be
extremely trying. As alternatives are explored, how do you know what
options are available? Of the many forms of intervention, which meet
the unique needs of your child?
Educational Consultants help parents build a promising future for
their child and their entire family. Educational Consultants are
trained experts who possess comprehensive knowledge of placement
options. Many consultants specialize in crisis intervention and have
extensive experience advising families with children who have
behavioral and emotional difficulties. This expertise is used to
advise you of the most suitable placement for your child. The
consultant thoroughly interviews the family to determine individual
concerns and needs.
Getting to know and your child are vital to discovering a solution.
Teens who are "acting out" can appear very similar although
the underlying roots of the behavior may be quite different. An
individualized approach is required to respond to a child's
particular needs. A knowledgeable consultant can help you find which
programs are suited for your child.
Research is done to find the best fit for your child. Because
consultants have helped a variety of troubled youth, teens and young
adults, they are aware of a multitude of options and can expeditiously
target the best choices. Educational consultants spend time on the
road, visiting ranch programs, residential schools, therapeutic
programs, schools and more for youth ages 5 to 13, adolescents ages 13
to17, and young adults ages 18 to 28. Not tied to any institution,
consultants can concentrate on what is best for your child and provide
you with objective options.
After the child has been placed, the consultant follows up to monitor
progress. Consultants often work as part of a treatment team in
conjunction with therapists and can also serve as supports for
parents. Consultants look beyond the current placement and assist in
planning for your child's continued progress. Educational
consultants advise on all facets of your child's care. This
confidential and professional intervention often brings long-awaited
direction to troubled families.
Selecting the Right Program or School -- Putting the Pieces Together
Choosing the right residential program or therapeutic boarding
school can be puzzling.
Parents consider alternatives to their child's current situation
for a variety of reasons: the need for individual attention; the
desire for more discipline and structure to learn better study skills
and work habits; or the dissatisfaction with the quality of the
current educational and residential program options. Therapeutic
Boarding Schools provide a 24-hour learning environment, away from
immediate distractions, where students can thrive and learn to do more
than they ever dreamed. The right program or school can provide
countless academic and extra-curricular opportunities to maximize a
child's potential and develop new interests, skills, and life-long
friendships. Treatment centers and schools differ in philosophy,
setting, size, and structure. Discipline and teaching styles,
religious affiliation, and the role of arts and athletics are
additional elements that define each program and school. What other
factors need to be considered when choosing a program or school? How
do you know if your child will be safe? Who will be your child's
friends and role models? Will the program or school adequately meet
your child's unique needs? Studies show that parents often limit
their choices to programs and schools their friends have recommended
or those close to home.
What factors should be considered when selecting a treatment center or
wilderness program? How do you know if it is right for your child and
your family? Educational Consultants are trained professionals who
possess extensive knowledge of educational and wilderness program
options. This expertise combined with a caring approach to understand
your child, helps families identify a program or school, which is
academically, socially, and therapeutically appropriate.
Some programs and schools hire "marketing and sales guidance
counselors".
However, these sales and telemarketing people are often burdened with
enormous amounts of phone calls and simply do not have the extra time
you would like them to spend with you. Independent Educational
consultants can be a welcome resource for families who recognize they
need more help that "marketing and sales guidance
counselors" are able to provide. Consultants also have expertise
in advising parents with special circumstances such as learning or
physical disabilities. Not tied to any program or school, consultants
can provide unbiased help in wading through the myriad of brochures,
letters, and videos that parents collect in their search.
An educational consultant speaks personally with families to discuss
their unique concerns. To find the right "fit" for your
child, the consultant learns as much as possible about your child and
your family. Consultants help you clarify your child's educational
and treatment needs, identify strengths and weaknesses, and considers
interests and dislikes.Placing your child in a
wilderness program or academic school can be an emotional decision,
but one which most often leads to an enriching experience.
A consultant can help facilitate the process of selecting the program
or school in which your child can be successful. The consultant helps
you understand what to look for in a program or school. Every program
and school's image is beautifully displayed in brochures,
CD-ROM's, on the Internet site and in videos, but how do you
uncover the school's true profile? Because a consultant knows your
child's needs based on the family interviews, and has a thorough
knowledge of which programs and schools meet your families' needs,
he or she can formulate a customized list of appropriate options.
A consultant can then point out specifics about each program or school
such as academic overview, admission criteria, dorm arrangements,
medical, nutritional and psychological characteristics size of student
body, and characteristics of the community, which aid in your
decision. The consultant has firsthand knowledge of many different
types of program and schools. Consultants pride themselves on
extensive first-hand knowledge of programs and schools, big and small,
in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Educational
consultants enhance their knowledge by touring hundreds of campuses,
spending time meeting with admissions officers, educational directors,
and exploring program and school living arrangements and environments.
The personal insight provides an educational consultant with a much
deeper understanding of a program or school than a brochure or
Internet website can convey.
Additionally, an educational consultant has valuable experience
resulting from years of educational planning with a variety of
students. An educational consultant brings to the family the knowledge
and skills of an experienced professional, coupled with a commitment
to assuring that the child's best interests are met. An
educational consultant can act as the family's facilitator, guide,
and interpreter for the entire program or school selection and
application process.
Consultants serve the immediate and long-term interests of your child.
Many consultants also specialize in behavior management, learning
disabilities, and special needs planning, and can assist in
formulating long-range goals for your child.
The consultant stays in touch with you and your child to ensure that
placement is successful and to assist you in developing an extended
educational plan.
An educational consultant listens to your special concerns, helps you
thoroughly investigate the options, and continues to monitor your
child's progress to ensure a successful emotional growth program
or boarding school experience.
Consultants assist with the admissions and application process. Having
someone who understands the system can help ease this very stressful
time. Consultants regularly attend conferences and workshops to stay
current on developments in their field.
They have experience in admissions, and know the intricacies of
applications and financial aid. With programs and schools getting more
competitive and expensive, families can feel increased pressure to
make the right choice. Consultants serve as the family's personal
resource in identifying programs and schools that best fit the child
and family's individual preferences.
Discovering the Best Summer Program for Your Child -- Putting the
Pieces Together
Summer is an important time for both enrichment and corrective
learning. Students can explore new fields of interest or build on
subject matter they already enjoy. Students can experience what it is
like to camp outside, live in a ranch setting or live in a dormitory.
For students that have learning differences or are defiant, unruly,
and /or out of control, summer can be a time to improve skills, build
self-confidence, and become physically and mentally challenged. Summer
provides an exciting time to explore avenues untried during the school
year, enhance current interests and to gain some appreciation,
motivation, and respect. There are thousands of summer opportunities,
located nationally and internationally, for children and teenagers.
The cost of a summer program or school is variable as its content or
location. Other considerations include duration and structure of the
program or school, the maturity level and experience of the programs
staff, and the ability to earn academic credit.
An educational consultant is a professional who gets to know you.
Choosing the best summer program or school for your child depends on
matching the program to their interests, needs and talents. An educational consultant will recommend
options and weigh alternatives based on a personal telephone interview
in which you discuss your individual preferences. Not tied
to any institution, program or school, an educational consultant works
for you and does not accept any compensation from camps, institutions,
school or programs for placement of a child. An educational consultant
personally visits a variety of summer programs and schools. A summer
program's image is beautifully displayed in brochures and in the
Internet. But to evaluate the program and /or schools true profile you
need to speak to someone who has visited and spoken with the staff and
students there.
An educational consultant personally visits hundreds of programs and
schools and provides first hand information as it relates to you and
your family. A consultant can assist you with finding the right summer
program or school that provides the opportunity for you child to
develop their interests, and advances their plans for the future.
Nothing is more varied than the preferences and personalities of
children and teenagers. It is, therefore, important to assess summer
experiences form a variety of perspectives. The expert advice of an
educational consultant can lead to an unforgettable summer experience
that builds self-esteem and encourages independence. Students
struggling with motivational and self-esteem issues often find success
through a structured, emotional growth summer program or summer school
environment.
Meeting the Needs of Students with Learning Differences -- Putting the
Pieces Together
A child with learning differences faces many frustrating challenges
and pressures.
The resulting feelings of despair and isolation may keep a child from
reaching her or his full potential. Finding a school or program that
caters to your child's individual needs can lead to increased
self-confidence and a positive attitude toward the future. With the
wide range of options available to learning disabled students, proper
research is needed before choosing an academic program or behavior
management school.
An educational consultant gets to know you and your child. This
individualized approach is crucial to finding the most suitable
program or school setting.
The consultant is skilled at matching your child's individual
academic profile to a school or program that addresses her or his
unique learning style.
A consultant has extensive knowledge of program and schools and their
available support services.
Educational consultants visit and evaluate hundreds of programs and
schools each year. Their knowledge of each programs and schools
profile providers you with firsthand information about your options.
An educational consultant listens to your special concerns, thoroughly
investigates the options and continues to monitor your child's
progress to ensure that your child is placed in an academically and
socially appropriate learning environment.
Home Visits
Many Educational Consultants will travel to a family's home
anywhere in the country. They will work with the family in the home
environment to acquire the additional information needed to help them
resolve the issues or problems, often then making a residential
placement recommendation. These services are per contract agreement,
and provide the same services other consultants provide, with the
additional advantage of working with the family in their home
environment. These fees vary depending on the time and circumstances.
Wherever you are, our affiliate consultants work with you: in our
offices, via the Internet, by telephone, or in your home.
What Fees Are Involved?
Like any profession, fees vary widely. Our affiliate
Educational Consultants are experienced and have good reputations
working with behavior management programs, boarding schools, and
special needs programs. Ask for references and they will be sent to
you directly by any of our consultants.
Find a school near you
Call us any time, day or night!
Educational Consultant 
