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Getting Started
We understand how overwhelming it can be to discover that your child is struggling and to search for the right support. This page will guide you through each step of the process.
This can depend on a number of factors—including academic performance, their attitude towards school, and external factors like home and school environments. Here are some key questions to consider:
Does your child have difficulty retaining new information?
Inflexible and become easily frustrated?
Take significantly longer than peers to complete assignments?
Struggle to focus, prioritize and plan?
Guess words while reading or spelling?
Experience high levels of anxiety around school or test-taking?
Require substantial help from parents to complete schoolwork?
If you answered “yes” to some of these questions, it may be time to explore additional learning support for your child.
Our approach is designed to meet each learner’s unique needs and to help them build the skills, strategies, and confidence to become independent, engaged learners. Our support includes:
Academic Intervention
Targeted instruction in reading, writing, and math using evidence-based practices to build strong foundational skills.Executive Functioning Support
Coaching around time management, working memory, organization, prioritization, planning, and other study skills.Collaboration and Advocacy
We work closely with families, schools, and other professionals to form a cohesive support team. We help families navigate assessments, IEPs/504 plans, and school placement decisions.
“She went from being a frustrated learner, not understanding why she couldn’t keep up with her classmates, to a thriving student and valued member of her school community. She is now succeeding across the board with excellent grades in all of her classes.”
Todd, Father of High Schooler
“SFL is truly remarkable. My son has grown leaps and bounds. They are super in tune with his needs and teach him to learn the best way he can learn. Their follow through is super and I genuinely feel they have my son’s best interests in mind and care about his progress.”
Victoria, Mother of 5th grader
“Our teen is handling schoolwork way more confidently now, with less frustration and more follow-through. Our teens grades have improved and so has his confidence. It’s been amazing to see our teen feel more in control and less overwhelmed.”
Holly, Mother of 11th grader
We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you through our new student process.
Q: Does my child need an assessment before starting services?
No, your child does not need a comprehensive assessment to begin working with us. As part of our own Family Intake Appointment, we use a variety of activities and assessment tools to get a baseline understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges. If you already have an assessment—either through school or privately—we will review it in preparation for the intake.
Q: Do you work with students who have learning disabilities?
Yes! The majority of the students we support have underlying learning differences, whether formally diagnosed or not. Educational therapy can support students with the following but not limited to:
- ADHD
- Executive functioning challenges
- Dyslexia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyscalculia
- Auditory and language processing disorders
- Working memory deficits
- 2E/Gifted (Twice-Exceptionality)
- ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- School or learning-related anxiety
Q: What does a typical session look like?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and tailored to each student. The content and structure will vary depending on your child’s age, needs, and goals. For example, a structured reading intervention for a 2nd grader with dyslexia will look very different from executive function support for an 8th grader who struggles with organizing written responses. Every session is customized to meet the students where they are.
Your first step is the Family Intake, which helps us understand your child’s needs and set goals.
Q: What qualifications do your instructors have?
Our clinicians are experienced educators and specialists trained in Educational Therapy, Special Education, and evidence-based intervention methods. Many hold advanced degrees and certifications in areas such as Orton-Gillingham, executive functioning coaching, reading intervention, and learning disabilities. We also provide ongoing professional development to ensure our team stays current with best practices. Learn more about Our Team.
Q: Do you offer in-person or virtual services?
We offer both! Families can choose between in-person sessions at our Oakland clinic or virtual sessions, depending on their needs and preferences.
Q: How much do services cost?
Our services are billed at an hourly rate, which varies depending on the number of sessions per week. We’ll walk you through all the details during the initial consultation, so you can make an informed decision that works for your family. We also offer guidance for families pursuing reimbursement through insurance, schools, or other funding sources.
Q: Is this tutoring?
Our services go beyond tutoring. While tutoring typically focuses on homework help or short-term academic support, Educational Therapy addresses how your child learns. We target root causes—such as underlying learning disabilities, processing challenges, executive functioning, and confidence—using evidence-based and therapeutic strategies designed for long-term growth.
Learn more about Educational Therapy.
Q: What resources do you offer for parents?
In addition to Educational Consulting, we host expert-led workshops on topics such as dyslexia, IEP/504 support, executive functioning, and college prep. Parents also have access to our blog and YouTube channel, which offer a range of helpful tips, tools, and insights to support learning at home. Check out our resource page.