FAQs about Therapeutic Tutoring

Students with learning disabilities, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or other learning differences benefit most — but therapeutic tutoring also helps motivated students who simply aren’t reaching their potential. We most commonly work with students who have diagnoses including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and related challenges. We serve students from 6th grade through college, as well as adults of any age who are looking to strengthen academic or cognitive skills.

If your child has tried regular tutoring without lasting improvement, a therapeutic tutor is likely the better fit. The clearest indicators are: your child understands material in session but can’t retain or apply it independently; there’s a significant gap between their apparent intelligence and their academic performance; they have a diagnosed or suspected learning disability or ADHD; or they experience significant frustration, avoidance, or anxiety around schoolwork. Regular tutoring works well when a student needs content review without underlying processing differences. When those differences exist, therapeutic tutoring is designed to address them directly.

Yes — our tutors are trained educational therapists with specific expertise in learning disabilities and special education, not simply subject-matter experts. Therapeutic Tutoring was founded and is clinically directed by Dr. Alan Jacobson, Psy.D., MBA, a licensed clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience in psychological assessment and learning differences. Every tutor on our team meets the certification standards Dr. Jacobson developed, which include training in individualized instructional approaches, evidence-based intervention strategies, and the cognitive and emotional dimensions of learning differences.

We cover the full range of academic subjects — reading, writing, math, and study skills — tailored to each student’s needs and grade level. Because our focus is on the learning process rather than any single subject, sessions are often interdisciplinary: a student struggling with writing may work on reading fluency, processing speed, and organizational skills alongside the writing itself. We also address executive functioning skills — planning, task initiation, time management — that affect performance across all subjects.

Special education therapy is a holistic approach that combines targeted instructional strategies with therapeutic techniques to support students with diverse learning needs. It addresses not just academic skills but also the cognitive, emotional, and motivational dimensions of learning — recognizing that students with learning differences often carry frustration, shame, or anxiety about school that must be addressed alongside the academic content. Our approach, grounded in Dr. Jacobson’s clinical background in psychological assessment and educational therapy, integrates these dimensions from the start rather than treating them separately.

Yes — we work with college students and provide support tailored to the unique demands of higher education. College presents a distinct challenge for students with learning disabilities or ADHD: the external structure of high school disappears, and self-management suddenly matters enormously. Our college therapeutic tutoring combines academic skill-building with executive functioning coaching, helping students manage coursework, advocate for accommodations, and develop the independence that college requires.

At Therapeutic Tutoring, our tutors are not only passionate educators but are specifically trained to understand and address the unique challenges faced by learners with disabilities. They undergo extensive training in specialized teaching methods that prioritize individualized learning strategies, emotional support, and cognitive development. This tailored approach enables them to create personalized learning plans that cater to each student’s specific needs, ultimately fostering a nurturing environment where every learner can flourish. By combining expertise in educational therapy with an empathetic understanding of learning differences, our tutors empower students to overcome barriers and achieve their fullest potential.

Yes, all of our services are delivered virtually, making therapeutic tutoring accessible to students anywhere in the country. Our online platform connects families with trained educational therapists without geographic limitation, so access to specialized support no longer depends on what’s available locally. Virtual special needs tutoring for children also allows sessions to take place in a familiar, comfortable environment, which many students find reduces anxiety and improves focus.

Therapeutic tutoring addresses the cognitive and emotional roots of learning challenges — regular tutoring focuses primarily on content and homework help. A regular tutor might help a student complete tonight’s math assignment; a therapeutic tutor identifies why math is difficult and works to remediate those underlying processing differences. Our tutors are trained in educational therapy and learning disabilities, not just subject matter, and sessions are designed around individualized learning plans rather than a standard curriculum. For students who have tried tutoring without lasting results, the therapeutic approach is often what makes the difference.

In most cases, therapeutic tutoring is not covered by standard health insurance, as it is classified as an educational service rather than a medical one. However, there are several ways families offset the cost: therapeutic tutoring may qualify as a qualified expense under a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) — check with your plan administrator to confirm. Some families also use 529 education savings account funds. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, it is also worth reviewing whether the school district has any obligation to fund specialized academic support.