About Educational Therapy
Tutors and educational therapists have been doing great work for many years, so we combined the two to merge educational therapy with teaching. The result is special education therapists, or “Therapeutic Tutors.” This page reviews the evolution of that work.
Information for Parents
Learn more about who we are – who becomes an educational therapist and the standards we use to credential them. Understand who special education therapists are uniquely suited to help, and the barriers they help students overcome.
Information for Teachers
Learn more about the difference between tutors and educational therapists and how our unique model combines the two. We are available for free to help you incorporate educational therapy into your classroom, and we’d love your feedback.
Founder
Founder
Therapeutic Tutoring services were created by Dr. Alan Jacobson, as a way to promote the work of educational therapists, bring more talented psychologists into the field, and give parents information about this valuable service.
Dr. Alan Jacobson is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Westwood, Massachusetts. For over fifteen years, Dr. Jacobson has worked with children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Jacobson has also provided extensive consultation to public, charter, and alternative schools. He has also been hired to provide community workshops to parents on topics ranging from self-esteem, building leadership, increasing motivation, and accessing strengths.
Dr. Jacobson has worked as a consultant to school systems throughout Massachusetts, providing educational and psychological assessments. He was also a regular columnist for the Patriot Ledger newspaper, writing a twice monthly column entitled “A Healthy Mind”. He has won several grants to provide consultation to Massachusetts towns and cities about child development and school achievement.
Dr. Jacobson founded Foresight Psychology, PLLC, which provides cutting-edge therapy, psychological testing, leadership coaching, and, or course, therapeutic tutoring services. He continues to consult to schools and parent groups with a focus on promoting the work of tutors and educational therapists.
The Evolution of Special Education Therapists
Previously, tutors and educational therapists separately played a crucial role in supporting students with certain learning difficulties. Here’s how they can helped:
Tutors
- Subject-Specific Help: Tutors provide targeted support in challenging subjects (e.g., math, science, or writing). They help break down complex material into manageable parts.
- Study Skills: They teach strategies for note-taking, test preparation, and effective studying.
- Time Management: Tutors often assist with creating study schedules and prioritizing assignments, which can be particularly beneficial for students with executive functioning challenges.
- Regular Accountability: Weekly or bi-weekly sessions can help students stay on track with their coursework.
Educational Therapists
- Personalized Learning Plans: Special Education Therapists are trained to address learning and behavioral challenges. They create customized strategies based on the student’s needs.
- Executive Functioning Support: Special Education Therapists focus on skills like organization, planning, and task initiation.
- Emotional and Social Support: Special Education Therapists help students manage stress, build self-esteem, and develop resilience.
- Collaboration with Faculty: Special Education Therapists can liaise with professors, disability services, and other campus resources to advocate for appropriate accommodations.
Combining Tutors and Educational Therapists in One Professional!
- Our Educational Therapy service, called Therapeutic Tutoring, focus on mastering academic content and skills within specific subjects as well as addressing broader learning challenges and emotional or cognitive barriers to education.
Our Vision for Educational Therapy
Educational therapy services provide specialized support for students with learning, emotional, and developmental challenges, including ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. These services focus on addressing individual needs beyond traditional academic tutoring. Here’s an overview of what educational therapy entails:
The Aim of Educational Therapy
- Assessment and Goal Setting
- Educational Therapists will conduct assessments to identify the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and specific needs.
- They will set personalized goals tailored to improve academic performance, executive functioning, and emotional regulation.
- Academic Support
- Educational Therapy will provide individualized strategies for learning and retaining information in challenging subjects.
- It will help develop better study habits, organizational systems, and test-taking skills.
- Executive Functioning Skills
- Educational Therapy will teach time management, task initiation, and prioritization.
- It will assist with breaking larger tasks into manageable steps.
- Emotional Support
- Educational therapy should address self-esteem issues and feelings of frustration often associated with learning challenges.
- It will teach coping strategies for stress and anxiety related to schoolwork.
- Social and Communication Skills
- Educational therapy should support students in building interpersonal and collaborative skills.
- It should help those with autism develop strategies for navigating social environments in academic settings.
- Advocacy and Collaboration
- Educational therapy will work with parents, teachers, and school administrators to ensure accommodations are implemented.
- It will provide resources or referrals to other specialists, such as speech therapists or psychologists, if needed.
Our Vision for Educational Therapists
The mission of special education therapists is to empower individuals with diverse learning, developmental, or behavioral needs to achieve their full potential. This mission centers on providing tailored interventions, fostering independence, and promoting inclusive education. Key aspects of their mission include:
1. Supporting Growth with Educational Therapy
- Tailored Interventions: Design and implement personalized strategies to meet the unique needs of each student.
- Fostering Independence: Equip students with skills to navigate academic, social, and daily life challenges.
2. Promoting Inclusive Education
- Collaboration: Work with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create supportive, inclusive environments.
- Advocacy: Ensure students have access to the resources and accommodations they need for success.
3. Enhancing Academic Skills by Combining Tutors and with Educational Therapists
- Academic Development: Address challenges in areas like reading, writing, math, and executive functioning.
- Life Skills Training: Help students build essential skills for independence, such as communication, organization, and social interaction.
4. Addressing Emotional and Behavioral Needs
- Emotional Support: Help students build self-confidence and resilience, especially when facing learning-related frustrations.
- Behavioral Strategies: Implement approaches to manage behaviors that may interfere with learning or socialization.
5. Building Partnerships Through Educational Therapy
- Family Support: Guide families in understanding their child’s needs and advocating effectively for their education.
- Community Engagement: Collaborate with schools, therapists, and community organizations to provide holistic support.
Core Values Underpinning the Mission
- Empathy and Understanding: Recognizing the strengths and challenges of every student.
- Commitment to Equity: Ensuring every student has access to quality education and opportunities.
- Lifelong Learning: Continuously improving methods and strategies to meet evolving student needs.
Final thoughts
Why Choose Our Special Education Therapists
Choosing a special education therapist can provide significant benefits for individuals with learning differences, developmental delays, or behavioral challenges. Here are key reasons why working with a special education therapist may be the right choice:
1. Individualized Support Through Educational Therapy
- Special education therapists tailor their strategies and interventions to meet the unique needs of each student, addressing specific challenges like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or sensory processing disorders.
- They use evidence-based approaches to help students achieve academic, social, and emotional goals.
2. Expertise in Learning Differences
- Our tutors and educational therapists are trained to understand and work with a wide range of disabilities and learning challenges.
- They can identify underlying issues that may hinder a student’s success and implement strategies to overcome them.
3. Holistic Development by Combining Tutors and Educational Therapists
- Focus on not just academics but also social, emotional, and life skills development.
- Teach critical skills like time management, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation, helping students thrive in all areas of life.
4. Advocacy and Collaboration
- Therapists advocate for appropriate accommodations and modifications in school and work closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals to ensure the student’s needs are met.
- They help families navigate the education system, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans.
5. Building Confidence and Independence
- Special education therapists help students develop confidence in their abilities, turning struggles into manageable challenges.
- Like all good tutors and educational therapists, our professionals work on fostering independence, teaching students strategies to advocate for themselves and solve problems effectively.
6. Support for Families Through Educational Therapy
- Provide parents and caregivers with tools, strategies, and guidance to support their child at home and in the community.
- Offer emotional support to families navigating the complexities of raising a child with special needs.
7. Long-Term Benefits of Educational Therapy
- Early intervention and consistent support can lead to better academic performance, improved social relationships, and greater success in adulthood.
- Skills learned in therapy often translate to real-world situations, enabling students to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Choosing a special education therapist is an investment in a child’s potential, offering them the tools and support they need to overcome challenges and thrive.
History of Educational Therapy
2008: The concept of combining tutors and educational therapists emerged. Initial research into effective techniques and methods validated the concept
2016: After significant research and service design, the first Therapeutic Tutoring services The concept of combining tutors and educational therapists emerged.
2020: During the pandemic Educational Therapy services became vital for children who did not have the benefit of necessary accommodations.
2022: Due to demand, Dr. Jacobson decided to expand Therapeutic Tutoring nationwide by credentialing qualified and talented professionals
2024: Significant growth in the popularity of our Educational Therapy services led to an acceleration in the reach and depth of services.
2025: Plans for more opportunities to expand our network of special education therapists and to make more parents aware of the service and its effectiveness.
Who
Who benefits from our Therapeutic Tutoring services? Proven results.
What
What benefits can Special Needs Tutoring provide your child?
Where
Where can we serve students with Special Education Tutoring services?
When
When to get tutoring for children with learning disabilities
Why
Why an academic therapist can be the ket to student success.
How
How you can contact us with questions or a referral.
Psychologists Interested in Joining Us
We’re happy to know that you’d like to be a Therapeutic Tutor! Please see our page for professionals to get information on starting the process.