Therapeutic tutoring is a specialized form of academic support that integrates educational strategies with therapeutic techniques. It is designed to help students, particularly those with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, anxiety, or other challenges that affect learning. Unlike traditional tutoring, which primarily focuses on subject mastery, therapeutic tutoring also addresses emotional regulation, executive functioning skills, specific learning differences, and self-confidence in learning.
This page reviews what therapeutic tutoring does, how it can help your child, and why you might choose our services. Please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation to ask any questions you have.
Benefits of Therapeutic Tutoring 
Unlike traditional tutoring, therapeutic tutoring provides additional support through psychological therapeutic techniques. Your child gets the benefit of therapy and necessary educational support in one session, and the combination is much more powerful than each alone.
Some examples of the benefits of therapeutic tutoring include:
- Individualized Learning Plans – Therapeutic Tutors tailor their approach based on the student’s unique learning needs and emotional challenges. The tutor will have expertise in your child’s learning difference or psychological challenge and the subject area they are teaching.
- Emotional and Academic Support – We address both cognitive and emotional barriers to learning, which are often interwoven and can create a negative feedback loop.
- Executive Functioning Skills Development – We help with organization, time management, and task initiation, among other potential executive functioning challenges.
- Confidence Building – Therapeutic tutors encourage and promote a positive mindset towards learning and overcoming challenges.
- Collaboration with Other Professionals – We collaborate with therapists, teachers, and parents to create a comprehensive support system.
- Reduces Learning-Related Anxiety – We help students develop coping mechanisms for test-taking and school-related stress.
- Encourages Self-Advocacy – We teach students how to communicate their needs effectively to teachers and peers and gain a new understanding of their potential and challenges so they can self-advocate effectively.
- Supports Long-Term Academic Success – The foundational skills a Therapeutic Tutor helps develop are designed to benefit students throughout their education and in any task where they must overcome their learning differences or psychological barriers.
How We Help You Choose a Therapeutic Tutor
When you call us we refer to our credentialed therapeutic tutors, finding a perfect match for your child. Here is the basic process.
- Experience and Credentials: All of our credentialed tutors have a background in education, special education, and psychology.
- Specialized Training: We ensure they have expertise working with students with learning differences and mental health challenges.
- Compatibility with Your Child: We look for a professional who will establish a strong rapport with your child to create a safe and effective learning environment.
- Flexible and Adaptive Methods: A good therapeutic tutor adjusts strategies based on the student’s evolving needs, and we ensure our credentialed therapeutic tutors have that skill.
- Parental Involvement: The tutor should provide regular updates and strategies for parents to support learning at home, and we’ll welcome your feedback in this area.
- Positive Reinforcement Techniques: Our Therapeutic Tutors use encouragement and motivation to build self-esteem. They are trained to help students find new opportunities and realize their potential.
- Holistic Approach: We’ll help you find a tutor who incorporates approaches that may suit your child, such as mindfulness, movement breaks, and sensory-friendly techniques that can enhance learning outcomes.
Implementing Therapeutic Tutoring: What You Can Do
Here are some general suggestions that will help you create the perfect learning environment at home:
- Create a Supportive Learning Environment: Establish a quiet, comfortable space for therapeutic tutoring sessions.
- Encourage Open Communication: Discuss your child’s feelings and progress regularly.
- Incorporate Learning into Daily Activities: Use real-life situations to reinforce learning concepts.
- Balance Academics with Well-Being: Ensure learning is paired with relaxation and self-care activities.
- Use Multi-Sensory Learning Approaches: Incorporate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities to strengthen comprehension.
- Foster Independence: Encourage self-monitoring and goal setting to build responsibility and motivation.
Here are some more specific suggestions that may fit your child, depending on the learning difference or challenge they face:
- Daily Learning Schedule – A structured routine to provide consistency and predictability.
- Visual Aids and Organizational Tools – Timers, calendars, and checklists to support time management.
- Sensory Tools – Fidget toys, weighted blankets, or noise-canceling headphones to support focus and reduce anxiety.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques – Guided breathing exercises or meditation apps for stress management.
- Positive Reinforcement System – Reward charts or incentive systems to encourage progress and motivation.
- Break Strategies – Short movement breaks, stretching, or outdoor activities to prevent burnout.
- Communication Templates – Pre-written email templates or conversation starters for discussing concerns with teachers and tutors.
- Progress Tracking Journal – A log for monitoring academic and emotional progress over time.
Your therapeutic tutor will work directly with you and your child so you both have a detailed toolkit of strategies for overcoming the effects of a learning disability, executive functioning issues, or psychological challenges.
Therapeutic Tutoring Glossary
Here are the terms to know when it comes to our services:
A
- Accommodations – Adjustments made to teaching methods or environments to support students with learning differences (e.g., extended time on tests, preferential seating).
- ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – A neurodevelopmental condition affecting focus, impulse control, and organization.
- ADHD Tutoring: Specialized tutoring services for students with ADHD.
- Anxiety – A common emotional challenge that can impact a student’s ability to focus, process information, or engage in learning activities.
- Academic Therapist
B
- Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) – A plan that outlines strategies to address challenging behaviors through positive reinforcement and structured support.
- Burnout (Academic Burnout) – A state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged academic stress.
C
- Cognitive Load – The amount of mental effort required to complete a task; excessive cognitive load can hinder learning.
- Cognitive Flexibility – The ability to shift thinking strategies and adapt to new information or perspectives.
- Compensatory Strategies – Techniques that help students work around learning challenges (e.g., using speech-to-text software for writing difficulties).
D
- Differentiated Instruction – Adapting teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning needs.
- Dysgraphia – A learning disability that affects writing abilities.
- Dyslexia – A learning difference that affects reading and language processing.
E
- Educational Therapists – Provide high-end psychotherapy designed specifically to help students overcome learning challenges
- Executive Functioning – The mental skills that help with organization, time management, and self-regulation.
- Explicit Instruction – A structured, direct teaching approach that breaks down skills into manageable steps.
- Emotional Regulation – The ability to manage emotions in a way that supports learning and social interactions.
F
- Flexible Seating – Classroom arrangements that allow students to choose seating that best supports their learning (e.g., standing desks, bean bags).
- Formative Assessment – Ongoing evaluation of student learning to provide immediate feedback and adjustments.
G
- Growth Mindset – The belief that abilities and intelligence can improve with effort and persistence.
I
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) – A legal document outlining specialized support and goals for students with disabilities.
- Intrinsic Motivation – Internal drive to learn based on interest or personal satisfaction rather than external rewards.
L
- Learning Disability Tutors – Professionals trained in how to address specific learning disabilities through a combination of academic tutoring and psychotherapy techniques.
- Learning Therapist – A professional trained in therapy who can help a child succeed academically.
M
- Metacognition – Awareness of one’s own thought processes; helps students learn how to learn.
- Multi-Sensory Learning – Teaching methods that engage multiple senses (sight, sound, touch) to enhance understanding.
N
- Neurodiversity – The concept that neurological differences (e.g., autism, ADHD, dyslexia) are natural variations of the human brain.
P
- Positive Reinforcement – Encouraging desired behaviors through rewards or praise.
- Processing Speed – The rate at which a student takes in, understands, and responds to information.
R
- Response to Intervention (RTI) – A tiered approach to identifying and supporting students with learning and behavioral needs.
- Receptive Language – The ability to understand spoken or written language.
S
- Scaffolding – Providing structured support to help students gradually gain independence in learning tasks.
- Self-Advocacy – A student’s ability to understand and communicate their own learning needs and accommodations.
- Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) – A condition where the brain struggles to process sensory input, affecting learning and behavior.
- Special Education Tutoring – Help for children receiving special education services that addresses both academics and psychological factors
- Special Needs Tutoring – Tutoring designed specifically for children with barriers and challenges that interfere with reaching their learning potential.
T
- Task Analysis – Breaking complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps to support student learning.
- Transition Support – Strategies to help students manage changes in routine or environment smoothly.
- Trauma-Informed Teaching – An approach that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on learning and behavior.
U
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – A teaching framework that provides flexible learning options to accommodate all learners.
Your Feedback
Therapeutic tutoring is a valuable tool for children needing more than academic assistance. By addressing both educational and emotional needs, it helps students develop essential skills for lifelong success. With the right tutor and supportive environment, children can thrive in their learning journey with results that persist through schooling and beyond.
We highly value parents’ feedback in improving our therapeutic tutoring services. Your insights help us refine our approaches, tailor strategies to meet students’ needs better, and create a more effective learning environment. Regular communication ensures that we continuously enhance our support system, making it as beneficial as possible for your child. We also offer a Feedback Form for parents to share their experience with Therapeutic Tutoring.
