Celebrating 5 Years of NeuroAide

Rewind to July 2020. The world was in quarantine, and I was living with my husband of only nine months and our dog in a tiny, poorly lit studio apartment. My best friend and little sister was six months into a two-year battle against a rare cancer. By all conventional wisdom, it was not the "right" time to launch a private practice.

But sometimes the best things happen when the timing feels all wrong.

Five years later, as I reflect on this journey, I'm filled with overwhelming gratitude. July 2025 marks NeuroAide's fifth anniversary, and I can honestly say that being an educational therapist in private practice has given me everything I hoped for: the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students who learn differently, the chance to build deep connections with the families I serve, and the ability to incorporate play and laughter into every single day.

I'm truly honored to work alongside determined students, knowledgeable colleagues, and dedicated parents who never give up on their children's potential.

The Foundation

While NeuroAide is celebrating its fifth year, my journey with learners who think differently began over a decade ago at Pathfinders Learning in Rancho Santa Margarita. That's where I cut my teeth, gaining training in Edu-Therapeutics, sound therapy, primitive reflex integration, processing skills training, and so much more. Under the guidance of a generous and experienced mentor, I spent hundreds of hours working one-on-one with children and adults who were struggling with reading, writing, and math foundations. Each session taught me something new about resilience, creativity, and the incredible diversity of human learning.

Eventually, I became the center director, which opened my eyes to the bigger picture: evaluating students, training new employees, and engaging with the broader professional community. But it was those individual moments with students that kept me grounded in why this work matters so much.

A Personal Connection

Here's something I don't talk about enough: I see myself in so many of my students. I was that kid who struggled through elementary and middle school, using humor to mask my difficulties and frustrations with reading. I was more "class clown" than scholar, and honestly, it wasn't until college that I truly found the joy in learning and reading.

That personal experience gives me a unique perspective when I sit across from a frustrated third-grader who's convinced they're "just not smart enough" or a high schooler who's lost confidence in their abilities. I get it, like really get it, because I've been there too.

My passion for this work led me back to the classroom to deepen my understanding. From 2019 to 2021, I pursued my Master's in Educational Psychology and earned additional certifications in Human Development, Neuropsychology, and Educational Therapy. Each credential wasn't just a piece of paper; It was another tool in my toolkit to better serve the students and families who trust me with their learning journeys.

The Virtual Pivot (2020-2021)

To ensure student engagement and motivation, virtual sessions require creativity and flexibility.

Like everyone else in 2020 and 2021, I spent the majority of those early months indoors, working with students 100% virtually from that tiny studio apartment. While it wasn't what I had envisioned when I started NeuroAide, it turned out to be an incredible learning experience.

I discovered new ways to create engaging programs and individualize instruction in a digital environment. I also got much better at incorporating fun into sessions—and trust me, keeping motivation and attention high through a screen requires some serious creativity! 

But I'll be honest: I missed the personal connection terribly. Building that crucial trusting relationship through a screen felt like trying to hug someone through glass. The moment I could safely offer in-person sessions again, I jumped at the chance.

Taking It on the Road (2021-2022)

As soon as it was safe, I began traveling to students' homes to provide educational therapy services. Seeing students in their most comfortable environment was eye-opening. It reinforced just how important the whole family is in the educational therapy process. The changes that happen at the family level are the ones that create the greatest, most lasting impact.

I loved reconnecting with my students face-to-face, but I'll admit I didn't love the driving. Averaging 100 miles a day behind the wheel meant less time for what I really wanted to be doing: working with students and supporting families.

Finding Home (2022-2024)

In 2023, NeuroAide found its current home in Mission Viejo, and it felt like everything clicked into place. Since starting my practice, I had dreamed of having complete control over the learning environment—creating a space that felt inviting and safe for students to take risks, make mistakes, and grow.

This was crucial because I ask my students to be brave every single day. I ask them to try things that feel hard, to fail forward, and to keep going even when their brains want to give up. I knew I needed to create a physical space where they wouldn't be afraid to do exactly that.

Our learning space in Mission Viejo.

The office became more than just a place to work—it became a sanctuary where students could be their authentic selves, where parents could feel heard and supported, and where real learning breakthroughs could happen.

Expanding Reach (2025)

This year, I'm excited to focus on something that's been brewing for a while: offering more digital content to parents, students, and professionals working with learners who think differently. I've launched my newsletter, started writing consistently for my blog, and have plans to explore new ways to share strategies and insights with a broader community.

The goal isn't to replace the one-on-one work that remains at the heart of what I do, but I intend to extend our impact and support even more families on their learning journeys.

Looking Forward with Gratitude

As I celebrate this five-year milestone, I'm struck by how much has changed since that uncertain summer of 2020. What started as a leap of faith during one of the most challenging times in recent history has grown into something I never could have imagined.

To the students who trust me with their struggles and victories, to the parents who advocate tirelessly for their children, and to the colleagues who continue to inspire and challenge me—THANK YOU. You've made these five years not just successful, but deeply meaningful.

The timing may not have been "right" when I started NeuroAide, but it turns out the best journeys often begin exactly when they're supposed to—even when we can't see it at the time.

Here's to the next five years of learning, growing, and celebrating the incredible potential in every student who walks through our doors.