Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Adachi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my career as a school psychologist, first working with the program for the severely handicapped students and then in an elementary school district with general education students. I wanted to do more for students and families than what I could do working in the public schools. So I decided to bbecome a Licensed Educational Psychologist and try private practice. I’ve had an office in Newhall for more than 25 years. I see individuals of all ages, including the parents of minors. I provide assessments for giftedness, developmental delays, learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder and more. I also provide counseling for educational and vocational concerns, and consultation to parents to help them navigate the education system.
My offices grew over the years to include speech and language assessments, therapy services, executive functioning services, specialized tutoring, and math tutoring. I’m excited to be growing our ability to serve multiple needs of all ages.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has been consistent growth in multidisciplinary providers over the years, which also necessitated increased office space. The most recent growth was last July when I added 4 more offices.
Always a struggle in this business is the ebb and flow in the requests for therapy and testing services. At times it’s slower and other times I struggle to keep up. However, that has been changing and I have needed to add two Licensed Educational Psychologists to manage the demand for assessments.
Probably the biggest struggle was learning how to be a business owner. I’m still learning. Another challenge was the pandemic. I had to close the offices, though I and the other therapists in the office were able to work remotely using teletherapy services. I took many trainings during that time to learn how to administer remote assessments, but in the end, I didn’t feel a remote assessment was as strong as in-person testing. So after a few months, I opened my office, with necessary precautions (though not interferences), in order to provide in-person testing. I have been blessed to be able to keep business thriving.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a multidisciplinary practice. We offer assessment, therapy, and tutoring services. I have not found another practice that offers the range of services, with the range of providers that we have. We are also different because our offices are in what was once a house, that was later set up as multiple offices. It is unique and provides a homey environment to help people feel comfortable when they walk through the door.
Our therapy providers include:
Clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders and OCD;
Licensed Marriage Family therapists that service the needs of children, teens, adults, families, and relationships and who are bilingual;
Educational Psychologist to help children and parents navigate issues at school and work;
Executive Functioning Specialist who helps individuals with organization, developing strategies, managing life skills when executive functioning weakness interferes.
Tutoring Services:
Credentialed special education teachers who individually tutor typically developing students and those with neurodiversity though junior high level;
Educational therapist providing tutoring and organizational skills to student of all ages
Math tutor to assist with learning math for general education students
Assessment providers:
Educational Psychologist provides comprehensive psychoeducational and school neuropsychological assessments for all ages. Assessments identify learning and functioning needs that may need to be accommodated through college level or into the work place.
Speech and Language Specialist provides comprehensive assessments of receptive, expressive and pragmatic language and articulation and fluency disorders
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My practice has always had a group of individuals that enjoy each other and have stayed together. I am very lucky that way. When we are happy with each other, those individuals and families we serve will feel that. We are looking for a few additional therapists or tutors and would love to talk with anyone who is interested.
I work collaboratively with schools, parents, doctors, and other providers when it will assist the client. My goal is for individuals and families to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://compassionatesolutionsscv.com
- Facebook: Laurie Adachi – Educational Psychologist
