Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Dana Jacobson.
Hi Dr. Dana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my career in early childhood education, where screaming, kicking, and biting were part of the daily soundtrack. Most people would run the other way, but I came home from those days with a smile, feeling completely fulfilled. Working with kids has always been my greatest passion, and that early experience set the foundation for everything that came after.
Still, I always wanted to give more, to do more. My dad encouraged me to pursue psychology, and only today do I realize just how wise that push was. Being a teacher was rewarding, but I discovered that reaching kids on multiple levels — helping them grow socially, emotionally, and academically — is something truly special.
Graduate school was its own whirlwind. I was pregnant with my first daughter, going to late night classes at USC, working full time with morning sickness, and racing to finish my dissertation. It felt like two due dates at once, and I was determined to complete both. I learned quickly that if you want your dreams to happen, you have to give them everything you’ve got. The road to licensure and a doctorate wasn’t easy, but balancing a family and a career has been one of my proudest achievements.
I’m endlessly grateful to my parents — my dad for pushing me higher, and my mom for stepping in with my children when I needed it most. Because of them, and because of the kids who inspire me every day, I’ve been able to build a psychology practice where chaos transforms into growth.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The short answer is, well, not really… and I don’t think this line of work ever is smooth. Running a psychology practice for children today means facing an ever-changing landscape. Long before COVID, schools were already shifting — more pressure on academics, less time for recess, and an ever-faster pace of life. Then technology added its own layer, changing how kids communicate, how they play, and how they see themselves. Social media can connect them, but it can also leave them feeling more isolated than ever.
And then came the pandemic. Some children were out of classrooms for over a year. By the time they returned, many had lost not just academic ground, but also the simple rhythm of friendships, patience, and everyday problem-solving. We saw kids struggling with anxiety, self-regulation, and even the basic courage to walk into a room of peers.
In my practice, those challenges show up every day in different forms: a child who can’t sit still long enough to hear directions, another who crumbles at the thought of losing a game, a teen who doesn’t know how to begin a conversation. Each one carries the weight of a world that’s moving faster and demanding more.
These moments are difficult, but they’re also where the work becomes meaningful. Helping a child take that pause before reacting, learn to share a laugh with a peer, or finally raise their hand with confidence — those are the victories that remind me why the challenges are worth facing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Social Scholars LEP Inc.?
At its heart, our practice is about giving kids a place to learn the skills of being with others — the kind that aren’t always taught in textbooks. We work with children one-on-one and in groups, focusing on things like making friends, handling frustration, reading social cues, or even just learning how to share space and have fun together.
What sets us apart isn’t a fancy method or a quick fix. It’s the belief that kids grow best when they can practice these skills in real-life situations. That’s why our groups often look a lot like everyday life — a mock recess, a board game, a conversation circle. We create safe, structured “mini-worlds” where kids can try, stumble, laugh, and try again until new habits take root.
I’m most proud of the culture we’ve built — one that values warmth, patience, and creativity as much as clinical expertise. Families often tell us that what stands out isn’t just what their children learn, but how they feel in the process: supported, seen, and encouraged to stretch a little further.
If readers remember one thing about us, I hope it’s that we’re not just helping children manage challenges — we’re helping them discover their voice, their resilience, and their place in the world.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t measured in grades or test scores. It’s in the small, human moments that show a child is growing. It might be the shy student who finally raises their hand in class, the child who loses a game without melting down, or the teenager who dares to invite someone new to sit with them at lunch.
Those moments may seem ordinary, but they’re the building blocks of confidence and connection. When a child feels proud of themselves — not because someone told them to, but because they truly felt it — that’s success.
We define success by progress, not perfection. It’s when kids begin to trust themselves, when families notice that dinner feels calmer, or when a parent says, “I saw my child handle something today I never thought they could.” Those victories, big or small, are what tell us the work is making a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.socialscholarsinc.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdanaj/
