What is a Therapeutic Educational Consultant?
A therapeutic educational consultant provides individuals and families with curated, well-matched therapeutic (and academic) options for emotional, behavioral, academic, and/or relational issues. Consultants travel frequently to ensure they maintain a real-time, firsthand understanding of school & program components. Reputable therapeutic consultants are independent, meaning they do not accept or receive referral fees or any compensation from programs or schools for recommending.
Who do therapeutic consultants support?
Therapeutic consultants support children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with a variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs. Some consultants may specialize in working with a particular age group or symptom cluster. Consultants work with a wide range of challenges associated with anxiety and OCD, depression, addiction, trauma, adoption, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, executive function deficits, etc.
What types of programs are they knowledgeable about?
Specialty hospitals, addiction treatment centers, after-care, residential treatment centers, stabilization and assessment centers, nature-based programs, young adult transition programs, and therapeutic and traditional boarding schools.
Why hire a therapeutic educational consultant?
Identifies the Best Fit Programs: It is important that you find the best fit program and therapist. Without the guidance of a therapeutic consultant, you risk going to a treatment facility that does not best meet your or your loved one’s needs. This wastes time, emotional energy, and financial resources. A therapeutic consultant has the knowledge and expertise to pair clients with the right-program, therapist, and peer milieu. This ensures optimal treatment results.
Streamlines the Admission Process: They will prequalify admission and provide direct contact with the program/school. Should your loved one need transportation and intervention services, your consultant will recommend professionals to ensure a smooth and safe transition from home to the selected program.
Provides Continuity of Care: A therapeutic consultant will generally remain part of the client’s treatment team, advocating for the client throughout their treatment experience and providing ongoing support to family members. They also assist with discharge planning. In collaboration with the clinical recommendations from the program, they help identify “next steps,” whether that be a transitional living program, after-care to ensure sobriety, a boarding school, or outpatient providers.
What type of training do therapeutic consultants have?
Many have master's degrees in education and clinical fields. , like counseling or social work. Reputable consultants will adhere to the ethics and principles of professional organizations, such as the Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA), the Therapeutic Consultant Association (TCA), and the Young Adult Transition Association. They will engage in ongoing professional education. Their knowledge of programs stems from personal visits and tours, and they stay up-to-date on program changes.
