Owner & Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Jaclyn Russo, PhD, LP
Dr. Jaclyn Russo is a clinically trained and licensed child psychologist. She completed her doctoral training at the University of Virginia in the School of Education and Human Development where she specialized in both the assessment and treatment of childhood and adolescent social-emotional and behavioral functioning.
In 2022, she relocated with her family to Charlotte from Chicago. While in Chicago, she completed her Pre-Doctoral Residency and Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Dr. Russo’s expertise focuses on how development and experiences in and outside of school impact youth mental health; specifically their emotion regulation and social skills. Clinically, Dr. Russo individually tailors her treatment approach to each child/family. She has a vast and impressive training background which includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and a wide-range of behavioral principles to target both internalizing and externalizing behaviors that often present in children and adolescents. She has clinically worked in a number of settings with a wide range of acuity including schools, community clinics, outpatient care, partial hospitalization, and inpatient pediatric services. Dr. Russo also has significant training in psychoeducational evaluations and specifically enjoys helping families translate evaluation results to the classroom.
Dr. Russo also continues to engage in research, currently collaborating with Rush University Medical Center to examine the impact of sleep on child and parent stress, well-being and school readiness. Dr. Russo believes deeply in the importance of continued scientific inquiry to provide the most evidence-based care for her families. In other words, she believes science should result in a meaningful impact on the real world, including in classrooms where children learn. She has spent countless hours working directly in the classroom, with teachers, and behind the scenes supporting classroom social-emotional strategy use. Growing up in New York in a family of educators, Dr. Russo deeply values the importance of positive experiences in the classroom and she is dedicated to fostering meaningful and collaborative school- home relationships.
Founding Member & Educational Specialist
Shelley Mikszan M.A. Ed.
Shelley has empowered thousands of students to become confident, thriving, independent learners. She is an experienced educational specialist and North Carolina Teaching Fellow with undergraduate and master’s degrees in Special Education. She has over 25 years of experience supporting students with ADHD, learning disabilities, concussions, and other special education needs. Her vast experience in K-12 and college-level settings ensures your child will get precisely what they need to be successful in their school setting. Shelley’s work includes psychoeducational and educational testing, executive functioning/ADHD coaching, SAT and ACT accommodations and appeals, and college planning. Her tailored approach is based on collaborative relationships that create independent learners and parents who can advocate for their children.
As a former Director of Student Services and Upper School Learning Specialist, Shelley has been a trusted resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. She serves as a neurodiversity strategy consultant for many local schools and is the area’s leading expert on how to get students approved for SAT and ACT accommodations.
The author of independent school concussion policies and “Return-to-Learn” protocols, Shelley collaborates regularly with local neurologists and concussion specialists to ensure student-athletes successfully navigate the Return-to-Learn process after a concussion. By tailoring academic support and working collaboratively with schools, she can ensure students experience a smooth transition back to the classroom. Shelley provides strategies for managing cognitive fatigue, adjusting workloads, and balancing academics with recovery. Her goal is to help student-athletes regain their academic footing while prioritizing their health and well-being.
Shelley is also a lifelong learner specializing in supporting students with the logistics of the college admissions process. Her ability to break down the process into manageable chunks lowers stress levels for students and parents, allowing them to celebrate this exciting time. Upon admittance, Shelley is a master at helping students with learning differences navigate how to secure accommodations and learning support at colleges and universities. Need help once in college? After entering college, she provides academic and executive functioning support on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the individualized needs of students. She can assist with registration, specializing in helping students find courses and professors that are the best fit for their learning needs. A former athlete and coach, Shelley also works with high school and college student-athletes across the country who need additional help managing their busy academic and athletic schedules.
