Educational Consulting & Advocacy

Expert support for parents navigating the school system

If you’ve ever sat in a school meeting with a pit in your stomach, clutching a stack of reports you didn’t quite understand, you’re not alone.

The educational system isn’t designed to be parent-friendly—especially when your child is struggling.

You might know your child needs support, but not what kind. You’ve tried to advocate, but felt shut down or confused by the process. You may even wonder if you’re asking for too much—or not enough.

At Thriving Child Center, we understand how overwhelming and isolating this can feel. That’s why we offer expert Educational Consulting and Advocacy services to help families get clarity, direction, and support—so they can make informed decisions and secure what their child needs to thrive.

An educational consultant helps families navigate school systems, understand evaluations, and advocate for appropriate support and accommodations.

What makes our approach different is that your consultant isn’t just someone who knows the school system—Dr. Gardner is a licensed psychologist, a certified school psychologist, and a parent herself. With over 20 years of experience in public and private schools, she brings a rare level of expertise to each consultation.

Unlike most educational consultants or advocates, Dr. Gardner can “translate” between parents, schools, and mental health providers. She understands the language each party speaks—and ensures your child doesn’t fall through the cracks because of it.

What Is an Educational Consultant?

What an Educational Advocate Can Help With

As both an educational consultant and educational advocate, Dr. Gardner helps families:

  • Understand complex testing results—both private and school-based evaluations

  • Translate data into real-life strategies for supporting your child at school and at home

  • Make sense of the school’s referral and eligibility processes for special education and Section 504

  • Clarify what your child is—and isn’t—entitled to under disability laws

  • Attend school meetings alongside you, so you’re never advocating alone

  • Bridge the gap between psychologists, teachers, and other providers so everyone works together toward the same goal

Dr. Gardner is not a legal representative. But she is a deeply experienced advocate who can ensure your voice is heard—and help you speak the language schools understand.

There are many educational consultants and advocates out there. But very few have the combination of clinical and school-based experience that Dr. Gardner brings.

She’s a:

  • A licensed psychologist

  • A certified school psychologist with over 20 years in school settings

  • A parent, who understands firsthand how personal and emotional this process can be

  • A translator between schools, families, and healthcare professionals—able to connect dots and get everyone on the same page

  • Deeply committed to clear, collaborative, and child-centered support that honors both evidence and emotion

Dr. Gardner’s consultations are not one-size-fits-all. She brings insight, warmth, and decades of professional knowledge to each situation—helping you advocate effectively and with confidence.

What Makes Dr. Gardner Different

What Success Looks Like

When families work with Dr. Gardner, they often leave their consultations feeling relieved, confident, and more in control of the process.

For the child, this means:

  • Receiving better-aligned support in the classroom

  • Experiencing fewer school-related frustrations and stressors

  • Having their emotional, social, and academic needs more effectively addressed

For the parent, this means:

  • A clearer understanding of what’s happening and what’s possible

  • Knowing exactly what to ask for and how to ask for it

  • Feeling supported and not alone—especially in critical school meetings

For the family as a whole, this means:

  • Less chaos and confusion around school

  • More productive communication with teachers and staff

  • A renewed sense of direction, alignment, and hope

Who This Is For?

This service is ideal for families who:

  • Have children with academic, emotional, or behavioral challenges that affect school performance

  • Are feeling overwhelmed, lost, or unheard in the school system

  • Need help interpreting test data and turning it into meaningful next steps

  • Want to advocate more effectively for their child—but aren’t sure how

  • Value an experienced professional who can attend meetings and offer expert insight

Ready to Feel Less Alone?

You don’t have to navigate this process by yourself.

With Dr. Gardner by your side, you’ll have a trusted partner who knows the system, understands your child, and can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.