MEet The Team

Virtual Coach
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for college students, adults, parents, and families
Coaching Rates:

$155 per 60-min session

$600 for 4-session package (1 mo.)

$1780 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

Parent Consultation Rates:

$185 per 70-min session

Jessel Newton, M.A., BCC

Owner and Founder

Board Certified ADHD/EF Coach

Jessel’s passion is working alongside parents, families, and individuals who struggle with ADHD. Experiencing and overcoming trials with family members who have ADHD fuels her passion to help others. She is a lifeline for overwhelmed students, adults and parents who are drowning in a sea of executive function struggles. Her compassion is apparent in her warm, empathetic, relational and supportive style of coaching. Her competence is reflected in her skillful approach to empower clients to find solutions that work for them.

When Jessel isn’t coaching or running this coaching practice, she is running her busy home with her devoted husband, three active children and Covid puppy. Enjoying a cafe latte with raspberry or coconut syrup, a date with her hubby, traveling the world, and reading a good book in solitude are just some of her many interests.

Jessel is a Board Certified Coach under the Center of Credentialing and Education. She obtained her B.S. in Family Studies from the University of Maryland, and M.A. in Counseling from Regent University. A graduate from the International Coaching Federation-accredited JST Coaching & Training program, for teens and college students, she is also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Coaching. She specializes in adult ADHD life coaching, parent coaching and family coaching. Being a huge fan of Dr. Greene's Collaborative & Proactive Solutions approach, she encourages families to learn effective collaboration and problem-solving. She has experience in working with individuals with ADHD, ASD, anxiety, emotional dysregulation and a wide range of executive function weaknesses.

In-person (Northern VA) or Virtual Coach
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for middle schoolers, teens and college students
Rates:

$130 per 60-min session

$500 for 4-session package (1 mo.)

$1480 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

Amy Pearson, B.S

Client Coordinator

Associate Executive Function Coach

Amy takes great joy in connecting with people of all ages and experiences, and desires to support others with a gentle and encouraging spirit. Learning to overcome her past school challenges, she has empathy as she uses her skills to help others feel less overwhelmed by the daily demands of life and school. Amy also understands the unique joys and challenges of parenting a child with ADHD. Learning about ADHD, the impact it has on executive function, and her eagerness to work with those struggling, fuels her passion for coaching. It is her belief that we are a work in progress and aren’t meant to figure it all out on our own.

Amy has lived in Northern Virginia for almost 20 years with her supportive and encouraging husband. You can usually find them on a ball field or cheering on the Nats with their 4 energetic kids! Amy loves to spend time with neighbors, friends, family and her church community.

Amy received her B.S. in Human Development with a concentration in Human Services from Virginia Tech. She worked in the international adoption field for over 10 years, assisting families through the rigorous process of adoption and advocating for children with special needs. She has also worked as a Home Study Coordinator, interviewing, assessing and preparing families for adoption. She has partnered with her husband, doing lay counseling with couples, and is a substitute teacher at the school her children attend.

Virtual Coach & IEP/504 Consultant
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for college students, adults and parents of preschoolers, school-aged children and teens.
Rates:

$155 per 60-min session

$600 for 4-session package (1 mo.)

$1780 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

504/IEP Consultation Rates:
- $500 for 4 hour package (attending IEP/ 504 meeting).
- $400 for 3 hour package (not attending IEP/ 504 meeting).
- $155 per hour for 1-2 hour consultation.

Brenda Rubin, M.A., BCC

Board Certified ADHD/EF Coach

IEP/504 Educational Consultant

Brenda is passionate about working with students of all ages, cheering them on, as well as their parents. She cares deeply for families who have "out of the box" children, as she has experienced the challenges of raising her own neurodiverse children. Her compassion for those walking this journey is apparent in her coaching approach. A cheerleader for all children - from toddlers to teens to college students - she believes no child is “broken”. She desires for families to find peace and for kids to find self acceptance. Empowering clients to see their potential, inner strength, and also use the necessary skills and tools they need to find their way, gives her great joy.

When she isn’t coaching, Brenda is home with her supportive husband, two wonderful kids and a precious dog. She enjoys exercising, traveling, volunteering and spending time with her family and friends.

Brenda is a Board Certified Coach under the Center of Credentialing and Education. She obtained her B.A. in Psychology from Lehigh University and M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Monmouth University. Also a graduate from the International Coaching Federation-accredited JST Coaching & Training program, for teens and college students. Specialties include working with individuals who have experienced trauma, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, sensory disorders, behavior disorders, learning differences, and much more.

Virtual Coach
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for middle schoolers, teens and college students
Rates:

$130 per 60-min session

$500 for 4-session package (1 mo.)

$1480 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

Colleen Freeman, M.A.

Associate Executive Function Coach

Colleen’s life experience has given her the heart and motivation to help students with ADHD. Growing up, Colleen did her best to achieve success in a world driven by executive function skills. She often felt embarrassed when she forgot homework assignments or arrived at games without her soccer cleats. She thought her forgetfulness and disorganization would improve if she tried harder. But it didn’t. It was not until Colleen was in her early 40’s that she was diagnosed with ADHD. In addition to learning how to live with ADHD, she is raising a child with ADHD. As a result, Colleen is a passionate coach, who has incredible empathy and understanding for students who have executive function challenges. Her life would have been less of a struggle if she had help with executive function skills throughout high school. She is a walking testimony of how one can learn strategies and succeed in education, career and personal life.

As an outdoor enthusiast, Colleen loves camping and traveling to the ocean with her family and friends. She has a witty sense of humor and a “chill vibe”. Her greatest pastime is watching her kids grow up and discovering their unique talents.

Colleen obtained a B.A in Anthropology from SUNY Buffalo and an M.A in Theology from Regent University. She has taught a variety of subjects in middle school, high school and at the college level for over 17 years. Subjects taught include writing, public speaking, religion and philosophy. Her teaching and life experience have helped her relate to teens and college students. She understands this population and the expectations required for both academic and personal success. Colleen is a strength-based coach, realizing that many ADHD students feel like failures and battle negative self-talk daily. She builds up her clients’ self-esteem by focusing on strengths, providing perspective and teaching strategies to help them succeed. Whether it’s encouraging an artist, an athlete, or helping a young person develop their natural gifts, Colleen highlights victories along the way.

Virtual Coach
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for college students and adults
Rates:

$155 per 60-min session

$600 for 4-session package (1 mo.)

$1780 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

Ridhisha Mekala, B.A

Certified ADHD/EF Coach

Ridhisha is dedicated to providing life and academic coaching, solutions, and strategies to adults and students with ASD, ADHD, giftedness, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. She is a certified ADHD coach specializing in coaching college students and adults with ADHD and executive functioning challenges. She has tutored and mentored students from first grade through postsecondary education who learn differently. In addition, she has delivered reading remediation and writing plans to struggling readers and writers with learning disabilities. As a coach, Ridhisha uses neuroscience and evidence-based strategies to support EF and ADHD challenges. Her warmth, friendly nature, compassion and competence exudes as she helps clients live up to their potential.

Ridhisha lives with her daughter and husband, and her two cats. When she's not coaching, you might find her having fun and dancing all around her house, with her young daughter! She also practices cross-fit and mindfulness to help her stay focused in daily life.

She earned the ICF and CCE-approved coach training from the Institute of JST Training and Coaching and ADLER Professional School of Coaching. She has certifications in the Foundations of Psychology and Counseling Skills, and Mindfulness for Peak Performance. Ridhisha received a B. A. in Communications from Osmania University in India. Currently, she is pursuing a postgraduate certification program from the Landmark College Institute in 'Neurodiversity and Learning Differences in Individuals' with a track specialization in Executive Functioning.

In-person (Northern VA) Coach
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for school-aged children (6-12 year olds)
Rates:

$130 per 60-min session

$500 for 4-session package (1 mo.)

$1480 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

Robin Sturm

Associate ADHD/EF Coach

Robin Conrad Sturm has an enthusiastic joy and passion for reaching children. She is a Certified Children’s Life Coach, trained and certified with Kid’s Life Studio. She is the recipient of Prince William Living’s Five Most Influential Women Award of 2020, and InsideNova’s Best of Prince William Award as Best Author of 2018. Robin has written a series of children’s books that encourage children dealing with varying emotions, including anxiety. She is determined to use every avenue and tool possible to teach children the necessary skills to create positive mental well-being, to face their challenges with resilience and to feel motivated, inspired and confident. Watching students’ faces light up with each new achievement and helping them grow into confident, goal-oriented adults are amazing highlights.

In her spare time, Robin loves to saturate her mind with extra training opportunities and resources to bring children the best care possible. She lives in Northern Virginia and has three grown children living their busy lives in Virginia, California, and New York City. Thank God for Facetime!

Currently as a preschool teacher and a coach, Robin continues to care deeply about children, and loves learning about their unique and developing minds. As a young adult, Robin would substitute teach for dance classes, because her love and ability for working with younger children was evident to her school faculty. Pursuing her love for dance, Robin graduated from The Academy of the Washington Ballet and became a professional ballet dancer with The Washington Ballet and the Asaph Dance Ensemble. She then taught young children and teens at her own dance studio, which she founded and ran with her husband for 35 years.

Virtual Coach
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for college students and adults
Rates:

$155 per 60-min session
$600 for 4-session package (1 mo.)
$1780 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

Eron Drake, EdD, BCC

Board-Certified ADHD/EF Coach

Eron has worked with many learners and teachers for over 20 years in various environments, including high school, community college, and university settings. She is passionate about empowering individuals as they strive to achieve their personal and career goals. Utilizing a coaching approach combining best practices in education with positive psychology and strength-based approaches, Eron provides support and structure to help individuals develop growth, change, and success strategies.

Eron lives in Michigan with her husband and their dog, Maisy. She spends her free time training for sprint triathlons, taking photos, enjoying nature, and spending time with her adult children, family, and friends.

Eron is a lifelong learner who endeavors to make a difference and to help others achieve their goals. She is a Board Certified Coach recognized by the Center of Credentialing and Education. She has also earned a certificate from JST Coaching and Training for completing training entitled “Coaching Teens and College Students with ADHD.” Eron’s education includes a Doctor in Education in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University, a Master of Business Administration from Western Michigan University, and a Master in Education from Aquinas College. Her specialty interests include working with neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals interested in achieving goals, creating effective action plans, strengthening organizational skills, implementing learning and study strategies, reducing test-taking or performance anxiety, and building mental strength.

In-person (Northern VA) or Virtual Coach
Provides ADHD/EF Coaching for middle schoolers, teens, college students and adults
Rates:
$130 per 60-min session
$500 for 4-session package (1 mo.)
$1480 for 12-session package (3 mo.)

Cortney Thomas, B.

Associate Executive Function Coach

Cortney is passionate about empowering students and adults with ADHD, cheering them on to use their unique strengths to make positive changes in their lives. It brings her joy to see clients find success and gain confidence in themselves. Cortney has personally experienced the challenges of ADHD and weak executive functioning skills in herself as well as in two of her children. With real life experience she has found strategies to succeed, and can offer genuine empathy and encouragement towards her clients. Her goal is to help her clients find their “stride” without compromising who they are.

While she is a native to beautiful New England, Cortney has lived in Northern Virginia since 2013. She married her high school sweetheart and together they are raising their three boys and one girl. When she isn’t coaching, she is busy chauffeuring her children and managing her home. At the end of the day, she loves to curl up with a good book to unwind.

Cortney graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a certificate in both Elementary Education and Special Education. Before staying home with her children, she worked as a special educator in public schools. As a local nonprofit Director of a parenting program, she offered positive strengths-based parenting classes to those in the community. Currently, Cortney is working towards her Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling with a focus on Life Coaching and expects to graduate December 2023.

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