The Learning Disabilities & Learning Challenges Clinic
Specialized Team
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Shorter Wait Times
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Relational Approach
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In-Person & Virtual Options Available
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Specialized Team 〰️ Shorter Wait Times 〰️ Relational Approach 〰️ In-Person & Virtual Options Available 〰️
Is your child struggling with learning differences?
Unidentified learning disabilities can make it hard for children to keep up with their classmates as well as to manage studying, exams, classwork, and homework. The Center for Connection offers convenient targeted evaluations to help identify a child’s complex learning profile. This information is used to provide in-depth and individualized recommendations to help children utilize their strengths and cognitive profiles to support their learning.
What is the service?
The Learning Disabilities & Learning Challenges Clinic provides single-day evaluations (virtually or in-person) focused on evaluating cognitive predictors of performance along with broad or focused academic evaluations in math, reading, and writing.
Who will complete the assessment?
William Lacey, Ph.D. Over the past eight years, Dr. Lacey has worked in and directed learning disability clinics in Houston, TX and Boston, MA before coming to Pasadena, CA.
What can parents expect?
Parents will be given a packet of forms to complete and bring with them to the appointment. The intake, direct assessment, and feedback session occur within the course of one day, and parents will receive the written report within one week. We understand the importance of getting children connected to the appropriate services in a timely manner, so we have designed an evaluation process that does not contribute to the delay in that process.
Is this the same as a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation?
This evaluation has a targeted focus on identifying learning differences. If you have concerns that there may be other factors that are contributing to your child’s learning (e.g., attention, anxiety, family dynamics), then we would suggest a more comprehensive evaluation to consider other factors. This evaluation may be well-suited for a child who has received a neuropsychological evaluation in previous years, and now parents are seeking updated functioning or recommendations.
Can this evaluation be used to request accommodations in school, ACT/SAT testing, and/or college?
Yes!
This assessment is only one day? Will it be comprehensive enough to give us the information we need?"
Yes! Dr. Lacey has taken nearly a decade of experience in LD evaluations to create this clinic. This assessment is built in a targeted and flexible way to meet the needs and referral questions of the family/school as well as the qualifications that schools and school districts require. Furthermore, the model is based on empirical (scientific) evidence and prior lived experience in running similar clinics to best meet the needs of the child!
Is the primary purpose of the clinic to diagnose learning disabilities?
The primary goal of the clinic is to give you information to understand what may be impacting your child's academic success. While many people come to this clinic wondering about whether their child/teen has a learning disability, this assessment continues to utilize the same thoughtfulness and nuance that characterizes all of our assessments.
*While the assessment process of the LDLC Clinic is designed to be completed within one day, there are situations in which it may better serve the child/teen to have appointments spread across 2 days. These instances will be collaboratively decided upon during the initial consultation.
getting started
If you're interested in scheduling a consultation to learn more about the Learning Disabilities & Learning Challenges Clinic, or to schedule your appointment, click below and complete our short online form.
Together, we’ll discover what’s under the surface.…
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We are based in Pasadena, California, and offer both in-person and virtual services.
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No. However, if your plan allows you to work with Out-of-Network providers, then you may request a super bill from your practitioner and submit it to insurance for reimbursement. (Note: we cannot guarantee reimbursement eligibility. Please contact your insurance company for further details.)
Our policy ensures that our out-of-network therapists use their time doing what they do best—provide therapy, rather than spending undue time interacting with insurance companies. Our therapists are free to use their best therapeutic approach, tailored specifically to clients' unique needs. Therapists and clients decide the frequency and length of care, independent of insurance company restrictions. Additionally, our therapists won't be professionally overextended (due to taking on more cases because of lower insurance reimbursement). Instead, our clinicians are alert and engaged during sessions, are invested in clients' goals and progress, and can make recommendations tailored to clients' specific needs.
Also, since you won’t be using insurance, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much you should expect to pay for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. You can request your clinician to provide you with a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your first session. The law says that if you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
To give you an idea, our therapists charge somewhere between $160 and $250 per individual session, depending on the clinician’s training and experience. Assessments and evaluations and longer sessions will cost more. If the fee to see your individual therapist falls outside of this range, they will discuss specifics with you.
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The Center for Connection consists of independent practitioners who manage their own schedules. Appointments are available seven days a week depending on practitioner availability.
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No, we have a dedicated and highly specialized team with shorter wait times.
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Yes. Click here to download a printable flyer.
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Yes! This service can be done in-person or virtually. Just let us know your preference and we’ll work with you.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
About Our Provider
Dr. William Lacey is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and young adults. His clinical expertise for neuropsychological assessment includes diagnosis, academic and treatment planning for individuals with neurodevelopmental concerns (e.g., learning disorders, AD/HD), traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, complex emotional difficulties, and other complex medical conditions. Domains of psychotherapy expertise include depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, behavior difficulties/ADHD, trauma and grief, transgender care, and peripartum depression. Dr. Lacey has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma & Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents, Parent Management Training, Parent Child Interaction Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
To learn more about our approach, click here to read a message from our Founder, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, or click here to learn about interpersonal neurobiology and how it informs our services.
