Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the Initial Parent Consultation
Q: How do I get my student started with coaching?
A: The first step is scheduling the Intake Appointment with one of our intake specialists. Click here to schedule your intake appointment! Evening and weekend appointments are available. The student is not needed for this appointment, just the parent(s).
Q: How long is the Intake Appointment?
A: Approximately 90 minutes. We like to collect this information directly from the parents as opposed to having forms filled out because of the nature of our work and the fact that we work with complex students. We want to hear your story from you and understand your child or teen in your own words.
Q: What information should I send in before the Intake Appointment?
A: When you register for coaching, you’ll be sent directions with how to upload the last two years of report cards, results of any annual standardized testing done at school, any psycho-educational evaluations the student has had, and if the student has a 504/IEP/Student Support Plan. These documents will be uploaded into our Connected Coaching Portal so they can be reviewed and discussed during the intake appointment.
This information needs to be received 24 hours before the Intake.
Q: What happens after the Intake Appointment?
A: If you decide to move forward with coaching, Dr. Russell will match your student with one of the coaches within 24 hours and you will establish a regular weekly day and time for the coaching sessions which will start within the week.
Questions about coaching
Q: What qualifications do the coaches have?
A: Every coach in our practice has at least 8-10 years of experience working directly with students plus a blend of educational experience, positive youth development, mental health counseling, in-depth knowledge of learning differences, and a passion for helping students, especially those who think a little differently. We then provide customized, intensive training in coaching, executive functioning, ADHD, ASD, and many other topics. Our coaches are trained in-house, one-on-one by Dr. Russell and mentored and supervised by her directly.
Q: How does the coach know what my child needs to do?
A: The coach logs in to the school portal during the coaching sessions so that both the coach and the student have access to all information.
Q: What do you do in the sessions?
A: We first teach and then practice and perfect a system of project management based on backward planning and we incorporate a lot of personal connection, motivation building, and positive feedback.
Q: How often do you meet?
Each student in our practice has a dedicated coach who meets with them once a week on a set day, at a set time. Our staff work Monday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (closed Fridays). So that gives clients a wide range of appointment times to choose from.
Q: How long are most students in coaching?
A: Many students make significant, measurable improvements within a semester. The pace varies depending on a number of factors, which we can discuss at the Intake Appointment.
Q: Is coaching covered by insurance?
A: No, at this time, no coaching services are covered by insurance.
Q: Is coaching therapy?
A: No, coaching is not psychotherapy, although we do believe it can be very empowering and therapeutic for a student to learn how to be successful, especially if they have a history of falling short of their potential.
Q: Is coaching tutoring?
A: No, coaching is not tutoring, although we do help students with the overall academic skills of note-taking, close reading, writing, and study skills.
Q: What can I expect to see from coaching for my student?
A: Our goal at Russell Coaching for Students is successful students and happy parents! When a child is stressed and school is overwhelming, no one is happy. Through skill-building, we help students regain their confidence and motivation, which in turn leads to greater school success. When the student becomes successful again, the family is less stressed, and the parents are happy.
Questions about THE RUSSELL MODEL CONNECTED Coaching
Q: How do I get started with Russell Connected Coaching?
A: Just complete the New Student Registration Form on the website! It should take 10 minutes or less to fill out.
Q: Where is Russell Connected Coaching available?
A: Our well-established coaching model uses zoom to connect effectively with students in the US, Canada, and the UK. Students living anywhere can work with us. And we love working with our international students! We were established in Tampa Bay in 2009 and love our local students also!
Q: When and where will you meet with my student?
A: We will determine a day and time that works for your student. Each student in our practice has a dedicated coach who meets with them via zoom once a week on a set day, at a set time. Our staff work Monday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (closed Fridays). So that gives clients a wide range of appointment times to choose from.
Q: Why don’t you offer in-person appointments?
A: Since starting in the Tampa Bay area in 2009, Russell Coaching has continued to grow to meet the needs of complex students. Two of our major innovations have been to develop a robust training model for bringing more coaches into the practice so that we can serve more students and to move to an online model that has a number of advantages.
Why online? First and foremost, online coaching is effective. We’ve worked very hard over the past several years to develop a model that is engaging, fun, and produces results. Second, it allows students from across the world to access our services. Third, it increases the ease of participation because there is no traveling to an office. Fourth, it allows us to hire knowledgeable, experienced professionals from anywhere across the country based on their exceptional skill set and not be limited geographically—this is vital because the relationship between the amazing coach and the motivated student is what produces the desired changes!
The bottom line is, our model of Connected Coaching works on zoom and parents report high levels of satisfaction!