PARKAIRE CONSULTANTS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Board Member and Secretary of the Learning Disabilities Association of Georgia
- Educational Consultant
Bruce has been associated with Parkaire Consultants for over 25 years as a co-leader of adolescent and young adult groups and as an Education Consultant with individual clients and families. Bruce received a bachelor's degree in General Science from La Grange College and a master's degree in Special Education (Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities) from Georgia State University. At Nova Southeastern University, he continued post graduate study in the area of Education Leadership.
Clinical experience includes positions of teacher, Director of Education and also Program Director for Child and Adolescent programs in two psychiatric facilities. He continued his professional experience, working with students who have learning disabilities, ADHD, executive functioning deficits, obsessive compulsive disorders, and Tourette syndrome as Principal of the Howard School Central Campus for three years and as Director of the Upper School at Mill Springs Academy for 18 years.
Bruce has served as a board member and secretary of The Learning Disabilities Association of Georgia, a member of The Council for Exceptional Children and the Tourette Syndrome Association of Georgia.
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrator / Professional Coach / Learn More
Daniel has been working as a professional coach at Parkaire Consultants for over twenty years, helping adults with neurological impairments obtain their goals. He holds the Certified Co-Active Coach designation (CPCC) from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI), the Professional Certified Coach designation (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and the Senior Certified ADD Coach (SCAC) from the Institute for the Advancement of ADD Coaching (IAAC).
For six years he was one of the four co-leaders of the ADD SIG on CTI's Co-Active Network. He worked for two years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for the Advancement of ADD Coaching working to establish credentialing standards for the ADD Coaching community. He has been a presenter at local, regional, national, and international conferences on the subject of how neurological disorders impact performance and what to do about it. He has served on the Professional Advisory Board for North Atlanta and Central Georgia CHADD and the Board of Directors of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Georgia.
He also illustrated and contributed to the book, Teaching the Tiger, by Marilyn P. Dornbush, Ph.D., and Sheryl K. Pruitt, M.Ed. He started Parkaire Press, a book publishing company which published Marilyn's and Sherry's book, Tigers Too, as well as Leslie Packer's book, Find a Way or Make a Way, and Darin Bush's book, Tiger Trails.
My work in mental health started in 2003-2008 when I served as a camp counselor for Camp Hope, a program for children of incarcerated parents founded by a pastor at Mt. Bethel UMC in Marietta, Georgia. Through Mt. Bethel, I maintained an active presence at Camp Hope and continued volunteering at MUST Ministries' Elizabeth Inn Shelter through my late teens. In 2011, I served as the Supervisor of Bridges of Hope in Louisville, Georgia, a fifty-person long-term treatment facility for adult males struggling with substance abuse. In 2012, I completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University. During my undergraduate work, I volunteered with dozens of metro Atlanta treatment centers, places of worship, psychiatric hospitals, and institutions.
After graduation, I interned for the Federation of Balkan American Associations during the summer of 2013. I was trained in non-profit leadership strategy in Istanbul and taught English at Ozel Ergin Koleji, a school in Yozgat, Turkey. In 2013, I worked as the Residence Manager for Tangu Inc., a partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient recovery program for men and women in North Atlanta. During and after my time at Tangu, I trained and worked under Dr. Susan Rosovsky, a psychologist and licensed interventionist.
I started my master's degree in Social Work at Kennesaw State University in 2014 with a concentration on children and families. I returned to Must Ministries' Elizabeth Inn Shelter, where I had previously volunteered, as a case manager for my graduate practicum. In 2015, I served as a counselor and mindfulness instructor at the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence. At the WRC, I trained under Dr. Urzula Klich of the Shepherd Center in Cognitive Based Compassion Training and used "Heart Math" to teach mindfulness training and biofeedback for children living in the domestic violence shelter.
In 2015, as I continued to work towards my master's degree, I served as an intern therapist at Parkaire Consultants and began training in the neuropsychological medical model with an emphasis on learning theory under Sherry Pruitt M.Ed., ET/P. I received extensive training in childhood development, learning disabilities, interpreting neuropsychological assessments, Exposure Response Prevention Training, Cognitive Based Intervention for Tics, Executive Function, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, and Tourette Syndrome.
Upon graduation in May of 2016, I began working at Parkaire Consultants under the supervision of Dr. Vicki Stein, DSc, LCSW. Since 2016, I have worked as both an individual and group therapist at Parkaire. I co-lead the High School Social Skills Group, which has been one of the highlights of my time at Parkaire. In my individual practice, I see clients as young as seven through adulthood. I enjoy the multidisciplinary approach to our work at Parkaire and the love and care we each share for our clients and their families.
I have developed close professional bonds with different area schools, educational consultants, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and educators. Since completing my clinical licensure in the Fall of 2021, I have continued to volunteer within the community as a speaker and consultant. I have spoken at local area schools, universities, community centers, and houses of worship on a variety of issues related to mental health. I had the privilege of addressing the Georgia Network of Collegiate Counselors on best practices in Opioid Use Disorder. In addition, I have given guest lectures for Florida State University's Master of Social Work Program on best practices for OCD, Substance Use Disorder, and Harm Reduction.
I currently serve as a Board Member of The Georgia Prevention Project, a statewide prevention program aimed at reducing the use of dangerous drugs among teens and young adults. I am also proud to serve on the Community Advisory Board for the Panthers4Life research study: "Prevention of Suicidal Ideation and Behavior, Substance Use, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among High-Risk College Students", at Georgia State University.
Job Titles:
- CPO®, CPO - CD
- Owner of DNQ Solutions
Diane is the owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC. Diane founded her company in 2005. She teaches her clients how to become organized and provides them with strategies and solutions for maintaining order in their busy lives. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing in metropolitan Atlanta and in working with people challenged by chronic disorganization. Her personalized service and skilled expertise will simplify your hectic lifestyle.
Diane has a B.A. from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. She started her career as an Elementary School Teacher, teaching Kindergarten and First Grade. Diane and her husband moved to Bangkok, Thailand, in 1979. She taught First Grade at the International School for three years. The couple moved to Hong Kong in 1982 and then returned to the United States in 1984 with their first son. The family, which now included a second son, moved to Singapore in 1993. Diane worked as a substitute teacher at the American School until 1997 when the family returned to the United States. Juggling frequent international moves, raising a family and working as a teacher helped Diane develop great habits for staying organized.
Diane acted as the after-care consultant providing organizing assistance to the homeowner in Griffin, GA, who was featured on the Hoarders episode on the A&E Television Networks.
DNQ Solutions, LLC abides by NAPO and ICD Code of Ethics. Information shared during a consultation or an appointment is strictly confidential.
Dr. Carmen Neyra is a licensed psychologist, specializing in the psychological and psychoeducational assessment of children (starting at age 6), adolescents, and young adults. She believes that most children want to be happy, cooperative, and successful at home and school, despite sometimes struggling to do so. She has helped many children and their families to understand and manage the causes of academic, social, and emotional disruption. Dr. Neyra focuses on developing an understanding of the whole person, and she works closely with parents to gather detailed information on their child's history, symptoms, strengths, and weaknesses. At the end of the evaluation process, parents and treating professionals have a clear, well-rounded picture of the child's diagnosis, areas of strength, opportunities for development, and an action plan to move forward.
Dr. Neyra obtained her B.A. from the University of Miami, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member in good standing of both the American and Georgia Psychological Associations. Dr. Neyra has great empathy and heartfelt appreciation for the unique joys and challenges of raising a child with abilities often different than those of the typical child. She is passionate about helping children and their families and is committed to lifelong learning to continually expand her knowledge and better serve her clients.
Joan holds a master's degree in Speech/Language Pathology from Memphis State University. She obtained her BS degree in Speech Pathology with a minor in Psychology from Auburn University. Additionally, Joan holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association as well as a License for Private Practice in the State of Georgia.
Ms. Crawford has over 30 years of diverse experience in the field of speech pathology. She has provided all speech services for Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama; provided diagnostic services for pre-school special needs children in the Atlanta Public Schools; provided school based speech therapy and diagnostics for students K - 12 in school systems in 3 different states; provided speech services in two clinics; and maintained a private practice in speech pathology.
Joan enjoys working with clients of all ages. She especially enjoys the collaborative approach that Parkaire Consultants exemplifies.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Admin Assistant for Sherry and Dan Pruitt
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Admin Assistant for Jim Trotti
Laura is an educational consultant and tutor in private practice. Her academic background includes membership in Phi Beta Kappa, undergraduate and graduate degrees with Honors in Education, and post graduate work at Columbia and Emory Universities.
Prior to moving to Georgia she was the administrator of a pilot program for gifted students and also served as an elected school board member in New Jersey. Laura joined Parkaire Consultants after teaching gifted students for over twenty years.
During her career she has spoken to numerous parent and advocacy groups, conducted faculty in-service courses, presented at state conferences, been named Teacher of the Year by her peers, and served on the State Superintendent of Schools' advisory committee.
Her approach is to recognize and respect students' individual strengths and needs in order to provide them with effective learning strategies, tools and techniques.
Laura's areas of specialization include:
Planning and organization strategies
Executive function tutoring and coaching
Research skills
Reading comprehension
Written expression
Study skills
Test taking strategies
Job Titles:
- Educational Consultant / Learning Specialist
Ms. Brito holds a Masters Degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership certification, and a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education. Ms. Brito has served as an educator in this field in the Greater Atlanta area for over thirty years. Ms. Brito's experience has been diverse; ten years teaching experience as a special education, resource and lead teacher. Twenty-five years of Administrative service includes: Assistant Principal of The Howard School, Director of Admissions of The Howard School, Principal (Middle School) of Mill Springs Academy, Director of Admissions, Director of Outreach and Alumni Relations of Mill Springs Academy. Ms. Brito implemented a Parent University, bringing in the top professionals to speak on topics as well as creating a Community Outreach program allowing professionals and parents to collaborate.
Ms. Brito is a member and has served on the board of the International Dyslexia Association of Georgia, is a member of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Milton Disabilities Awareness Committee, Learning Disabilities of Georgia Association, Georgia Independent School Association and the East Cobb Rotary.
Ms. Brito has worked with families to find appropriate alternative school placement for over ten years. Ms. Brito provides a broad range of individualized educational interventions for students with Learning Differences and other learning challenges. She has a passion in identifying and supporting early intervention in students. Ms. Brito provides formal and informal assessment while synthesizing information from other specialists and parents. Ms. Brito forms supportive relationships with the client and those involved in the client's educational development, while facilitating communication between the client, the family, the school and the involved professionals. Ms. Brito is knowledgeable in the colleges and universities that support Learning Differences. Ms. Brito creates an individualized coaching process of assisting the client to identify their career aspirations and interests while finding the college to best implement this higher education. Ms. Brito enjoys and specializes in working with students who learn differently.
Michelle holds several degrees and certificates. She has a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is certified in Educational Therapy. Michelle has served as an educator and Principal of Richards Christian Academy, which she founded in 2001. In 2016, she received certification in Educational therapy. Educational therapists are trained to recognize and understand the learning challenges of each child, as well as the patterns and behaviors that have developed to compensate for or mask their deficits. Sometimes these deficits are caused by mental health. An individual's likelihood of repeating a grade, being truant, or dropping out of school increases when they have mental health problems. Michelle believes that the risk of developing internalizing or externalizing mental health problems can be reduced through therapy.
In the clinical setting, Michelle works with children, teens, young adults, adults, and their families. She also works with young adults who struggle with high-functioning autism. She has experience working with clients struggling with OCD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, Executive Dysfunction, and other disorders.
Rachel began her Occupational Therapy career in Miami Florida, after completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education at Georgia State University and earning her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Barry University in Miami. There she predominantly worked with children on the Autism spectrum. Originally from Atlanta Georgia, she relocated back home in January 2011 and has been a part of the Kids Can team since then.
Rachel has experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses; however, over the past 11 years she has become specialized in working with children that have challenges associated with Sensory Processing Disorders. Prior to working as an Occupational Therapist, she was trained to provide behavioral intervention to children with Autism and other related diagnoses.
In addition to working with Kids Can, Rachel currently works as a part time professor teaching Occupational Therapy courses at Barry University. She currently teaches Development and Intervention, Conditions across the lifespan, and a special topics Sensory Integration Course. She is just completing her 10th year of teaching.
Rachel completed additional specialty training in Sensory Processing Disorders through the Star Institute in 2009, after successfully completing their level one mentorship program. She has certifications with Interactive Metronome (IM), Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), and Therapeutic Listening and Quick Shifts Programs. She has also completed extensive professional training courses related to Sensory Processing Disorder, Vestibular Processing, Visual Processing, Handwriting Without tears, Brain Gym, rehabilitation focused on Integrating Primitive Reflexes, and Executive Dysfunction. She is trained in the Astronaut Training Protocol and The Wilbarger Touch Pressure Protocol. Her passion is working with children and their families and seeing the children she works with reach their full potential.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director / Educational Therapist / Consultant, Author / Learn More
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Admin Assistant for Sherry Pruitt