Dr. Jaclyn Russo, PhD, LP
Owner & Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Research Assistant Professor, Rush University Medical Center
Dr. Jaclyn Russo is a clinically trained and licensed psychologist. She completed her doctoral training at the University of Virginia in the School of Education and Human Development where she specialized in both the assessment and treatment of childhood and adolescent social-emotional and behavioral functioning.
In 2022, she relocated with her family to Charlotte from Chicago. While in Chicago, she completed her Pre-Doctoral Residency and Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
Dr. Russo’s expertise focuses on how development and experiences in and outside of school impact youth mental health. Clinically, Dr. Russo individually tailors her treatment approach to each child/family. She has a vast and impressive training background which includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and a wide-range of behavioral principles to target both internalizing and externalizing behaviors that often present in children and adolescents. She has clinically worked in a number of settings with a wide range of acuity including schools, community clinics, outpatient care, partial hospitalization, and inpatient pediatric services. Dr. Russo also has significant training in psychoeducational evaluations and specifically enjoys helping families translate evaluation results to the classroom.
Dr. Russo also holds an appointment as Research Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. In this role, she examines the impact of sleep on child and parent stress, well-being and school readiness. Dr. Russo also leads research efforts focused on the association between neighborhood resources and children’s social-emotional and academic outcomes.
Growing up in New York in a family of educators, Dr. Russo deeply values the importance of positive experiences in the classroom and she is dedicated to fostering meaningful and collaborative school- home relationships.
Shelley Mikszan M.A. Ed.
Co-Founder & Educational Specialist
Shelley has empowered thousands of students to become confident, thriving, independent learners. She is an experienced educational specialist and North Carolina Teaching Fellow with undergraduate and master’s degrees in Special Education and more than 25 years of experience supporting students with ADHD, learning disabilities, concussions, and other educational needs.
As a former Director of Student Services and Upper School Learning Specialist, Shelley has been a trusted resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Her work includes psychoeducational testing, executive functioning & ADHD coaching, SAT/ACT accommodations and appeals, college planning, and academic support for young adults transitioning to college or the workforce. She is also a neurodiversity strategy consultant for many local schools and is recognized as an expert in helping students obtain appropriate SAT/ACT accommodations.
As the mother of two children with learning differences, Shelley brings the unique perspective of both an educational specialist and a parent who has navigated evaluations, school supports, and educational decision-making firsthand. She understands the importance of individualized support, collaboration, and helping students build the confidence and independence needed to thrive.
Shelley’s approach is rooted in the belief that every student has unique strengths and deserves the opportunity to succeed. By building collaborative relationships with students, families, and schools, she helps students develop the skills, strategies, and self-advocacy needed for success in school, college, and beyond.
A former athlete and coach, Shelley also works with high school and college student-athletes across the country who need support managing the demands of rigorous academic and athletic schedules. She also collaborates regularly with neurologists and concussion specialists to help student-atheletes successfully navigate the Return-to-Learn protocol following a concussion.
