"Thank goodness Ellen Heard came into my life! I knew my daughter was falling deeper and deeper into "bad stuff". My denial wouldn't allow me to face it, then that "something" happened where I had no choice but to deal with it. But how?? I got Ellen's name from a friend, and from our initial conversation, I knew that things were going to change. She was incredibly
knowledgeable and most importantly totally empathetic. She is unbelievably perceptive
with adolescents - what they're about and what they need. She knows hundreds of programs and she takes great pains to make sure that the program she recommends is the best 'match'. She has always been available to talk about my daughter's progress, even a year later.
I believe the program she found for my daughter saved her life. I know it saved mine."
Harriet B.
Potomac, Md.
"She was the voice of sanity and our courage and hope during the chaos of our daughter's crises. She was highly professional and brutally honest. Her personal experience with her own challenging teen that she relevantly shared made her even more credible.
We are eternally grateful that she came into our life."
Roz B.
Potomac, MD
"Every once in a long while there comes an advisor for students with learning and behavioral issues who clearly understands the child's needs and is so practical that special mention is needed.
Many advisors in the field simply lack the practical knowledge, as opposed to off the shelf experience. Ellen Heard assisted my son who was struggling with learning disabilities to acceptance to a fine college. She (Ellen) is tireless in her efforts; she cares as much as the child's parents do; and she is not willing to accept anything less than the effective result. I would without reservation give her my highest recommendation."
Clint V.,
Washington, DC.
"Ellen placed our son in both a wilderness program and a therapeutic boarding school.
She uses techniques which we believe are available from few educational consultants.
Beside meeting several times with the parents, she attempts to meet with the child (without revealing the real reason). Using this input, and her extensive knowledge of schools and programs obtained through periodic on-site visits, she provides three choices for a placement, and presents the pros and cons of each. After a child is placed, Ellen maintains contact with both the parents and the organization where the child is located. She follows up all concerns about the organization the parents
may have until the matter is resolved. She uses her experience with each placement as a basis for future recommendations. Of course, there is no guarantee of success, but
we are happy to report that our son is now maturing rapidly and is in his sophomore year in college, things we dared not hope for when our primary concern was for his survival.
Thanks, Ellen!"
Don and Susan W.
Arlington, VA
"I was at one of my lowest points in my life and a friend introduced me to Ellen Heard.
She was both efficient and sympathetic. She said that
my nephew needed to be tested for psychological and academic issues and gave me several reputable groups to call. I believe having her
emotional support and professional familiarity with the schools made it possible for me to take this next step. She sat in on the review by the
psychologist, who tested my nephew. By that evening, Ellen had contacted a treatment center with an accredited college prep program on
the premises, faxed them my nephew's records and had the director call me. Ellen knew the director and the three of us were able to brainstorm
together. She encouraged me to be open and honest and not be afraid, even put me in touch with a transport service.
My nephew has been at
his program for a month now and whenever I talk to him, he sounds happy and grounded. I wish I'd known Ellen Heard a year and a half ago."
Julia M.
Chevy Chase, MD
For years my husband and I watched our daughter
struggle to be content. She suffered from low self esteem, depression and
substance abuse. We enlisted the help of counselors, psychologists,
psychiatrists and drug rehabilitation to try and improve her self image and
put her on the most successful path in life as we could. Not only did that not
happen, it was apparent she was progressing down a very dangerous path of self
destruction. It was both terrifying and heart-wrenching to watch as a parent.
The situation felt hopeless. Nothing we did was working. Then a friend
referred me to Ellen Heard. She introduced me to a world of alternative
treatment programs I never knew existed. From the moment I spoke with her on
the phone I knew she could help. Her honest, objective style is just what a
parent needs at this point. Her in depth knowledge of treatment programs
throughout the country, coupled with her own personal experience dealing with
a troubled teen, give her the kind of credibility that is rare in this field.
Ellen was a true partner in every sense of the word. I don’t know what we
would have done without her or where my daughter would be today. Ellen gave us
hope and my daughter a fighting chance.
Candice T
Chicago, Illinois
Ellen Heard was the beacon in our life that
guided us through our darkest and scariest days with our daughter. This
wonderful and compassionate professional gave us hope amidst our despair,
sparked inspiration and confidence when we were “lost,” and provided a clear
roadmap to help us make sound decisions. She took time to understand our
family’s issues and needs. Then, based on her personal and professional
knowledge, she was able to recommend the best placements for our daughter.
Ellen Heard is head and shoulders above most other educational consultants
because “one size fits all” is absent from her lexicon. We concur with
professionals and parents alike who admire Ellen’s thorough process and keen
ability of matching the needs of the child and family with the most
appropriate therapist and best program for that child. Her care and
compassion go well beyond placement.
So impressed by her professionalism and passion, we have recommended Ellen to
family, friends and acquaintances, all of whom agree with our admiration and
gratitude for her superior knowledge, skills, and personal attention.. The
bottom line is that Ellen Heard is “simply the best.”
Walt and Ellen S.
Annandale, VA
