EP 41: Becoming a lead educational and therapeutic consultant

Today’s Episode with Shayna Abraham:

Shayna Abraham is the Founder and lead consultant for Prepare to Bloom Consulting, working with families to place clients in academic and therapeutic treatments and settings.Shayna knew she wanted to teach and was planning on being a middle school science teacher. But, as a student, she worked with a consultant to find her right college placement and was inspired to become a consultant herself.As an educational and therapeutic consultant, she addresses the questions: What do the family and child need? Does what they both need exist?As a lead consultant, Shayna will travel with a couple other consultants and go to schools/programs to observe firsthand what the environment is like. This makes sure that what she is recommending to the client will fit their needs.Consulting is very relationship-based, which can be stressful when working with families in crisis. You need to be in a position where you are grounded and can be an anchor for these families. Shayna recommends visiting the programs and getting well versed in what these programs do. This way, you can rely on this knowledge when working with families.It’s important to make sure that you are the right fit for your client. In fact, when families come to Shayna for help, she recommends that the families explore other consultants so that they feel confident in choosing the right one.In creating Prepare to Bloom, she had to first find value in herself so that she could set proper boundaries in her business and set rates that she is confident in. Also, learning to be comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations that you’ll have to have with families.Books that helped Shayna learn about business include the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership and The Invisible Leader.Tools that Shayna loves for organization and consulting include Google Calendar, the SRP database, and being in constant communication with her team.Find Shayna and learn more about her work at www.preparetobloom.com and www.therapeuticonsulting.org Shayna’s hot seat answers! Apple or Android: AndroidFavorite book: 15 Commitments of Conscious LeadershipFavorite movie: Harry Potter (all of them)Ideal vacation spot: San Sebastian, SpainSelf-care activity of choice: Exercise every morningBest TV Show: Escape to the ChateauBook title written about Shayna’s life: Bloom Where You’re Planted

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