Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented

We provide psychological assessment and individual, couples, and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. We specialize in working respectfully with: • “Gifted and talented” or “high potential learners” • Intense, sensitive, energetic, and/or creative folks • Autistic people and those living with children or partners on the autism spectrum • People challenged by executive functioning differences, including those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder In addition to working with clients to identify and deal with specific symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, or inattention), we often see families for whom, generally, the “standard approach” to parenting, family building, school, or relationships has not worked out. Perhaps a different approach is needed because a child does not fit the “standard model” (e.g., in temperament, intellectual ability, or world view), or because the parents have different values or goals than the mainstream (e.g., pursuing attachment parenting; wanting both structure and warmth in their home). We also work with adolescents and adults who want “more” out of life – more connection, more authenticity, more effectiveness, or more peace.

Learning Coaching — I help people find organization, self-management, and self-advocacy strategies that work with their individual learning preferences and within their environmental constraints. I work with families to support advocacy and help grow self-advocacy skills in educational settings. Educator Workshops — I partner with seasoned gifted teacher, Joan Larson, to provide professional development for educators and programming support for schools and districts. Caregiver Conversations — Joan and I offer discussion groups on parenting gifted and 2e children, parenting gifted adults, caring for gifted elders, and the complexities of being a gifted adult.

The Gifted Learning Lab provides education and coaching to help parents feel more confident raising their intense or sensitive gifted or twice-exceptional kids. Offerings include Gifted Lab Notes, a free weekly email by Danika Maddocks with tips and information about raising intense or sensitive bright kids.