Miriam Hanson, L.P.C., Ed. Consul.

Background:
Bachelors in Education, Masters in Secondary School Counseling, Educational Specialist Degree. Former Educator; Educational Consultant, Licensed Professional Counselor.

Bio:

Being a former educator, Miriam Hanson specializes in assisting learners of varying ages with any social emotional, behavioral or learning problem that negatively impacts one’s education. ADHD students comprise a large portion of her practice, however, depression, anxiety, anger and substance abuse issue are concerns of other clients.  Miriam can identify the presence of ADHD and work with clients and parents to minimize the upheaval and chaos at home or school.  In most sessions, she determines how the student learns best and creates strategies to study in that auditory, visual, or kinesthetic manner.   Areas of focus for many clients are organization, time management, study skills, memory techniques, and notetaking skills.  She introduces many to the use of electronic devises to aid in the learning process.

Miriam also “coaches” parents on working with the school to obtain the services needed.  She explains the school process including Student Support Team (SST), IEPs and 504 plans.  She has written many 504s and creates SST strategies.  Miriam will attend school meetings if the parent or client wishes. If testing is desired, Miriam can use the Conners’s Checklist of Behaviors for ADHD identification, advise on the school process for testing, or recommend an examiner. If testing has been completed, she will use those results along with school data to construct learning strategies.  These solution-focused sessions result in students’ studying more effectively and parents’ learning to work with their children on homework issues without arguments.

Miriam also works with those needing cognitive remediation as a result of traumatic brain injury. 

The remediations are usually related to memory issues for which she creates techniques.  Adults often need assistance integrating back into the work force with memory and organizational issues.

Miriam’s practice is two pronged: educational consulting, which is explained on the “educational specialist” link and cognitive behavioral therapy. As an educational specialist, she provides a wide services relating to school and work performance issues. She can assess study skills, learning habits, and impediments that can prevent someone from performing up to his/her potential in academic and vocational settings. She can also help in finding appropriate school settings based on one's needs and abilities as well as career counseling. Areas of specialty may include attention-deficit disorders, learning disabilies, and motivational problems Her cognitive behavioral therapy includes working with clients on issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, anger management, substance abuse, life changes and relationship problems.   Some clients use Miriam’s relate-o-gram, a visual therapeutic drawing unique for each individual showing patterns in relationships, anger management, addiction and codependency.   This could include looking at poor choices one might have made in dating or marriage partners.

Other clients grapple with ADHD and the trouble it causes at home, in social situations or at work.  Several ADHD clients request assistance with their clutter in the home or workplace.  Although she has been doing this from the office for some time, a few clients have asked that she visit their home and create a plan to reduce the clutter. Other clients request help with  distractions which prevent them from getting things completed.  

Career counseling is another area of focus.  Miriam has a variety of instruments to use in assessing one’s interests, abilities, work values and personality that factor into job satisfaction.  Cognitive remediation is available for those with traumatic brain injuries. The remediations are usually related to memory issues for which she creates techniques.  Adults often need assistance integrating back into the work force with memory and organizational issues.

Miriam’s goal is to provide services to adolescents, families and adults of sufficient depth, length and thoughtfulness that clients solve developmental problems and build needed skills.

For more articles wriiten by Miriam, click here.

Specialties:

• Educational Specialist
• ADHD Coach
• Relate-o-gram for therapy
• Career Counseling
• Substance abuse/recovery issues
• Loves teenagers
• Coaches parents about school related issues
• Relationships
• Depression
• Anger
• Anxiety

Hours Available :
Mon, Wed., Th., Fri. - Alpharetta; Tues - Marietta.

Insurance Accepted:
(This list may not be up to date, please check with your insurance company)

• Reduced fee, payment plans
• Takes credit cards, savings plan for multiple visits
• Free one hour assessment for Cobb County student referred by Prevention/ Intervention Center or any Fulton or Forsyth County student referred by school counselor
• Clients file own insurance