- Helping Children Feel Capable Beyond the Classroom
Learning Disability Support in Newport Beach, CA
Your child spends an hour struggling with homework that seems simple to everyone else. You try explaining it another way, offering encouragement, or giving them a break. But before long, frustration takes over. Maybe your child says, “I’m stupid,” refuses to read aloud, or becomes upset whenever schoolwork comes up. As a parent, you can see how hard they’re trying. What worries you most isn’t always the grade. It’s how these experiences are changing the way your child feels about themselves.
I’m Lisa Enneis, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 35 years of clinical experience. Through learning disability support in Newport Beach, CA, I help children, teenagers, and families manage the emotional and behavioral challenges that can accompany learning difficulties. My work focuses on confidence, anxiety, frustration, communication, and family relationships. I provide counseling support rather than formal psychoeducational testing or specialized academic tutoring. Together, we can help your child feel heard, supported, and better equipped to manage everyday challenges.
- California LMFT #30245
- 35+ Years of Clinical Experience
- Child, Teen & Family Counseling
- Understanding Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities and Their Emotional Impact
Learning disabilities can affect how a person develops or uses academic skills such as reading, writing, or mathematics. Examples include dyslexia, which affects reading-related skills; dysgraphia, a term associated with writing difficulties; and dyscalculia, which involves difficulty with mathematical concepts. These challenges are not a measure of a child’s intelligence, effort, or potential.
However, repeated difficulties at school can influence emotional well-being. A child who struggles with reading may begin avoiding books. Someone who finds writing difficult may become anxious about classroom assignments. A teenager who needs more time to complete work may feel embarrassed asking for help.
These reactions deserve attention alongside the learning difficulty itself. My role is to help children and families understand these emotional experiences and develop healthier ways to respond.
Common Emotional and Behavioral Concerns Include:
- Anxiety before school, tests, or homework
- Frustration when assignments feel overwhelming
- Low confidence and negative self-talk
- Avoidance of reading, writing, or classroom participation
- Emotional outbursts during homework
- Withdrawal from classmates or family members
- Fear of making mistakes or disappointing others
- How Counseling Helps
How Learning Disability Therapy Supports Your Child
Learning disability therapy in my practice focuses on the emotional and everyday challenges associated with learning difficulties. It doesn’t replace educational instruction. Instead, counseling addresses the stress, self-esteem, behavior, and relationship concerns that may develop around school experiences.
Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
Children who repeatedly struggle academically may begin believing they’re incapable, even when they have strengths in many other areas. I help children recognize that learning challenges don’t define their intelligence or worth. Counseling can focus on identifying personal strengths, responding to negative self-talk, and developing a healthier understanding of progress.
Managing School Anxiety and Frustration
Homework, tests, reading aloud, and classroom participation can become sources of significant stress. Therapy can help children recognize emotional triggers and practice coping strategies for difficult moments. These may include calming techniques, identifying feelings, communicating when they need help, and responding to mistakes without excessive self-criticism.
Addressing Avoidance and Emotional Outbursts
Sometimes children refuse assignments or become upset because they anticipate another frustrating experience. Rather than focusing only on the behavior, I work to understand the emotions behind it. Together, we can explore more constructive ways to express frustration, ask for support, and approach challenging situations.
Improving Communication at Home and School
Children may struggle to explain why an assignment feels difficult or why school makes them anxious. Counseling can help them find language for their experiences. I also work with parents to strengthen communication and respond to emotional difficulties without increasing pressure.
- Know the Difference
Therapy vs. Educational Assessment: What's the Difference?
One of the most important questions parents ask is whether their child needs counseling, educational testing, or both. These services have different purposes.
Emotional & Behavioral Counseling
What It Helps With
School anxiety, frustration, confidence, coping skills, and family stress
Who Typically Provides It
Licensed mental health professionals
Psychoeducational Assessment
What It Helps With
Evaluating learning strengths and difficulties and identifying possible learning disorders
Who Typically Provides It
Appropriately qualified psychologists or educational assessment professionals
Specialized Tutoring or Academic Intervention
What It Helps With
Developing specific reading, writing, mathematics, or study skills
Who Typically Provides It
Qualified educators, tutors, or learning specialists
School-Based Support
What It Helps With
Determining educational needs, services, and accommodations
Who Typically Provides It
School evaluation teams and relevant specialists
I provide therapeutic support for the emotional and behavioral concerns associated with learning disabilities. I do not provide formal psychoeducational testing or replace specialized academic instruction.
If your child needs an educational assessment, I can encourage you to contact the school or an appropriately qualified evaluator. Counseling and educational services can complement each other when a child needs both academic and emotional support.
- Evaluation Guidance
When to Consider a Learning Disability Evaluation
Some children experience temporary academic difficulties because of stress, missed instruction, language differences, or other circumstances. Persistent learning challenges may warrant a more detailed evaluation.
A formal evaluation can help clarify your child’s learning needs and identify appropriate educational support. Parents may request an evaluation through their child’s school. Families can also explore private psychoeducational assessment with qualified professionals.
Consider Requesting an Assessment When:
- Reading, writing, or mathematics difficulties continue despite appropriate instruction.
- Your child consistently struggles with skills expected for their age or grade.
- Homework takes significantly longer than expected.
- Teachers report ongoing concerns about academic progress.
- Your child becomes increasingly anxious or avoids schoolwork.
- Learning difficulties are affecting confidence, friendships, or family life.
- Overlapping Challenges
Supporting Children With Learning Disabilities and ADHD
Learning disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are different conditions, although they can occur together. A child may struggle with reading or writing while also experiencing distractibility, difficulty organizing assignments, or emotional impulsivity. When several challenges overlap, schoolwork can become especially frustrating.
In counseling, I consider how attention difficulties, emotional reactions, family routines, and learning-related stress affect daily life.
For additional information, explore my ADHD therapy in Newport Beach.
Support May Include:
- Recognizing frustration before it escalates
- Developing manageable homework routines
- Improving communication about school expectations
- Strengthening emotional regulation
- Supporting parents with consistent responses
- Who I Work With
How I Work With Children, Teenagers, and Parents
Every child experiences learning difficulties differently. Some children openly express frustration, while others become quiet, withdrawn, or reluctant to discuss school. I adapt counseling conversations to the child’s developmental stage, communication style, and emotional needs.
Counseling for Children
With younger children, sessions may focus on recognizing emotions, building confidence, and learning ways to respond when tasks become difficult. I aim to make counseling understandable and supportive rather than another situation where the child feels evaluated. For broader emotional or behavioral concerns, learn more about my child therapy services.
Support for Teenagers
Teenagers with learning difficulties may worry about grades, friendships, independence, or their future. Counseling provides space to discuss these pressures, strengthen self-advocacy, and develop healthier responses to academic stress. My teen counseling services offer additional support for adolescent emotional challenges.
Parent Guidance and Family Support
Parents often feel caught between encouraging academic progress and protecting their child’s emotional well-being. I help families explore communication patterns, homework-related conflict, realistic expectations, and ways to recognize effort without making every interaction about school performance. Parent participation is guided by the child’s age, privacy, and treatment needs.
- What to Expect
What Happens During Your First Counseling Session?
The first appointment is an opportunity to understand your child’s experiences and discuss whether counseling is appropriate.
Our initial process may include:
Understanding Your Concerns
We’ll discuss academic stress, emotional reactions, behavior, and challenges at home or school.
Reviewing Existing Support
We’ll consider any previous assessments, school accommodations, tutoring, or counseling.
Identifying Goals
We’ll discuss changes you’d like to see in confidence, coping skills, communication, or daily routines.
Planning Next Steps
We’ll determine whether counseling is appropriate and whether additional educational evaluation or support may be helpful.
If your child already has an IEP or Section 504 plan, you may share relevant information to help me understand their school experience. My role is to support emotional well-being, not to replace the school’s educational planning process.
- Experienced Counseling for Children and Families
Why Choose Lisa Enneis for Learning Disability Support?
I’m Lisa Enneis, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving Newport Beach and surrounding Orange County communities. With more than 35 years of clinical experience, I understand that learning-related challenges can influence confidence, emotional regulation, family relationships, and everyday routines.
California LMFT #30245
Licensed mental health counseling.
Extensive experience supporting children, teenagers, adults, and families.
Individualized Emotional Support
Counseling focused on anxiety, self-esteem, behavior, and coping skills.
Family Involvement
Guidance that considers communication, parenting concerns, and the child’s home environment.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Disability Support
Yes. Counseling can help with anxiety, frustration, self-esteem, and emotional challenges associated with learning difficulties. It doesn’t replace specialized reading instruction or other academic intervention.
I provide therapeutic support rather than formal psychoeducational testing. Families seeking a learning disability evaluation should consult an appropriately qualified professional or their child’s school.
Tutoring focuses on developing academic skills. Counseling addresses emotional and behavioral concerns, such as school anxiety, avoidance, low confidence, and family stress.
Yes. Emotional counseling may complement school-based educational support. The services address different needs and can be coordinated appropriately with family consent.
Yes. Repeated academic struggles can contribute to embarrassment, self-criticism, frustration, and withdrawal. Counseling can help children develop healthier ways to understand and respond to these experiences.
Yes. Counseling can address emotional regulation, attention-related frustration, family communication, and coping skills. Academic assessment and ADHD-specific treatment may also be appropriate.
Parent involvement may include discussing concerns, improving communication, and developing supportive responses at home. The level of involvement depends on the child’s age, needs, and privacy.
Contact my office to discuss your child’s concerns, any existing educational evaluations, and whether counseling would be a suitable next step.
- Visit the Office
Learning Disability Support in Newport Beach, California
My practice serves children, teenagers, and families in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, and surrounding Orange County communities. In-person and telehealth counseling are available, subject to availability and suitability.
- 1151 Dove Street, Suite 105, Newport Beach, CA 92660
- (949) 374-2321
- Mon, Wed & Fri: In-person and telehealth
- Tue & Thu: Telehealth
Please contact my office to discuss your child’s needs, appointment availability, and consultation details.
- Take the Next Step
Help Your Child Build Confidence With a Therapist
Your child’s learning challenges are only one part of who they are.
With appropriate educational support and attention to emotional well-being, children can develop healthier ways to respond to frustration, communicate their needs, and recognize their strengths.
If your family is looking for learning disability support in Newport Beach, I welcome the opportunity to learn about your concerns and discuss how counseling may help.