Stepping into our client’s life:
Brianna was a college freshman enrolled in an intensive performing arts program when she reached a critical turning point mid-semester. Talented, motivated, and creative, she was also struggling to manage anxiety, ADHD, and a newly diagnosed Autism diagnosis. The growing demands of college life—irregular routines, sleep disruption, time-management challenges, and escalating anxiety—quickly became overwhelming.
Following a mental health crisis and hospitalization, Brianna’s academic standing and overall stability were at risk. Brianna and her parents were seeking support that could bridge the gap between treatment and day-to-day functioning—helping her regain stability, maintain momentum, and finish the semester strong without losing sight of her long-term independence.
How Coach-Mentors helped:
Coach Mentors designed a highly structured, 6-week (which aligned with the final semester after spring break), two-mentor support plan that provided consistent, real-time guidance while reinforcing therapeutic goals in daily life.
Brianna was supported by a coordinated mentor team:
- An in-person morning coach/mentor with executive functioning expertise, helping Brianna start each day with planning, prioritization, task initiation, transitions, and arriving at class on time.
- A virtual evening mentor, offering nightly check-ins focused on reflection, emotional regulation, accountability, and preparation for restorative sleep—a supportive “tuck-in” that brought each day to a close.
Together, the mentors supported Brianna twice daily, six days a week, providing structure, emotional containment, and accountability precisely when challenges were most likely to arise.
Coach Mentors also worked with Brianna to:
- Establish consistent sleep, wake, and nutrition routines
- Translate executive function strategies into lived daily practice
- Identify early anxiety triggers and intervene before escalation
- Support the search for and onboarding with a new therapist
- Coordinate care with parents and clinical providers as appropriate
- Navigate the social and emotional complexities of college life
- Create healthy balance by protecting time for rest, creativity, and solitude—without guilt or avoidance
The plan remained intentionally flexible, allowing mentors to respond in real time to shifting academic demands, stressors, and emerging needs.
Takeaway:
Over the six-week period, Brianna demonstrated meaningful and sustained growth. She maintained consistent engagement with her mentors, connected successfully with a new therapist, and experienced no mental health breakdowns during the support period. Her daily routines became more predictable and manageable, significantly reducing overwhelm.
Most importantly, Brianna began to experience herself as capable again. With the right blend of structure, support, and collaboration with clinical care, she completed the semester with increased confidence, balance, and self-trust—demonstrating how real-time, relationship-based support can turn crisis stabilization into genuine momentum.
Meet the Mentors:
Marguerite holds a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education and brings more than a decade of experience serving as an ADHD and EF coach, partnering with students, families, and educators to foster meaningful academic and emotional growth. Her professional training includes certification in Emotion Coaching through the Gottman Institute, Critical Thinking through Art, Coaching Young Learners, and DIR/Floortime, a developmentally informed approach to supporting social-emotional and cognitive engagement.
Marguerite has dedicated her career to supporting learners with executive functioning challenges, ADHD, and related cognitive differences. She works with students and families across diverse contexts, offering relationally grounded academic and socio-emotional support, strategic executive functioning development, and ADHD-informed learning practices. Her expertise also extends to consulting with schools, educators, and organizations on holistic approaches that honor both skill building and well-being.
Marguerite was nominated for the Fred Rogers Institute Helper Award in 2023, an initiative that honors adults who serve children and communities in extraordinary ways inspired by the legacy of Fred Rogers. She is also a member of the Educators’ Neighborhood, a professional learning community grounded in the life and work of Fred Rogers that supports educators in reflective, compassionate practice.
Throughout her work, Marguerite is recognized for her thoughtful presence, systems-based thinking, and commitment to supporting learners’ strengths. Her contributions are valued by families, educators, and mental health professionals alike, and she continues to engage in leadership, writing, and collaborative initiatives that advance equitable, holistic pathways to learning and growth.
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Miesha is a dedicated social work professional with extensive experience supporting individuals and families through challenging transitions. Her career began with a strong commitment to advocacy and service, working with vulnerable youth and families in diverse settings, including juvenile justice, transitional housing, hospice care, and crisis intervention.
For the past 20 years, Miesha has worked as a Senior Case Manager, providing long-term support to individuals of all ages facing mental health challenges, homelessness, and other life challenges. Her experience spans working with teen girls, adults, seniors in hospice care, and families. She specializes in developing programs that prioritize safety, structure, empowerment, and healthy connections.
Passionate about integrating creativity into healing, Miesha founded a nonprofit organization that brings art therapy to foster youth and incarcerated young adults. Through this initiative, she created therapeutic art-based interventions and organized community art festivals, offering accessible, positive outlets for self-expression and growth.
Currently completing her Master’s in Social Work, Miesha plans to continue her studies toward a doctorate, furthering her commitment to advocacy, innovation, and service. Her career reflects a deep dedication to empowering individuals and families through compassion, structure, and meaningful engagement.