Search
Karina D.'s Photo

Empowering Kids and Teens to Turn Big Emotions Into Strength
Karina D.

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $60

About Karina


Bio

Hi, I’m Karina. I’m really glad you’re here.

If you’re feeling worried because your child struggles with big emotions, staying focused at school, or managing time and responsibilities, you’re not alone. I work with children and teens to build the emotional and cognitive skills that so many adults wish they had learned earlier in life. Through years of working in psychology and education, I’ve seen how often people grow up without truly understanding their emotions, attention, or thought...

Hi, I’m Karina. I’m really glad you’re here.

If you’re feeling worried because your child struggles with big emotions, staying focused at school, or managing time and responsibilities, you’re not alone. I work with children and teens to build the emotional and cognitive skills that so many adults wish they had learned earlier in life. Through years of working in psychology and education, I’ve seen how often people grow up without truly understanding their emotions, attention, or thought patterns. That realization became my purpose: to teach these skills early, so children can feel confident, capable, and supported as they grow.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. My experience includes working as a psychologist assistant, elementary school teaching assistant, psychoeducational course facilitator, CBT theory instructor, ABA clinic practitioner, and early literacy tutor. I’m also a mother of four and have homeschooled my children for over four years, which has deeply shaped how I connect with students and meet them where they are.

My lessons are warm, interactive, and personalized. I blend neuroscience and CBT principles with practical, hands-on activities to help students understand their emotions, strengthen focus and self-control, build confidence, and develop skills they can use in real life, at school, at home, and with others.

I support students in developing:

Emotional awareness and healthy coping skills

Focus, planning, and time management

Confidence, resilience, and social-emotional skills

Critical thinking and problem-solving

A positive, curious relationship with learning

My goal is simple: to help children understand themselves, believe in themselves, and grow into capable, emotionally resilient learners, while giving parents peace of mind and support along the way.

Teaching children how to understand and manage their emotions gives them skills they will use for the rest of their lives.


Additional Languages

Russian

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Rate details: Add a sibling for just $25 extra per session, helping your whole family learn and grow together!
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required
  • Background check passed on 12/18/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat


Approved Subjects

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I have hands-on experience supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in both clinical and educational settings. My background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience allows me to tailor lessons to each student’s learning and emotional needs. I am passionate about helping students with ASD build confidence, independence, and success in academic and everyday life.
Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning

I help children and teens strengthen executive functioning skills such as organization, focus, time management, and study strategies. Using evidence-based methods from CBT, neuroscience, and ABA, I tailor lessons to each student’s learning style and emotional needs. I also guide students through the ups and downs of school life, teaching strategies to manage anxiety, stay motivated, and build confidence. My goal is to provide a practical toolbox that empowers students to succeed academically and personally.
Homeschool

Homeschool

I have been homeschooling my four children for over four years now, tailoring each lesson to their interests, abilities, and the local school curriculum. During this time, I have developed a variety of classes designed to support their overall growth, foster curiosity, and encourage imagination through engaging, well-written books and games. I focus on building executive functioning skills, helping them learn time management, planning, and independent learning/researching strategies. Additionally, I emphasize understanding the “why” behind each subject, nurturing their curiosity, and supporting their emotional well-being alongside academic development.
Neuroscience

Neuroscience

I teach children and teens the emotional and cognitive skills that all adults wish they had learned sooner. Drawing on my background in cognitive neuroscience, including my master’s dissertation on emotion regulation and effortful control in children, I help students build emotional regulation, focus, self-control, and motivation. By combining neuroscience insights with practical, hands-on strategies, I guide young learners in developing the tools they need to navigate school, relationships, and life with confidence and resilience.
Phonics

Phonics

I have several years of experience working as a teaching assistant in an elementary school, supporting students with early reading and foundational literacy skills. I currently work as an early literacy tutor, helping young learners develop letter recognition, phonological awareness, and early decoding abilities. My goal is to build a strong literacy foundation that supports future reading fluency and academic success. Lessons are engaging, age-appropriate, and tailored to each child’s individual learning needs.
Psychology

Psychology

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience, with focused academic training in psychology and cognitive behavioral theory. I have professional experience in a hospital mental health unit and three years of experience teaching cognitive behavioral theory in both group and one-on-one educational settings. My instructional approach is informed by evidence-based CBT principles, as well as the theoretical frameworks of Carl Rogers and Alfred Adler, emphasizing self-awareness, motivation, and practical skill development. I focus on helping students clearly understand psychological concepts and apply them effectively in academic and real-world contexts.
Reading

Reading

I currently work with children as an early literacy tutor, supporting them as they navigate the foundational skills of letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and sound–symbol correspondence. I help students build a strong base for later reading fluency and text decoding through structured, developmentally appropriate instruction. My lessons are highly engaging, incorporating games and hands-on activities to keep learning enjoyable and effective. Each session is personalized to the child’s individual learning pace, strengths, and needs.
Physiology

Examples of Expertise


Karina has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 1 question submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

Karina D.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Karina before you book.

Still have questions?

Hourly Rate: $60
Contact Karina