Testimonials | The School Solution

As a child and adolescent psychotherapist, I have sought Karen’s guidance on a number of my more challenging cases over the years.

When outpatient treatment reaches a standstill and/or the child or teen has engaged in self-destructive behaviors (e.g., drug or alcohol abuse; school refusal or failure; suicidal ideation or gestures, et al) Karen has been an invaluable resource to families (and therapists) attempting to locate the most appropriate residential treatment option for their child. Karen also works with kids and families with less pronounced difficulties who are attempting to locate a boarding school that will best meet a child’s academic, social and – in some cases – psychotherapeutic needs.

Karen visits schools and programs on a regular basis and is capable of selecting the appropriate program and even the “best” therapist for a particular child. She is “no nonsense” yet caring, warm and empathic when working with the children, as well as with their often bewildered, frightened and anxious parents.

Karen is genuine – there’s nothing phony about her – and succeeds where other consultants have failed to engage a family.

She follows the child (and family’s) progress as they embark on a journey that is oftentimes frightening and confusing. She “hangs in and hangs tough” when the situation calls for her to do so.

Quite simply put – Karen Mabie knows her stuff! She is an impressive professional whom I am proud to consider as my colleague. I would not hesitate to recommend her to any of my clients or family members.

John Palen Ph.D., LCSW

I have known and worked with Karen for many years and have found her to be a dedicated and insightful professional. Her integrity and ethics are evident in her efforts to help families find the right fit for their child.

Karen’s greatest strength comes from her desire to know, intimately, the programs she refers to. With this knowledge she is able to straight forwardly give her opinion on what will be best for her client and their family. Her questions are directive and astute, and she understands a great deal regarding the importance of the philosophical nuances in how programs work with children. This, I believe, helps her target specific programs that match her client’s needed criteria on multiple levels. These clients regularly praise her for her insight and effective work in finding solutions to their long-term needs.

Brad Matheson Admissions/Partner Wingate Wilderness

Through the course of my life I have been asked to write recommendations on behalf of employees, students and business professionals. I don’t need to be asked to write on behalf of someone like Karen Mabie who stepped into our lives and saved the life of our daughter.

We were at a critical point due to tragic circumstances and so close to the problem and so emotionally involved we couldn’t tell if the decisions we were making were right or wrong. We called Karen and within a week our daughter was placed in highly specialized program with a therapist that was probably the very best person in the country.

Within 4 months, due to the rapid progress our daughter made at this program, Karen advised us to place our daughter at a residential treatment program. Again, this placement was excellent and our daughter felt safe, was healing and based on the advise again of Karen in conjunction with the team of professionals at that school our daughter was able to advance again. Ten months later she advanced again and was accepted into a therapeutic boarding school. All of the treatment centers and schools recommended by Karen have worked out for our family.

The child we have now has become strong and gained back her sobriety, her self-esteem, her faith, her courage and her life. This catalog of events sounds so cut and dried but what was done by Mrs. Mabie went beyond just the placement of our child. There were the many calls we had with her at unbelievably critical and painful moments when her sound psychological counseling and compassion went above and beyond the call of duty. There are many educational consultants out there as I have learned from meeting other parents at the schools but few of them have been as fortunate as we have in working with someone this knowledgeable, professional and compassionate.

Parent of a daughter

I am grateful to The School Solution for supporting the work I did with the parents and the client—I truly felt it! Karen has great awareness and insight. I think she is fantastic at what she does and would be honored to work with her again, no matter how tough the case.
Collaborating Therapist
We are continually grateful for our introduction to Karen and everything she has done for us. Her expertise and commitment are unmatched. She isn’t a corporation—she’s one person who genuinely cares and stays by your side through the journey.
Grateful Family
Even though we were in a crisis, Karen was great to work with. She quickly understood our situation and worked hard to find the best school to meet our needs.
Family in Crisis
If you told me 70 days ago, when my son was transported to wilderness, that I would feel so positive just 70 days later… I would have laughed.
Grateful Parent
We’re deeply grateful for everything Karen did for our son, who has numerous learning disabilities. She helped us find four programs—and one in Utah was a perfect fit. He’s now thriving, happy, and has friends. Most importantly, he has a future, thanks to Karen.
Parent of a Teen with Learning Differences
The most amazing part of Karen is that even when you think you know what’s right for your child, she helps you understand why her suggestions make more sense. We couldn’t be happier with both of our placements through Karen!
Happy Family
Thank you, Karen, for all you did for me and my son. You knew the best place for him…the only place for him. You were right and you helped me accept this hard truth. I am grateful for your influence, your guidance and your honesty as I navigated difficult months while he was in the wilderness and his transition to his program.
Mom of a Son
Karen’s depth of experience and knowledge of this industry is extremely valuable especially if you have a complicated and “tough to place” child. Karen has helped us enormously with our child’s placements and he is currently doing very well. We are very hopeful about his future. Thank you Karen!
KM
Karen offered us a very professional service and helped us find the right support for our son. He was able to get back on track, graduate high school, and go on to college.
Parents of a Graduate
I am so grateful to Karen for guiding us through the world of teen help.
Anonymous

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