The Scottsdale Children's Institute

Scottsdale Studio of Music is Scottsdale’s premier music school, teaching hundreds of students from ages 3 to adult.  Whatever instrument you or your child wish to play, odds are we teach it: Piano, Guitar, Drums, Violin, Voice, Brass, Woodwinds & more all taught under one roof at our studio or online! We are also an ESA approved vendor for homeschoolers!

Acellus Academy is an accredited online school for students in Grades K-12. Students receive personalized instruction through an accelerated teaching model in which students study and learn at their own pace. The school offers a wide variety of courses for elementary school, middle school, and high school including electives such as STEM, Foreign Languages, Fine Arts, Business, Finance, Health and more. Additionally, Acellus Academy offers NCAA approved courses nineteen Advanced Placement (AP) courses approved by the College Board. This schooling option affords students the flexibility to study from home while still earning a high school diploma from an accredited high school.

Catering to diverse learning needs, Acellus Academy’s online elementary school establishes the foundational knowledge every child needs. Their online middle school continues to foster deeper academic engagement, and as students transition to the online high school, they are presented with a curriculum designed to gear them up for future triumphs. For those seeking an effective online education, Acellus Academy emerges as a top choice.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works in private practice providing mental health therapy to children ages 4-12. I specialize in treating trauma with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and play therapy techniques. I also treat children with depression and anxiety or those who are struggling behaviorally.

Fun & Fit Functional Fitness provides Occupational Therapy and personal training services to children of all abilities. Our therapy and fitness sessions are designed to improve coordination, strength, endurance, and sensory processing skills through functional movement.  We make therapy and fitness fun for kids- leading to stronger, healthier, and happier lives!

Speech Therapy services are now being offered at Nest Psychological!

Lauren Sawyer, M.S. CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist who carries a Certificate of Clinical Competence granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders, with multiple years of experience in a wide range of settings and populations. Because of her experience in multiple school districts, she is highly skilled at understanding Special Education proceedings, including IEP meetings. She is skilled at evaluating and treating expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation delays, fluency disorders, and social language (pragmatic) skills from ages 3-18. 

Call Nest today to talk with Lauren about your concerns and schedule an evaluation today. There is currently no waitlist.

. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a wide array of clinical experience. I graduated summa cum laude receiving my Bachelor’s of Science in psychology from Arizona State University and continued my graduate education there earning a Master of Advanced Studies in Marriage and Family Therapy. I became independently licensed while working as an outpatient therapist at a community behavioral health agency in the East Valley.
Prior to completing my Master’s work, I worked as a social worker with a state agency serving low income children and families with intense behavioral health needs. This initial work inspires and informs my work today with a wide variety of presenting concerns. Upon entering the field of behavioral health, I received a crash course in a variety of entities that often are involved with children and families experiencing mental health challenges. I learned about the school system, parent’s rights, and how to collaborate with the school system to provide an optimal environment for the individual needs of a child. I learned about the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and how to navigate this complicated state agency in order to get the best care and support for your loved one. I learned and interacted with the adult and juvenile legal system, working to bridge the gap between mental health and criminal justice. I frequently worked alongside Department of Child Safety (DCS) to support families and children who needed stability, skills, and healing from trauma, both past and ongoing. Finally, I worked with a variety of specialty behavioral health service providers throughout the valley, to ensure the proper level of care and supports were provided to my clients.
Currently, I draw from all of my experiences to work and treat clients using a systemic lens. I believe we are all part of a larger system that impacts the way we see, feel, and move through the world. In order for me to provide my clients with the best, most effective care, I make it my priority to really see every one of my clients and their journey that brought them into therapy.  I focus on understanding each individual’s unique experiences and guide them towards personal growth, emotional awareness, and healthy relationships.

I believe in an integrative approach to therapy, incorporating a combination of evidence- based treatment modalities. I consider affective, cognitive, developmental, behavioral, and environmental factors that contribute to client’s difficulties, and incorporate these to provide individualized treatment. I believe all people have the ability to grow and move beyond life’s obstacles. It is my role to help clients feel safe enough to identify what is holding them back and support them in overcoming their unique challenges to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Making the decision to attend therapy is often difficult. It is an investment in time & money. I recognize how scary and uncomfortable it can be. Research shows the average couple doesn’t attend counseling until 6-7 years into relationship trouble. Finding a therapist, you connect with is essential for effective therapy. Contact me to discuss if I am a good fit or I am always happy to discuss other options for support or another type of referral.

Discover the magic of color at Crayola Experience, Crayola’s premier, one-of-a-kind family attraction! Dozens of hands-on, creative activities and a full day of fun awaits families in Chandler, Ariz, just a short drive away from Phoenix. Bigger, brighter and bolder than ever, the colorful adventures of Crayola Experience help kids and adults alike explore art and technology, express their creativity and experience color in a whole new way. Plan your visit today and get ready to make colorful family memories that will last a lifetime!

We are a boutique preschool with family values teaching in Spanish! Our team of qualified and experienced staff, supporting children in gaining independence and fulfilling their potential in a safe, caring and stimulating environment; Miró International Preschool aims to provide a happy, caring and secure environment, through the seven areas of learning: personal, social and emotional development, communication and language, literacy, mathematics, expressive arts and design, understanding of the world and physical development.

Established in 2010, Little Big Minds was founded to be a leader in early childhood Spanish immersion preschool education. As staff members, we will work together to provide an excellent experience for every family who enters one of our preschools. You will find that much attention has been paid to the many details that create a safe and nurturing environment for preschoolers to play and learn.