Where Smart MindsMeet the Brain ScienceOf Success.
When strengths aren't showing up as you hoped on campus or at work, a dedicated team of the field's most highly credentialed professionals changes that through masterclasses and customized one-on-one support built around how you and your family think and learn.
Areas of Expertise
Support for Success on Every Goal
We exist for one purpose: helping smart minds turn potential into achievement on campus and at work. We partner to build brain performance through early adulting transitions and college and career goals.
ParentWise
Masterclasses for the parents championing their student's success.
- TechWise: Helping parents navigate screens, technology, and digital wellness
- ThriveWise: Helping parents build resilience, regulation, and well-being at home
- LearnWise: Helping parents understand how their student learns and stays organized
- LaunchWise: Helping parents guide the transition to college, career, and independence
StudentWise
For high potential students ready to succeed at school & through launch into college
- College admission & scholarship guidance
- Executive function & regulation coaching
- IEP/504 advocacy
- Social-emotional learning (SEL)
- Tutoring & test prep
WorkWise
For emerging adults advancing career, executive function, and well-being at work and in life.
- Individualized 1:1 coaching
- Career-development & work-life balance workshops
- Corporate train-the-trainer events
- Life & work masterclasses
We Work With Students, Parents, & EMERGING Adults
Parent Strategies & Coaching
- •Understand your student's unique learning profile
- •Build confidence and reduce frustration
- •Navigate transitions with clarity and strategy
College Transitions, ACT/SAT & Admissions
- •High school to college and career transitions
- •ACT/SAT preparation and college admissions support
- •Post-secondary pathway planning and executive skills for independence
Neurodivergence, Executive Function & Learning Differences
- •ADHD, high-functioning autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and related neurodivergence
- •Executive function, focus, and self-regulation (social-emotional learning)
- •Referrals, guidance, and case management from our interdisciplinary team — we guide, we don’t diagnose
IEP/504 Advocacy & Navigation
- •Preparation for IEP and 504 meetings
- •Interpretation of psychoeducational evaluations
- •Advocacy to secure the accommodations your student is entitled to
Focus, Study Skills & Time Management
- •Sustained attention and focus strategies
- •Study systems, organization, and note-taking
- •Time management and accountability rhythms
Reduce Conflict & Build Independence
- •Shift from managing tasks to mentoring growth
- •Reduce conflict and increase student success
- •Build the skills that let your young person own their path
Corporate Train-the-Trainer Events
- •On-site workshops modeled on our train-the-trainer approach
- •Equip managers to coach neurodivergent and emerging talent
- •Work-life balance, well-being, and team belonging
College-to-Career Transition
- •Translate a degree into a first role
- •Professional identity and workplace belonging
- •Soft skills, communication, and self-leadership
Career & Workplace Support
- •Career pivots and advancement
- •Workplace communication and self-advocacy
- •Executive function and neurodivergence at work
25+
Years of Excellence
Elite Postdoctoral Credentials. INDIVIDUALIZED GUIDANCE.
Dr. Burns holds elite postdoctoral credentials from Harvard and Stanford. With 25+ years of direct, one-on-one work with thousands of students, while leading hundred of educators and allied therapy professionals, she has helped secure approximately $63M in educational research grants. Every plan is customized by Dr. Burns and delivered by professionals she personally trains and supervises.
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Post-Doctoral Certificate in Transformational Change Leadership
Stanford d.School Life Design
Design Your Life and Workplace Certified Facilitator
Doctor of Education, Brain Research and Learning Theories
Summa cum laude, Outstanding Doctoral Graduate
Award-Winning Professor
25+ years teaching; keynote speaker on crisis in the classroom, social-emotional learning (SEL), neurodivergence, and student success
What Families See
Tracked across 25+ years of direct client work.
of students
show measurable gains in executive functioning and academic performance within the first four to eight weeks
of students
report stronger self-advocacy skills and clearer strategies for their learning difference after three months
of families
report reduced academic anxiety and renewed confidence after our intake and action planning process
years
guiding students and young professionals through learning, attention, and executive function challenges
Outcomes reflect 25+ years of clinical practice. Individual results vary.
Here Is How It Works
From your first call to lasting independence, every step of the WISE method is built around your success.
Free 15-Minute Conversation
15 minutes · Complimentary
A private call with Dr. Burns to talk through what is going on and whether the WISE Intensive is the right fit. No obligation.
Parent Discover & Skill Sprint Masterclass
Monthly or twice monthly · Live or online
A WISE Discovery masterclass (TechWise, ThriveWise, LearnWise, or LaunchWise) with its Skill Sprint the same morning or afternoon, turning the topic into skills you can use at home right away.
Deep Dive + Wise Development Profile
60 min + prework
The student and/or parent completes prework, then a 60-minute call with Dr. Burns. Within 24–48 hours, the family receives the Wise Development Profile — a baseline across the four WISE pillars.
Strategy Lab + Wise Action Plan
Up to 7 hours
Up to 7 hours with Dr. Burns, scheduled as one full day or two evenings. The family leaves with the written Wise Action Plan and a working toolkit.
WISE Sprint + Office Hours for Life
4 or 8 weeks, then 1 year
The student or parent keeps a weekly journal in a secure shared document, with weekly feedback from Dr. Burns or a coach she supervises. Full case management throughout. Followed by one year of Office Hours for Life.
Complimentary · 15 minutes · No obligation
WorkWise follows a different model: an intake followed by an individualized 3 to 4-month package or a customized corporate plan. See WorkWise on the Services page.
In Their Own Words
"The Wise Institute team completely transformed our son's relationship with school. After years of frustration and anxiety, he's heading into his freshman year of college with real confidence and the tools to succeed on his own."
Sarah M.
Parent of high school senior
"Dr. Burns helped our daughter navigate her first semester of college with a learning difference. The self-advocacy coaching was exactly what she needed — she now owns her own success."
Michael & Jennifer T.
Parents of college freshman
"I was skeptical that anything could help my 17-year-old, who had given up on school entirely. The Wise Institute gave us strategies, a plan, and hope. He's now on track to graduate and has a real path forward."
Rebecca L.
Parent of 11th grader
Frequently Asked
Questions families ask before getting started.
Our Learning Network
Trusted partners across Northwest Arkansas
Association of
Educational TherapistsStanford
Life Design LabMcLean Hospital
(Harvard Medical School)Association of
Educational TherapistsStanford
Life Design LabMcLean Hospital
(Harvard Medical School)Association of
Educational TherapistsStanford
Life Design LabMcLean Hospital
(Harvard Medical School)Let's Talk.
Book a free 15-minute call with Dr. Burns. You share what is going on. She tells you what she sees. No pressure, no commitment.
Serving families throughout Northwest Arkansas and virtually nationwide