Frequently Asked Questions About Consulting

How is The Bodin Group different from other educational or therapeutic consultants?

Experience, depth, and longevity. The Bodin Group is one of the nation’s most established and respected family consulting practices, spanning three generations. Our independence allows us to focus entirely on what’s best for each client—without financial ties to programs or providers.

What age groups do you serve?

We work with families of children, adolescents, and young adults, often extending into late 20’s and 30’s. We have also worked with families of older adults to find appropriate mental health support.

Do you work only in California?

No. While The Bodin Group is based in the Bay Area, we work with families across the country and internationally. We visit programs nationwide and coordinate care wherever it’s needed.

Why is having a plan important?

Families calling us have often tried many other approaches or therapies already and are still feeling unsuccessful and the child’s or young adult’s sense of failure is being exacerbated. It is important to respond with a plan—rather than a reaction—thoroughly, thoughtfully, and with a long-term view rather than a band-aid.

Is residential placement an inevitable outcome of this process?

No. We also help families navigate local resources.

We’re in crisis. What can you do immediately?

If immediate safety is in jeopardy, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Then call us. We have immediate interventions to ensure safety, and supporting resources to get healthy, re-engage relationships, and plan for long-term success once the crisis is past. We are sensitive that  desperate parents can feel vulnerable—that’s when an objective professional can help the most.

Will my child be exposed to kids with different or worse problems?

If your child is placed in a program, being exposed to other children with issues is always a risk. That is why we take so much time visiting programs, meeting the therapists and always being up to date on the particular milieu of the school/program. The make–up of programs change over time and keeping current with them assists us in making the most appropriate recommendations we can for your child’s specific issues. This question speaks to the vital importance of understanding your family’s specific constellation of needs and development of a plan that accounts for that. We recognize the importance of peer influence.

My friend told me about a program that worked for their child who seemed to have the same situation as we do. Why should I call Bodin?

While situations and behaviors can seem the same on the surface, the underlying factors can be quite dissimilar, necessitating very different approaches. Also, programs change over time, as do their staff, so what might have been a solid solution for someone last year may not be the same case today.

What is your success rate?

This is a simple question but the answers are complex. Success is defined by each family differently depending upon their goals and expectations. What constitutes success for an autistic child is going to be different than someone in their 20s with substance abuse challenges. Our experience has concluded that families achieve the best results when two things happen; the parents and our consultant realistically agree on what constitutes success; and the parents are strongly engaged in contributing to that success.

Are there fees involved, and do you offer financial assistance?

While the initial consultation call is free, there are private pay fees associated with our services and our fees are not covered by insurance. We do not receive compensation or commissions from any of these institutions. We can also work with a limited budget to optimize the use of your resources.