Begonia Weslow, M.S. Licensed Educational Psychologist, LEP

Licensed Educational Psychologist (#4601)

PPS School Psychology (#230188182)

ABA Trained

Meet Begonia

Begonia Weslow is the founder and Chief Executive Office of Empower Bright Minds, Psychology and a Licensed Educational Psychologist.  With over 17 years of experience in education as a School Psychologist and Program Specialist in Ventura County, she has extensive knowledge in meeting the unique educational, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of students from preschool through high school. Begonia specializes in working with neurodivergent and at-risk students in both charter and public-school settings and has advanced training in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Her skill set includes conducting comprehensive psycho-educational and bilingual assessments, performing functional behavior assessments, developing behavior support plans, and implementing ABA strategies. She is experienced in navigating complex IEP and 504 processes, participating in manifestation determination meetings and contentious IEPs, consulting with parents and teachers, leading mental health teams, delivering staff professional development, and providing evidence-based counseling for children and adolescents. As a fluent Spanish speaker, she can also conduct bilingual assessments.

Begonia is particularly skilled in working with students who have learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, and emotional or mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. Her diverse credentials, certifications, and continuing education reflect her commitment to ensuring that students receive tailored interventions and support to succeed academically, socially, and behaviorally. Begonia’s mission is to promote mindfulness, resilience, and the development of dynamic minds.

Our Services

Assessment and Diagnosis

  • IEEs, Independent Educational Evaluations

  • FBAs, Functional behavior Assessment

  • Psychoeducational Evaluations

  • ADHD

  • Autism

  • Gifted and Talented

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Dyslexia,

  • Dysgraphia

  • Dyscalculia

Psychological Counseling

Specialty areas

  • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

  • Conduct disorder (CD)

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

Trainings and Workshops

  • Social Skills Training

  • Parent Coaching

  • Advocacy

Comprehensive Psycho-Educational Evaluation

To determine the student’s cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses, as well as psychological processing (e.g., auditory, visual-perceptual, visual-motor, etc.), and social-emotional/behavioral, functioning. For instance, does your child have a learning disability or any other condition that affects their learning? If a disability or diagnosis is identified, the student may be found eligible to receive special accommodations and educational support by their school or university.

Add-On: In-person observations for AUT/ADHD eligibility or diagnosis ($250)

Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)

An IEE is conducted by an independent evaluator who has no affiliation with the student’s school district or public charter school, ensuring there’s no conflict of interest. These evaluations involve a thorough review of all educational records provided, along with interviews, observations, and a new assessment battery addressing all areas of concern. Unlike standard psycho-educational assessments, IEEs also include an in-depth review of previous evaluations, school observations, and participation in the IEP meeting, providing a more comprehensive view of the student's needs.

Comprehensive Gifted Assessment

At Empower Bright Minds we offer a thorough assessment of intellectual and academic giftedness that goes beyond IQ testing. Giftedness can be described as a student’s ability in one or more areas that significantly exceeds what would be anticipated given his or her age. Giftedness is not synonymous with being above average or bright; rather, it refers to children who perform in the top 5 percent of their age group in at least one of the following areas: intellectual ability, high academic ability, specific academic ability, creative ability, leadership, performing arts, or visual arts. Our comprehensive gifted assessment directly measures both intellectual/cognitive ability and academic functioning, in addition to assessing social-emotional functioning and overall likelihood of giftedness using standardized rating scales.

Twice Exceptional

The term "twice exceptional" or "2e" refers to intellectually gifted children who also have one or more learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder. These children process information differently and may demonstrate heightened emotional and intellectual sensitivity, similar to many other gifted children. However, due to their learning differences and asynchronous development, they often face challenges with tasks that come easily to their peers. To thrive, 2e students require a unique blend of educational programs and counseling support tailored to their distinctive strengths and needs.

College Students & Adults Learners

Empower Bright Minds offers support for college students by conducting assessments to identify learning barriers and providing the necessary documentation to access accommodations. Additionally, Empower Bright Minds provides testing for adult learners who may be wondering if a learning disability, ADHD, autism, or a mental health condition is affecting their academic or social functioning in educational or work settings.

IEP and 504 Consultation and Advocacy

With over a decade of experience in special education, Empower Bright Minds, offers consultation services to support parents and caregivers throughout the IEP or 504 process. We can join you in IEP or 504 meetings, review essential documents such as IEPs and assessment reports, and provide guidance every step of the way. Our goal is to ensure your child receives the support they need for a successful educational experience.

FEE SCHEDULE

  • Free 30 minute consultation

  • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) are funded by the school district at public expense. Most districts have specific requirements for evaluators, such as fingerprinting, insurance, and payment limits set by their SELPA. Begonia is skilled in meeting these requirements efficiently, ensuring that assessments and subsequent IEPs are not delayed.

  • Private-pay evaluations range from $3,700 to $7,000, with pricing based on factors like the child’s age, suspected disabilities, legal involvement, and evaluation goals.

  • The most popular evaluation, priced at $2,500, is for ADHD-only assessments. This option is available for children who have had prior cognitive testing and are not suspected of having other disabilities. The ADHD assessment includes interviews, surveys, a continuous performance test, and tailored accommodation recommendations.

  • Psychological Counseling $200.00 per session.

SEND US A MESSAGE

Please submit all inquiries below and let me know if you would like to take advantage of our free 30-minute phone or virtual consultation to see how we can best meet your needs.