ERIC J. NACH, PH.D., M.ED., ASD CERTIFIED
Developmental and Behavioral Specialist
Dr. Eric Nach is the Founder and President of the Support for Students Growth Center and The College Life Skills Programs in Boca Raton, Florida, where he has spent more than 30 years helping children, teens, young adults, and families thrive socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically. Dr. Nach works with students of all ages and abilities — including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, and behavioral needs — as well as students who simply need extra support with confidence, motivation, organization, social skills, or school success.
Before founding the center in 2012, Dr. Nach worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals and later spent 18 years as a Special Education Department Chairperson and teacher with the Palm Beach County School District. He earned his Ph.D. from Lynn University, where he also created and taught graduate-level Autism Endorsement courses for educators. Dr. Nach is also a national speaker who has presented well over 100 professional workshops to educators, psychologists, therapists, and parents on a multitude of topics related to student development. Today, he continues to support families through coaching, counseling, executive functioning coaching, social skills groups, academic support, college life skills development, parent guidance, transition-to-adulthood programs, and week-long intensive summer programs — all designed to help students feel successful both in and out of school.
What parents appreciate most about Dr. Nach and his team is their warm, practical, and individualized approach. The Support for Students Growth Center and College Life Skills Programs bring together master’s and doctoral-level therapists, counselors, educators, executive functioning coaches, and academic coaches who truly understand how to connect with children, teens, and young adults while helping families feel supported every step of the way. Even Daisy “Dawg,” the center’s English Teddy Bear Goldendoodle Certified Therapy Dog, helps create a calm and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable, understood, and ready to grow.
Gail Hirschfield, Ph.D., is an Educational Consultant and Coach with an extensive educational background and diverse experience supporting students and families across a wide range of settings, from early childhood through college age and beyond. Dr. Hirschfield works with a diverse range of students, including those with attention difficulties, learning differences, Autism, gifted profiles, and individuals seeking to strengthen academic, executive functioning, social-emotional, and life skills.
Dr.Hirschfield has significant experience supporting students with behavioral, social, and emotional challenges through a therapeutic
approach and provides both individual support and social skills groups focused on communication, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and peer interaction.Her collaborative and positive approach emphasizes consistency, communication, and practical, individualized strategies tailored to each student’s unique strengths and needs while fostering confidence, independence, and meaningful growth.
Dr. Gary Scott Brown is an academic and life coach with more than 30 years of experience helping middle school, high school, and college students achieve their educational goals. His expertise centers on executive functioning, study skills, and academic success, with a particular focus on supporting neurodivergent students, including individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Brown holds two bachelor’s degrees in Materials Science Engineering and Psychology from Rutgers University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Barry University, and a Doctor of Education in Online and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University. In addition to teaching Life Science, and Earth-Space Science, he has mentored faculty at Nova Southeastern University and Palm Beach State College on course design and learning management systems.
Dr. Brown’s coaching philosophy is grounded in constructivism, building on each student’s strengths and tailoring strategies to meet their individual needs. He works closely with students to strengthen organization, planning, time management, and other executive functioning skills fostering confidence and long-term success. Clients can expect a supportive, patient, and highly personalized approach rooted in integrity, honesty, and genuine care. Dr. Brown believes every student has the capacity to grow and thrive when given the right tools and encouragement. Outside of coaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, staying active, and watching basketball and football.
Dr. Maria Bastos is a PhD level Clinical Psychologist with a master’s degree in education and substantial practice in the implementation of evidence-based mental health interventions to children, adolescents, and young adults. Her clinical expertise lies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the science of neuroplasticity, which she integrates to help clients reshape patterns of thought, behavior, and emotions. With more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Bastos has developed a comprehensive solution-focused approach using cognitive restructuring and functional communication training that empowers individuals to recognize and build on their unique strengths while effectively addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning challenges.
Dr. Bastos’s work is grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming philosophy, adapting therapy and interventions to meet the specific needs of each individual. She specializes in supporting clients with autism, ADHD, executive dysfunction, behavior disorders, lack of motivation, and the overlapping impact of anxiety and depression. A significant focus of her work involves strengthening social cognition, social communication, and interpersonal skills. Dr. Bastos helps children and adolescents develop self-awareness, perspective-taking, conversational skills, and confidence in social interactions, enabling them to build and maintain more meaningful peer relationships, and navigate social interactions with greater ease and independence. Her practice is guided by empathy, scientific rigor, and a deep commitment to help kids and families achieve practical and lasting improvements in daily functioning, confidence, relationships, and overall well-being.
Marisa McClair is an Orton-Gillingham tutor and Executive Functioning Coach dedicated to preparing students for success in Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. She holds certifications in both Elementary Education and Special Education (K–12) and brings all of that knowledge together to create instruction that is not only research-based but also engaging, encouraging, and deeply individualized. With over 30 years of teaching experience in New Jersey, she has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of students across a wide variety of educational settings. Throughout her career, McClair has provided instruction in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science, and have supported students in in-class settings as well as one-on-one and small group formats. Her experience spans Elementary School, Middle School, and High School, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the full arc of a student’s academic journey. McClair has had the pleasure of working with students with a wide range of learning differences, including those with IEPs, reading differences, and executive functioning challenges. Her students have included young athletes, gymnasts, soccer players, and Theater Arts Programs, among them, who needed support balancing the demands of their sport with their academic responsibilities. She has helped students build essential life skills including study strategies, time management, routine development, and even the social skills that help them build meaningful friendships.
McClair’s structured literacy training, including certifications in Orton-Gillingham, Institute for Multi-Sensory Education, Preventing Academic Failure, and Morphology, has been central to the work she does. When students complete the program, they leave with something truly lasting: a genuine sense of confidence and the self-reliance to tackle challenges on their own. That transformation, from struggling to thriving, is what inspires her every single day.
Patricia Alessi-Rozzi is an Executive Functioning and Social Skills Coach at the Support Center for Student Growth. Her core area of expertise is in providing individualized school counseling support for students of all ages as a Professional School Counselor the last 20 years in public and private schools. She earned a Master of Education degree in Counseling with a specialty in School Counseling in 2005 and hold Florida Professional Certification in Guidance & Counseling Pre-K to Grade 12, Teacher Pre-K to Primary, and Gifted Endorsement. Identifying students’ academic and social/emotional needs is her specialty. Alessi-Rozzi currently serves as a K-8 School Counselor & Learning Specialist. One aspect of her job is to consult with psychologists to write classroom accommodations plans for students and provide education and guidance to classroom teachers on students’ accommodations.
Through empathetic connection, collaboration with children and parents, and teaching explicit strategies and practical tools, Alessi-Rozzi provides support to children facing executive functioning and social skills challenges at the Support Center for Student Growth. She aims to build a supportive relationship with students, provide education to help students develop new skills, help students set specific goals and celebrate small wins, and build students’ confidence in with coaching. It is her greatest wish that all children have at least one person in their life to truly listen to their feelings and help them keep hope alive in their hearts.
Alessi-Rozzi is also married and a proud mother of a 14-year-old daughter who keeps her busy with her Artistic Swimming competitions and school Vocal concerts!
Tess Von Kaam skills are in in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and she has a passion for helping students build the practical and emotional skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. Her background includes mentoring, psychoeducation, emotional support, and student-centered coaching focused on executive functioning, emotional regulation, self-awareness, communication, and independent living skills. Tess has experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, overwhelm, life transitions, motivation challenges, and identity development as they work toward personal and academic goals. She brings a compassionate, strengths-based perspective that helps students feel understood while also encouraging meaningful growth and accountability.
Tess believes that successful coaching begins with connection, trust, and meeting students where they are. Her approach combines structure with empathy, helping students develop sustainable routines, improve self-confidence, strengthen decision-making skills, and learn practical strategies for navigating daily life. She values authenticity, curiosity, and creating a safe environment where students can grow without shame or fear of failure. Tess is especially passionate about helping young adults discover their strengths, build resilience, and move toward greater independence with confidence and support.
Jenn Harrison is an Executive Functioning and College Life Skills Program Counselor with Support for Students Growth Center. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in special education and has over 25 years of experience in Broward County Public Schools supporting students with autism and other neurodiverse learning profiles. For more than 20 years, Harrison worked as a math tutor for high school and college students, helping them build confidence through individualized support. Most recently, Harrison transitioned into the role of Autism Coach, where she supports multiple classrooms by training teachers and paraprofessionals, working closely with families, and helping students succeed in both self-contained and general education settings.
At the heart of her work is building strong, trusting relationships. Harrison takes the time to really get to know each client, creating a safe, respectful space for open discussion and reflection. She helps her clients develop personalized strategies for organization, time management, and executive functioning skills that align with your strengths and goals. She also encourages reviewing challenges from multiple perspectives, which helps clients gain insight, flexibility, and self-advocacy skills essential for college, work, and independent life. Harrison’s approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and focused on empowering students to navigate both academic and real-world demands with confidence.
“I truly love what I do!”
Lori Benvenisty, currently works with the Support for Students Growth Center within the College Life Skills Program and has a master’s in education. This program is dedicated to teaching essential skills such as self-advocacy, self-regulation, and anxiety management. Additionally, we focus on developing executive functioning skills, including time management, organizational strategies, and goal setting.
With over 25 years of experience as a special educator, Benvenisty has had the privilege of working with individuals ranging from early childhood through adulthood. Her work centers around fostering independence and success across various environments—whether in educational settings, managing a household, or thriving in the workplace. She has experience in both public and private sectors, which has enriched my understanding of diverse learner needs. Benvenisty firmly believes that collaboration is key to identifying effective strategies and systems that address individual challenges and promote greater independence. Achieving client buy-in is essential, as individuals are more likely to engage with and apply strategies they understand and value. It is important to her that her clients recognize the benefits of our work together and feel comfortable with the approaches implemented. Benvenisty also believes that coaching and guided practice are critical when learning new skills, ensuring correct application and ultimately fostering autonomy.
Daisy – Dr. Nach and his wife Paula, the office manager, are the proud parents of Daisy, an English Teddy Bear Golden Doodle who is a “Certified Therapy Dog.” Daisy is always on hand to lend a helping paw.
