Meet Katy Landis | Licensed Educational Psychologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katy Landis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I worked with students in various school districts for 10 years but balancing the demands of being a School Psychologist with becoming a mother to my own children had proven to be very challenging. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to be able to step away from my career while my children were in their infant, toddler and early elementary school years. I thrived on being very present for my family during that stage of their development and grateful to be able to do so without other distractions. That said, I had always planned to return to work as I greatly enjoyed and missed many aspects of my career in working with students with special needs and at-risk populations. This fueled my intention to obtain my license as an Educational Psychologist. I wanted to have the flexibility to still be present for my children but also to re-integrate into working with kids again on my terms. Additionally, it afforded me the ability to work in a capacity that I feel is most beneficial to the children that I work with. I decided that starting my own private practice was the ideal path. Not only do I get to work with students again, but I feel that through my practice, I can provide more in-depth support and services to better meet the needs of my students.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
After 10 years of working in public education, I found myself struggling with the limitations of my career as a School Psychologist given the significant educational and mental health needs of school-aged children. Reach Education and Development Resources (READR) grew from the desire to do more for at-risk student populations. All students have unique learning profiles and needs and we pride ourselves on finding appropriate supports and learning pathways that drive success for every individual in school. READR provides educational assessment for preschool through adult-aged individuals in the areas of: Autism, Learning Disabilities (i.e. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.), ADHD, Executive Functioning, Emotional and Behavioral Disturbance/Disability and other psychological disorders relating to educational progress. We conduct Private Evaluations, and Independent Educational Evaluations, as well as provide IEP and Section 504 support, Counseling Services, Behavior Support and Special Needs Advocacy. I know that we cannot reach every student and every need, but if by offering our services and supports we can help even a small population, it is well worth the effort.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Given that we live in Carlsbad, North County is our favorite spot to be! We love visits to the flower fields in the spring, the quaint atmosphere of Carlsbad Village and of course the beaches! Terramar Beach is our favorite summer hangout. Favorite, unique places to eat include Campfire (best craft cocktails), Pizza Port, Naked Cafe, Grubby’s, Shorehouse Kitchen, Cafe Topes and of course dessert at Handel’s Ice Cream or Aloha Ice! The weekly Wednesday afternoon/evening farmer’s market is a must as well as a visit to the outlet mall! If we leave our cute little North County life, we head straight to Mission Bay for beach time, water activities, fishing and Belmont Park for the kids. Visits to Coronado Island, Balboa Park and the Del Mar racetrack are often part of the itinerary as well. We love to be outdoors and there are no shortage of parks, hiking trails and outdoor activities in San Diego County! Bonus – living only two hours from Big Bear Mountain lends itself to lots of skiing/snowboarding/tubing adventures for our family!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My career would not be where it is today without the mentorship and support of educators that I have had the honor and privilege of working with throughout my career. Administrators, teachers, school psychologists, counselors, support staff……so many individuals that have shaped my approach to working with students in such a positive and motivating way. Not only educators, but students and their families as well. Developing relationships with the kids themselves and the individuals that support them has provided me with a different type of education – in compassion, problem solving, sensitivity, validation, support and acceptance. Lastly, and most importantly, my family. My husband Todd, and children, Kayleigh, Brady and Addison, my father, brother and in-laws – without their love and support, I truly would not have developed along this path of building my own private practice. Their patience and encouragement to go for it was everything I needed to get here.

Website: www.readr4learning.com

Instagram: @readr_katylandis_edpsych