Today, Lara sits down with Dion Matheson—an educator, counsellor, parenting coach, and mom of three who has spent her career helping families move from overwhelm to clarity when school challenges, emotional struggles, and psychoeducational assessments start piling up. Dion brings both deep professional expertise and real-life parenting insight, with a Bachelor of Education, a Master’s in Educational Psychology (School Counselling) from the University of Alberta, and credentials as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.). She has over 16 years of experience supporting children, teens, and parents at school and at home.

In today’s episode, Dion helps us make sense of one of the most stressful parenting seasons: when you know your child is struggling, but you’re not sure what to do next. We talk about the emotional rollercoaster of considering a psychoeducational assessment—the fear of labels, the fear of “getting it wrong,” and the fear of being judged. Dion shares how she helps parents sort through the emotional fog, focus on what matters most in the early weeks, and build a path forward that feels doable, not daunting.

We also dig into the tug-of-war so many parents feel between advocating strongly for their child and maintaining a positive relationship with the school. Dion offers compassionate guidance for finding your footing when you’re worried about coming across as “too much,” plus practical ways to turn school accommodations from something that lives on paper into routines that actually help your child day to day. Her insights on parent coaching as the often-missing piece are especially powerful for families who feel stuck in exhausting patterns at home.

If you’re facing your first assessment, trying to understand a report, or navigating school supports that don’t seem to be working yet, this conversation brings warmth, reassurance, and a roadmap forward. Dion’s perspective will help you feel less alone—and more confident in the next step.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• The emotional side of psychoeducational assessments (fear, uncertainty, and what parents need most first)

• How to read a report without spiraling—and what to prioritize in the early weeks

• The balance between strong advocacy and a collaborative school relationship

• Why parent coaching can be the missing piece when everyone feels stuck

• How to support your child while still building independence and resilience

• Turning accommodations “on paper” into daily habits that actually work at home and school

Meet our guest:
Dion Matheson is an educator, school counsellor, parenting coach, and Canadian Certified Counsellor with over 16 years of experience helping children, teens, and families thrive in school and at home. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology in School Counselling from the University of Alberta, and supports parents with practical, compassionate coaching grounded in child development, education, and counselling.

Find more of Dion’s work:
Equipped Parenting (About Dion): https://equippedparenting.com/about/
Onyx Assessments (Dion Matheson profile): https://www.onyxassessments.ca/team/dion-matheson

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