.png)
"My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD. She attended phase one of the program and has seen significant improvement in behavior and socialization skills."
Dakota, Age 8
"Words cannot express how delighted I am as a Mom for my child attending the Brain Balance program in San Diego. For those of you who have children that struggle and their actions, in turn, affect everyone around them, you are not alone! The last thing I ever wanted to do was medicate our child. So I kept researching and immediately our chiropractor and Occupational Therapist recommended the program. After his assessment at Brain Balance, I gained an amazing new perspective about my child and learned that they can get to the root of his struggles with his brain! No need for scans, and no need for a diagnosis."
Hunter, Age 8
"There are not enough words in a dictionary to describe what brain balance has done for our family!"
Michelle, Age 12
"Ariel has gained self awareness and improved his focus. This has had positive effects at school and socially. We highly recommend Brain Balance."
Ariel, Age 10
"This is an excellent program and in my experience the results were observable even after just a few sessions. My daughter loves coming to Brain Balance and has had such a good experience she says she wants to be a Brain Balance Coach when she grows up. After two weeks I received my daughters 1st positive note home from school and after a month she no longer needed her behavior chart at school. At home I see she is less impulsive, her meltdowns are almost non-existent, she is able and even enjoys playing on her own, she is less reactive, and is willing to and utilizes calm down methods."
Colette, 5
Jon Pak
Executive Director
Upon learning about the Brain Balance program, Jon’s excitement for opening a Center in the San Diego area has grown since day one. His passion to open the Center is born out of the experience in raising a son with developmental disabilities. He values many incredible connections with other friends and families in the community that share a similar experience. His background includes serving on the board of Kids Included Together, Just in Time for Foster Youth as well as the Korean American Coalition of San Diego.
Amanda Lee
Center Director
Amanda has a Masters in Education and brings over 15 years of experience working with students, families, communities, and school districts. As a lifelong learner, she’s a sponge for information and active in promoting equity and access to quality education. She believes every person should have the opportunity to actualize their full potential and to live life to the fullest. Her other passions include dancing, beach volleyball, enjoying the outdoors, travel, and being a foodie.
Kenny Fraser
Center Coordinator
Kenny was born and raised in Northern California. In 2014, he moved to San Diego to attend and play collegiate basketball at the University of California, San Diego. He graduated in 2018 from UCSD with a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Business. Kenny has enjoyed working with children through basketball as well as at a before and after school program at an elementary school.
Katie Mello
Coach
Katie was born and raised in the Bay Area where she attended San Jose State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Inclusive Physical Activity in Communities. She loves the multidisciplinary approach Brain Balance offers, and can’t wait to learn more about and help support all of the families that come to Brain Balance. When she’s not at work, you can find Katie walking on the beach, lifting weights, or preparing (and eating!) a healthy meal.
Shanelle Sanchez
Interim Head Coach
Shanelle is originally from Long Beach. She graduated CSU Long Beach with her B.S. in Biological Sciences.
Victoria Hoey
Coach
Victoria Hoey was born and raised in San Diego. She earned her degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences and has over 6 years experience as a nanny. Her favorite subjects are child development and psychology. Her career goals are to be in social work and be an advocate for children.
Kai Gutierrez
Coach
Kai was born and raised in Southern California and recently moved back down to San Diego after graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and minor in Psychology. She has a background in Physical Therapy and worked as an aide for 2 years before starting at Brain Balance. Outside of coaching you can find Kai lost in the world of whatever book she’s reading that week, at the beach, rock climbing or out being a social butterfly with friends.
Angie Arciga
Program Director
Angie has over 6 years experience working with Brain Balance of Los Angeles and is excited to join the San Diego and Chula vista team! She graduated with her BS in Exercise Science from CSULA and brings experience in the Physical Therapy field. Her creativity and background in music bring unique ideas and ways to work and have fun with children while developing and creating new neural pathways. She also enjoys traveling, singing and playing mariachi music, and being out in nature.
Brain Balance of San Diego Events
Webinar Events
Every month we offer a free webinar on a common struggle that children and young adults across the country may experience. Each of these webinars offers information, actionable strategies for change, as well as a deeper understanding of WHY these challenges are happening and how to address the root cause.
Register Now.
Virtual Open House: Executive Function Skills
Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 7:30pm-8:00pm
Tour Brain Balance of San Diego, to tour the center and learn ways to improve you and your child's executive functions to achieve your goals this new year from better focus to time management to accomplishing chores at home. All participants will be given resources they can utilize right away.
Register
Food for Thought and Healthy Kids
Thursday, January 20, 2022, 7:30pm-8:30pm
Grow healthy and happy kids by understanding the gut-brain connection and try simple actions to improve your child's development. Presented by Sonia's Healthy Corner, certified Health and Nutrition Coach.
Register
Chula Vista Grand Opening
Brain Balance of San Diego is excited to announce the opening of their second location in San Diego’s South Bay at 310 Third Avenue, # C7 in Chula Vista (91910). Located in the heart of Chula Vista Village (Third and F Street), the 1,578-square foot center will cater to students and families in the community who may be struggling with a variety of social, emotional, and academic challenges in school. This location will have bilingual (Spanish) instructors as well. View our Grand Opening event.
World Kindness Day
November 13, 2021
Help us celebrate World Kindness Day! This day is all about being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. Download our Kindness Bingo for a fun way to challenge yourself to try new kind things. Share some of your kind acts and tag @brainbalancesandiego -- we would love to see how you spread kindness to the world.
Food Drive with The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Going through December 29, 2021
Nutrition is an important part of the Brain Balance program. The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues. We invite you to support our community in need by DONATING non-perishable items such as canned meats, canned vegetables, peanut butter, pasta/rice, oatmeal/cereal, and more through the end of November. We cannot accept glass jars, home canned, or baked goods. Drop off your generous donations at our San Diego center Monday through Fridays 11:00am - 6:00pm or Chula Vista center Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays 2:00pm - 6:00pm.
For Virtual Donations, click here. Help us reach our goal of $500!
Download a flyer to learn more.
Navigating Boyhood: How to Raise Kind, Calm, Cooperative Sons
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
8:00pm - 9:00pm
RSVP Here
What would you give to raise a son who is cooperative, compassionate, and wants to stay close to you in the long run? Boy behavior can be challenging and parents often become overwhelmed or confused by their son’s behavior. Join Rachel Sklar, Founder and Parent Coach of Sklar Parenting, to gain new insights into the inner workings of your son’s brain and learn exactly what it takes to fulfill his basic needs so that he stays confident, connected, and cooperative throughout his childhood.
You'll learn:
- Your son's top 3 internal priorities.
- Surprising tools for helping him fulfill his basic needs.
- Practical tricks for raising his confidence at home, school, and in the great big world.
Webinar Recordings
Sensory Sensitivities: Holiday Guide
Click here to view the webinar.
Join Amanda Lee, M.A.Ed, Center Director, and Angie Arciga, Program Director of Brain Balance to learn more about sensory sensitivities and explore practical tips to keep the upcoming holiday season sensory-friendly and stress-free from behavior and meltdowns to sensory overload and nutrition.
- Review sensory challenges
- Learn commons triggers during the holidays
- Ways to plan ahead to improve behavior and reduce meltdowns
Speech Therapy: Empowering Parents to Take the Lead
Click here to view the webinar.
Speech-language therapy is invaluable in helping children improve communication skills. The most effective form of speech therapy involves parents in every step of the evaluation and treatment process. Join Dr. Katherine McKernan, SLPD, CCC-SLP, and Amanda Lee, M.A.Ed, Center Director of Brain Balance San Diego to learn more about quality speech therapy strategies and how to be your child's best advocate.
Dyslexia 101 - Virtual Workshop
Click here to view the webinar.
Dyslexia is the most commonly diagnosed learning disorder often involving difficulty reading and decoding. Join Brain Balance of San Diego and Chula Vista to learn the myths around dyslexia, its impacts, assessment and intervention help, and what you can do about it at home. Followed by live Q&A.
Attention and Focus
Join Amanda Lee, M.A.Ed, Center Director of Brain Balance San Diego, to explore WHY so many kids struggle with attention and focus. Learn more about ADHD; what red flags to look out for; how their struggles impact them socially, academically, and behaviorally; and what you can do to improve it. Followed by live Q&A. Free virtual workshop for parents, educators, and professionals.
Click here to view the webinar.
IEP 2.0: Beyond the Basics
Special Education Advocate and Speech Pathologist Crystal Sanford, M.Ed., M.A. CCC-SLP will provide advanced tips, strategies, and hope for your IEP parenting journey.
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
IEP Rights: What Parents Need to Know
If your child is struggling in school, it’s important to know your options and rights to provide your child the support they need to thrive. Join Thomas Nelson, Special Education Rights Attorney, to learn the ins and outs of 504s and Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
Virtual Open House: Sensory Sensitivities
Join Amanda Lee, M.A.Ed, Center Director of Brain Balance San Diego, to tour the center and discover when your child’s sensory sensitivities should be a concern from overreaction to bright lights and sounds to itchy clothing to picky eating to risk-taking and lack of focus.
Click here to see the recording
ADHD: What, Why, and Tools to Help
Join Amanda Lee, M.A.Ed, Center Director of Brain Balance San Diego, to explore WHY so many kids struggle with attention and focus, red flags for ADHD, and tools to structure their day and help them stay motivated and focused. Hosted by Marine & Family Exceptional Family Member Program. Need not be military to participate.
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
Virtual Open House: Teaching Independence
Being able to function independently is more important that ever today, especially for students navigating distance learning. Join Amanda Lee, M.A.Ed, Center Director of Brain Balance San Diego, to tour the center and learn ways to successfully coach your child towards age-appropriate independence from staying focused to improving executive functioning to complete homework and chores, prioritize, and make good decisions. All participants will be given resources they can utilize right away.
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
Virtual Open House: Executive Functioning and New Year Goals
Join Amanda Lee, Center Director of Brain Balance San Diego, to tour the center and learn ways to improve you and your child's executive functions to achieve your goals this new year from better focus to time management to accomplishing chores at home. All participants will be given resources they can utilize right away.
Click here to view the recorded webinar