Our Clinicians & Staff

Our areas of specialty include dyslexia, nonverbal learning disabilities, giftedness, writing disorders, specific language impairment, math disabilities, visual and auditory processing disorders, attentional regulation, and executive functioning disorders.

Our clinicians have an average of 15 years of experience in their fields of specialty, and we actively engage in the most recent developments in our fields, by attending and presenting at national professional conferences and by our ongoing discussion and application of peer-reviewed research. While our work is research-based, we are client-centered, using the learner in front of us to drive decisions about which best practice strategies will be most effective – and generating new strategies for unique situations.

Jordi Kleiner, PhD, BCET

DIRECTOR

More About Dr. Kleiner

Amy L. Luckey, MA

Education Specialist

Amy has been with the Learning Clinic since its start, with over 20 years experience in private practice on the North Shore. She received her master’s degree from National-Louis University. She is certified in Orton-Gillingham reading methods and is a member of the International Dyslexia Association. Amy’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and ability to connect with children and families helps children gain confidence and instill a love of learning.

Viola Jordan, MS, ET/P

Professional Educational Therapist, Psychoeducational Diagnostician

Viola has a Master of Science degree in speech, language, and learning / learning disabilities from Northwestern University, as well as several years of experience teaching foreign languages to adolescents and adults in both private and public settings in Germany. She helps her clients overcome learning difficulties and gain self-confidence in and out of the classroom. Viola is a member of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and an Professional Educational Therapist and contributing member of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET).

Sarah Mobley, M.Ed., LBS1

Learning Behavior Specialist

Sarah holds a Master’s of Education in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a certified Learning Behavior Specialist. She has ten years of experience working with students to foster independence and individual academic and social-emotional growth in Chicago Public Schools. Her passion lies in working with students and families to craft routines and strategies that support individual success in executive functioning and academic attainment. Sarah is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory and utilizes her experience with improvisation and performing to infuse joy and engagement into the learning process.

Kay Kohl, MA

Psychoeducational Diagnostician

Kay is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she received a Master of Arts degree in learning disabilities. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, she researched a broad range of concussion assessments. In her current position in the Learning Clinic, Kay combines her experience in coaching and teaching students, background in Kinesiology, and academic knowledge to work effectively with clients. She has particular interest in developing ideal strategies for each individual that will facilitate long-term learning.

Jessica Lieberman, M.Ed.

Learning Specialist

Jessica earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University. She’s been an educator for over 20 years as a teacher and administrator in public and private therapeutic day schools, and as a private Learning Specialist. Her specialities include teaching strategies to compensate for learning disabilities, executive functioning deficits, and ADHD. Jessica combines best practices from research-based methods with creative and engaging activities to meet the unique needs of each student. Her experience supporting students with anxiety, depression, and dysregulation broadens an awareness to the challenges that impact academic performance and social-emotional well being.

J. Meg Racenstein, PhD

Clinical Neuropsychologist

J. Meg Racenstein, Ph.D., is a licensed Clinical Neuropsychologist with over 25 years of experience conducting neuropsychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and young adults. Her evaluations identify the presence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, mood disorders, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, language disorders, as well as substance-induced disorders and their potential impact on academic functioning. Dr. Racenstein and Dr. Kleiner have collaborated on diagnostic assessments for 11 years.

Dr. Racenstein participated in research at the University of California, Los Angeles and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center involving extensive diagnostic interviews with patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and comorbid substance abuse. Dr. Racenstein received her B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois, Champaign, followed by her M.A., in Community Counseling at Loyola University, Chicago. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Institute of Psychology, and completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship training in Neuropsychology at the University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago.

Felicia Carmel, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist

Felicia Carmel, Psy.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with 25 years of experience conducting neuropsychological, psychological, and educational evaluations with toddlers, children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with a broad range of abilities. Her evaluations can help identify attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, learning disabilities, executive functioning deficits, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. These evaluations can assist with treatment plans within the academic environment, as well as outside of school.

Dr. Carmel graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and American Studies/Minority Cultures and received her Master’s and Clinical Doctorate degrees from the University of Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She received her clinical training at the University of Chicago HALP Clinic (Hyperactive and Learning Problems Clinic), Hargrove Hospital, John Stroger Hospital (Cook County), and completed her internship at Loyola University Medical Center.

Jill Howe, MA

Educational Specialist

As an undergrad, Jill studied Literature and Philosophy at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and went on to achieve her Masters in Teaching from National Louis University with endorsements for high school Reading and Literature. She has taught in Chicago Public Schools, as well as in a special needs private school. Her main areas of educational focus are in reading and writing for teens. Jill is also a professional storyteller and enjoys bringing aspects of story and theater into her students’ educational growth. Jill is a member of the Association of Educational Therapists.

Tina Giordano, M.Ed.

Learning Specialist

Tina has worked with clients of all ages and is focused on inspiring a love of learning. She grew up in Evanston and then moved to Montréal, Canada to study at McGill University. There she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Education in Inclusive Education. Tina has worked in a multitude of educational settings and roles, including developing an inclusion program at the Lincoln Park Zoo for their camp programs. To work effectively with clients at the Learning Clinic, she uses her knowledge of best practices in education, experience as a Social Skills Educator, Literacy Coach, ABA Therapist, and creativity. Tina has worked for multiple research labs and is currently in the process of publishing a paper on the impacts of the 2020 school closure on family routines.

Kate Parker-Barrows

Office Manager

Kate Parker-Barrows has years of experience as an office manager, including managing an independent clinic in Chicago. She has also worked for years with children, both as a private childcare provider and as a special education paraprofessional in Chicago Public Schools. A passionate performer, Kate is artistic director and a core member of long-running improv team Improvised Jane Austen, which plays regularly at the famed iO Theater in Chicago. She can be reached at kate@learning-clinic.com.