About Us

The Empathic Collective was founded by four professionals who met while working in public education, where our shared passion for supporting children and families first brought us together. Though we come from different disciplines: psychology, social work, and counseling, we were united by a common vision. Our vision is to serve students and their families in a more individualized, compassionate, and flexible way than traditional school settings often allow. Over time, we recognized a growing need for services that extend beyond the classroom, particularly in the areas of social skills development, emotional and behavioral regulation, caregiver education, and trauma-informed care. Our services include caregiver coaching, educational consulting, and group programs designed to foster social-emotional and behavioral growth in children and teens. Every service is tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and family, ensuring a thoughtful, personalized experience that honors the complexities of development and the power of empathy.

Our Mission

The Empathic Collective is committed to providing a range of services to families who have children who are experiencing social-emotional, behavioral, and/or academic challenges. We believe that to help a child thrive, it is critical to engage and support the most important people in their environment - their caregivers. Our goal is to create a compassionate, safe, and engaging environment that fosters growth, confidence, and skill development for children and caregivers alike. 

Meet the Team

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    Abi Wallman, PhD

    Co-Founder

    Licensed Psychologist with extensive experience conducting psycho-educational assessments, training parents and educators, and working directly with children in home and school settings. Specialties include crisis response, dialectical behavioral therapy, trauma-informed practices, social skills training, and utilizing Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) to support children’s success across environments.

  • Jessica Ray, LPC

    Co-Founder

    Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and experienced school psychologist with over a decade of supporting children and adolescents in both school and therapeutic settings. Trained in Natural Lifemanship and equine-assisted psychotherapy, with a strong foundation in trauma-informed care. Specialties include working with neurodiverse learners, supporting dysregulated nervous systems, educational advocacy, and helping families build connection and regulation through relational, brain-based strategies.

  • Danielle Ackerson, MS.Ed, NCSP

    Co-Founder

    Over a decade serving as a school psychologist, with extensive experience supporting students and families navigate diverse challenges related to behavior and learning. Specialities include interpretation of psychoeducational assessments, behavior planning, trauma-informed practices, and social skills coaching for neurodiverse learners.

  • Kayla Jose, DSW, LCSW

    Co-Founder

    Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience working in public school settings, community mental health, and post-secondary education as an adjunct professor. Specialties include collaboration with mental health agencies, partnering with children and families, navigating complex family dynamics, applying equity and inclusion frameworks, and trauma-informed care.