Curiosity, Clarity, & Care for Your Child

Parents often come to me knowing something feels off with their child, but unsure of what it is or what to do next.

I work with children and young adults, from preschool through age 22, and their families. Together, we uncover the learning, behavior, and developmental needs that matter most and identify tools and strategies that will make a real difference. At EmpowerED, my focus is on thorough psychoeducational evaluations and consultations that provide clear answers, understandable data, and practical next steps for your child.

I often help with:

Questions about learning, attention, or developmental differences

Clarifying whether a learning disability, ADHD, anxiety, or Autism may be present

Understanding your child’s school evaluation, your rights in the process, and how to ask for appropriate services

Developing practical recommendations you can use at home and at school

Psychoeducational Evaluations

Independent Educational
Evaluations (IEEs)

IEP Consulting & School Meeting Support

Careful Listening, Careful Assessment

I approach each child with genuine curiosity and a lot of empathy. Every child brings their own history, strengths, and challenges, and I want that full picture to show up in the evaluation.

When we work together, you can expect that I will:

Look at multiple areas of development and learning, not just one or two tests

Pay attention to how your child is doing at school, at home, and over time

Give you space to ask questions and process information

Cara Vidano, licensed educational psychologist at EmpowerED

My goal is that you feel informed and confident about the best ways to support your child at school and at home.

Deep Experience Across Ages & Disabilities

Over many years as a school psychologist, I have worked with children ages 3 through 22.

I have particular depth of experience with:

Preschool and elementary‑aged children

Children with moderate to severe disabilities

Middle school children who are facing increased academic and social demands

I have supported children from all socioeconomic backgrounds and with a wide range of disability categories, including:

Learning Disorders

Autism

ADHD

Intellectual Disabilities

Emotional Disabilities

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

This breadth of experience helps me recognize patterns while seeing what is unique about your child.

Influenced by a Lifetime of Helping Kids

My mom was a marriage and family therapist, and many of her clients were children. She absolutely loved her work, and her passion and commitment were a positive, supportive influence on my career choice.

Her example continues to remind me how important it is that children and families feel seen, heard, and supported throughout this process.

From Hydrologist to School Psychologist

My path into this work was not a straight line. After earning my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and working as a hydrologist in my twenties, I moved to San Francisco and began volunteering in an elementary school, supporting classrooms and children with learning challenges.

I became fascinated by the many different ways children learn and process the world. Once I discovered the field of school psychology, it felt like the right fit, and I decided to pursue graduate training and make this my career. That early curiosity about learning styles still shapes how I think about every child I meet.

Training That Supports My Work

My background includes formal graduate training in counseling and school psychology, as well as many years of experience assessing and supporting students with diverse learning and developmental needs.

Education

B.S. in Environmental Sciences, UC Riverside

M.S. in Counseling, California State University, East Bay

Licenses and credentials

Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP)

Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)

Life Outside the Office

I love warm weather, traveling, and spending time with the people who matter most to me. When I am not working, you might find me out walking with friends, enjoying the local food scene, or exploring a new corner of the world with my husband and our two daughters.