Our Team

I have been working with children who have dyslexia for twenty-two years.  I started this journey as a mother of a severely dyslexic child.  The schools were ill-equipped to guide  my family in how to identify and help my child.  I eventually found answers for my son, but not until after his academic struggles had impacted his self-esteem.  

I decided to change careers and become a dyslexia tutor so that other families would not have to go through what our family had been through.  At that time, there weren't any degrees in dyslexia, so I simply took graduate coursework in dyslexia and related fields such as ADHD.  I eventually took a dyslexia screener course so that I could assess for dyslexia.  

After I opened the NW Dyslexia Center, I saw how many children were emotionally impacted by their dyslexia and/or ADHD.  I went back to school to get my Masters in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Counseling, so that I could achieve licensure and take a more holistic approach with diagnostic assessments.  Anxiety, depression, and ADHD can all impact learning and of course, self-esteem.  I wanted to make sure that all students that we see here can have a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, as needed.  My goal is to help your family get the information that you need in a way that works best for your family, both now and in the long term.

I specialize in assessment and counseling around dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety/depression, and self-esteem.  

Kelly Arnold, MS Clinical Psychology, Clinical Counseling, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

(Founder of NWDC)

Memberships:  International Dyslexia Association and American Counseling Association 

From the time I was a child, I had always been drawn to helping others. Even before I graduated I knew what I would claim as my college major. Social work and psychology quickly became a passion for me as I tested the waters, interning in a variety of settings including the in-patient social work department for a major hospital, making regular visits to both ER and regular floor patients. 

For my master’s degree, I interned at Portland’s Grotto Counseling Center. My time there included individual, couple, and group therapy, which helped me gain a great deal of experience with a variety of diagnoses. I also became very intrigued and passionate in personality inventories, behavioral and academic assessments, learning how effective they can be for treatment.

For the past 25 years I have had the privilege of working with youth of all ages in various dynamics and settings. It is a pure joy for me to watch them grow and mature and most importantly, I love being part of their journey. Since 2004, I have been working closely with both kids and adults with ADHD, Dyslexia and other learning disabilities. I love my work!

I specialize in assessment and counseling for those with learning disabilities, ADHD and other challenges that are associated with these diagnoses.

Alison Craker, M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor

(Owner of NWDC)

Memberships: Lifetime Member of the International Dyslexia Association, Learning Disabilities Association of America