Our Team

Judith S. Bass, CEP Founder & Certified Educational Planner

Judith S. Bass, CEP is an internationally recognized expert in the field of college and postsecondary placement for students who learn differently. For the past 20 years, Ms. Bass has provided comprehensive planning services for students with ADHD, ASD, and other learning differences. Ms. Bass is a contributing author in the recently published book, Navigating the Transition from High School to College for Students with Disabilities.

Ann Marie Stripling, M.S. Educational Consultant

Born and bred in the great state of Alabama, Ann-Marie has lived in the DC area for the last 10 years. She graduated from Auburn University (War Eagle) with a B.S. in Psychology and has an M.S. in Applied Clinical Psychology. In her early career, she worked to provide in-home and community-based counseling to students and families, while later she moved into the field of Special Education and helping students transition to college.

Jessica Applestone Associate Educational Consultant

Jessica was inspired by her own experience working with an independent college counselor during high school to become a college admissions consultant herself. She has successfully guided students and their families through the admissions process since 2016. Jessica loves working with students who learn differently and is the parent of a high school student with ADHD and dyslexia who is rapidly approaching college age.

Brad Bernstein, LCPC Academic & Executive Function Coach

Brad has over 20 years experience in independent school education as a counselor, administrator, and teacher. In addition to working in schools, Brad also has his clinical counseling license and works with adolescents and adults to support their social-emotional needs. Brad brings his expertise and experience to BES to support students in both academic coaching and college placement. He uses a strengths-based and student-centered approach to help students develop their executive functioning and study skills.

Matthew Douglas Academic & Executive Functioning Coach

Matt Douglas is a veteran educator with over a decade of experience working with teens and young adults. Since starting his career as a high school teacher he has worn many hats in the field of education, including the group director of a teen travel summer camp, the social skills and academic manager at a progressive private school, and now as a life coach and academic counselor. His philosophy for his clients is one of compassion, respect and occasional tough love, with the ultimate goal of helping the teens and young adults he works with on their journey of becoming independent, confident adults.

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Denise Mary Higgins, MAT, MS ADHD & Executive Function Coach

Denise Higgins has extensive experience in working with teenagers and adults who want to examine goals and increase self-awareness in academic, personal, and professional settings. She holds the conviction that all people have the capacity to become their most desired selves and is passionate about joining clients on their journeys to increase awareness, create strategies for success, and achieve the personal and professional goals they desire. Denise has completed the JST Coach Training Program and holds an MAT in History Education and an MS in Academic Advising. She recently retired from Landmark College after 33 years of service.

Jenn Litvak, M.S., AACC, ACC ADHD & Executive Functioning Coach

Jenn specializes in guiding young adults, who think differently, through major life transitions. As an ADHD Coach, she helps individuals to build self-confidence, recognize their strengths, overcome obstacles, and reach their full potential. In addition to extensive training in executive function and social communication coaching, Jenn has spent the last 25 years working with college students to develop their skill sets with time management, work- life balance, leadership, and organization. Her coaching style is engaging, fun and interactive! She always takes a positive approach with her clients and truly meets them where they are to achieve progress and success.

Jessica McLaren, MSW ADHD & Executive Function Coach

Jessica McLaren has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Marist College and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. She is an active board member of the Learning Disabilities Association of Maryland Montgomery County. As a board member she assists and educates teachers, administrators, and parents about learning disabilities and the different services available.

Ben Reznikov, M.Ed. Academic and Executive Functioning Coach

Ben Reznikov is a licensed school counselor and has spent the last 12+ years working in different roles with children and adolescents. He has held the roles of a counselor, mentor, coach, behavior implementor, camp counselor, and peer supervisor. Currently, Ben maintains a school counseling license in both Illinois and Missouri. Working with BES, Ben is excited to help clients overcome obstacles, thrive with their unique learning styles, and find personal successes, as he uses a student-focused approach that allows the client to be a center figure in the development of their action plan.

Jaclyn Vincent, Esq., M.Ed. Academic and ADHD Coach

Jaclyn has extensive experience in the field of education in the classroom and from a policy perspective. She received a B.A. in Government & Politics and an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Maryland. Jaclyn taught 5th grade in MCPS for three years before moving into the world of policy. At the Maryland State Dept. of Labor, Jaclyn worked on building the pipeline for in-demand industries by preparing students for college and the workforce.