About
Understanding Minds
You’re probably seeking an evaluation for your student because your student’s school or teacher has alerted you to a challenge or a problem. At Understanding Minds we pay attention to students’ strengths. To get the full picture, we want to comprehend what’s going well and what’s not.
Our strengths-and-challenges approach helps us comprehend your student’s individual, unique profile. You will come away with a detailed report and recommendations written in plain language, not a one-line diagnosis.
You’ll begin to see a path forward for you and your student with evidence-based, personalized plans for interventions, strategies, and accommodations. We use our expertise established through working with hundreds of students and from years of continuing education experience in the state-of-the-art of School Neuropsychology.
“Our mission is to provide all children with the best support to improve their communication skills and reach their full potential”
Testimonials
"Dr. Scott Hamilton is truly a gifted individual. His knowledge of how my son's mind works have been invaluable to not only my son but to our entire family. Dr. Scott tested my son, gave an extremely detailed report and has continued to support our family through this journey. I went from many nights of tears, not knowing what to do or how to help my son, to now feeling empowered because of Dr. Scott's kindness and being so thorough in his reports. As a result, we now have an IEP and a greater understanding of our son and how he learns. A huge thank you to you Dr. Scott Hamilton for making the biggest difference in our lives. We are eternally grateful."
"As parents, it is frightening and intimidating to seek evaluation for your child with learning difficulties. Dr. Hamilton directed this process expertly and with genuine kindness toward our daughter. His observations and recommendations were individualized, specific, and on target. With Dr. Hamilton's guidance, our daughter has thrived in school. Dr. Hamilton was a true partner with us and we continue to keep in touch with him years later."
“Dr. Trost is kind and had a very gentle and warm approach with my daughter. She invested a lot of time in us and has continued to be supportive and concerned for my daughter's well being even after the evaluation was completed. We received very insightful information that was both enlightening and, in hindsight, spot on. She spent time explaining the information so that we could fully grasp everything incorporated in the report. It helped us to make better decisions for my daughter's continued growth and development. I highly recommend Dr. Trost!”
Dr. Scott Hamilton
- Licensed clinical psychologist with particular specialization in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults
- More than 25 years of experience providing comprehensive evaluations of learning, social, behavioral, and emotional concerns across the lifespan
- Board certified by the American Board of School Neuropsychology
- Frequent presenter at regional and national workshops on a variety of topics related to the interface between education and understanding of brain function
- 18 years of experience in independent school leadership, including as a Principal and Assistant Head of School for Academics for a K-12 independent school for students with language-based learning disabilities and learning differences, and as Director of the learning center at a mainstream college prep preK-12 independent school in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology from Indiana State University
- Parent of a wonderful son with autism
- Drummer and home recording studio hobbyist
- Keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for an 80’s New Wave cover band
- Team owner in the same fantasy baseball league with friends since 1987
Dr. Lyudmila Trost
- Licensed clinical psychologist specializing in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults
- More than 10 years of clinical experience, including comprehensive evaluations and therapy with all ages in various settings
- Provided services in a variety of settings, including schools, community mental health clinics, inpatient hospital, pediatric neuropsychology clinic in an outpatient hospital, a correctional psychiatric facility within a prison, as well as private practice
- Member of Georgia Psychological Association (GPA) and the American Psychological Association (APA)
- Doctorate and Master’s degrees in school and clinical child psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, under Yeshiva University in the Bronx of New York City
- Interests include spending time and speaking Russian with her husband and their four young children, going on hikes and nature trails, and cooking different foods
Christina Bibbs, M.Ed., Ed.S.
- Certified School Psychologist with a specialization in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults
- 15 years of experience in providing comprehensive evaluations of cognitive, adaptive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of youth between the ages of five and twenty-one
- Educational Specialist and Master’s degrees in School Psychology from Georgia State University
- Member of the Georgia Association of School Psychologists
- Interests include playing classical piano, cycling, and attending princess tea parties with daughter
Jennifer Gonzalez, M.Ed., Ed.S.
- Certified School Psychologist with more than 9 years experience working in public schools completing psychoeducational evaluations to assess students’ learning and social-emotional needs to assist with educational planning (IEPs and Section 504 Accommodations Plans)
- Experienced in the development of academic and behavioral interventions and data review through participation in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Student Support Team (SST), and Response-to-Intervention (RTI) processes.
- Provided direct social-emotional support to students through crisis response and check-in/check-out interventions, as well as school-based individual and group counseling focused on developing self-regulation, social skills, study skills, and anxiety management.
- Master’s and Education Specialist degrees in School Psychology obtained through Georgia State University.
- Proud wife of a fellow educator and mother to an active little boy, a sweet dog, and a lazy cat. Interests include watching and attending soccer games, spending time with my book club, and exploring the outdoors with my family and dog.
