Bellingham, Washington

Welcome to Bellingham! 

We are excited you have landed here for your college experience. What a beautiful place to be!  

We offer in person academic coaching for college students, on or near your college campus.

Now serving students attending the following schools in Bellingham:

Western Washington University, Bellingham Technical College, and Whatcom Community College.

Threshold Group Program

Students follow a group curriculum to learn about ADHD and strategies to balance personal, academic, and social well being in the college setting

Threshold Group Program:

  • Investment of time: 10 weeks

  • Investment financially: $2695 which includes

    • In depth Intake Session (usually with parent) 

    • Review of current EF skills status

    • 8 90-minute group sessions on or near campus

    • 10 individual in-person coaching sessions on or near campus

    • Weekly text reminders and check-ins with coach

    • 1 Parent/Student Progress Meeting

How do I start?

Step 1: Schedule a free 30 minute consultation for parents and students to find out more.

Step 2: Meet and greet with your new coach to make sure it feels like a good fit for all.

Step 3:  If you are a YES after meeting the coach, fill out paperwork, decide on a payment plan, and sign up for an in-depth Intake Session.

Step 4: You are all set for an amazing coaching experience!

1:1 Executive Function Skills Coaching

  • Investment of time: 10 weeks

  • Investment financially: $2375 which includes

    • In depth Intake Session (usually with parent) 

    • Review of current EF skills status

    • 10 individual in-person coaching sessions on or near campus

    • Weekly text reminders and check-ins with coach

    • 1 Parent/Student Progress Meeting

1:1 Executive Function Skills Coaching

Personalized development of Executive Function Skills such as time management, organization, and study skills

How do I start?

Step 1: Schedule a free 30 minute consultation for parents and students to find out more.

Step 2: Meet and greet with your new coach to make sure it feels like a good fit for all.

Step 3:  If you are a YES after meeting the coach, fill out paperwork, decide on a payment plan, and sign up for an in-depth Intake Session.

Step 4: You are all set for an amazing coaching experience!

Meet the Coaches

Threshold Coaches are local to the areas we serve.  We are connected to the support staff on campus as well as the care providers in the surrounding community.  Our coaches meet students on or near campus which is not only convenient, but supports the development of meaningful connection with them. We deeply value the strengths our students bring with them and strive to provide a balance of empathy and accountability in all our coaching relationships.

Cindy Palmer, Founder of Threshold Coaches
  • Cindy is the owner and founder of Threshold Coaches. Her journey to this position began over 25 years ago when she was hired as the Freshmen Transition Coordinator in a high school with especially low graduation rates. Her job: “create a sense of belonging and keep ‘em here.” This role set her on a life trajectory, exploring both academic and therapeutic settings for teens and young adults.

    Cindy has been a high school Biology teacher as well as a therapist for adolescents and young adults. In 2014, she combined her love for both these realms and founded STEM Tutoring. In this role, she has been training and mentoring her tutoring staff on the art of connection, research based study skills, and the world of neurodivergence, especially ADHD and Dyscalculia.

    And now for her most recent endeavor: Threshold Coaches. With the explosion of executive function coaching for students with ADHD, Cindy found that the one area with the least support was in the transition to college. Cindy believes that the college leap is a big one- for both students and their parents, and she is thrilled to support this experience and offer hope for students navigating their ADHD in the college setting. Cindy is continuously researching better ways to coach her students. She is a member of the ADHD Coaches Organization and actively participates in continuing education on all things ADHD.

    Cindy is the proud mom of two emerging adults, both immersed in the unfolding of the college process as well. She’s in it, living this adventure as a parent. When free, you might find her running or hiking the trails here in Bellingham, attempting to capture the perfect photo, or eating a really good meal- as long as someone else cooks it.

Emma Winningham, MEd (she/her) Group Program & Individual Coaching
  • Emma is a Western Washington University alum and former employee with 7 years of experience coaching college students in academic writing, researching, and general study skills. As a previous student (both undergraduate and graduate studies) and employee of Western, Emma was involved with WWU for a total of 12 years and is intimately familiar with campus resources. She can connect students to support they didn’t even know existed!

    As a research, writing, and study skills tutor, Emma focused on supporting students with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, dyslexia and other learning differences. She brings a strong foundation in learning theories, educational equity, and accessibility from her Master’s in Adult and Higher Education. She wants every student to recognize their strengths, especially when so many students are only told about what they’re doing wrong. She knows that learning can look different for every student and celebrates successes that others might miss.

    Outside of work, Emma enjoys baking, reading, and relaxing in her hammock on warm summer days (some of her favorite hammock trees are on Western’s campus, so you may see her bright green hammock if you know where to look).

  • Stephanie has been working with students in the field of education for almost 20 years and has loved every minute of it! As an English, AVID, and leadership teacher with a background in school psychology, she prioritizes meeting young people where they are and helping them find and use their unique voice and inner strength to empower themselves and others. In addition to her current ADHD coaching work, Stephanie served in an academic coaching role as an instructor in the AVID program, which focuses on teaching skills to students who have the potential to thrive in rigorous courses and in college but need extra support. 

    Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Idaho and a bachelor’s degree in English teaching as well as a master’s degree in school psychology from the University of Montana. Her passion is continually learning, especially building her knowledge base regarding neurodivergent thinking and mental health. 

    As someone who moved around a lot as a young person and had to navigate different educational and life transitions, Stephanie understands the inherent challenges involved in college life and emerging adulthood. She wholeheartedly believes in each individual’s ability to reflect, gain self-awareness, try new things, and reach their goals. She brings a combination of authenticity, empathy, curiosity, and encouragement to her interactions with all students to help them become their own best advocate and agent of change, ultimately empowering them in their learning and life.

    When not engaged in work, Stephanie loves spending time with her amazing husband, two lively and hilarious teenage sons, and sweet rescue puppy. They can be found immersed in the local Bham scene, out walking or hiking, or curled up on the couch watching a comedy series together at their home in the woods.