Meet the Founders
Mike Goldstein
Mike designed and launched a high school as a Harvard grad student, and later interventions for teens and tweens at the Harvard Innovation Lab and the Harvard Launch Lab. He writes for the journal Education Next and has worked with Nobel Prize-winning economists to measure program effectiveness. Mike and his wife Pru live outside Boston; he likes tennis with his teenage son, cooking with his teenage daughter, and fetch with his 4 year old doodle. His approach combines rigorous research with practical strategies, focusing on real-world results rather than endless discussion. His work with teens and tweens emphasizes measurable progress and clear goals. His style is relaxed and features low quality Dad jokes.
Sean Geraghty
A Harvard-trained educator with a passion for helping teens succeed, Sean has transformed outcomes for thousands of students throughout his career. As Chief Academic Officer of a global education organization, he led large-scale initiatives that made real differences in students' lives. But his heart has always been in direct work with teens - starting as a high school math teacher in Chicago, where he found his calling helping struggling students find their path. Today, he combines his deep educational expertise with practical strategies to help teens build confidence, manage screen time, and strengthen social connections. Sean lives in Rhode Island with his wife Bethany and their three kids.
How It Works: A Clear Path to Progress
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PLAN.
Week 1: Strategic Foundation
-Parent interview first - we learn your teen's story and likely reactions
-Customized approach based on what works for your teen (coach vs. trainer vs. mentor)
-Teen chooses their coach through brief video intros - creating buy-in from the start
-Create detailed action plan (down to minute specifics like "when is the Fitbit getting charged?")
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LAUNCH.
Weeks 2-3: Intensive Support Phase
-Daily check-ins with precise timing and strategies
-Ultra-specific game plans for challenging situations and rehearsals for key moments
-Real-time troubleshooting with backup plans ready in case things don’t go as planned (they tend not to!)
-Example: "8:45pm text: 'Time for the phone handoff + start nighttime winddown.”
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LOCK IN.
Weeks 4-10: Secure Real Change
-Regular progress sessions focused on outcomes
-Adjust strategies based on what's working and what’s not, build on successes
-Weekly parent updates on concrete progress and how to make the wins more sustainable
-Clear exit strategy (we aim for 10 weeks total, we don’t want to create a forever-loop)
How RESET Differs from Traditional Therapy
| RESET Coaching | Typical Therapy |
|---|---|
| Concrete action plan quickly | Extended “exploratory” phase - can last weeks, months |
| Daily guidance at the hour or even minute it matters most | A weekly meeting for an hour |
| Parents as active partners | Parents often sidelined |
| Clear 10-week arc | Open-ended process, could last years |
| Data-driven, goal-oriented: with Fitbit; screentime counter; daily mood check | Measurements often unclear or fuzzy |
| Coaches are K-12 educators with unusual track record of successfully changing teen behavior | Counselors are therapists trained on all of the points above; with no concrete outcome measures on whether they succeed or not |
Ready to try a different approach?
FAQs
What makes your approach different?
We're oriented around less talk, more action, and more concrete measurement. We understand the real world teens navigate - smirks in school hallways; big test where you really mean to study but just…can’t get going; friend text chains that you’re not included in; sports coach is suddenly reducing your playing time. We're doers who've built schools, camps, summer programs, tutoring and counseling interventions.
How is this different from therapy?
We're educators, coaches, and program designers, not therapists. We focus on practical progress through daily action. Our expertise comes from decades of building successful educational programs and understanding what actually works for teens.
Who is this for?
Teens who need a fresh approach. Some families come to us after trying other methods that didn't quite fit. Others are looking for something more action-oriented from the start.
What can parents expect?
Clear goals, daily support during our intensive launch phase, and regular updates on progress. We work closely with both teens and parents to ensure everyone's aligned.
What else?
We really want to know “What’s happened to date?” That’s our start. We know every “type": the psychologists who do those $5,000 neuro evaluations; the special ed directors; the tutoring companies; the in-school counselors and the private sector therapists; every type of teacher and sports coach; the school principals who maybe don’t see eye to eye with the parents. We know how they see the world; their vibes; their JDs. We’re 100% the parent advocate here. One thing we find irritating is how some specialists cut out the parent and try to work solely with the teen or tween. That’s occasionally the essential move, but typically not.
How do daily check-ins actually work?
We're incredibly specific about timing and method. If we're working on phone habits, you might get a 7:45pm text with exact language to use with your teen. We pre-plan for likely obstacles and have backup strategies ready.
What kind of goals do you typically work on?
Everything from screen time and sleep habits to social confidence and academic organization. The key is breaking big goals into small, specific action steps - not just "improve sleep" but detailed plans for everything from Fitbit charging to morning routines.
How do you handle resistance from teens?
We focus on generating buy-in and trust. We want to meet them where they are. We also think choice is a big deal, and letting them choose thier coach through video intros creates buy-in from the start.
How involved are parents in the process?
It varies but typically “very.” We start with parent insights, provide regular updates, and coordinate on specific strategies. But we're also careful to give teens appropriate autonomy and ownership over their progress.
Will you guide me, the parent, on my precise role during this time?
Yes. The most typical experience for parent is (don’t worry, this is written out in our Plan)
a. Let coach work with teen on X issue during the 10 weeks.
b. “Love em up” - you’ve outsourced the loving nagging to us, so don’t. Give yourself a break. We’ll get permission from your kid up front to keep you very much in the loop. Don’t try to work on NEW problems (i.e., we’re working on improving sleep, so you stop nagging about bedtime, but now you push about taking out the trash). Imagine for a moment your kid is 20 years old and home from college - that’s the vibe you’re going for.
