Who We Are
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We believe every child deserves the chance to succeed in reading, writing, and learning.
Our center has been serving families in Kansas City, Parkville, Liberty, and now Overland Park for more than 20 years.
We are more than tutors. We are a community of specialists, parents, and advocates who understand dyslexia both personally and professionally.
Families trust us to provide not only the best research-based instruction but also a safe, supportive environment where students can thrive and build confidence.
Our Tutors
Our tutors are the heart of ETC. They provide specialized one-to-one instruction in reading, writing, and spelling. Every lesson is based on Structured Literacy and the proven Orton-Gillingham (OG) principles.
What makes our tutors unique:
- All have college degrees or specialized training.
- Each tutor completes 40 hours of Orton-Gillingham training through ETC.
- After training, every tutor completes a 20-hour practicum under the supervision of a master tutor.
- Many pursue additional OG certifications to deepen their skills.
- Tutors adapt lessons for each student, using our large library of OG resources.
We also believe in continuous learning. Our tutors take part in ongoing professional development, attend workshops, and even present at the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) conferences. This means your child benefits from the most up-to-date research and methods available.
At our two centers — in Historic Downtown Parkville and Overland Park — (plus select off-site and virtual options), students and tutors work side by side in lively, supportive sessions.
Meet the Owner
Meet Cathy Denesia
Owner, Dyslexia Specialist
Cathy brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her leadership at ETC.
- Training & Credentials: Cathy has completed over 210+ hours of Orton-Gillingham training under an OG Fellow. She is currently working toward full certification.
- Leadership Roles: She serves as Treasurer of the IDA Branch Council Executive Committee (BCEC), which includes a seat on the national IDA Board. She was also the IDA Midwest Regional Representative (2020–2024) and served three terms as President of the KS-MO IDA Branch, where she is now an advisor.
- Background: Before joining ETC full-time, Cathy practiced as an Occupational Therapist and also earned her Juris Doctorate (JD), with more than 12 years in healthcare compliance.
But Cathy’s story goes deeper. She is also a parent of three children and the spouse of an adult with dyslexia. She has lived the journey alongside her own family for more than 12 years, from early intervention to advocacy at the state level.
- Cathy’s children attended ETC themselves, giving her firsthand knowledge of the transformative power of Structured Literacy.
- She co-led a parent support group for dyslexia families and was active in advocating for the first KSDE Dyslexia Recommendations passed by the Kansas Board of Education — even speaking before the Board herself.
- Cathy’s professional achievements and personal story fuel her passion to ensure that Structured Literacy is available to all students in our community.
Meet the Founder
Meet Lorrie Wolf
Founder
Lorrie is the visionary who started ETC in 2005. A Certified member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, she trained at both the ASSETS School in Hawaii and the Kildonan School in New York. She also co-taught Multisensory Synthetic Phonics with the late C. Wilson Anderson, a pioneer in OG education.
Professional Service:
- Past-President of the Kansas/Missouri IDA Branch
- Former Treasurer of the IDA Branch Council Executive Committee
- Advisor to the KS-MO IDA Board
- Active member of the Learning Disability Association of America, Learning Ally, and supporter of the National Center for Learning Disabilities
Before founding ETC, Lorrie worked in private practice, serving both children and adults with dyslexia.
Like Cathy, Lorrie’s passion is deeply personal. She is the mother of a child with dyslexia, which first led her to seek Orton-Gillingham training. Her lived experience gave her empathy, determination, and vision to build a center where struggling learners could be understood and supported.
Thanks to Lorrie, generations of Kansas City families now have access to high-quality dyslexia support close to home.
Why Families Choose ETC
Proven Approach
Structured Literacy & Orton-Gillingham methods.
Well-Trained Tutors
Every tutor meets rigorous standards.
Personal Connection
Leaders and tutors who understand dyslexia firsthand.
Community Trust
Serving families across Kansas City for nearly 20 years.
At ETC, we believe that a well-qualified, passionate team is the key to unlocking every student’s potential.
Our Story
Every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader.
At Educational Therapy Center, that belief has guided us from the very beginning.
2001 – The Beginning
Founded by Lorrie Wolf in Parkville, MO.
Lorrie recognized that children with dyslexia and other learning differences needed a safe, supportive place to learn. She brought the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Kansas City, training tutors in structured literacy methods long before they were widely known.
Her dream was simple: create a space where students could be understood, encouraged, and empowered.
2005–2015 – Growing a Community
Word spread quickly. Families from Kansas City, Liberty, and Overland Park sought out ETC for specialized tutoring.
- Dozens of students built confidence and discovered they could learn to read.
- ETC began offering skills assessments to help families understand their child’s learning profile.
- Tutors received ongoing training, ensuring each student received high-quality, individualized instruction.
2016 – Cathy Joins the Mission
Cathy Denesia, a passionate dyslexia advocate and certified Orton-Gillingham instructor, became deeply involved in ETC.
- She worked alongside families to secure 504 and IEP accommodations in local schools.
- Cathy brought her leadership skills to both the center and the International Dyslexia Association, where she became a voice for structured literacy in classrooms nationwide.
2020–2024 – National & Global Impact
Cathy represented the Midwest on the IDA Branch Council Executive Committee (2020-2024) & currently serves as the IDA’s BCEC Treasurer with a seat on the IDA Board, advocating for students and tutors across the region.
She was also selected as one of only 100 global advisors to update the official definition of dyslexia — a milestone that helps educators worldwide better understand and support students.
Meanwhile, ETC continued its mission at home: helping Kansas City students thrive in reading, writing, and spelling.
Today – A Legacy of Hope
Under Cathy’s leadership, Educational Therapy Center continues the vision that Lorrie began.
- Students receive one-on-one tutoring, skills assessments, and summer reading programs.
- Families gain support through resources, advocacy, and community connections.
- Tutors are trained and mentored, keeping ETC a trusted leader in dyslexia support for Kansas City, Parkville, Liberty, and Overland Park.
Every success story we celebrate is a tribute to both Lorrie’s pioneering vision and Cathy’s ongoing dedication. Together, they have built a place where children are not defined by their struggles, but empowered by their strengths