Meet Our Staff
Clinical Staff
Our team is committed and dedicated to helping you or your child or teen overcome Selective Mutism.
President and Director
Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum (“Dr. E”) is the President and Director of the Selective Mutism Anxiety & Related Disorders and Treatment Center (SMart Center) located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the founder of the intensive group treatment program, CommuniCamp™. She is President of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI), which is a foundation started to study her theories and treatment methodologies on Selective Mutism. Dr. E is the Founder & Director Emeritus of the Selective Mutism Association (SMA).
Dr. Shipon-Blum has developed the evidenced-based therapy, Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® or (S-CAT)® from her years evaluating, treating & researching individuals with Selective Mutism.
Dr. Shipon-Blum has her own podcast, Unspoken Words, where she shares her 30+ years of experience.
In addition, Dr E has written numerous articles, books, webinars on Selective Mutism. Vist our resource page.
Dr. Shipon-Blum has treated countless children from around the world, lectures throughout the country on the topic of Selective Mutism, performs school evaluations and trainings for treating professionals, educators & parents and is considered one of the world’s leading experts in the treatment and understanding of Selective Mutism.
Dr. E has been a featured expert within the media. She has appeared in national television shows such as 20/20, CNN, Inside Edition, Good Morning America as well as other local/national and international TV and Radio broadcasts. She has been featured in TIME Magazine, People Magazine and has interviewed with newspapers such as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Diego Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Palm Beach Post and other media publications throughout the world. Dr. Shipon-Blum prides herself on being “down to earth.” She resides with her family in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Socializing with friends and family
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: 🥰
- Favorite Season: Spring because of the longer days, cooler weather, and opportunities to enjoy OUTSIDE
- Favorite Quote related to Selective Mutism: “Courage isn’t Loud”
- Best career advice: “Go in the direction of your passion and interests. Success is not linear; it takes grit and determination. When you ‘fall’ get back up and keep going. Never ever think that you can’t…..because you CAN!”
- “I hope to help children, teens, and adults find their voices! To change a life for the positive!”
Director of C&A and Lead Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Jenna Blum is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who received her Doctor of Psychology from Chestnut Hill College’s Psy.D. Program. She also received her Master of Science from Chestnut Hill College in August 2020. Prior to graduate school, she received a B.A. at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA in 2018 where she majored in Psychology and minored in Creative Writing. During college, Dr. Jenna was a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology
Dr. Jenna has experience working with children, teens and adults with a wide array of acute and chronic mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, autism, learning challenges and Selective Mutism.
Dr. Jenna holds many titles at the SMart Center. Not only is she a Lead Clinician, but she is also the Supervisor and Director of CommuniCamp Counselors.
Dr. Jenna has experience working with children, teens and adults with a wide array of acute and chronic mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, autism and learning challenges.
Dr. Jenna co-leads all-day parent education/support during the popular CommuniCamp (intensive group treatment and all-day parent education/support program). In addition, she works directly with children/teens during CommuniCamp. In addition, she co-created virtual CommuniCamp which is modeled after SMart Center’s in-person CommuniCamp.
A strong focus for Dr. Jenna is performing psychological and developmental assessments for children/teens and adults. She performs full psychological batteries, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) testing, etc. Dr. Jenna is certified in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition (ADOS-2),
Dr. Jenna is certified in the Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM) – a weekly intervention for women with trauma – Dr. Jenna is trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) – an intervention to treat children between ages 2 and 7 with disruptive behavior problems.
Overall, Dr. Jenna’s academic training has been grounded in the use of Psychodynamic Therapy and Family Systems practice but also implements Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Hanging out with friends and family, reading, and working out
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: ❤️
- Favorite Season: Fall because it is a very festive time of the year and she loves being cozy
- Best Career Advice: “Reach for the stars and keep going until you are at the highest pinnacle. You should be a horse with blinders and ignore all the negative commentary along the way.”
- “I hope to help individuals and families reach their full potential and to supervise doctoral and master level clinicians so that they positively impact the individuals and families they work with.”
Learn more about Dr. Jenna now with our Unspoken Words episode “Introducing Jenna Blum, PsyD!”
Director of Clinical Training
Dr. William La Valle earned an MA in Psychology from West Chester University, and an MS and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania.
Dr. La Valle works as the Director of Clinical Training at the SMart center and SMRI. He is also the Director or Clinical Training and Psychological Services at Intercommunity Action, Inc., a non-profit community mental health agency in Philadelphia. Dr. La Valle oversees the doctoral internship/externship and Master’s training programs. He also oversees the assessment/testing department to conduct Autism assessments (using the ADOS-2), ADHD evaluation, and full-battery psycho-educational assessments. He also supervises and conducts assessments for school-aged children and teenagers to help provide diagnostic clarity and determine medical necessarily of treatment services. His specialties include assessing and treating Autism Spectrum Disorder & ADHD, CBT for anxiety/depression, and trauma- focused interventions. He is formally trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Motivational interviewing.
Dr. La Valle also teaches in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as in the Master’ s psychology program at Southern New Hampshire University. Dr. La Valle serves on multiple mental health boards in the tri-state area and regularly conducts presentations, advocating for the psychology profession. He has been the receipt of PCOM’s Provost Award and APA’s Honorable Mention for Early Career Psychologist.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Coaching youth travel soccer
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: 😂
- Favorite Season: Summer because his family LOVES the beach
- Best Career Advice: “Embrace every opportunity and experience. You will get out what you put in. Most importantly, make sure you are doing what you love!”
- “I hope to continue teaching and supervising students so that they can practice independently and autonomously.”
Lead Clinical Counselor & School Consultant
Jennifer Brittingham is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who completed her Masters degree in the Clinical Counseling Psychology Program at Arcadia University. Jennifer has been a team member of the SMart Center since 2005. She conducts S-CAT® Program evaluations and treatment to families, S-CAT® Parent coaching and training sessions to families across the country and abroad. She provides school consultation and training to school districts and other organizations both on-site and via web workshops. Jen is a lead clinician and speaker during all-day parent education at CommuniCamp.
Jennifer graduated from Arcadia University with her M.A. in Clinical Counseling Psychology in 2008 and was a Pennsylvania Counseling Association Graduate Leader from 2007 to 2008. Prior to her work at the SMart Center, Jennifer has worked as a case manager for children with intellectual disabilities, elementary school special education resource assistant, and as both a college counselor, as well as a college drug and alcohol counselor and support group leader.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Being outdoors at the beach, riding bikes, & walking with her family and dog
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: 🤩
- Favorite Season: Summer because of beach and pool weather!
- Best career advice: “Be intentional to find balance. This doesn’t mean balance will look the same all of the time. Sometimes you will work harder & longer at times in your life, but that is not sustainable in the long term. Be willing to pause and know when those times are necessary and be intentional to pull back when needed. There are many seasons of life. Be willing to be flexible in how you create balance within each season.”
- “My desire is to help families, individuals, and schools to feel hopeful and feel less ‘stuck’. Change can be overwhelming and I want to journey alongside others to help reduce that feeling and give them tangible strategies that bring about change!”
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
Francisco Muñoz, M.A., is a master-level clinician at the SMart Center and a doctoral candidate in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program at La Salle University, with a concentration in Child Clinical Psychology. Francisco has trained in a range of pediatric medical and mental health settings, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Nemours Children’s Health. He has experience treating a variety of concerns such as anxiety, OCD, ARFID, ADHD, and Tic Disorders using evidence-based approaches like CBT, ERP, and behavioral interventions. His clinical and research interests center on pediatric anxiety, health psychology, and integrated models of care, with a dissertation focused on long-term outcomes in adults with a history of Selective Mutism.
His approach to therapy is collaborative and supportive, blending structured interventions with warmth and flexibility. Francisco emphasizes caregiver involvement and focuses on building trust through predictable routines, play, and sensitivity to each child’s emotional pace. He values empathy, curiosity, and honoring each child’s unique experience.
At the SMart Center, Francisco consults with families and treats individuals with Selective Mutism and an array of mental health disorders. In addition, he performs testing/assessments, including Full Psychological Batteries, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. Francisco leads support and treatment groups, such as, CommuniCamp™.
Outside of his clinical work, Francisco enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and playing video games. A guiding motto in his work is, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable,” a mindset that aligns closely with his work in exposure-based therapy. If he could choose any superpower when working with kids, Francisco would choose the ability to instantly understand what a child is feeling—especially when they struggle to express it. So much of our work involves decoding behaviors to get at the emotion underneath. Being able to tune into that internal experience right away would help build trust faster and make treatment more effective from the start
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
Natalie Weaver, M.S., is a fourth-year doctoral student at Chestnut Hill College in the clinical Psy.D. program. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia and her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Leadership Studies at Widener University. Natalie has worked as a co-lead counselor at multiple CommuniCamp programs at the SMart Center over the past two years.
Natalie has experience working in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in various clinical outpatient and community mental health settings. She has worked with diverse populations with a range of presenting problems and diagnoses, such as trauma, mood disorders, addiction, personality disorders, and more. She believes that the first step in therapy involves fostering a nonjudgmental, safe space for individuals to share and process their thoughts and feelings, to help foster the perfect environment for growth. She believes in meeting each person where they are at and working at a pace that is unique to each individual. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her multiple pets, rescuing animals, boxing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
At the SMart Center, Natalie consults with families and treats individuals with Selective Mutism and an array of mental health disorders. In addition, she performs testing/assessments, including Full Psychological Batteries, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. Natalie leads support and treatment groups, such as, CommuniCamp™.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Traveling and spending time with her family and 13 pets
- Favorite Pet: Loves all animals
- Favorite Emoji: 🥺
- Favorite Season: Fall and winter because of the leaves changing and the weather
- Best career advice: “Surround yourself with people who support you and believe in you, but also believe in yourself.”
- “I hope to grow as a clinician, while also helping my clients grow. I hope to expand my skills while utilizing the skills to then help my clients. My ultimate goal is to help people. I am interested in therapy services, assessment services, and also the research side of everything. I hope to be able to help increase my clients comfort in the room to then help further increase their comfort in communication.”
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
Victoria Stavropoulos, B.S. is currently a doctoral student at La Salle University’s Psy.D. Program with a concentration in Clinical Child Psychology. Prior to graduate school, she received a B.S. at Drexel University in 2022, where she majored in Psychological and Brain Sciences and minored in Fine Arts.
Victoria has experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in both research and clinical settings. She participated in the Incredible Years Program, where she fostered children’s emotional, behavioral, and social skills development at an elementary school through classroom activities and fun puppet skits. Victoria also has experience working with children, adults, and families as a clinic coordinator at Drexel Psychological Services Center and the Drexel University Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy (DUCFT) Clinic.
Victoria believes that mental health services should be accessible to everyone. She is passionate about providing a safe space and holistic approach in therapy to promote healing and growth. At the SMart Center, Victoria consults with families and treats individuals with Selective Mutism and an array of mental health disorders. In addition, she performs testing/assessments, including Full Psychological Batteries, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. Victoria leads support and treatment groups, such as, CommuniCamp™.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Playing video games, reading, running, painting, watching tv, and snuggling with her cats
- Favorite Pet: Dogs & cats
- Favorite Emoji: 🦔
- Favorite Season: Fall because of Halloween and changing leaves
- Best career advice: “Look out the other’s window. Try to see the world as your patient sees it.”
- “I hope to learn from my clients and watch them grow :)”
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
Maya Bauer, M.A. is pursuing her doctoral degree in La Salle University’s Psy.D. program. She has a Bachelor of Science in developmental psychology with a minor in psychology and family therapy from the University of Minnesota. She holds a Master’s in social work from the University of Chicago. Maya has worked with children and adolescents of different ages, providing therapy to individuals, groups, and families in various settings, from inpatient to outpatient. She has worked with children and adolescents with diverse diagnoses, including anxiety, mood, and trauma disorders.
Maya’s research interests include peripartum mental health and well-being, parent-child interaction behaviors, and the impact of these interactions on the well-being and functioning of the child and their caregiver. Her clinical interests include working with children and adolescents diagnosed with selective mutism, anxiety, and trauma & stressor-related disorders. She is also passionate about working alongside parents and caregivers to support their children in the best way possible.
At the SMart Center, Maya consults with families and treats individuals with Selective Mutism and an array of mental health disorders. In addition, she performs testing/assessments, including Full Psychological Batteries, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. Maya leads support and treatment groups, such as, CommuniCamp™.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Spending time outside, journaling, and exploring new coffee shops in the city
- Favorite Pet: Dogs and cats
- Favorite Emoji: 😎
- Favorite Season: Fall because of the weather, wearing her favorite sweaters, going apple picking with friends, and enjoying pumpkin baked goods
- Best career advice: “Foster your curiosity and embrace lifelong learning! Each day can lead to new understandings and discoveries. Curiosity can lead you to your passions and help you continuously expand your knowledge and skills.”
- “I aim to empower individuals and families affected by selective mutism and other mental health conditions by providing them with the tools and strategies necessary to live to their fullest potential, enabling them to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. I also hope to raise awareness in the community and advocate for a better understanding of selective mutism.”
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
Kathryn McPhillips, M.S. is currently a doctoral student in the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University and her Masters in Experimental Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University. Her Master’s thesis focused on affective forecasting accuracy, emotion regulation, and anxiety and combined both of her research and clinical interests. Kathryn’s experimental background provides her with the critical thinking skills needed when evaluating the best evidence-based treatments and applying those evidence-based treatments in a clinical practice.
She has worked with children her whole life, with her most recent experience being in a school setting. She also has clinical experience as a mental health technician at a pediatric inpatient psychiatric hospital, where she worked with children and adolescents who presented with aggression, emotion regulation difficulties, suicidal ideation, and psychosis. At the SMart Center, Kathryn consults with families and treats individuals with Selective Mutism and an array of mental health disorders. In addition, she performs testing/assessments, including Full Psychological Batteries, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. Kathryn leads support and treatment groups, such as, CommuniCamp™.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Watching Philly sports, listening to music, going on walks, and cooking
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: 🥺
- Favorite Season: Fall because of football, the cooler weather, and changing leaves
- Best career advice: “Be a lifelong learner, always ask questions, and go outside your comfort zone, because that is when you learn.”
- “I hope to always see the whole individual through treatment. Treatment for any psychological condition is not a one-size-fits-all all. Therefore, I want to conceptualize each client to the best of my ability and create and implement a treatment plan that will be effective for them, based on their background and history. I hope to help individuals grow through their most vulnerable moments and to make meaningful connections with all of my clients.”
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
Ilana Weinstein, B.A. is a Clinical Psychology Psy.D. student at La Salle University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University at Albany. Ilana has gained valuable experience working with children, adolescents, and their families from diverse backgrounds. The individuals she has worked with have had various diagnoses, such as anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Moreover, Ilana has provided an array of treatment modalities which have occurred in a multitude of settings, including schools, homes, and private practices.
Her clinical interests lie in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric mental health disorders and developmental conditions. Ilana is especially passionate about early intervention programs and individualized care. At the SMart Center, Ilana consults with families and treats individuals with Selective Mutism and an array of mental health disorders. In addition, she performs testing/assessments, including Full Psychological Batteries, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. Ilana leads support and treatment groups, such as, CommuniCamp™.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Journaling, listening to music, building LEGO, watching Disney movies, and playing with dogs
- Favorite Pet: Loves all animals
- Favorite Emoji: 🧸
- Favorite Season: Winter because of the fun activities like tubing and building snowmen
- Best career advice: “Once you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
- “During my career in the mental health/selective mutism space, I hope to create a safe space for individuals who are struggling. I want my clients to feel comfortable and supported during their journey. I also desire to help my clients feel motivated and optimistic about their futures.”
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
- Current Favorite Hobby: Going swimming or playing basketball
- Favorite Pet: My childhood dog named Abby! She was a Shih Tzu.
- Favorite Season: Fall
- Favorite Quote: “For every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth.” -Bo Bennett
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
- Current Favorite Hobby: I enjoy running and taking care of all of my plants.
- Favorite Pet: I love all animals, but especially my 2 cats Philly and Phia and my dog Tucker.
- Favorite Season: Summer!
- Favorite Quote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
Caroline Shelby, M.A., is a doctoral trainee at the SMart Center and a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at Immaculata University. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and has prior experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and providing family therapy. These experiences have prepared her well for her current work supporting children and families at the SMart Center.
Caroline is passionate about working with young children, particularly those with ASD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Specific Learning Disorders. She enjoys conducting psychological and psychoeducational assessments, including ASD and psychodiagnostic evaluations. Her clinical and research interests also include mental health advocacy, policy work, and exploring Narrative Therapy for Disenfranchised Grief. Her therapeutic approach is person-centered, emphasizing warmth, respect, and collaboration. Caroline strives to create a safe, supportive environment where children and families feel valued and empowered, integrating psychoeducation and skill-building to promote meaningful progress.
At the SMart Center, Caroline consults with families and treats individuals with Selective Mutism and an array of mental health disorders. In addition, Caroline performs testing/assessments, including Full Psychological Batteries, ADHD, & Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. She also leads support and treatment groups, such as CommuniCamp™.
Outside of her clinical work, Caroline enjoys reading, playing pickleball, spending time at the beach, and caring for her three cats. Her favorite quote is, “Sometimes it takes sadness to know happiness, noise to appreciate silence, and absence to value presence.” If she could have a superpower when working with kids, it would be to create any toy or stuffed animal out of thin air. Caroline would love to have this superpower because she would always have an object that the child was interested in… free of cost!
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
- Current Favorite Hobby: Moving my body! I love doing pilates/ yoga/ and going for walks on the Schuylkill River Trail.
- Favorite Pet: Dogs! My family has a Goldendoodle named Winnie
- Favorite Season: Summer! Reading a good book on the beach is my happy place!
- Favorite Quote: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” – Dalai Lama
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
- Current Favorite Hobby: Reading, gardening, and playing video games.
- Favorite Pet: Dogs
- Favorite Season: Fall
- Favorite Quote: “It is okay to be affected by something you thought you had healed from. Healing is not linear. Be gentle with yourself.”- A Gentle Reminder
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
- Current Favorite Hobby: Watching the Eagles
- Favorite Pet: My cat Smokey
- Favorite Season: Fall
- Favorite Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” – Maya Angelou
Clinician / Doctoral Trainee
- Current Favorite Hobby: Reading and any form of exercise I can incorporate into my day!
- Favorite Pet: Dogs!
- Favorite Season: I love the weather during autumn!
- Favorite Quote: “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton
Administrative Staff
Lead Clinical Care Coordinator / Office Manager
Laura Bansemer is a valuable member of the SMart Center Support and the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI) Team. Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Muhlenberg College graduating magna cum laude and phi beta kappa. With over 10 years of customer service experience, Laura was previously a weight loss counselor and then a call center director.
Her favorite hobbies outside of work include walking her dogs, Bonnie and Percy, and puzzling! Laura loves dogs and prefers fall because of the cooler weather and leaves changing color. The best career advice she’s received is “People don’t leave companies. They leave people. How you treat those you work with and how you interact with clients makes a big difference.” Laura hopes to make things a little easier/brighter for someone else especially when they are dealing with something challenging even if it’s through a brief interaction.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Walking her dogs, Bonnie and Percy, and puzzling
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: 😍
- Favorite Season: Fall because of cooler weather and the leaves changing
- Best career advice: “People don’t leave companies. They leave people. How you treat those you work with and how you interact with clients makes a big difference.”
- “If I can make things a little easier/brighter for someone else especially when they are dealing with something challenging even if it’s through a brief interaction that’s my goal.”
CommuniCamp Director / Clinical Care Coordinator
LisaMarie Vargas was born and raised in Morristown, NJ and is the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants. She is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor in science from Temple University. After graduating, she fell into, and fell in love with, a career in marketing and events. She is a seasoned event professional who brings her experience from various industries, including, but not limited, to sports, food, and tourism, to the SMart Center. LisaMarie has worked with popular public figures such as Serena Williams, Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg, Allen Iverson, Chef Marcus Samuelsson, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, and many others. She is a pro at creating unique events that leave a lasting impression by combining new trends and unmatched hospitality. At the SMart Center, you will find LisaMarie organizing CommuniCamp plans, building out other SMart Center events, and heading up marketing and social media efforts.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Eating tacos and drinking margaritas, yoga, and arts & culture
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: 🫠
- Favorite Season: Summer because of beach weather
- Best career advice: “Stop apologizing”
- “I hope to make impactful experiences for our families.”
Sales & Marketing Intern
Alexandra Collins graduated from Temple University in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a focus on child psychology. She has a lot of experience working with children of all ages in environments such as daycare, day camps, one-on-one care, and volunteer programs for children in need. Alexandra also overcame selective mutism when she was in elementary school. She hopes to continue her education in the field of psychology so she can be even more involved in the process of helping others.
Marketing Consultant
Brandon Blum was born and raised in Abington, PA. After graduating from Temple University, he spent six all-encompassing years inside the digital marketing wings of three prodigiously large media companies. His day-to-day consisted of project managing key corporate client relationships; relentlessly writing, pitching, ideating & launching six-figure multi-channel advertising campaigns; and learning how brands – large and small – tell their stories. In other words, communication is his area of expertise. In addition to his marketing consulting work, Brandon is the co-founder of For Others, a clothing label that gives back to the local communities their items are purchased in or purchased for. Brandon currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Marketing Coordinator / Clinical Care Coordinator
Dakota Hornak was born and raised in Willow Grove, PA. They graduated from Susquehanna University in May of 2022 with a BA in communications and psychology and have done work in marketing and sales for over ten years. They have wanted to work in mental health and non-profit organizations since beginning college and has been a freelance designer and marketer since their freshman year. As a hobby, Dakota began art and graphic design as well as writing, which then became their passion and what they wanted in a career. They are now the marketing coordinator for the SMart Center.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Creating new art projects, watching movies, and going hiking or kayaking with their partner and dog
- Favorite Pet: Loves all animals
- Favorite Emoji: 🤠
- Favorite Season: Fall because of Halloween and getting to spend time outside while the leaves change
- Best Career Advice: “Put your time and energy into that field and the cause you are passionate about and believe in wholeheartedly.”
- “I hope to help families struggling with mental health challenges and create valuable resources about selective mutism and mental health overall for people across the globe who need access to resources they otherwise may not have.”
Clinical Care Coordinator
A graduate of DeSales University, Mary Kate had previously worked as an Executive Assistant and Meetings Coordinator at the Philadelphia Bar Association. After taking a leave while her children were very young, Mary Kate returned to the workforce in 2016 and worked as a church secretary before joining the SMart Center at the Clinical Care Coordinator. She is thrilled to be with the SMart Center, and is gratified to be helping our SMart families get the help that they need. Mary Kate lives in Jenkintown with her husband, three children and two dogs. She is an avid reader, a wannabe foodie, and an enthusiastic fan of Philadelphia’s sports teams.
- Current Favorite Hobby: Reading
- Favorite Pet: Dog
- Favorite Emoji: 😍
- Favorite Season: Autumn, because it feels like a new beginning
- Best career advice: “Believe in your own abilities”
- “I want to ease the burden of the administrative work so that our clinicians can help our families.”
Clinical Assistant
Zoe Nelson is a third-year student at Drexel University studying Psychological and Brain Sciences with a focus on child psychology. She is on the executive board of Drexel’s chapter of the International Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi) as the Head of Public Relations. Zoe is excited to complete her second co-op at the SMart Center as a Clinical Assistant.
Zoe has over ten years of experience working with children of various ages in different environments, such as schools, camps, and volunteer programs, as well as being a nanny for multiple families. She has worked with children with Selective Mutism as a CommuniCamp Counselor at the SMart Center for many camps. Zoe also has experience working with adults and children who are trauma survivors at The Joseph J. Peters Insitute, where she completed her previous co-op.
Zoe was diagnosed with Selective Mutism at age three and overcame it with the help of many others. She hopes to use her personal experiences and education to continue to help children in need and provide hope that they too can overcome it.
Retired SMart Center Therapy Dogs: Our Mascots & Best Friends
Therapy Pug
Mr. B was Dr. E’s first therapy dog. He accompanied Dr. E to various conferences and SM retreats and has touched the lives of our families for 14+ years! It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of this beloved ‘O.G.’ pug. He played an instrumental role in the lives of so many families affected by Selective Mutism. He was known to knock on the doors (with his paw!) when he wanted to join a session. He would either sit on a child/teens lap ‘n snuggle or sit by their feet. He instinctively knew who was comfortable and who needed more TLC. Mr. B was a true blessing to so many children who have suffered in silence.
Therapy Pug
Lil’ Girl (pictured left) or “SMall Lady of Love” joined the SMart Center team in 2014. She’s small and cuddly, and our families adored her! She often disguised herself as a stuffed animal to help kids (and parents) who may be afraid to realize she’s just like a stuffed animal but can move around and play!
Lil’ Girl once attended CommuniCamp™ and went from classroom to classroom helping children/teens feel comfortable. She has now retired as a therapy dog for the center.
Therapy Dog
Bonnie is a lovable, happy, blonde bombshell who loves to go for walks! Our patients (and staff) love to play with her. When she joined the staff, she would say “Hi” to every family and made sure to greet each staff member every morning. She has now retired as the SMart Center’s therapy dog.
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