Our Clinical Staff
Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum DO, is the President & Director of the Selective Mutism, Anxiety and Related Disorders Treatment Center (SMART Center) located in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. She is the Founder of the Selective Mutism Group (SMG) and a Director of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI) a foundation established to study her theories and treatment methodologies on Selective Mutism. In addition, Dr. Shipon-Blum is Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology & Family Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a board certified physician who specializes in Selective Mutism.
Dr Shipon-Blum practices in Jenkintown, PA, and has developed the evidenced-based Social Communication Anxiety Treatment (S-CAT)®from her years studying and researching individuals with Selective Mutism. She consults worldwide with families, treating professionals, and educators, and has helped over four thousand children from around the world overcome Selective Mutism.
Dr. Shipon-Blum lectures throughout the country on the topic of Selective Mutism, performs school evaluations and trainings for treating professionals, educators, and parents, and is considered one of the worlds leading experts in the treatment and understanding of Selective Mutism. She has been a featured expert on national television programs such as 20/20, CNN, Inside Edition, and Good Morning America, as well as other local, national, and international television and radio broadcasts. In addition, 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, and Palm Beach Post.
Dr. Shipon-Blum is presently involved in multiple collaborative research projects with top researchers and clinicians. In addition to her research she has written numerous articles and books on Selective Mutism and anxiety including ‘Easing School Jitters for the Selectively Mute Child,’ ‘The Ideal Classroom Setting for the Selectively Mute Child,’ ‘Understanding Katie,’ ‘Supplement Treatment Guide Book to Understanding Katie‘ and ‘ Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Disorder in School .’ She has also produced numerous DVDs on the topics of treatment and assessment of Selective Mutism, and the development of school accommodations and interventions for mute children.
Dr. Shipon-Blum (or Dr. E as her patients refer to her) prides herself on being ‘down to earth’ and ‘easy to speak to’, and resides with her family in the northeast suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Notably, she is also the mother of a child, Sophie, who suffered from and overcame Selective Mutism and is the inspiration for the work she does each day.
Financial Disclosure: Dr. Shipon-Blum is the President and Director of the SMart Center. She is a Director of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI). She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Psychology at PCOM. She has written many books on Selective Mutism for which she receives royalties. Dr. Shipon-Blum sells and distributes books and materials associated with Selective Mutism through the SMart Center website.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Dr. Shipon-Blum is the founder and Director Emeritus of SMG-CAN.
Jennifer Brittingham is a Professional Counselor who completed her Masters degree in the Clinical Counseling Psychology Program at Arcadia University. Jennifer is working under the supervision of Dr. Shipon-Blum to conduct S-CAT Program evaluations and treatment to families. Jennifer also provides support counseling, school trainings, and both on-site and web workshops and support groups. 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 mental retardation, elementary school special education resource assistant, as well as a college drug and alcohol counselor and support group leader.
Financial Disclosure:
Jennifer Brittingham is a salaried employee of the SMart Center who provides treatment and support to patients and their families.
Non-Financial Disclosure: None
Course Content:
Ms. Brittingham will be discussing Dr. Shipon-Blums Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®).
Irina Khrapatina, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania. She completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with a specialization in clinical child psychology. She completed an APA-accredited internship through Community Healthlink, Youth and Family Services. Dr. Khrapatina then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the CARES Institute within Rowan School of Medicine. Dr. Khrapatina’s areas of expertise include anxiety disorders and a range of internalizing and externalizing disorders in childhood. Currently, Dr. Khrapatina is the Director of Clinical Research for the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI). In this role she oversees research on selective mutism and the efficacy of Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum’s S-CAT® model. Dr. Khrapatina will be treating children and teens with SM and related social communication disorders as well as training clinicians and lecturing on selective mutism and S-CAT®.
Rosemarie Manfredi, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and Delaware and a certified school psychologist in Pennsylvania. Dr. Manfredi completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at Widener University, with concentrations in school psychology and neuropsychology. She completed an APA-accredited internship through Widener University, with rotations in a private practice in neuropsychology and St. Christophers Hospital for Children, Department of Neurology. Dr. Manfredi then went on to complete a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Autism Research at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During her fellowship, Dr. Manfredi completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND) training program. Prior to joining the team at the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI) and the SMart Center, Dr. Manfredi served as the Training Director for the Chestnut Hill College Internship Consortium, where she was responsible for the oversight of an internship for doctoral students in psychology, and as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Psy.D. program at Chestnut Hill College. She also provided psychological evaluations and consultations to local public and charter schools, diagnostic evaluations for military families and families receiving wraparound behavioral health services, and private psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations. Currently, Dr. Manfredi serves as the Neuropsychologist Consultant to the SMart Center. Dr. Manfredi’s areas of expertise include neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessment for a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, social communication disorders, developmental delays and intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, traumatic and acquired brain injuries, and other genetic or neurological disorders.
Financial Disclosure:
Dr. Rosemarie Manfredi is a paid consultant of the Smart Center
Non-Financial Disclosure:
Dr. Manfredi is a member of the Selective Mutism Association (SMA) and various Psychology and Neuropsychology Associations.
Ami Van Dine, MS, CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist who received her Masters of Science at La Salle University in 2009. She received extensive training in typical and atypical child development, and now specializes in the pediatric population. She is currently employed by Goldstar Rehabilitation, where she treats the birth-to-three population through early intervention. She also works in a private practice servicing school-aged children at Goldman and Axelman. Ami is a consultant with the Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center (SMART Center), where she conducts comprehensive evaluations of the speech and language of children diagnosed with selective mutism. Past work experience includes Moss Rehab Hospital, where she evaluated and treated the pediatric population. She additionally was part of a multidisciplinary team headed by developmental pediatrician Wendy Ross, MD FAAP, where she was involved with the Autism Inclusion Resources (AIR) Travel Program. Her undergraduate research with Dr. Paul Evitts about listener perceptions of alaryngeal speakers was presented at two American Speech Language Hearing conventions, and she is published as co-author in the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and the Journal of Communication Disorders.
Administrative Staff
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.
Alex Talarico recently moved to Philadelphia from West Chester, PA where she received her B.A. in Marketing and Communication Studies. After graduation, she quickly moved into a Marketing Coordinator position. In her new role at the SMart Center, Alex oversees all inbound marketing initiatives and forefronts our clinical outreach program. She is grateful for the opportunity to leverage her professional skills to spread awareness and understanding of Selective Mutism and other social communication disorders. Alex looks forward to contributing to healing and positivity for a community of children suffering in silence.
Beth Levy graduated with Honors from Franklin & Marshall College with a B.A. degree in Accounting. She worked for Ernst & Young accounting firm for five years before leaving the workforce to stay home with her four young children. Beth has a 22 year old daughter who had Selective Mutism, so she chose to join our team in hopes of helping other parents of children with Selective Mutism.
Sophia Blum is a graduate from Franklin and Marshall College, where she studied neuroscience and psychology. She is attending medical school now where she plans to specialize in Integrative Medicine. Sophia had Selective Mutism herself at a young age and speaks at local and national conferences on her experience overcoming SM. She has authored the book, Unspoken Words—a book to help children, teens, and others understand what a child with Selective Mutism is feeling when they are not able to express it themselves. Sophia has worked at the SMart Center and SMRI throughout her years. In addition to helping with various SMRI projects, including Dr. Shipon-Blum’s treatment manual, Sophia led the development of our popular intensive group treatment, CommuniCamp™. Incidentally, Sophia is Dr. E’s daughter and is the driving force behind Dr. E’s passion for Selective Mutism.
Jenna is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in Psychology and minored in Creative Writing. Jenna is continuing her education by pursuing a doctorate in the field of Clinical Psychology at Chestnut Hill College. Jenna has years of experience working at the SMart Center. She is currently a Research Assistant and a lead CommuniCamp™ Counselor. She works with patients under our licensed clinicians.
Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI) Research Consultants
Sharon Lee Armstrong, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of PsyD Research and Dissertations at La Salle University. She is also Associate Faculty Member at Rutgers University Center for Cognitive Science, Adjunct Scientist at Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, and Principle Investigator at the Selective Mutism Research Institute. Her specializations within Cognitive Science are psycholinguistics, concepts/categorization, reasoning, and metacognition. Her research has investigated these topics in typical and special populations (e.g., children and adults with schizophrenia, ASD, selective mutism, ADHD, aphasia, depression). She is a member of the Psychonomic Society, APS, APA (Experimental Psychology Division), ADAA, and has been on the Executive Committee of the Society for Philosophy and Psychology. She is a consulting editor for The Journal of General Psychology.
Financial Disclosure:
Dr. Armstrong is the research coordinator for the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI). She is a paid research consultant at the SMart Center and SMRI. She is a professor of Psychology and Director of PsyD Research and Dissertations at La Salle University
Non-Financial Disclosure:
Dr. Armstrong is a member of the Selective Mutism Group (SMG-CAN) and she is a consulting editor for the Journal of General Psychology.
Course Content:
Dr. Armstrong has been a researcher regarding assessment as well as outcome studies examining Dr. Shipon-Blums Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®).
Evelyn R. Klein, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-CL is Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at La Salle University. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania with post-doctoral training in neuropsychology. She holds Board Certification in Child Language from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) where she is an ASHA Fellow. Her specializations include evaluation and treatment in the areas of selective mutism, autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, language-learning disabilities, and acquired language disorders. She is an author of Focus On Function I & II, Hear It-Say It-Learn It, The Association Memory Test, and the textbook, Acquired Language Disorders: A Case-Based Approach. With more than 25 years experience as a clinician and educator, Dr. Klein conducts evaluations and supervises students at La Salle Universitys Communication Sciences and Disorders Clinic. In addition to being a PA State Coordinator with the Selective Mutism Group – Childhood Anxiety Network, she conducts research on assessment and treatment practices for children with communication-based anxiety disorders. She is the 2018 winner of La Salle University’s Faculty Distinguished Scholar award.
Dr. Klein is a consultant with the SMart Center and Selective Mutism Research Institute, where she is a principal investigator studying assessment and treatment methods for children.
SMRI Graduate Research and Clinical Staff
Leah graduated from the University of Rochester, where she received a B.A. in Psychology and Brain & Cognitive Sciences. She is currently pursuing her Psy.D. at LaSalle University where she will specialize in the child clinical concentration. Leah has previously worked at in-patient facilities for children with a variety of mental health problems in Rochester, NY and London, England. She’s also worked with children with Selective Mutism in New York City where she facilitated in treatment sessions, led therapy groups, and provided one-on-one therapy. Her previous research focused on children with post-traumatic stress disorder as well as behavioral interventions for children with autism. She is very excited to expand her work with children with Selective Mutism!
Paige Martin graduated from Cornell University, earning a B.S. in Human Development. She is currently pursuing her Psy.D. degree in Clinical Psychology at La Salle University, and plans to concentrate in Child Clinical Psychology. Previously, Paige has provided neuropsychological evaluations and intervention groups for children at various sites including the NYU Child Study Center. Her research interests involve the socio-emotional and executive functioning of children with a variety of anxiety disorders. Paige’s clinical interests include children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, ADHD, and Selective Mutism, in addition to her primary interest in pediatric neuropsychology.
Michelle Debski graduated from Rider University in 2013 earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then went on to pursue her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University and graduated in 2015. She is currently in the third year of her Psy.D. program at La Salle University. Michelle has a variety of diverse experiences working with children, adolescents and families and is currently completing her second externship at a boarding school in West Chester, PA. Michelle’s clinical interests are centered around children and families with a specific interest in childhood anxiety disorders such as Selective Mutism. Michelle looks forward to being a part of the amazing work that is being done at the SMart Center!
Adriana Pennacchi graduated with honors from Rider University, earning a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. After graduating in the Spring of 2015, Adriana started her master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rowan University. During her master’s program Adriana was a member of Rowan University’s Schizophrenia Spectrum Lab and received Rowan’s MA Excellence in Research Award for her thesis on health behaviors. Furthermore, during her master’s program Adriana completed her practicum placement at a community-based mental health program in South Jersey. At this placement, Adriana worked predominantly with children whom presented with a variety of concerns.
Currently, Adriana is a first-year student in Immaculata University’s Psy.D. in clinical Psychology Program. During her first year at Immaculata Adriana became involved with research involving body image, and body positivity. Furthermore, Adriana served as a CommuniCamp counselor where she became increasingly passionate about serving individuals with selective mutism. Adriana is looking forward to her practicum placement at the Selective Mutism Center and gaining a heightened level of experience in working with Selective Mutism.
SMart Center Therapy Dogs, Our Mascots, and Best Friends
Mr. B (pictured right) is Dr. E’s first therapy dog. He has accompanied Dr. E to various conferences and SM retreats and has touched the lives of our families for 14+ years! He’s known to knock on the doors (with his paw!) when he wants to join a session. He will either sit on a child/teens lap ‘n snuggle or sit by their feet. He instinctively knows who’s comfortable and who needs more TLC.
Lil’ Girl (pictured left) or “Small Lady of Love” joined the SMart Center team in 2014. She’s small and cuddly and our families adore her! She tends to carry a toy or bone around and loves to show it off! Lil’ Girl attends CommuniCamp™ and will go from classroom to classroom helping children/teens feel comfortable.
