Meet the Collective
Katie Deans, M. Ed, LPC
Introducing Katie! A Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about helping children, teens, and families, especially those who have experienced trauma. She believes that while relationships can sometimes cause hurt, they can also bring healing. Katie works to create a safe, supportive space where kids and families can grow and find hope.
She has special training in working with foster and adoptive families, as well as young children who have faced difficult experiences. Since 2017, Katie has served the Athens and Oconee community in schools, non-profits, and private practice, supporting children, teens, and young adults with challenges like anxiety, ADHD, grief, trauma, and life transitions.
At the heart of her work is collaboration. Katie partners with families to set goals and build a plan that encourages growth and lasting healing.
Monira Silk
In 2010, Monira Silk opened a little resale shop turned parenting center (reBlossom) after her daughters Miriam (16) & Nadine (14) were born. She was a newspaper photojournalist and an ESOL teacher, so why not start a business dedicated to families making the transition to parenthood? In 2021, Monira founded Athens Parent Wellbeing, a 501(c)(3) non-profit to support parents' optimum mental health and the belief that it's better to parent in community! Monira loves supporting parents in all stages from learning about birth, breastfeeding, babywearing, car seat safety, sleep & potty training to middle school.
The Silk family loves to travel, hunt for waterfalls and hang with their pets sweetie Petie, and silly Goosie. True story: the first words her husband, Danny, ever said to her were, "Will you marry me" in Arabic class! To help combat anxiety, Monira loves to dance at The Studio and hang upside down from the trapeze bar at Canopy. She also enjoys sleeping under the stars with her Girl Scout troop.
Katie Ruder, MA, CCC - SLP
Meet Katie, the founder and lead speech-language pathologist at Arrow Speech Company, bringing over 20 years of experience to the families she serves. With a deep commitment to neurodiversity-affirming care, Katie helps children and their families better understand their unique brains, communication styles, and developmental needs.
Her specialties include gestalt language processing, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) support, speech sound disorders, and early intervention. Katie’s practice is built on empathy, evidence-based strategies, and a belief in celebrating each child’s individuality.
Arrow Speech Company proudly accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, TRICARE, CareSource, and Amerigroup.
When she’s not “playing” at work, Katie enjoys time at home with her favorite people—her husband Mark, daughter Ella, and sons Hank and Ben.
Jessica Mashburn, LCSW
Jessica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides a warm, supportive space for tweens, teens, and adults to navigate life’s challenges and build practical tools for everyday resilience. Since 2021, she has worked in both nonprofit and private practice settings, supporting clients through experiences ranging from anxiety to trauma.
As a certified Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Jessica has extensive experience helping clients heal from child abuse, neglect, traumatic grief, and PTSD. Her approach is direct, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity and humor. If you’re interested in working together as you move toward healing, she welcomes you to reach out for a free consultation.
Nicole Sides
Nicole Sides is the CEO and manager of the talented cast at Enchanted Events Character Entertainment. Her team is dedicated to making every celebration feel truly magical. They bring favorite characters to life through authentic costumes, engaging storytelling, and heartfelt performances that delight guests of all ages.
From birthday parties and community events to special appearances and photo ops, the team goes above and beyond to create moments of wonder and connection. At the heart of everything Enchanted Events does is a love for imagination, kindness, and the joy that comes from sharing a little bit of magic with others.
Charlene Woodham Brickman, PhD
Dr. B. is an early childhood educator, play researcher, and founder of Recess and Play, LLC. With more than 35 years of experience working with children, families, and educators, she specializes in helping children learn through hands-on, play-based experiences that build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
As a specialist in Early Childhood Education , she believes that meaningful learning happens when children are actively engaged, moving, creating, exploring, and discovering. Her tutoring approach is child-led, data-informed, and completely screen-free, using sensory-rich activities instead of worksheets to meet each child where they are. Whether supporting early literacy, math, executive functioning, or social-emotional development, Dr. B. focuses on the whole child while partnering closely with families to celebrate every success.
She also provides professional development and consulting for educators and organizations interested in the science and power of play. She considers herself a creative problem solver with “cheap magic” up her sleeve.