Meet the Team
Collaborative, Comprehensive Care
Our Mission
To collaboratively help every person understand their brain, harness their strengths, and overcome challenges so they can thrive.
Our Values
Providing clarity and insight
Collaboration that brings calm
Creativity, humor, play, and service
Embracing varied minds and experiences
Solutions that fit and reflect the whole person
Protective advocacy with tenacious problem-solving
Individualized, expert guidance that’s compassionate, grounded, and practical
Our brain health evaluation and intervention services help individuals, families, and organizations identify what’s getting in the way and holding them back. We empower them through expert, empathic, and collaborative problem-solving and advocacy.
Dr. Marla Shapiro
Dr. Shapiro is a native Charlottean and graduate of Charlotte Country Day School. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia and graduate training at Georgia State University, with predoctoral rotations including the Emory Clinic Center for Learning and Attention and the GSU Transition Center for children with brain injuries, and a postdoctoral fellowship in Developmental Neuropsychology. She has worked in public and private settings, provided academic and clinical training at graduate and post-graduate levels, and lectured locally, nationally, and internationally.
Dr. Shapiro’s credentials include:
- Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and Sports Neuropsychology Society
- Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (DBSM) and nationally registered Health Service Psychologist (HSP)
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist
- DEI Professional Certificate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Independent Neuropsychological Consultant for MLS, WPS, NHL/AHL, Major League Rugby, AAA baseball, professional lacrosse teams, and local high schools and colleges
- Former Director of Accommodated Testing for the MCAT and consultant to College Board and ACT
- Dyslexia research with NIH-funded research teams in New Haven, Boston, Atlanta, and Toronto
- Particular expertise in evaluating children, adolescents, and young adults with ADHD, Autism, ODD, anxiety, neurodiversity and social challenges, dyslexia, learning difficulties, gifted/twice exceptional, NF, cancer/brain tumors, TBI, and other neurological/medical disorders (including long COVID, Lyme, PANS/PANDAS, autonomic dysfunction), and treating bedtime and sleep-related problems across the lifespan
- Medico-legal and forensic expertise including psychoeducational, psychological, and neuropsychological evaluations of children and teens within the context of high-conflict divorce, Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE), high-stakes testing accommodations, and concussion-related litigation and determinations
Dr. Shapiro is licensed in GA, IA, NC, and holds the APIT and IPC credentials for inter-jurisdictional practice via telehealth and in-person in 40+ states under PSYPACT.
Karen Mendel
Office Manager
Karen is also a native Charlottean. She is a graduate of East Mecklenburg High School and the University of Georgia. As a devoted parent and grandparent, Karen brings the wisdom of experience, patience, and tremendous empathy for parents and others trying to find the best solutions to overcome acute and chronic challenges.
Karen’s attention to details makes it possible for the clinical team to do what they do best. Karen is a critical member of every client’s care team. She is usually the first person you reach when you contact us. Karen understands the concerns of our clients and has deep knowledge of our team’s capabilities.