Meet Our Team
Clinicians
Taylor Shirkey M.S., S.S.P
Co-Owner, Psychologist, & Chief Operations Officer
Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
Pronouns: she/her/hers
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Taylor is a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Health Services Provider (HSP-A), and School Psychologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NSCP).
Taylor has over a decade of experience providing psychological assessment, consultation, and counseling for children, adolescents, and young adults.
Taylor has conducted comprehensive psychoeducational and neurodevelopmental evaluations, helping individuals and families understand the interplay of autism, ADHD, learning differences, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, and other neurodevelopmental or mental health concerns.
She has also supported young adults in university settings with accommodations, diagnostic evaluations, and strategies for academic success.
She provides practical, individualized recommendations to support academic, social-emotional, and daily functioning, emphasizing clarity, validation, and actionable next steps.
With years of experience as a school psychologist in NC public schools, Taylor brings a unique skill set and understanding of special education and section 504 policies and procedures.
Taylor is a leader in the field as an adjunct professor and former intern supervisor. She has presented for the NC School Psychology Association and provided extensive professional development for educators and parents on various topics, such as executive functioning, specific learning disabilities, report writing, autism, ADHD, and anxiety.
Taylor’s private practice work is grounded in a collaborative, solution-focused, and neurodivergent-affirming approach. She is deeply committed to providing guidance that empowers individuals and families, ensuring each person feels understood, supported, and equipped to thrive in all areas of life.
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2015
Specialist in School Psychology (S.S.P.)
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, Department of School Psychology2014
Master of Science (M.S.)
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, Department of School Psychology2012
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC, Department of Psychology -
Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)
North Carolina #6778
2025 — PresentSchool Psychologist
North Carolina Educator ID: 1190600, 2017-2025Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Certification#65863
2015 — PresentSchool Psychologist
South CarolinaEducator ID: 270814, 2015-2019 -
Sarah Smead M.S., Ed.S
Co-Owner, Psychologist & Chief Clinical Officer
Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA), Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
Pronouns: she/her/hers
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Sarah Smead is a licensed psychological associate (LPA) with over 16 years of experience providing psychological assessment, neurodivergent-affirming care, and school-based and clinical consultation and training. She specializes in autism, ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, executive functioning, and other neurodevelopmental and mental health concerns across the lifespan.
Previously, Sarah served as an Autism Specialist and Clinical Instructor with the UNC-Chapel Hill TEACCH Autism Program, conducting autism evaluations and providing intervention services for children, adolescents, and adults. She also trained educators nationally and internationally on autism and learning strategies to support neurodivergent students in both the classroom and at home.
Sarah has extensive experience as a school psychologist in Arizona and North Carolina, including her work at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on the Behavior Enrichment Services Team, supporting students with diverse academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental needs. Her clinical expertise focuses on differential diagnosis, helping individuals and families understand the interplay between autism, ADHD, learning differences, anxiety, mood concerns, executive functioning challenges, and other factors that affect daily life.
Sarah provides neurodivergent-affirming evaluations and consultation for individuals ages 5 and up, with a strong focus on adolescents and adults. Her approach combines evidence-based assessment tools with collaboration, curiosity, and respect for lived experience. She emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and practical next steps, helping clients feel understood and supported without needing to mask their identity.
Whether someone is seeking clarity for themselves or their child, Sarah’s goal is to guide them through a process that affirms strengths, validates identity, and promotes meaningful growth.
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2010
Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY) Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology2008
Master of Science
University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY) Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology2006
Bachelor of ArtsUniversity of Kentucky (Lexington, KY) Department of Psychology
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Independently Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)
North Carolina #4899
2015 — PresentSchool Psychologist
North Carolina Educator ID: 1241452, 2020-2023Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Certification #40692
2011 — PresentSchool Psychologist
Arizona Educator ID: 41190736, 2009-2015 -
UNC TEACCH Autism Program, Autism Program Advanced Consultant and Adjunct Clinical Instructor
National Association of School Psychologists, Member
North Carolina School Psychology Association (NCSPA), Member and Presenter
Mecklenburg Psychological Association
Formative Director of the Organization and Secretary of the Board, Charlotte Autism Consortium
Support Team
We know that the first step is often the hardest. Our administrative team is here to make the intake and scheduling process as smooth and supportive as possible.
Jen Pompi M.S.
Client Care Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Jen is committed to client care and support from answering questions, helping with paperwork, and scheduling appointments.
Jenn is from Erie, Pennsylvania and holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. She loves to spend time with her husband and three kids (and new puppy!) and exploring the National Parks!
Maria Chin, B.A
Testing Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Maria is the Testing Coordinator. She supports clients in completion of any rating forms that are assigned by your clinician. She will follow up with you and any collaborators in this process.
Maria is from Bogotá, Colombia and has dual Bachelor of Arts degrees, in Photography and Graphic Design in Florida Atlantic University. She loves to spend time at home with her husband and two small children.
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Aristotle
Frequently Asked Questions: Our Team
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Because most support for neurodivergent children happens in the classroom, having clinicians with deep roots in school systems (NCSP/LPA) means your report is written in the language that is relevant when navigating school supports.
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We match you with a clinician based on your specific referral questions (e.g., adult autism vs. early childhood learning differences). However, we welcome your input if you feel a particular team member’s background aligns best with your lived experience or specific diagnostic goals.
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We don't just “test” our clients. We incorporate your personal narrative and lived experience as data points equal in weight to the standardized results. Whether we are working with a child, a teen, or an adult, you are an active participant in interpreting how these findings show up in real life. This collaborative process ensures the final report is not just a list of scores, but a meaningful and accurate reflection of the whole person.
Schedule an Appointment
Our providers are excited to work with you. Once we hear from you, our client representative will reach out to you soon.