JoAnne Berns, Founder, M.S., CCC-SLP
JoAnne is an accomplished speech-language pathologist and the founder of Berns Therapy Solutions. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a licensed speech-language pathologist through the Tennessee Department of Health. In addition to her work as a therapist, Joanne writes for The Informed SLP, a publication that reviews and summarizes the latest research for thousands of SLPs nationwide. JoAnne is also a licensed elementary school teacher (grades K-6).
JoAnne Berns earned a Masters of Science in speech-language pathology from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a BS in Elementary Education from Vanderbilt University, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Jessica Barkeley, M.S., CCC-SLP
Jessica graduated from the University of Mississippi - Oxford with a Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. While at Ole Miss, Jessica worked as a research assistant in The Laboratory of Stuttering Science, Treatment, and Advocacy Research. Her areas of clinical expertise include: speech-sound disorders, language disorders, stuttering, and literacy. Prior to joining Berns Therapy, Jessica worked as an SLP for Williamson County Schools. Jessica is eager to help provide one of life's most precious gifts, the gift of communication and connection.
Emily Byram, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS CERT AVT
Emily Byram graduated with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a double major in Communication Sciences and Psychology. She continued her studies there to receive a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, receiving a U.S. Department of Education Social Inclusion Grant. She completed her clinical fellowship year in the public school systems serving preschool and elementary age children. She then worked at the National Center for Childhood Deafness at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center as the team leader of the speech pathology team, serving on the pediatric cochlear implant team, leading parent-toddler groups, and providing auditory verbal therapy sessions with children with hearing loss and their families.
Polly Hibbs, M.A., CCC-SLP
Polly graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. Her concentration areas were English, Psychology, and Biology. She received her Masters of Science degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. Due to her husband’s career, she holds her SLP licensure in Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, Tennessee, and the US territory of Guam. Polly has spent her career serving the pediatric population in public schools, private schools, charter schools, and private clinics. She presently works full-time in a local public school system. Prior to the pandemic, she began providing teletherapy to children in Guam. Currently, she provides remote speech therapy via Zoom for students in her school district and for Berns Therapy. Polly loves working with young children and seeing the excellent success that remote articulation therapy can provide.
Helen Jahangir, M.A., CCC-SLP
Helen graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders in 2001. She continued her studies at the University of Memphis receiving her Masters of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology in 2003. Helen began her career at LeBoneheur Early Intervention and Development (LEAD) in Memphis, TN where she assessed and treated children birth to 5 years of age with speech, language, communication, and feeding disorders in their homes, daycares, and preschools. After working at LEAD for 5 years, Helen had the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical settings including preschools, private practice, and outpatient settings. Prior to joining Berns Therapy solutions, Helen worked at Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center in Nashville for 7 years assessing and treating a wide range of pediatric speech, language, communication, and feeding disorders. Growing up with a sibling with Autism Spectrum Disorder Helen is very passionate about helping children and families with speech, language, and educational needs. Helen resides in Nashville with her husband and 3 daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to all 50 states.
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Erika Mangan, M.A., CCC-SLP
Erika is a graduate of The University of Akron receiving her Bachelors in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology. She continued at Cleveland State University receiving her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. Erika began working at Mahoning County’s Board of Developmentally Disabled- Leonard Kirtz school serving moderate to profound delayed/disabled students ages 5-22. Prior to joining Berns Therapy Solutions, Erika worked at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center providing pediatric speech-language therapy for five years. She was also the lead treating and consultative clinician at Vanderbilt’s Peabody School of Education- Susan Gray School.
Katelyn Koula, M.S., CCC-SLP
Katelyn graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She then attended the University of Mississippi where she received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Katelyn worked for two years in the public school system in Florida before continuing her career in the Nashville area. Prior to joining Berns Therapy Solutions, Katelyn worked in the Metro-Nashville public school system for five years primarily serving preschool and elementary school-aged children. Katelyn finds it incredibly rewarding to see her clients achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
Allison Walker, M.S., CCC-SLP
Allison graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She then attended Vanderbilt University where she received her Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. While at Vanderbilt, Allison worked as a research assistant in the Child Language and Literacy Lab. She also participated in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. Prior to joining Berns Therapy Solutions full-time, Allison worked in Metro Nashville Public Schools primarily serving preschool and elementary-aged dual language learners. Allison's clinical areas of expertise include: speech sound disorders, developmental language disorder, early intervention, dyslexia, and literacy. Additionally, Allison is trained in Orton-Gillingham based structured literacy programs such as the Wilson Reading System and S.P.I.R.E. Allison is passionate about supporting families and collaborating with other professionals to provide comprehensive services to children.
Lorrie White, Patient Care Coordinator
Lorrie graduated summa cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Lorrie is
dedicated to ensuring patients receive the care they need and works diligently to facilitate communication between
patients and providers at Berns Therapy Solutions as well as the Nashville community at large.