We are Hiring!
Click below to send us your resume & learn more about joining our team!
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists
Lindsey Carter, MS, RDN-I’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with my Masters Degree in Nutrition and owner of Back 2 Basics. I provide nutrition counseling for infants, children and adolescents. I also support and provide coordinated care for our Feeding Therapy Program and work alongside our talented feeding therapists. My job includes ensuring every child we see meets their nutrition and growth potential. At Back 2 Basics I also help families get back to the basics of eating. We achieve this through whole foods, and establishing uncomplicated, natural, and nourishing eating habits. No fad diets here and no magic shakes. I have been trained in Motivational Interviewing, and practice family centered counseling with positive reinforcement. In addition to a passion for pediatric nutrition I have 4 young sons who like to keep me busy. I enjoy dark chocolate, olive oil and old bay…but not all together. I hope to meet you and your family soon and learn more about your child as well!
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist- Rachel Bailey, RD, LDN- I am a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s Degree in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor’s in Biology from Taylor University. My husband and I moved to Maryland in 2020 from the Midwest, and have enjoyed all things East Coast, especially crab cakes (Am I right?!). I love exercising, spending time outside, and trying new restaurants. I fell in love with all things nutrition when I recognized its power to dramatically increase a person’s quality of life. My education and experience consist of working with clients to develop a healthy relationship with their food while helping them work toward their nutrition goals. I enjoy providing parents with simple yet effective tools to help them completely reorient their child’s relationship with food. My goal is to help you love meal times with your little ones while they develop skills that they’ll carry for the rest of their lives. I can’t wait to meet and work with you and your little one.
Madeline Banta, RD, LDN-I am a Registered Dietitan with an emphasis in pediatric nutrition. I completed my ungraduate degree at Idaho State University where I received a Bachelors of Science in Dietetics. In my post graduate internship I developed my love for pediatric nutrition as I was an intern at St. Luke Children’s Hospital in Boise, ID. After graduation, I began my career at WIC and had the privilege of working with pregnant/breastfeeding mothers, infants and children. I returned to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital where I covered the pediatric unit, pediatric oncology unit and the PICU. I spent four years at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT as an outpatient pediatric dietitian. I have seen patients with all different diagnoses including eating disorders, malnutrition/underweight/failure to thrive, obesity/overweight, post NICU follow-up, feeding difficulties, tube feedings, blenderized tube feedings, picky eating and general nutrition counseling. I have also worked in mulitple multidiscplinary clinics through Primary Children’s. I have a love and passion for helping all children! Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, family and my Dalmatian. I can often be found spending time in the outdoors from running, biking and skiing, as well as traveling. I look forward to helping you and your child!
Speech and Feeding Therapists
Morgan Alexander, M.S., CCC-SLP- I attended West Virginia University where I received my Bachelors of Science in 2017 and Masters of Science in 2019 majoring in Speech Pathology. During my graduate school career, I obtained a wide variety of experience in pediatric feeding. I worked in the NICU and PICU at WVU’s Ruby Memorial Hospital treating infants and children with feeding and swallowing needs. In addition, I worked as part of an interdisciplinary team treating children who have feeding and swallowing difficulties at WVU’s Center for Excellence and Disabilities. I returned to Frederick, MD to complete my clinical fellowship. During my clinical fellowship year, I evaluated and treated clients of all ages with deficits in articulation, language, fluency, cognition and feeding/swallowing. My passion is pediatric feeding! I have experience treating clients with a variety of feeding needs including clients with oral motor deficits, sensory aversions, picky eating and more. I have also continued my education through a variety of pediatric feeding trainings including Feed the Peds and SOS Approach to Feeding. I look forward to helping you and your child!!
Amanda Barnhard, M.S., CCC-SLP- I attended West Virginia University where I
received my Bachelors of Science in 2011 and Masters of Science in 2013 majoring in Speech Pathology. I hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence with the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA). I have earned my 3 rd ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE). I have experience working in acute care and outpatient rehabilitation setting with pediatrics and adults. I have performed diagnosis and treatment of pediatric and adult swallowing, receptive language disorders, expressive language disorders, articulation, phonological processing, voice, fluency, and pragmatic language disorders. I have worked exclusively with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). I am a Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) trained feeding therapist. I love working with pediatric patients and their families to provide parent coaching, routines-based intervention, and support!
Juliana Barco, MS, SLP-CF
I attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Hearing and Speech Sciences in 2022. Following UMD, I attended Towson University, where I received my Masters of Science in Speech Pathology. During my time at Towson, I obtained a wide variety of experiences in both pediatrics and adult populations throughout different locations, including inpatient and outpatient settings. In the pediatric setting, I have experience with evaluating, diagnosing and treating children with a multitude of needs, including receptive and expressive language, fluency, articulation, cognition and feeding and swallowing. During my time as a student at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, I gained a passion for feeding and swallowing disorders while working in the Feeding Day Program. I look forward to meeting and working with all families!
Anna Varley, M.S., CCC-SLP, CAS
I received my Bachelors of Science from Georgia Southern University and Masters of Science in Speech Pathology from Saint Xavier University. I’ve gained experience in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Inpatient Adult Rehab, and public schools. I’ve also gained experience with a variety of pediatric disorders. My areas of interest include feeding disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, social-pragmatic disorders, and language disorders. Seeing a child meet and exceed their goals is what I find most rewarding about being a pediatric speech therapist. I believe that caregivers are an integral part of a child’s success while in therapy. Outside of therapy, I can be found on long walks with my fur-baby, Koda, or playing with my nephew. I am looking forward to meeting your family and helping your child!
Rachel Beckman,MS, SLP-CF
I attended Towson University where I received my Master’s of Science in 2024 majoring in Speech-Language Pathology and West Chester University of Pennsylvania where I received my Bachelor’s of Art majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders & minoring in Deaf Studies. During my graduate school career, I obtained extensive experience with both pediatric and adult clients across multiple settings including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Home Health, outpatient, and subacute rehabilitation. I have evaluated and treated both pediatric and adult clients for swallowing, feeding, receptive/expressive language, articulation, cognition, apraxia, dysarthria, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and more! During my graduate school placement at ChristianaCare Hospital, I developed a passion for feeding and swallowing disorders and working with premature babies and infants. I am very excited to work with you and your child!
Occupational Therapists & Feeding Therapists
Valerie Segal OTD, OTR/L-
I attended Towson University where I received an Occupational Therapy Doctorate. Previously, I attended the University of Maryland where I received a double Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Psychology in 2020. I specialize in helping children develop the skills they need to participate in daily activities, both at home and in school. This can include tasks like eating, dressing, writing, and playing. I enjoy supporting children as an OT who have physical, cognitive, sensory, or developmental challenges. Using therapeutic techniques, adaptive equipment, and personalized interventions,I aim to improve a child’s ability to perform everyday tasks, enhance their independence, and boost their overall quality of life. My therapeutic approach integrates the healing power of the outdoors to motivate my clients. When children engage in activities like gardening, hiking, or exploring nature, they develop a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from and how it nourishes their bodies. When I’m not working, I love being outside and moving my body. You can often find me hiking, rock climbing, traveling to new nature sights, and spending time with my three cats. I look forward to growing a relationship with you and your little one.
Emma Earls, MSOT, OTR/L –
I attended Towson University and graduated with my Masters degree in occupational therapy in 2019. I have worked in pediatric private practices for the last four years. I have held leadership positions growing an OT clinic from the ground up. I have worked with a large variety of the pediatric population with diagnoses including, but not limited to: autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and developmental delay. However, I’m most interested in pediatric feeding therapy and I am a certified SOS feeding provider. I love co-treating with other professions. I grew up in the Frederick area but I have been living in Howard County since graduating college. I live with my husband and 3 year old golden retriever, Stevie. I enjoy reading, time with friends and family, listening to podcasts and music, and being outdoors. I look forward to meeting you!”
Family and Pediatric Counseling
Renee Perez MA, LCPC- I enjoy working with children and adolescents with a variety of challenges including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, fear, ADD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, trauma, grief, behavioral issues, and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake disorder. I have 15 years of experience working in a school setting, six of which I served as a school counselor, and am excited to bring my expertise to working with clients at Back to Basics. I believe in fostering a therapeutic relationship with clients and empathize with clients as they embark on the counseling journey. I use cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy and play therapy approaches in my sessions. I believe counseling is a powerful tool that can bring about positive changes. I have a master’s degree in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and am a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my three boys, traveling, and reading.
Lactation Counseling
Jaime Blanchard LPN, IBCLC- I am an International board certified lactation consultant. I have been a pediatric licensed practical nurse since 2017 gaining vital experience with this population. I have also worked in the hospital setting on the NICU, Postpartum and Labor and delivery units.
In 2021, during the pandemic I chose to further my education and become an IBCLC to better support and educate new and veteran parents trying to navigate parenthood. I also work with mothers during the prenatal period to prepare for the upcoming arrival of their baby.
The care I provide is patient centered focusing on your goals and objectives. We will work together to address milk supply issues, nipple discomforts, pumping, positioning, weight concerns and feeding routines. I have also supported several families working through the challenges surrounding a lip or tongue tie and how they can impact feedings or cause nipple discomfort.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my 13 year old son playing sports and being outside. You can usually find me cheering on the sidelines of a lacrosse game.
I’d love to meet and see how I might help support you and your family through your feeding journey.
Staff
Krysten Hartle-Billing Specialist
Krysten earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Health Services Management from the University of Maryland. She has also earned her certification as a Certified Coding Associate from AHIMA.
Out of college she started her career as a billing associate for an audiology, speech and occupational therapy office in Leesburg, VA. She has continued her passion for medical billing and coding within the therapy field for the past 8 years.