Our Story
Simmons Early Intervention Therapy (SEIT) was founded in 2006,
by owner Mrs. Simmons. SEIT began as a small agency providing therapy to children in one small county. During this time, Mrs. Simmons was the only therapist providing services for the agency and she often struggled to fit all of the clients into her weekly schedule.
After continuously being requested by numerous families, Mrs. Simmons began to expand her agency by hiring well-qualified therapist as well as offering therapy services in other counties. In doing this, the agency
continued to flourish and grow. We are proud to say that we now provide therapy services to many counties throughout the state of NC!
Our mission
for children is,
We Put The Child FIRST!
SEIT feels that all children deserve a fair chance in life regardless of their needs or circumstances. By providing therapy services to children at such a young age, SEIT will give them that opportunity. Through play, children will engage in activities and interact with others in their natural environment while learning essential tools they need to help them grow and develop. Through family interactions and modeling therapist are able to assist the “whole family” with important skills and techniques that can be implemented throughout daily routines to better assist the child.
F: Family Interaction and Involvement
I: Individual Children Have Individual Needs
R: Respecting The Fact That All Children Learn Differently
S: Supporting Your Child's Growth & Development
T: Taking The Time Out of Your Life To Give
Your Child What They Need To Succeed
Our mission for life is,
Intervene Today, Transform Tomorrow.
Intervene Today, Transform Tomorrow. We are dedicated to helping individuals TRANSFORM their lives by
providing support, guidance, and tools that create lasting change.
TRANSFORM stands for:
Trust – To build trusting and supportive relationships.
Resilience – Ready to rise above obstacles and adversity.
Action – Actively advancing toward meaningful goals.
Nurture – Nurturing personal growth and well-being.
Strength – Standing strong in every season of life.
Focus – Fostering clarity and purposeful direction.
Opportunity – Opening doors to new possibilities.
Renewal – Renewing hope and inspiring fresh starts.
Motivation – Moving forward with courage and determination.
Meet our Team
Office Staff
Lori
Office Manager
Lori is an experienced healthcare professional with over 35 years of expertise in medical office management. A 1985 Eastern Wayne High School graduate, she attended Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, NC, and LSU in Alexandria, LA. While she was brought to Goldsboro by Seymour Johnson AFB, she considers Goldsboro her home.
Lori is highly skilled in overseeing daily operations, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. With extensive experience in both hospital and medical office settings, she has a proven track record of improving patient satisfaction and streamlining administrative processes.
Passionate about providing excellent care to those in need, Lori also has a deep love for children and cherishes her six grandchildren.
Adriana
Bilingual Receptionist
Adrianna is a dedicated professional and proud mother of five wonderful children. With seven years of experience as a legal assistant, she has developed a strong foundation in organization, communication, and client support, along with a genuine passion for helping others.
As a bilingual professional, Adrianna is able to effectively connect with and support a diverse range of families, ensuring clear communication and a welcoming experience for those she serves. Originally from Mount Olive, North Carolina, she brings both local insight and a heart for community to her role.
Adrianna is grateful to be a part of the Simmons Early Intervention Therapy (SEIT) team and is committed to making a positive impact through her work and dedication to the families she serves.
Kylie
Adminstrative Assistant
Kylie is the Administrative Assistant at Simmons Early Intervention Therapy. She joined the team to contribute to the company's growth while improving her skills for her son.
Kylie graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 2020. She is attending Wayne Community College and aspiring to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. Passionate about helping others, Kylie strives to bring joy and smiles to those around her.
Shannon
Developmental Therapy Coordinator
Shannon is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in business operations and a passion for helping children. She graduated from Smithfield-Selma High School in 1997 and earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science, specializing in Medical Office Administration, from Johnston Community College.
After moving to North Carolina at the age of 12, Shannon has worked in various sectors, including home care, staffing agencies, and managing multiple storage facilities. She is committed to her work and her team, particularly in coordinating support for children in need.
As a mother of four, her children are her world. Outside of work, Shannon has served on the Pine Level Parks and Recreation Board for over 15 years, coaching youth in cheerleading and softball.
Tammy
Human Resources Coordinator
Originally from Beaufort County, Tammy moved to Wilson County in 2014. She is a proud mother of two and grandmother of two. Tammy's career in the medical field began in 1999 as a front desk receptionist. Over the years, she advanced through roles such as supervisor, billing specialist, and practice manager. Medical billing, a field she has always enjoyed due to her love for numbers, has been the core of her professional career.
In 2022, Tammy transitioned to full-time Human Resources, where she embraced the opportunity to be a friendly and supportive employee resource. Her goal is to bring both structure and heart to HR, serving as a common ground for staff while ensuring a positive and thriving workplace.
Lauren
Digital Marketing Manager
Lauren has a passion for learning new things and is an innovative thinker with a creative outlook. She expresses her creative design skills to effectively communicate SEIT's message through branding, and print and web advertising.
She holds over 10 years of experience in the industry and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design Communication and a minor in Marketing from Thomas Jefferson University.
She has a passion for child development in which she applies early intervention knowledge learned while working with the SEIT team when raising her own children.
Joy Bracey-Barrett
Mental Health Coordinator
Joy is the Mental Health Coordinator at Simmons Early Intervention Therapy. She was born and raised in Goldsboro, NC, and is a wife and mother of three. Joy began her career in mental health in June of 1994 as a direct care professional working with dually diagnosed clients.
Over the next 21 years, she worked passionately to serve the mental health population in Wayne, Lenoir, Johnston, Wake, and Halifax Counties, gradually advancing through management to become Director of Community-Based Services.
Her work in mental health became a mission, focusing on educating individuals and families, connecting them to resources, and improving their quality of life. Joy continues to be dedicated to serving individuals and families seeking mental health services.
Debi
Director of Clinical Services
Debi earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Eastern Kentucky University in 1994 and her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Radford University in 1996. With extensive experience collaborating with individuals of all ages, Debi has specialized in treating a range of conditions, including Autism, Down Syndrome, Voice Disorders, and unique conditions such as Paradoxical Vocal Fold Dysfunction. She has worked with both low-tech and high-tech assistive technologies, including Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) and Visual Schedules.
As a musician, Debi incorporates music into her sessions to better engage children and tailor her approach to their individual needs. Her passion lies in helping children find their voice, using innovative techniques when traditional methods fall short.
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Shaunita
Speech Language Pathologist
Shaunita, MLIS, MCD, holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Charleston and earned dual master’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. She has professional experience working in a variety of environments, including educational settings. Passionate about communication, literacy, and learning, Shaunita brings a diverse skill set shaped by her interdisciplinary training. She is the proud mother of two sons and lives in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Dena
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Dena is a wife and mother of two adult sons. She grew up in Goldsboro and graduated from the Speech and Language Assistants program at Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2010 with an associate’s degree in applied science. She currently lives in the Smithfield area.
Dena considers herself a patient advocate and has a strong passion for serving children with speech and language needs. She has worked with a variety of diagnoses, which include Childhood Apraxia, Selective Mutism, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Articulation/Phonology Disorders, and Developmental Delays.
Dena has worked in the pediatric field for over 30 years, specifically in speech therapy for the past 15 years. She is looking forward to expanding her range of experience and services into the Wayne County area.
Wolly
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Jennifer
Occupational Therapist
Speech and Occupational Therapy
SPOTLIGHT: DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPIST
Lorrie
Developmental Therapist
Lorrie is a dedicated educator with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from East Carolina University. Raised in eastern North Carolina, she began her academic journey studying Dance and Theater before discovering her true passion—supporting the growth and development of children.
With extensive experience across a variety of roles, Lorrie has contributed to early childhood and special education through curriculum development, cooperative program creation, staff training, interdisciplinary team leadership, and case management. Her work is rooted in the belief that the family is a vital foundation in a child’s life, and she prioritizes empowering parents to support their child’s developmental journey.
Lorrie is especially passionate about helping children overcome early developmental delays and guiding them toward their fullest potential. As a mother of four, she brings a personal understanding of the uniqueness of each child and recognizes that learning takes many forms. She aims to spark children’s interest in language and their environment by leveraging their strengths and motivations. Committed to advocacy and support, Lorrie remains focused on helping children with special needs overcome obstacles and thrive in all areas of life.
Shanice
Developmental Therapist
Shanice is a passionate and dedicated professional with a Bachelor's Degree in social work from North Carolina A&T. With over nine years of experience, Shanice has worked with children ages 2- 16 across a variety of environments, including home-based settings, schools, daycares, early head start/head start programs, and group homes.
Her career began as an elementary school tutor, where she created tailored lesson plans that catered to each student’s unique learning style and person-centered goals. Shanice’s commitment to fostering growth and development in children fuels her passion for supporting their educational and emotional journeys.
She believes deeply in the power of early guidance, drawing inspiration from the biblical verse, “Train a child up the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” – Proverbs 22:6.
Jasmine
Developmental Therapist
Ailine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Music from the University of Mount Olive. Fluent in English and Spanish, she supports Hispanic communities by assisting Spanish-speaking parents with information, resources, and guidance for their children's needs.
During her internship, Ailine collaborated with school psychologists, assisting with evaluations, observations, scoring, and translation. She also gained experience in occupational therapy within both school and hospital settings, where she interacted with children with autism, intellectual disabilities, and ADHD. Inspired by her experience caring for her younger siblings for over 14 years, Ailine is passionate about fostering growth in young children and uncovering their full potential.
Dr. Lashaundon
Developmental Therapist
Dr. Lashaundon brings over 24 years of experience spanning education, mental health, and support for special needs families. She holds a diverse and impressive academic background, including a Bachelor's Degree in psychology and criminal justice, a master’s in general administration, a Master of Arts in Education, an Educational Specialist degree in Administration Leadership and Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Education.
Her extensive education and numerous licenses and certifications across fields such as education, special education, leadership, mental health, early childhood, and community support have enabled Dr. Lashaundon to effectively serve individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
Throughout her career, she has been deeply involved in advocacy and leadership, serving on several boards and committees both locally and nationally. Dr. Lashaundon's commitment to empowering and uplifting diverse communities reflects her passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.
Licensed Counselors
Magnolia "Maggie"
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Magnolia is a proud Haitian American, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Her life has been shaped by resilience, faith, and a deep commitment to helping others find healing and empowerment. Fluent in Haitian Kreyòl, she values her cultural roots and uses her background to connect with individuals from diverse walks of life.
From an early age, Magnolia felt called to serve and uplift others, leading her to a career in mental health counseling, she brings deep empathy, cultural awareness, professionalism, and expertise to her work, making a lasting impact.
She holds a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling Therapy from Capella University and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), and National Certified Counselor (NCC). With over eight years of experience, she has worked extensively as a Behavioral Specialist, providing therapy and support to individuals, couples, and families navigating life’s challenges.
Magnolia’s therapeutic approach is person-centered, solution-focused, and trauma-informed incorporates evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy.
She specializes in working with individuals facing:
✔ Trauma and grief
✔ Substance use and addiction recovery
✔ Relationship and family struggles
✔ Domestic violence and crisis intervention
✔ Stress and work-life balance
✔ Life transitions
Beyond her professional work, Magnolia is a devoted wife of 13 years and a mother to two wonderful children, a son and a daughter. Her faith, family, and Haitian heritage keep her grounded and has fueled her dedication to service.
She believes in the power of self-discovery, healing, and transformation. Her mission is to create a safe space where individuals can embrace their true selves and grow into their fullest potential. She strives to uplift, guide, and empower those around her through therapy, community engagement, or personal connections.