Meet Our Staff
Renée Smucker, Ph.D.
Founder/ Psychologist
Renée is the founder of the Maryland Parent Child Clinic (MPCC), LLC and a licensed psychologist in Maryland and New York. Prior to founding MPCC in 2020, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD from 2018 to 2020 where she worked with children aged 2 to 12 in the Behavior Management Clinic, providing outpatient therapeutic services to children and their families. Renée graduated with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University in Long Island, NY in 2018, focusing on therapies for children and adolescents. She has worked with children and families in various outpatient clinics, an inpatient unit, and a residential treatment facility during her career. Renée has been providing Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) since 2013 and is a certified PCIT therapist and PCIT Within Agency Trainer. She currently specializes in complex behavior and anxiety problems, Selective Mutism and toileting difficulties.
Renée is currently full and her waitlist is closed at this time. However, she provides case consultation to all therapists in the clinic and supervision to all trainees.
Kasie Boehm, LCSW-C
Assistant Clinical Director/ Licensed Therapist
Kasie has been working at the Maryland Parent Child Clinic since 2021 and is now a licensed therapist and assistant clinical director. She completed the Clinical Social Work Master’s program at Saint Leo University. Kasie takes a strengths-based approach to therapy. She particularly enjoys working with clients in adolescence through adulthood. Kasie listens, provides support, and helps them work toward their goals.
Kasie utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy to guide sessions. She is passionate about working together with clients to help them gain effective skills that facilitate growth and change in their own lives. Prior to completion of her masters’ degree, Kasie had 10 years of experience working with children, families, and adults in outpatient and inpatient settings. She is also proficient in Spanish from her time in the Peace Corps in Ecuador. Since joining MPCC, Kasie has received training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), behavioral parent training, exposure therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has experience treating depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, trauma, and behavioral concerns. Kasie is PCIT-certified and working toward her EMDR-certification.
Kasie has a few immediate daytime slots available for adults in March 2026.
.jpg)
Sydney Ramsing, LCSW-C
Sydney has been working at the Maryland Parent Child Clinic since 2021. She graduated with her Master’s in Social Work with a clinical concentration from the University of Maryland Baltimore. As a dedicated therapist, Sydney’s goal is to come alongside families to help them make positive steps toward healing and growth. She provides a hopeful, collaborative approach to therapy based on your family’s personal goals, needs, and strengths.
Sydney incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, provides useful coping skills, and reflects on attachment patterns. However, she is sure to cater sessions based on the individuals’ needs and what they hope to gain from therapy. She has received specialty training in Grief Recovery, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent-Child Interaction therapy (PCIT) and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Though her past experience includes providing individual mental health services in an outpatient setting to individuals at a range of life stages, she is particularly passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety disorders or OCD. Sydney is PCIT-certified and trained in adaptations of PCIT for anxiety.
Sydney is currently on maternity leave so her waitlist is closed at this time.
Psychology Associates
Khyra Butterfield is a psychology associate under the supervision of Dr. Renee Smucker, licensed psychologist and practice owner. She is a fifth year doctoral student at Stevenson University. She has a strong foundation in child, adolescent and family mental health. Her experience includes working with those that have both emotional and behavioral challenges. She enjoys working with families from marginalized communities (e.g., immigrants and LGBTQIA+). Khyra's therapeutic approach is integrative, blending cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies and person-centered interventions. She believes in tailoring therapy to meet the unique needs of each client, fostering a safe and supportive space for growth. Since joining MPCC in 2025, she has received training in PCIT and is now certified. She also received extensive training in behavioral parent training and exposure therapy. Khyra has a waitlist at this time
Lauren Macek, MA is a doctoral student studying Clinical Psychology at Stevenson University. She completed an externship at Clarity Centers, where she conducted comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Lauren also has previous experience working in Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Neurobehavioral Outpatient Unit, where she assisted providers in offering applied behavior analysis interventions. She is dedicated to supporting clients as they navigate emotional hardships, engage in self-care practices, and cultivate resilience and self-compassion. Lauren’s clinical interests include anxiety, OCD, and selective mutism. Since joining MPCC in 2025, she has received training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and is almost fully certified. She has also received extensive training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). She is a registered psychology associate working under the supervision of Dr. Smucker. Lauren has a waitlist at this time.
Coming soon... Keara Neuman, Ph.D. psychology associate and postdoctoral fellow will be joining our team in August 2026.
Psychology Externs
We have two psychology externs with us for the 2026-2027 school year (our year runs July - June). Psychology Externs are part-time practicum students that are working towards their doctorate in psychology. Here are the students with us this year: Logan Beale, M.A. (Stevenson University) and Ciara Ruiz-Earle, M.S. (University of Maryland, Baltimore County). You can find more information about them below:
Logan Beal, M.P.S, M.A, is a doctoral student studying Clinical Psychology at Stevenson University. She has a breadth of clinical experience within the inpatient and outpatient setting, where she worked closely with adolescents and children managing a wide range of psychological diagnoses. She has experience working with children with ADHD, autism, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and learning challenges. She has experience conducting psychological assessments with presenting concerns for autism, executive functioning, emotional difficulties, and learning differences. Logan has received training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy, evidenced-based behavioral interventions, and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT). Logan utilizes an integrative and evidence-based approach to practice, allowing her to tailor treatment to meet the unique needs of each client. She draws from various modalities while maintaining a strong foundation in research-supported practices. Cultural sensitivity is a core value in her work— creating a space where clients of all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and respected is prioritized. In therapy her approach emphasizes collaboration, flexibility, and a deep respect for each individual’s lived experience. Since joining MPCC in 2026, Logan has been receiving specialized training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and works under the supervision of Dr. Smucker.
Ciara Ruiz-Earle, M.S. is a doctoral student studying Clinical Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She has clinical experience providing therapy through the UMBC Psychology Training Clinic, where she has worked with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and grief. Ciara has received training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and trauma-informed approaches to care. Ciara’s clinical interests include working with children and families, supporting clients as they navigate challenging family dynamics, and treating anxiety. She is especially interested in supporting families as they navigate emotional stressors, strengthen relationships, and foster resilience during periods of stress or transition. Since joining MPCC in 2026, Ciara has been receiving specialized training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and works under the supervision of Dr. Smucker.
