Meet the team
The Lactation & Development Resources Office in North Dallas is a second home for skilled providers dedicated to evidence-based, holistic, and individualized services for families with infants and toddlers. Our shared mission is to help families pivot from survival mode to thriving by addressing current concerns while also preventing new difficulties at the next stage of development. From the moment you step into our Montessori-inspired playroom/lobby, your family will feel supported, welcome, and optimistic about the future.
MARISSA YAHIL, MSOT, OTR/L, CBS, IBCLC
LACTATION & DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
LACTATION CONSULTANT
Marissa is the founder of Lactation & Development Resources and is the co-founder of an online learning platform called The Lactation OT.
From a young age, Marissa was exposed to an alternative way of thinking about health and wellness through her parents’ wellness-focused marketing company. Marissa attended Brandeis University where she dedicated her studies to Psychology and Public Health with an emphasis on maternal/child health and child development. During and after college Marissa worked with children 0-5 years old both privately with families and at a child development center.
Ultimately, Marissa earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) at Salus University. While in graduate school, Marissa was fortunate to participate in fieldwork at the Breastfeeding Resource Center in the greater Philadelphia suburbs. It was there that she learned that breastfeeding does not seem to come easily (or go as planned) for the majority of families.
Partnering with families to meet their lactation and infant feeding goals has become Marissa’s passion and life work. She loves combining her knowledge and skills in order to offer an integrated and holistic approach to resolving lactation and infant feeding difficulties.
Marissa is an avid lifelong learner. The families she supports are her greatest teachers, and she is always engaged in a multitude of continuing education opportunities.
Marissa lives in Dallas, TX, is married to her college sweetheart, Uri, and is the mother of two beautiful children, a daughter — Aurora, and a son — Ezra.
MITRA SHIRMANESH, M.S., CCC-SLP
TULIPS FEEDING & SPEECH RESOURCES
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Mitra is the founder of Tulips Feeding & Speech Resources and treats families at the Lactation & Development Resources Office in North Dallas.
Mitra earned her Bachelor of Science at Austin College where she dedicated her studies to Biology, Psychology, and Communication. Ultimately, she graduated from the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences with her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders at The University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center as a Speech-Language Pathologist with her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). While in graduate school, she was fortunate to participate in fieldwork engaging with medically complex and fragile infants in the NICU, learn a responsive approach to feeding, and work with many different diagnoses.
Mitra has always had a passion for pediatrics and has experience with in-home visits as well as hospitals, gaining many years of experience working with pediatrics in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She specializes in infant feeding, transitioning to purees and solids, picky eating, and oral motor-sensory based feeding. She also enjoys working with little ones who are behind in their speech and language development.
Partnering with families to help unlock their child’s potential with feeding and speech/language achievements has become one of Mitra’s passions. She is honored to be able to combine her knowledge and skills in order to help lead families to more fulfilling lives.
Mitra was born and raised in Plano, TX and currently lives in Dallas, TX. She is married to her college sweetheart, Clay, and has a dog named Diggs. She is a huge foodie!
Mitra practices gratitude daily and tries to live life knowing that tomorrow is not promised and that each day is truly a gift.
OFFICE ADMIN
Joel supports clients and staff at Lactation & Development Resources as the Office Administrator. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas. There, he found it fascinating to learn in-depth about the mind and human behavior. After graduation, he obtained his certification as a Reiki practitioner and trainer. Joel has a passion for health and wellness, and he enjoys helping others achieve balance and joy in their lives.
JOEL CECALA, BS
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
