Meet The Team:

Speech and Feeding Therapy North Phoenix- Office/Virtual 

Lead Clinician North Phoenix and Student Placement Coordinator 

Registered NLA Trained Clinician

AAC Trained Clinician

SOFFI®  Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants Certification

Makena graduated from Midwestern University with her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology in May 2024. Prior to this, she worked for three years as a pediatric speech-language pathology assistant, gaining hands-on experience treating a diverse range of children with various communication disorders. During her clinical rotations, she also evaluated and treated pediatric feeding disorders in an outpatient clinic, fostering her passion for helping children and families facing feeding challenges.

Makena is committed to ongoing professional development and has completed the Meaningful Speech Course to deepen her understanding of the Natural Language Acquisition Framework. She is now certified to support Gestalt Language Processors! Additionally, she is skilled in using both low-tech and high-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) methods to support more complex communicators. In addition to her mentorship with our owner, Kalee, Makena has completed the Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants (SOFFI) certification to expand her expertise in pediatric feeding.

Speech Therapy- Virtual 

SLPA Supervisor 

Haley is an experienced speech-language pathologist dedicated to supporting young children and their families through high-quality, individualized care. She specializes in early intervention and early language development, with a strong understanding of how critical the early years are for building a solid foundation in communication. Haley is trained in AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), apraxia, and autism, and is committed to providing individualized, neurodiversity-affirming support.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from University of Oregon and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Haley utilizes a play-based therapy approach, creating engaging and meaningful sessions that promote natural language growth within a child-centered environment. Her therapy is grounded in evidence-based practice, ensuring that all strategies and interventions are research-supported and tailored to meet each child’s unique needs.

She is passionate about partnering with families and believes that parent involvement is key to success. Haley provides ongoing parent education and practical strategies to help caregivers support their child’s communication skills in everyday routines.

Her goal is to foster confident, capable communicators while creating a supportive and empowering experience for both children and their families.

Speech Therapy North Phoenix- Office/Virtual

Darian is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant passionate about helping children develop the communication and feeding skills they need to thrive. She holds a background in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which has provided her invaluable experience supporting children with diverse learning styles, developmental needs, and communication abilities. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from University of Arizona and obtained her Speech and Language Pathology post-baccalaureate certificate from Northern Arizona University

Her experience in both speech-language therapy and ABA has allowed her to develop a child-centered approach that focuses on building meaningful connections while creating engaging and individualized therapy sessions. She enjoys helping children strengthen their speech, language, social communication, and feeding skills through play-based, evidence-based interventions tailored to each child's unique needs.

She believes that collaboration with families is essential for successful outcomes and strives to empower caregivers with strategies they can confidently use at home. Her goal is to create a positive, supportive environment where children feel encouraged, confident, and motivated to reach their fullest potential.

When she’s not in therapy sessions, she enjoys continuing to learn about child development and finding creative ways to make therapy both effective and fun for the children and families she serves.

Speech Therapy North Phoenix- Office/Virtual

Samantha earned her degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University in 2016. She is an experienced Speech-Language Pathology Assistant with over 10 years of experience providing pediatric speech and language therapy across home health, clinic, private practice, and school-based settings.

Throughout her career, Samantha has supported children with a variety of communication needs, including Speech Sound Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), AAC, and expressive and receptive language delays. She is passionate about building meaningful connections with children and their families.

Samantha utilizes a play-based, child-centered approach to create engaging therapy sessions that support natural communication growth through meaningful interactions. She values collaboration with families and is committed to continuing education and staying current with evidence-based practices to provide effective and individualized speech therapy for each child and family she serves.

Speech and Feeding Therapy South Scottsdale -Office/Virtual

SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Trained

AAC Trained Clinician

Ellen is a speech-language pathologist originally from the suburbs of Chicago. She earned her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and completed her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Lewis University, graduating in 2023. She brings a well-rounded clinical background with experience across both school and clinic settings, including two years in schools and three years in outpatient clinical practice.

Ellen provides therapy services to clients in clinical settings addressing expressive and receptive language, feeding, articulation, fluency, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), pragmatics and voice. She is SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) feeding trained and incorporates a sensory-based approach to support children with feeding challenges. In addition to clinic-based care, she has delivered home health speech and language services to improve quality of life for homebound clients, while also guiding families on carryover strategies to support progress in the home environment.

Her experience includes conducting comprehensive evaluations in both academic and clinical settings to determine eligibility for services and develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans. She also demonstrates strong clinical judgment in analyzing documentation across settings and effectively communicating progress and recommendations with families and caregivers.

Speech Therapy South Scottsdale- Office/Virtual

SLPA Supervisor 

AAC Trained Clinician

Cara Gelbart grew up in Michigan before she moved to Tucson with her family as a teenager. Cara received her master's degree in Communication Disorders at Arizona State University in 2016. Cara has 10 years of experience working with clients younger than 18 months up to 42 years with varying degrees of speech and language needs, in a number of settings including schools and clinics. Cara enjoys targeting pragmatic language disorders and teaching social communication. She is also skilled in utilizing both low- and high-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies to support individuals with more complex communication needs. She prides herself on bringing creativity into her therapy, is known for creating original therapy materials, and is not afraid to act a little silly. When she is not working as a therapist, she enjoys painting, traveling, and spending time with her two children and dog, Kermit. 

Occupational & Feeding Therapy South Scottsdale- In Office/Virtual

Meagan graduated from Northern Arizona University with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and has two years of clinical experience working with children and families. She earned her undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Arizona State University and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Meagan is passionate about helping children and families build confidence and independence in their everyday routines and meaningful activities. She has experience providing services across sensory integration–based intervention, feeding therapy, mental health, and adaptive sports. In her work with sensory integration, she helps children navigate and regulate their responses to sensory input, supporting the development of motor skills, attention, and emotional regulation in playful and meaningful ways. Meagan enjoys creating individualized, client-centered treatment approaches that are engaging, supportive, and family-focused.

Speech Therapy South Scottsdale- In Office/Virtual

Adeline is an Arizona native and a dedicated Speech-Language Pathology Assistant with over four years of experience supporting children across a variety of settings, including early intervention, outpatient clinics, home health, and schools. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology Assisting, combining specialized training with a passion for helping children develop effective communication skills. Throughout her career, Adeline has worked with children of diverse ages, abilities, and communication needs, providing individualized support to help them strengthen their speech, language, and social communication skills. Her experience across multiple settings has allowed her to collaborate closely with families, educators, and healthcare professionals to create meaningful, child-centered therapy experiences tailored to each child's unique strengths and goals.

Adeline is committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment where children feel encouraged to learn, grow, and gain confidence in their communication abilities. She utilizes evidence-based practices and family-centered care to help children make meaningful progress and achieve their fullest potential.

Adeline values the opportunity to serve the communities that helped shape her and finds great fulfillment in supporting children and families throughout their developmental journeys. Her greatest professional reward is celebrating the milestones that empower children to communicate more effectively and confidently in their everyday lives.c

Holistic Release Work South Scottsdale- In Office

Certified TMR Tots Level 1

Pediatric Certified Specialist

John F Barnes Myofascial Release Training

Katie is an Arizona native who graduated from Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She received her Bachelor’s of Health Science degree in Kinesiology at Arizona State University. Katie is also a certified board specialist in pediatric physical therapy. She has over 5 years of experience with infants and children of all ages and types of abilities, however Katie specializes with medically complex pediatric population. 

She has experience with total motion release (TMR Tots Level 1), myofascial release (John F Barnes Myofascial Release Course), reiki, and functional mobility through the Institute of Physical Art. These are all gentle and non-invasive yet transformative techniques that work well together with the unique individual parents, family, and infant. Katie’s philosophy believes in the total body impacting all parts of development. Additionally her experience shows how much the body intertwines with feeding, speech, and digestion. Her specialty is with holistic release work, focusing on the interconnections throughout the physical body and how it impacts other areas including lactation and overall oral motor skills. Through a general 3 phase process, her physical therapy focuses on addressing range of motion, then neuromuscular education, and progresses to functional movement. 

As a first generation Chinese-American, Katie truly values the integration of culture and healthcare. She is dedicated to working as a team, including the families, and approaches her therapy through a big picture, evidence-based, culture sensitive, and family-centered perspective.

Lactation Services West Valley Arizona- In Home

International Virtual Support

Rebekah has been and IBCLC since 2006 and a nurse for over 25 years with a passion for women's health and breastfeeding.  She worked in post partum long before becoming a mother herself.  As a new nurse she learned everything she could from the LC on staff and was soon the one providing services during night shifts when newborns like to eat the most! Like many when she became a mother herself, she thought breastfeeding would be easy, but soon realized she would be challenged with many of the same struggles as those she was supporting. That was the beginning of her career as an IBCLC.  She became fully committed  to using her skills and experience to help as many women as she could reach their breastfeeding goals!

Lactation Services North Phoenix and Cave Creek- In Home

International Virtual Support

Babies have always had a special place in Jackie's heart. Jackie has enjoyed 17 years as a NICU nurse before her new role as an IBCLC began in 2015. Her own breastfeeding journey motivated Jackie to help other breastfeeding moms and lead every interaction with a compassionate, supportive, family centered approach. Jackie's hospital experience as an IBCLC includes supporting babies with a congenital condition, preterm infants, elevated level of jaundice, and weight gain challenges. Her clinic experience includes babies being seen for their routine pediatrician visits as well as those seen in a variety of specialty clinics. Jackie has enjoyed speaking with parents prenatally who are experiencing a routine pregnancy and also those whose baby has been diagnosed with a fetal condition. Jackie's goals are to help moms feel supported, listened to, and confident to reach their lactation goals. It is her honor to play a small role in a mom's breastfeeding journey and support each family where they are at. 

Administrative Assistant

Zach is a valued member of our administrative team who helps ensure families feel welcomed, informed, and supported throughout their journey with us. He specializes in patient care coordination and new patient communication, guiding families through the intake process and helping make their transition into therapy as smooth as possible. From answering questions and coordinating care to assisting families with the next steps in getting started, Zach is dedicated to creating a positive and supportive experience from the very first interaction with our team.