AMY R.

Background/Education:

Amy has been a speech-language pathologist since 2008. She graduated from The University of Northern Colorado with a master’s degree in Speech Pathology in 2008 and maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Amy also earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The University of Arizona in 2000 and a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University in 2003. Amy has experience working with children in the school-based, private-practice, and home-based settings. She has extensive experience in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of communication disorders. She possesses a strong passion for empowering clients to communicate effectively and confidently in their daily lives. Her clinical interests and expertise include early intervention, autism, articulation and phonology and language development. She believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring individualized treatment plans to meet the unique needs and strengths of each person. In her practice, Amy utilizes evidence-based techniques and collaborates closely with families, caregivers, and other professionals to ensure comprehensive and holistic care. She is dedicated to ongoing professional development to stay abreast of the latest advancements in the field.

What you love about working with children: 

Working with children brings Amy immense joy. She is continually inspired by their resilience, their unique perspectives, and the sheer delight they express when they reach a new milestone. Witnessing their communication skills blossom and knowing she played a part in that journey is incredibly rewarding. She finds great joy in witnessing the progress and increased independence of her clients. Amy is committed to creating a supportive and encouraging environment for therapy.

Personal Interests/Hobbies: 

Outside of her professional life, Amy enjoys staying active and exploring the outdoors through paddle boarding and hiking. She finds great pleasure in getting lost in a good book, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular workouts, and, most importantly, cherishing quality time spent with family.

ANNE K..

Background/Education:

Anne has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2012. She earned Bachelor’s of Science degree in Family and Human Development and an additional Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communication Disorders, both from Utah State University. She earned a Master’s of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University. She has extensive experience working with children and their families in a variety of settings.

What you love about working with children:

She loves working with children and creating opportunities for their skills to grow and develop! She also values the opportunity to connect with families and provide training and support.

Personal Interests/Hobbies: 

In her free time she loves to explore, whether it is a new hiking trail, a new skill, a new restaurant, or a new country.

BARBARA B.

Barb earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1989 and her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 1990 both from Illinois State University.  She has experience with both children and adults in a variety of settings.  She enjoys working with children and young adults with expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation, auditory processing disorders, cerebral palsy and down syndrome.  Barb holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence and has been a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association since 1990.  

Most recently, she was a substitute teacher for grades K-8 in Colorado before moving to Mesa, AZ.  She and her husband enjoy going to their 3 kids' activities.  (Derrick at ASU, Mark at UofA, and Maddie, a student at RMHS).  Barb also enjoys taking long walks with her dog and entertaining family and friends when they come to AZ to visit.  

BETH T.

Beth received her Master's degree in Communication Disorders in 1993, from Arizona State University. She has been a Speech Language Pathologist for over 20 years, and has experience with both adults and children in a variety of settings. Beth has extensive experience in the area of feeding, but enjoys working with a diverse clientele. She lives in Gold Canyon with her husband and two teenage daughters, and enjoys yoga and hiking.

BRIDGET M.

Background/Education: 

Bridget has a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University. Bridget was an SLPA from 2018-2021 and has been an SLP since 2021. 

What you love about working with children:

I love the connections I form while working with children/adults and their families. I love watching individuals grow and become more confident in themselves!

Personal Interest/Hobbies:

In my free time I love spending time in California on the Colorado River on the boat or in the desert with my friends and family!

DENICE C.

Denice was a lifetime member of the Central Virginia community until recently. Denice's work experience is vast and varied. She has served clients of all ages with speech-language-hearing-cognitive-swallowing disorders for over 35 years in private practice, hospitals, skilled nursing homes, outpatient rehabilitation, university, telepractice and home health settings. Denice enjoyed supervising graduate students develop clinical skills in the Department if Communication Sciences and Disorders at Longwood University.

Denice received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 1974 from Madison College and her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 1992 from Radford University. Due to her academic achievement, she was inducted into the Phi kappa Phi Honor Society in 1992 and became a lifetime member.

Denice became a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Virginia in 1992, California and Arizona in 2016. She received her Clinical Certificate if Competence from ASHA in 1993. After receiving her certification in Auditory-Verbal Therapy in 2003 from Auditry-Verbal International, she met the certification requirements for the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language when they became the accrediting institution in 2006 and has continued to maintain her certification via continuing education each year since 2003.

Denice is passionate about helping children experiencing speech-language-hearing disorders reach their maximum potential and empowering their families in ways to help them reach their goals at home. She is constantly inspired by her clients as they work to acheive their communication goals.

Denice enjoys donating her time to organizations who promote concepts near and dear to her heart such as Special Olympics and animal welfare groups. In her spare time, Denice loves to play with her Saint Bernard, Dante, read, practice her Spanish and travel the Americas. Most of all, she strives to live a life full of peace, love and harmony.

GABRIELLA V.

Background/Education:

She completed her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University. Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University.

What you love about working with children:

Gabriella has always loved working with children. She is passionate about helping kids improve their communication skills and gain confidence. Gabriella believes every child is unique and enjoys finding creative ways to support their individual needs. She is dedicated to learning new techniques and expanding her knowledge to provide the best care possible. Seeing children make progress and reach their goals is what motivates her every day. Gabriella is committed to making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of the families she works with.

Personal Interest/Hobbies:

In her free time, Gabriella enjoys hanging out with friends and family, going to Pilates, and traveling. She also loves cooking. These activities help her stay balanced and energized both at work and in her personal life.

GABRIELLA V.

Background/Education:

Gabby has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2019. She graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders with a minor in Deaf Studies in 2017, and graduated from Long Island University-Post with a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

What you love about working with children:

“I love being able to see them grow and get excited about learning new things! I also love being able to play games and make therapy fun!”

Personal Interest: Hobbies:

“In my free time, I like to cook, bake, go to the gym, and watch shows on Netflix. I also love traveling to visit my family and friends that live in New York.”

HEIDI P.

Heidi is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Therapist who received a B.S. in Education, SLP at Baylor University and a Masters Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Northwestern University. ASHA certified and practicing for over 20 years, she has worked with a diverse clientele with an emphasis on early intervention and feeding. She has been trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach (SOS) to feeding, the Beckman Oral Motor program, and Chain Feeding. The mother of 3, she enjoys traveling with her husband and creating jewelry.

Jennifer Z.

Background/Education:

Jennifer has been a speech-language pathologist since 2007. She has worked in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health care. She attended Western Illinois University in Macomb for her undergraduate degree and attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale to obtain her Master of Science degree.

What you love about working with children:

Jennifer loves working with children to improve communication abilities and finds it exciting to watch emerging skills result. The ability to connect work and play makes working with kids especially rewarding.

Personal Interest/Hobbies:

Jennifer enjoys traveling, hiking, nature photography, and water color painting.

LAURIE G.

Laurie received her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders in 1993, from Arizona State University. She has been working as a speech-language pathologist for more than 28 years, and has experience with both adults and children. She enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities. Laurie loves working with children in their homes so she can see the family dynamics, and help the whole family be involved in treatment. Laurie is also a board certified holistic health consultant. She has been married for 31 years and has 2 adult children, who claim they are “adults in training”. She also has a 55 lb puppy who thinks she is a lap dog. Laurie’s passion is healthy, happy living.

MADISON W.

Background/Education:

Madison Whiting completed her master’s degree at A.T. Still University in Mesa, AZ. Madison has been a Speech Language Pathologist since June 2024. Prior to completing her degree, Madison worked in the beauty industry while she raised two kids at home.

What you love about working with children:

I love the innocence and laughter children bring into our lives. Children have a natural way of seeing the beauty in life and they often remind me to slow down and enjoy the simple things.

Personal Interest/Hobbies:

I have two girls and a husband, so most of my free time is spent taking care of my family. I love all outdoor things including camping, paddle boarding, hunting, and hiking. I also enjoy the occasional shopping trip, eating sushi, and all things beauty (makeup, nails, etc.).

mARISA k.

Marisa has a B.S. in speech and hearing science from Arizona State University and a M.A. in speech language pathology from University of Minnesota. She has several years of experience working with children with special needs. Marisa provides speech therapy to children of all ages with a variety of diagnoses. She also has experience in feeding therapy.

MATTHEW W.

Background/Education:

Matthew has been an SLPA since 2023. He graduated with his AAS as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in 2023 from Estrella Mountain Community College.

What do you love about working with children:

“Watching the children learn and grow keeps me inspired. When a child needs help it is necessary to get that need helped.”

Personal Interest/Hobbies:

“I love fishing and video game design. In my free time, I’m either fishing for bass, or working on a video game I designed myself.”

MICHELLE L.

Hi. My name is Michelle.  I have 3 years experience as a speech language pathology assistant.  I graduated from Utah State University in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders.  I grew up in Nebraska and I am a proud mother to an adult son with autism. I am also a mom to two intelligent and entertaining cats. I am looking forward to meeting my new families at Horizon.

mELISSA M.

Melissa graduated from Estrella Community College in 2012 as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant with Phi Theta Kappa honors.  She was introduced to rehabilitation services in 2009 when her granddaughter suffered a brain injury. So, she left her medical career of 20 plus years to pursue a career in rehabilitation and speech.  Melissa studied American Sign Language as her foreign language and has additional course work in deaf studies. She spends her free time with her husband, two sons, and three grandchildren. She enjoys movie nights, playing board games, and late night dramas on TV.

RACHEL C.

Rachel graduated from The University of Arizona in 2014 with a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and recently completed her M.S. in Communication Disorders at Arizona State University. There, she worked with a wide range of clients but discovered her passion in working with infants, children, and young adults with a variety of communication abilities. She is especially interested in feeding therapy, early intervention, preschool age, and children with Cleft Lip/Palate, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Down syndrome. She enjoys photography, working out, hiking, camping, dancing, baking, crafting, and spending time with her friends and family (especially her adorable niece and nephew). She is ecstatic to join the Horizon team!.

RYAN O.

Background/Education:

Ryan graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Music Therapy and began working as a Board Certified Music Therapist. He obtained his certification as a Neurologic Music Therapist from Colorado State in 2009. Ryan has also completed his certification as a Speech- Language Pathology Assistant through Northern Arizona University.

What you love about working with children:

There is nothing like witnessing a child achieve a difficult task for the first time. Helping them to meet their potential is the most rewarding part of the job.

Personal Interest/Hobbies:

Ryan has been in Chinese Kenpo Karate and Goju Shorei Weapons Systems for over two decades through the city of Tempe. He is a Deacon and Choir Director at his church. He lives in Mesa with his wife and two children.