Alissa Belmont Hall

M.S., CCC-SLP
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Alissa earned her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. There, she was involved with stuttering research across the lifespan, working under many NIH grants. She has since gained experience working with pediatric clients in the elementary school, middle school, and clinic setting and now mentors and supervises graduate students, SLPAs, and CFs at CTS. She was brought into the field by her enthusiasm for language and love for being creative with children. She loves training parents and caregivers on how to use their own toys and routines in creative ways in order to maximize language outcomes through teletherapy. Alissa encourages parents to read to their children and narrate activities aloud to increase their exposure to language every day! Alissa attained a personal goal of earning multiple ACE awards, that are given to SLPs who earn 70 hours of continuing education within 3 years. Alissa keeps up to date on teletherapy practices and is a member of a special interest group through ASHA on the topic of telepractice. She completed continuing education in Orton Gillingham through the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education, and completed an Introduction to PROMPT technique workshop, through the Prompt Institute. In her spare time she likes traveling, visiting state parks and preserves, and local restaurants with her husband and son.

Sarah Boyce

M.S., CCC-SLP
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Sarah received her bachelor’s degree from Calvin College in Michigan and earned her master’s degree from East Tennessee State University. She is trained in Enhanced Milieu Teaching language treatment strategy for early intervention. In addition, Sarah previously worked on a NIH grant, established and led a speech and language clinic and worked as an assistant professor teaching undergraduate students online courses. Sarah also has experience as a clinical supervisor mentoring graduate student clinicians and speech-language pathology assistants. At CTS, Sarah focuses on pediatric evaluation and treatment of early intervention through school-aged children with a variety of disorders using teletherapy as well as providing bilingual speech and language assessment and therapy. Sarah has a working proficiency of Spanish and uses it with her Spanish speaking clientele and families. Sarah’s passions include early speech and language intervention, involving the parent/caregiver in the therapy session, and targeting therapy through play for maximum generalization/carry-over at home. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and sons, exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and completing furniture/home renovations.

Allison Barrett

M.S., CCC-SLP
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Allie grew up in Minnesota and earned her undergraduate and master's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Allie is passionate about providing individualized therapy to her pediatric patients to help them succeed in their communication, feeding and swallowing skills. At Children’s Therapy Solutions, Allie has experience providing therapy in an elementary school, telehealth and in clinic treatment sessions. She loves the interdisciplinary team approach that CTS emphasizes and values. Allie has a passion for working with kids with feeding and swallowing disorders. She is trained in Beckman Oral Motor (BOM), Feed the Peds (FTP) as well as training on infant feeding, myofascial release, and TOTS (tethered oral tissues). Allie is also a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and enjoys helping and providing care to moms and their babies during their breastfeeding journey. In her free time, Allie enjoys going to the beach, exploring new restaurants, volunteering at the local humane society, and spending time with her dog Zoey. 

Courtney Crooks

M.S., CCC-SLP
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Courtney grew up in Buffalo, New York, and earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has a passion for impacting the lives of children by helping them to improve their communication and feeding skills. Courtney has experience working with children in the clinic, school, and teletherapy settings, and she is also part of our team at the Women’s Center at Children’s Therapy Solutions. She specializes in working with infants and children with dysphagia and other feeding difficulties, and she has completed trainings in the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, CAN-EAT Approach, as well as trainings on infant feeding and myofascial release. Courtney strives to help children and families to reach their fullest potentials through engaging therapy sessions and by empowering caregivers to play an active role in their child’s therapy. In her free time, Courtney enjoys traveling, doing yoga, painting, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

Shawna Brown

M.S., CCC-SLP
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Shawna grew up in upstate New York and graduated from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. She loves working with children and has experience in the elementary school setting and teletherapy. She enjoys play based therapy while working on articulation and language, but also has vast experience in fluency. Teletherapy has become more common - Shawna makes it a priority to maintain a close relationship with clients and families and include a variety of engaging virtual games and books. Shawna wants families to know, “I am passionate about helping children succeed in these areas but doing so in a fun and engaging way. This means incorporating games, toys, and books that a child is interested in for every session!” Shawna loves animals. Outside of work she enjoys being outside in nature, the beach, traveling, exercising, and spending time with her friends and family.

Deborah Meissener

 M.S., CCC-SLP
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Debbie earned her Bachelor’s  degree in Speech Language Pathology/Audiology from the University of Florida and a Masters degree in Communication Science and disorders from Florida State University. She worked in Manatee County Schools for 35 years and has been at Children’s Therapy Solutions since 2016. She has vast experience working with children with Learning disabilities, Language/Literacy disorders, Voice, Stuttering, Autism, Speech, Cleft Palate, Hearing impairment and use of  AAC. She served on the Cleft Palate Team several years at Sarasota Memorial Hospital through Manatee County schools and served as a Manatee County Schools diagnostician for children with severe Speech/Language/Learning disabilities. Debbie loves providing services at CTS through Teletherapy. She says “Coaching   parents to facilitate their child’s communication is the most rewarding job she has ever had!”

Gianna Kennedy

M.S, CCC-SLP
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Gianna grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, IL. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Illinois State University. Gianna is passionate about early language intervention and involving parents and caregivers in therapy sessions to promote carryover of skills at home. Gianna is contracted to work in an elementary school and spends the school year working with preschool children-5th grade, both in person and online. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, going to the beach, and reading. 

Alexandra Graeff

M.S., CF-SLP
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Alex grew up in Fort Lauderdale and is bilingual in English and Swedish. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Florida State University and master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. Alex has an extensive background working with children, and is passionate about providing creative, fun and individualized therapy. Alex is trained in Beckman Oral Motor (BOM) for feeding and swallowing therapy, and has experience working with all types of communication disorders and delays. In her free time, Alex enjoys going to concerts, reading books, doing yoga and spending time with her friends.

Melisa Guerra

M.A., CF-SLP
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Melisa graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Go Gators!). She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Melisa loves working with early intervention at the clinic and via teletherapy. Additionally, she enjoys providing speech and language therapy to school-aged groups in elementary school settings. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, going to concerts, traveling, and reading. ​

Diana Beatriz Santiago Alvarado

M.S., CCC-SLP
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Diana graduated from the University of Turabo in Puerto Rico with a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. She was born and raised on the island of Puerto Rico. After graduating in 2016, Diana began her adventure as a Speech-Language Pathologist doing Early Intervention in New York, working with children ages 0–3. From that moment, Diana knew that her passion was to work with children and their families in the communicative development of their children. Diana is very supportive of bilingual families and likes to embrace the use of both languages in a home where both are practiced. Therefore, she likes to provide bilingual speech-language evaluations and therapy. She currently works as a full-time Speech-Language Pathologist at an elementary school and supports Children's Therapy Solutions after-school hours. In her free time, Diana enjoys being outdoors with her husband and discovering new places.

Mackenzie Shott

M.S., CF-SLP
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Mackenzie was born and raised in a small town in Northwestern Pennsylvania, before moving to Florida in November of 2021. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. While at Clarion she was an active member of the National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association, Relay for Life, and Love Your Melon. Mackenzie has always had a passion for working with children and providing them the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to express themselves. She enjoys making therapy fun and engaging for the children, while also working hard to help them achieve their goals. Outside of CTS, Mackenzie enjoys exploring her new home state of Florida, spending time with friends and family, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills!

Kara Maschmeyer

BAS, SLPA
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Kara earned her Bachelor’s of Communication Science and Disorders degree from the University of South Florida in 2006.  She has more than 15 years of experience working with children from 1 year old to 21 in a special needs school.  Kara has worked with a wide range of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, behavioral issues, Apraxia, non-verbal and developmentally delayed.  Kara highly enjoys working with young children and has a passion for using the Picture Exchange Communication System with her clients that are non-verbal, to give them a voice of their own and finds gratification while working with children and families. Kara believes that it takes teamwork to help children succeed in therapy, school, and at home.  She briefly worked for Early Steps as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist in Highlands County.  In Kara’s spare time, she enjoys being with her family and friends at the beach or on the boat, traveling and just relaxing at home.

Jordan Stewart

M.A., CCC-SLP
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Bio coming soon.

Alessandra Huertas

SLPS
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Bio coming soon.

Lucy Coleman

M.S., CF-SLP
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Lucy was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Florida. She has a deep passion for studying the field of Speech-Language Pathology and assisting families to help their child reach new horizons. Lucy has experience treating a wide age-range of children, from early intervention services up to high school-aged students in both the school and clinic settings. She takes pride in immersing herself in all areas of the developmental continuum and has experience working on speech sound disorders, language impairments, stuttering, communication difficulties with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), voice disorders, and more. Lucy looks forward to creating a trusted partnership with her families and clients to empower children with new communication skills. Outside of therapy, Lucy loves all things beach and nature-related, to include kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, snorkeling, and watching sunsets.

Kaylee Hood

SLPA
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Kaylee was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. She attended the University of South Florida receiving her Bachelor's degree in Speech and Communication disorders. She is currently attending Florida State University working on her masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She loves working with children and helping them with their speech and language goals. Kaylee likes to make her sessions fun and loves updating parents on their progress. Kaylee avidaly attends crossfit, loves to travel, spend time with family, cook, and play softball. She is happy to be a part of the CTS family! ​

Olivia Modesti

SLPA
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Olivia was born in Jacksonville, Florida and spent most of her junior years there before moving to Oxford, Connecticut. Olivia returned to Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders with a minor in Applied Behavioral Analysis. She is currently obtaining her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Florida State University. While at the University of South Florida, Olivia assisted with a research study focusing on the impact of stuttering in adults. Olivia’s experience includes working in pediatrics with a focus on children with autism. She is passionate about working with children while creating a fun learning environment tailored to each child's interests. In her free time, Olivia enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends. Olivia looks forward to working with your child on their speech and language goals!

Tricia Tuazon

SLPA
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Tricia was born in Tamuning, Guam and moved to Florida when she was 11 years old. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Health Science  from University of Central Florida, and her Speech Language and Pathologist Assistant license from Florida State University, and has also completed over 100+ clinical hours from her time in nursing school. Her passion for pediatrics has grown over the years during her time working for a children's hospital and witnessing positive impacts done by therapy. Tricia speaks fluent Tagalog and English, enjoys spending time with her family, husband and son, and loves playing tennis and volleyball. She also enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and exploring new places. Knowing that every child is uniquely different, her goal is to make sure every speech session is individualized and most importantly, fun! 

Zoe Richwine 

M.S., CCC-SLP
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Zoe grew up in Pennsylvania and earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from Clarion University in Clarion, PA. Zoe enjoys working with children and is passionate about providing individualized therapy that promotes parent and caregiver carryover of skills at home. She has a keen interest in treating articulation and phonological disorders. Zoe has experience in school and clinical settings as well as teletherapy. She strives to make therapy fun and engaging for clients while working to achieve their goals. Outside of work, Zoe enjoys playing beach volleyball and cycling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Jennifer Weakley

M.S., CF-SLP
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Jennifer was born and raised in Florida. She graduated with an Associate in Arts Degree from Eastern Florida State College. She then graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida and went on to pursue and graduate with a Master of Science in Communication Science and Disorders from Florida State University. Jennifer is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of the children and families who she works with at Children’s Therapy Solutions, Inc. She strives to create therapy sessions which not only target goals, but are fun, engaging, effective, and personalized to each client. Jennifer enjoys building rapport with families and encouraging them to practice skills during daily routines for everyday generalization. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, taking walks, cooking/baking, and going on adventures to new places! 

Leta Brown

M.S., CF-SLP
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Leta is originally from Michigan and spent her childhood on a dairy farm. Knowing that she always wanted to work with children, she earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Education from Concordia University-Ann Arbor/Wisconsin. After teaching for nearly two decades across the US and abroad, Leta accepted a teaching position in Florida where she worked with Exceptional Students in English, reading, and ESOL classes. Wanting to be able to provide more intensive, small group services, Leta earned an additional Bachelors and Masters degrees in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. She continues to work with school age students in Sarasota County Schools during the school year and provides teletherapy services to students after school at CTS. Leta enjoys getting to know each child and tailoring therapy lessons to meet their needs. In her free time, Leta enjoys spending time with her two Maltese dogs: Bella and Beau, reading, and traveling.

Michaela White

M.S., CCC-SLP, CLC
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Michaela was born in Nova Scotia, Canada but grew up in Bradenton, FL. She earned both her bachelors and masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Michaela is also a Certified Lactation Counselor. She has always had a strong passion for working with children and babies. Michaela recently moved to Colorado, but continues to provide treatment through teletherapy. In her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking, concerts, and spending time with her husband and two children.