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Speech Language Pathologists
Sarah Birdsall, CCC-SLP, is a recent graduate from MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she gained her masters in Speech language pathology. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut, where she majored in both Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and Psychology. While working towards her master, Sarah worked in elementary schools, outpatient adult, and outpatient pediatric settings. She has experienced working with fluency disorders, articulation disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, Alternative and augmentative communication, Autism Spectrum Disorder, reading/ writing, and aphasia. Her main areas of interest include anything pediatric, especially fluency and expressive/ receptive language. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys playing music and running. She joined the PPTFTH in July, 2019.
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Emily Chuang, M.S. CF-SLP, (she/they) is a recent graduate from Northeastern University, where they obtained both their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Speech Language Pathology. Emily is Taiwanese-American, proficient in Mandarin Chinese, and has a passion for diversity, inclusion, and equity. While working towards their Master's degree, Emily gained clinical experience working in elementary schools, inpatient adult, and outpatient pediatric settings. Emily has experience with articulation disorders, expressive and receptive language delays and disorders, reading disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and more. Emily is interested in continuing their education in areas such as voice therapy. Outside of work, Emily enjoys playing games, baking, and spending time with family. Emily joined PPTFTH in September, 2020.
Tifanny Collis B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Sociology from the University of Central Florida. During this time, she gained experience working in preschools, with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and tutoring. She is currently working full time as an SLPA in the public school system and her areas of interest include articulation, language, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Tifanny enjoys the outdoors, animals, and spending time with her family and friends. She joined Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart in May 2017 and loves being a part of the team! |
Heidi Cope CCC-SLP. After a first career in horticulture, Heidi returned to school in 2015 to obtain a graduate degree in communication sciences and disorders at the University of New Hampshire. She came to PPTFTH as a graduate student in January 2018 and began employment after graduating in May. Heidi is interested in neurogenic and neurodevelopmental speech and language disorders across the lifespan including voice, resonance/VPI, fluency, motor speech, and pediatric and adult language disorders. She has a certification in LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy) and other experience in the field includes acute medical, outpatient medical, skilled nursing with individuals with dementia, and pediatric speech and language in the outpatient and private practice settings. She also has experience in the Massachusetts school system as a speech assistant. Heidi especially enjoys sharing her love of nature, plants, and design, and incorporating these interests into therapy, whenever possible. She lives in Beverly with her husband Craig, and their dog Pippin.
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Darya Deker, M.S., CF-SLP. After spending nearly a decade in advertising, Darya went back to school to study communication sciences and disorders at MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she earned her master’s degree in 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Barnard College in 2009. Darya’s clinical experience includes working with individuals across the lifespan and in schools, home health, and outpatient pediatric and adult clinics. She has experience with receptive and expressive language delays, fluency disorders, cognitive impairments, functional communication, social pragmatics, and aphasia. In her free time, Darya enjoys traveling, photography, cooking (and eating!), and listening to music. Darya lives in Somerville with her husband and infant. She joined PPTFTH in March of 2021.

Kris Desmarais M.S. CF-SLP, (they/them/theirs) is a recent Speech Language Pathology graduate. Kris recently graduated with their Master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire in May 2021. Kris earned their bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration on Speech and Hearing Science at Rhode Island College in 2017. Kris has experience working in schools and private practices. They enjoy working with individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and has several years of experience in this area. Kris also has experience working with social skills/pragmatics, fluency, voice, and speech sound disorders. Kris’ interests include writing, nature, Pokémon, animals, exploring outdoors, kayaking, and cooking. They joined the PPTFTH team in October 2017!

Jaime Gilmore B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. She received her Bachelor's degree from Worcester State University where she double majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Spanish. She gained experience while working in a small, pediatric clinic as a rehab aide while in high school. Jaime has experience working with articulation and language delays/disorders, pragmatic delays/difficulties, and executive functioning difficulties among the pediatric and Autism Spectrum population. Her interests include articulation and language therapy and watching social growth within small group settings. She joined PPTFTH in September 2016.

Larissa Kortis MS., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and recent graduate of Northeastern University. During her graduate career she gained experience working with both adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, receptive and expressive language deficits, articulation and apraxia/motor planning deficits, phonological disorders, social-pragmatic deficits, cognitive language impairments, and swallowing disorders. Larissa provided therapy in schools, rehabilitation facilities, and a hospital. Larissa enjoys working with a wide range of populations, but she is especially interested in the areas of articulation, social skills/pragmatics, and language. Larissa grew up on Cape Cod and continues to love to spend her free time on the beaches. She joined Peer Projects ~ Therapy from the Heart in June 2016 and is very excited to be part of the team!

Amy Meltzer M.S., CCC-SLP earned her Masters from Boston University in 2008. She received her Bachelors degree in psychology at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Amy specializes in Alternative and Augmentative Communication, tablet and device programming for both education and communication. Amy is always thinking of innovative and creative ideas to help her students/clients. She works full time with children and young adults ages 3-22 with moderate to severe disabilities at a local school. She has nearly 7 years experience working with children and young adults with difficulty in social skills, functional communication, and articulation. Amy loves to find innovative and exciting ways to incorporate technology into her practice. She has helped develop communication apps and she also works a part time telepractice (speech therapy online) job for a middle school in the Mariana Islands. Amy enjoys going for walks/jogs, playing outside, and swimming with her three young children. Amy joined Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart in December, 2014 and she is looking forward to helping more children communicate effectively, sharing her knowledge and skill-set with this fantastic team of therapists, and gaining new knowledge and experiences!

Lorin Moustakis B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. She completed her Bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Communication Disorders with Minors in both Education and Psychology. During her undergraduate degree, she gained experience working in preschool and elementary schools. Since graduating in 2015, she has been working in special education classrooms at the Children's Center for Communication, Beverly School for the Deaf in Beverly, MA. She has experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, receptive and expressive language deficits, as well as language, communication and cognitive disorders. Lorin joined Peer Projects Therapy from the Heart in November 2016.
Laura Racobaldo, SLPA earned a Bachelor's degree in Speech-Language and Audiology with minors in Early Intervention and Psychology from Northeastern University. During that time, she completed 300 hours of hands-on training in EI, and worked at the on-campus preschool. She currently works as a full-time SLPA in the public school system, and as a part-time Developmental Therapist in EI. Her areas of interest include early language development, receptive language skills, social pragmatics, and articulation. Laura enjoys going for runs, throwing dinner parties, and spending time with family back in South Jersey.
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Phoebe Russell, M.S., CF-SLP graduated from Boston University where she gained her Masters in Speech Language Pathology. She received her Bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland where she majored in Speech Language Pathology and minored in Special Education. While gaining her masters degree she gained experience in both adult and pediatric settings such as public schools, acute care, outpatient care, and private practice. She has experience working with sensory and motor based feeding disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation disorders, alternative and augmentative communication use (AAC), Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other rare genetic disorders. Her main areas of interest include all things pediatric involving expressive and receptive language, AAC use, and feeding. Phoebe is a Natural Language Acquisition trained clinician working with Gestalt Language Processors. Outside of work Phoebe enjoys time with her family and friends, reading, running and walking around Boston, and trying new restaurants. Phoebe joined PPTFTH in June 2022.
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Kelly Scott B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and a minor in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2017. During this time, she gained experience working in a preschool, volunteering with an organization called Aphasia Pals, and working for the MGH Aspire summer program. She currently works full time at a local high school as an SLPA. She has extensive experience working with children with social/pragmatic difficulties, executive functioning needs, communication disorders, ASD, and ADD/ADHD. Kelly is also working towards her Masters in Education for Double Licensure as a School Counselor/School Adjustment Counselor with a certificate in ASD studies. Kelly joined PPTFTH in September 2018 and is thrilled to be a part of this team!
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Marie Triant, M.S., CCC-SLP is a recent graduate of Northeastern University, where she earned a master's degree in Speech Language Pathology. She received her bachelor's degree from Boston University in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science with a minor in Spanish. Marie has experience working in elementary schools, home health, and private practices. She enjoys working with children and adults in many areas, including language, alternative/augmentative communication, social communication, feeding, executive function, and articulation/phonology. Marie joined the PPTFTH team in January 2020 after completing her clinical externship here in the fall of 2019.

Tali Woodbury (she/her) M.S. CCC-SLP, received her bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Tufts University and her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College. While at Emerson, Tali was trained in counseling families with children who have communication disorders. She has worked as a speech language pathologist for over 20 years in early childhood special education, in the public schools, and in an occupational therapy sensory integration based private clinic. She is passionate about providing family centered services, educating and working with parents, siblings, and grandparents to ensure therapy is as effective as possible. Tali participates in ongoing work in supporting neurodiversity, gender affirming care, and anti-racism. She holds Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington state licensure. Tali has worked extensively with autistic individuals and their families; she has training in PROMPT therapy for apraxia. Tali co-leads a parent support group, Root to Rise, to help parents with children with disabilities connect with each other and redefine self-care strategies. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and three children. She enjoys hiking, biking, ceramics and knitting. Tali joined Peer Projects as a Telehealth clinician in January, 2021.
Sara Zion M.S., CCC-SLP has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since she graduated from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2006. She was drawn to the field by multiple factors, including her own struggles with speech and learning issues, her study of Linguistics in college and her work at a Lindamood-Bell reading clinic. Sara has always been interested in the connection between spoken and written communication disorders, and pursued a secondary certification in reading during her graduate studies. She has training in social pragmatics and is also proficient in the Spanish language, having studied abroad in Bolivia as part of her Spanish major in college. She has experience working with children and adolescents with autism, learning disabilities, articulation disorders and apraxia in both public schools and private clinics. She is currently working full-time for the Salem Public Schools. She was thrilled to join Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart in September 2015. She is passionate about pursuing pottery in her free time.
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