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Meet Our Team

Together we build meaningful relationships and connections with our clients and their families.

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Ashley Merichko, M.S.,CCC-SLP

Co-Founder, Speech-Language Pathologist

As the owner of an outpatient speech therapy company, I am passionate about helping children and families find their voice, build confidence, and develop greater independence. With more than 10 years of experience in the field of speech-language therapy, I have had the privilege of supporting children with a wide range of communication needs, with a strong focus on autism, language development, selective mutism, and childhood apraxia of speech.​​ I believe every child deserves individualized, compassionate care and a team that truly listens to their needs. I love partnering with families and school districts to create meaningful, collaborative support that helps children thrive—not just in therapy, but at home, at school, and in their communities.​ I am always looking for ways to grow, improve, and make a difference.

Building my own company was a dream, and being able to turn that dream into an opportunity to provide quality services and support to families is one of the greatest gifts.​

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Outside of work, life is just as busy and full of joy. I am a wife and mom of two, a dog mom to two dogs, and somehow also a chicken keeper! I love being outdoors, spending time with my family, and working in the garden.

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At the heart of everything I do is one simple goal: to do what is best for the child and family. I am incredibly grateful to do work that allows me to support growth, connection, communication, and independence every day.​

Advanced Training & Certifications:

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)

  • ASHA - Award for Continuing Education (ACE) for achievements in continuing education

  • Pennsylvania Instruction Certificate Level II - Speech & Language Impaired

  • Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs - Speech-Language Pathologist License

  • LSVT LOUD Certified Clinician

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Kelly Stewart Nace, M.S., CCC-SLP

Co-Founder, Speech-Language Pathologist

Kelly is a pediatric speech therapist with over 17 years of experience working in early intervention, public schools, and private school settings. She is fluent in American Sign Language and has been an Educational Interpreter for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Throughout her career, Kelly has developed a passion for language learning and recognizes how powerful language is for human connection. She often reiterates that language opportunities exist everywhere, in everything we do, large or small.

Kelly earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has since worked with children of all ages and abilities. She believes that serving children with special needs is her true vocation in life, and she is dedicated to embedding opportunities for connection, vocabulary enrichment, and robust language skills into her therapy sessions. Kelly is passionate about serving children with complex communication needs and honors and respects all forms of communication–including oral speech, AAC, and sign language. 

 

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her fabulous husband, her two amazingly terrific teenage daughters, and her three rescue dogs. She and her family love to take road trips and spend time outdoors, especially near the water. 

 

Advanced Training & Certifications:

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)

  • ASHA - Award for Continuing Education (ACE) for achievements in continuing education

  • Pennsylvania Instruction Certificate Level II - Speech & Language Impaired

  • Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs - Speech-Language Pathologist License 

  • LAMP Words for Life trained professional

Lauren Johnson, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Hi, I'm Lauren! I'm speech therapist with over 5 years of diverse clinical experience including working with children in early intervention programs, public and charter schools, specialized classrooms, and private therapy environments. I have a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from William Paterson University, certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licenses in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. My specialization encompasses a broad range of disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, language delays, articulation and phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, fluency, and auditory processing disorders. I am passionate about AAC, and have experience working with programs such as TDSnap, TouchChat, Go Talk, and LAMP.

I am drawn to a child-led and play-based approach to therapy, designed to help children reach their fullest potential. Lauren believes in tailoring each therapy plan to the unique needs of the individual, ensuring that every session is both effective and enjoyable. My compassion and empathy are key in establishing a trusting relationship with each client and their family members, ensuring an environment where they feel supported and understood. Beyond her clinical work, I am devoted to mentoring the next generation of speech-language pathologists, sharing her knowledge and fostering professional growth. 

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In my free time, I enjoy traveling and being outdoors through activities like hiking, golfing, and snowboarding. She also has a passion for plants and thrifting, and I cherish quality moments with her family and friends.

 

Advanced Training & Certifications:​

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)

  • Pennsylvania Educational Specialist I - School Speech & Language Pathologist PK-12

  • Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs - Speech-Language Pathologist License 

  • New Jersey State Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology

  • New Jersey Speech Language Specialist Certificate

  • LAMP Words for Life trained professional

  • ASHA - Award for Continuing Education (ACE) for achievements in continuing education

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Eliza Huston, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow

                     

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In addition to private practice, I also have gained school-based experience, working collaboratively with teachers, students, and families to support success in the classroom and beyond. I take a guided approach to therapy while incorporating play-based interventions to foster engagement, build strong rapport, and create positive relationships with clients and their families.

 

In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, golfing, playing video games, and spending time with loved ones.

Hi! I'm Eliza, a speech language pathology clinical fellow who earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Communication Science and Disorders from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. ​I enjoy working with young children with speech sound disorders as well as early language and speech delays. I have experience treating a variety of communication needs, including fluency disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorder, social/pragmatic language, and early language delays.

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Valerie McMullen, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow

Hi! I'm Valerie. I received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Duquesne University in August 2026. During graduate school, I gained diverse clinical experience across rehabilitation, pediatric outpatient, and school-based settings. I have experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including adults recovering from strokes and traumatic brain injuries, as well as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, fluency, articulation, phonological, and language disorders.

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I have a particular interest in helping individuals develop functional communication skills that can be carried beyond the therapy room and into their everyday lives. I believe therapy should provide individuals with meaningful, practical tools that allow them to communicate more effectively, participate in the activities they enjoy, and live their lives to the fullest.​

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Outside of the therapy setting, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, kayaking, skiing, crafting, and coaching middle school cheerleading.​​​

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I have experience working with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and is certified in SPEAK OUT!®.

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Paphawarin (Patty) Pannga, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow

​Hi! I’m Patty, I earned my Bachelor’s in Health Sciences in May of 2025 and Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Duquesne University in August of 2026. I have experience working with both children and adults across a variety of clinical settings (e.g., pediatric/adult outpatient, adult acute care, SNF, and school-based), and I’m passionate about helping children build confidence and find their voices through fun, engaging, and individualized therapy. 

I have a special interest in speech sound production, Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), and infant feeding and swallowing. I am also passionate about helping children develop meaningful communication skill through individualized play-based and child-led approaches. I also enjoy continuing to expand my knowledge in pediatric feeding and early intervention to help little ones thrive! 

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Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, shopping and exploring new restaurants! 

 

I have experience working with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), FEES training, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, voice disorders, phonological and language disorders. ​​​

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Destiny Wall, A.S., COTA/L

Occupational Therapy Assistant

My name is Destiny and I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with 11+ years of experience as a practitioner and over 6 years in the field of early intervention and pediatrics.  My passion for OT was sparked many years ago when my own kiddo needed services. It inspired me to serve others to provide enrichment opportunities. I have had the privilege of working alongside families in environments across the community developing functional daily living and fine motor skills for children and adults with special needs.

 

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My niche is working with families with complex disabilities and neurodivergent lifestyles. You could say I just speak the language. My treatment focuses on the whole child. I love meeting families where they are, helping individuals, as well as supporting families to develop the specific skills needed to foster independence and function and improve quality of life. 

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My love for people, being a wife and mother, the outdoors and dogs have driven me to be an active member of the Allegheny Mountain Search and Rescue Group K9.

 

Advanced Training and Certifications:

  • National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

  • The State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure- Occupational Therapy Assistant license 

  • NBCOT - micro credential in dementia 

  • CPR and pediatric first Aid

  • Wilderness First Aid

The activities Kelly completed with my daughter both in person and virtually kept her attention and had her excited for each session!

Kelly worked with my daughter during multiple school years for speech therapy, both in-person, and virtually during the pandemic. Kelly provided us with many activities to work on at home as a family to help strengthen my daughter’s speech skills. The activities Kelly completed with my daughter both in person and virtually kept her attention and had her excited for each session! Going to speech therapy was never a chore for my daughter, but a time she looked forward to with Kelly, and a time to grow and learn. Kelly truly cares about her students and puts much time and effort into each session to make sure that the child leaves speech therapy confident and ready with the knowledge of how to use their speech. Not only that, the constant communication I experienced with Kelly kept me well-informed of my daughter’s growth in speech therapy. My daughter has since graduated from speech and still speaks highly of Kelly, and loves to see her in the elementary school and say hello. I highly recommend Kelly for speech therapy and am thankful to have met her and have had her as my daughter’s speech therapist.

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~ Amanda, Parent

Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS
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