Meet Our Talented Team

Hallie received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Maryland. Hallie is a Certified Myofunctional Therapist (CMT), Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM) and Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM), Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Therapist. Hallie is licensed to practice in the state of Maryland. She is also a member of the The International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) and The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Hallie is trained in Orofacial Myology via the IAOM, Neo-Health, TOTS, PROMPT, Talk Tools, Beckman Oral Motor, SOS Feeding Therapy, Food Chaining and more. Hallie specializes in treating orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD’s) and pediatric motor speech and feeding disorders. Hallie is the creator of Feed The Peds^TM, The Myo Method: Intro to Myo course & CMT Certified Myofunctional Therapist Certification, The Myo Membership, The R.E.A.L. Biz Mastermind and the Untethered Podcast. In her spare time, you will find Hallie spending time with her husband, Vlad, their daughters Lily and Mia and their furbaby Coby!

Jessica Hutter, Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) and Certified Myofunctional Therapist (CMT) completed her Masters in Speech Language Pathology from Yeshiva University. Her goal is to treat children with the best and most appropriate therapy and treatment plan suited to the child’s needs.  She will work with each child’s family to enhance communication abilities between the family, child and therapist.  She has hands-on experience both in private practice and school-based settings.  Jessica has a passion for feeding therapy, orofacial myology, and speech sounds disorders.  Jessica has been trained by Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, COM through Feed the Peds (TM), The Myo Method and the Myo Membership. She is a certified myofunctional therapist (CMT).

Alyssa Ackett is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, Orofacial Myologist and Feeding Specialist. She is licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. She is originally from Florida where she received her Masters of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Florida, where she also completed a graduate certificate for providing early intervention. Alyssa specializes in the treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD’s), early intervention, speech sound disorders and pediatric feeding disorders. Alyssa has completed training through Feed the Peds® and Talk Tools, and participates in the Myo Membership. In her free time, she enjoys reading and hiking with her husband and her dog!

Nadine Lopo, MA, CCC-SLP received her Master’s degree in Clinical Speech Pathology from Northern Arizona University and her Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Science from Arizona State University. Nadine is a Speech-Language Pathologist & Feeding Therapist. She is licensed to practice in Maryland, D.C., and California. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Nadine is trained in Feed the Peds, Talk Tools, TOTS, PROMPT, SOS Feeding Therapy, SOFFI, AEIOU, AAC, and more. Nadine specializes in pediatric feeding disorders and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). She has experience working in a variety of settings including private practice, schools, and in-home. Nadine is passionate about her career and loves forming lasting connections with the families that she works with. Nadine is excited to explore the east coast by exploring the outdoors and connecting with family and friends. 

Meghan is originally from Pennsylvania, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Pennsylvania State University. She received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola University Maryland. Meghan is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, is licensed in both DC and MD and has been practicing Speech and Language Pathology for 5+ years. Meghan has a passion for working with children and has a variety of experience from working in outpatient clinics, pediatric hospital settings and schools/daycares. She has experience helping children from birth to 21 years of age in the areas of expressive and receptive language, articulation, social skills secondary to autism spectrum disorders, oral motor/feeding, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication, and working with medically complex pediatric patients with a variety of diagnoses. Meghan has been completed various trainings including Social Thinking courses, Hanen It Takes Two to Talk/More than Words and others. Meghan loves to spend time with friends and family, cooking, traveling and watching/attending sporting events.

Sandra received her Master’s degree from the University of the District of Columbia in Speech Language Pathology. Sandra is a member of the American Speech- Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in Maryland and DC. She has experience working in a variety of settings including, private practice, schools, in-home and early intervention.  Sandra works with each family to ensure that they are empowered in supporting their child in reaching their full potential. Sandra has experience in the following areas: early intervention, feeding, oral motor, orofacial myofunctional disorders, articulation, phonological delays/disorders and language development. Sandra is trained in PROMPT, TOTs, and has been trained under Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, COM through Feed the Peds. In her free time, Sandra loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. 

Laura received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University and her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and Regular Education from the University of Hartford. She is licensed to practice Speech-Language Pathology in the state of Maryland and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Laura began her career over 25 years ago as a preschool special education teacher, and after completing her Master’s degree began providing speech-language therapy services to young children and their families in a variety of settings including preschools, clinics, private practice and in clients’ homes. Laura specializes in working with young children experiencing language delay, language disorders, auditory-language processing disorder, articulation disorders, phonological process disorder, social communication disorders, ADHD, as well as children demonstrating difficulties in the areas of sensory processing, self-regulation, and social skills. Laura considers herself fortunate to have chosen a career that she is passionate about and thoroughly enjoys every day! When she is not working, she loves getting together with friends, going to movies and Broadway shows, and spending time with her husband and three children.

Tina received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Louis University in St. Loius, MO. Tina has over 19 years of experience and specializes in working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. She is also a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Tina is trained in PROMPT, Feeding Treatments – Food Chaining, SOS & Talk Tools. She has a love for working with children with apraxia of speech and feeding disorders. Tina is a mama to two daughters and a son. In her spare time you will find Tina traveling and spending time with family & friends.

Emily Cross began her career more than 10 years ago as a special education teacher specializing in working with children with behavioral disabilities, Down syndrome and autism. Emily then received her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from North Carolina Central University and has worked for the public school systems in North Carolina and Virginia before moving to D.C. Emily is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is trained in Social Thinking. Her goal is to serve students with the best therapy and treatment plan and work with each child’s family to enhance communication abilities in the home and school environments. After work, Emily is probably entertaining friends and family, exploring D.C. and planning the next adventure.

Jennifer King, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist and Orofacial Myologist received her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Wisconsin and her Masters of Science Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of the District of Columbia. Jennifer’s professional strengths include her background as an early childhood teacher, her ability to integrate treatment in listening and speaking with objectives in reading and writing, and her skills in teaching social thinking and pragmatic language functions. Jennifer also has specialized training in orofacial myology, treating adults and children with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD’s) and training correct oral rest postures, oral phase swallowing and habit elimination. Jennifer feels that an important part of treatment is communicating her objectives with the client, be it an adult or parent of a child, and other professionals on the team (e.g., teachers, ENT’s, pediatricians, oral surgeons, etc).

Samatra received both her B.S. and M.S. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. She is a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. Samatra was born abroad to parents who were Peace Corps volunteers. Upon her arrival to the United States, Samatra received speech therapy services addressing accent modification due to her undesired British accent. She enjoys working with all ages, with a focus in articulation, accent modification, and children with ASD. Outside of her professional aspirations, Samatra enjoys spending time with her husband and Tonkinese cat.

Ebony Brooks has more than ten years of a variety of professional experience working with individuals with special needs. Ebony is a Speech Language Pathologist licensed in DC and MD. Ebony treats children with speech and language delays and disorders, orofacial myofunctional disorders and is experienced working with various diagnoses, including autism, tongue thrust, speech and language delay/disorder. She has her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

Erin Kelly, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist. Erin received her bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science/Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Delaware and her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Columbia University. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed to practice in the states of Maryland and Virginia. Her resume includes supporting children with typical development, developmental delays, and significant communication and feeding disorders from infancy through adolescence in the school, private clinic, home, and virtual settings. Erin has completed over 100 hours of continuing education in the areas of velopharyngeal dysfunction, infant and pediatric feeding, tethered oral tissues, and orofacial myology, including training under Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, COM through Feed the Peds and the Myo Membership. Currently, Erin is studying for her certification as a lactation counselor (CLC).

Christina has been practicing for nine years and is licensed in Maryland and DC. She specializes in working with children with autism, developmental delays, and she also has a passion for AAC. Christina is from Montgomery County and still loves exploring the DMV! She attended undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh, grad school for Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Maryland, and she received her Doctorate in Education from Arizona State University. She loves spin, volunteering, and sushi!

Jennifer Giegel is a Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist who received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2001 from Mount Aloysius College. Jennifer enjoys working with children of all ages to improve their sensory, motor, physical, and cognitive abilities to help them achieve their goals and fullest potential. Her clinical expertise with pediatrics includes hospital, outpatient, home, and school based therapy in the Washington, D.C. area. Jennifer uses principles from sensory integration, neurodevelopmental, motor learning, and oral sensory feeding techniques to customize the treatment plan to each child’s particular needs. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband Zachary and their 13 year old son.

Michelle, always had the desire to work with children. Born and raised in New Jersey, she met and married her husband who is in the military. She has been a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for close to 20 years. Michelle graduated from New York University in 2002 with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Michelle has years of experience working in pediatric settings to include; public/charter schools, head starts programs, home based/community settings, and play based sensory clinics. These opportunities have allowed her to work with children with a wide variety of developmental delays and diagnosis. Michelle has a passion for learning new treatment approaches and techniques to bring to her treatment sessions. Michelle is an Advanced Pediatric Interactive Metronome Specialist and Basic Integrative Listening System (ILS) practitioner for Focus programs. She also holds basic certifications in DIR/Floor time, The SOS Feeding Approach, Beckman Oral Motor Intervention/assessment, and Kinesiology taping. She has trained extensively in the fields of feeding and sensory processing disorders and has experience incorporating her knowledge and training from SOFFI Method, Touch Massage, Handwriting Without Tears Program, the Alert Program, and various other feeding and sensory integration techniques into her treatment sessions. Michelle is married for 25 years, has 2 children and 3 loveable dogs. When not at work, Michelle enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Lauren grew up in Olney, Maryland and currently resides in Washington, D.C. She has a B.S. in Family Science and a M.A. in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Maryland. Lauren has worked in preschools, elementary and secondary schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. She specializes in working with children and adolescents with autism. Lauren is licensed to practice in Maryland and D.C., and is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).