3160 North Arizona Avenue, Suite 105, Chandler, Arizona 85225
Directors
JoAnn Ridge
MS, CCC-SLP, Founder and Co-Owner of Ridge Zeller Therapy
JoAnn Ridge is the Founder and Co-Owner of Ridge Zeller Therapy, where she has made significant contributions to the field of speech-language pathology. As a dedicated mentor, JoAnn guides both new and experienced Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs) on her team, fostering their growth and development as clinicians.
A proud Arizona State University (ASU) Sun Devil, JoAnn holds both her bachelor's and master's degrees in communication disorders from ASU. Her commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence is evident through her receipt of the ASHA ACE Award, an honor given to speech-language pathologists who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to continuing education in the field.
JoAnn's expertise and dedication have been recognized with the prestigious Top Docs Award in Phoenix for speech-language therapy. This accolade reflects her commitment to providing high-quality, knowledgeable, and expert therapy services to the Phoenix metropolitan community through Ridge Zeller Therapy.
Beyond her professional achievements, JoAnn enjoys a variety of hobbies, including working out, reading, crafting, and binge-watching programs. She finds joy and balance in these activities, reflecting a well-rounded approach to life.
At Ridge Zeller Therapy, JoAnn's leadership and passion for speech-language pathology continue to inspire her team and make a positive impact on the lives of those in the Phoenix metropolitan community.
Meghan Zeller
MS, CCC-SLP, Founder and Co-Owner of Ridge Zeller Therapy
Meghan Zeller has been a dedicated speech-language pathologist since 2001, bringing her expertise to a variety of settings, including schools, homes, rehabilitation facilities, and hospitals. She earned her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Southern Connecticut State University in 2001, following her undergraduate studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
With a specialized interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Meghan has pursued advanced training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), a highly effective treatment approach for moderate to severe CAS. Her commitment to this specialized field highlights her dedication to providing tailored and effective therapy to children with speech challenges.
Meghan's extensive experience and specialized skills have made her a respected figure in the speech-language pathology community. Her ability to work across diverse environments and with various patient populations underscores her versatility and dedication to her profession.
Outside of her professional life, Meghan enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, socializing with friends, and watching HGTV. These hobbies reflect her vibrant personality and her ability to balance a demanding career with personal interests and relaxation.
Meghan's ongoing commitment to speech-language therapy and her passion for helping others communicate effectively continue to drive her work, making a positive impact on the lives of her clients and their families.
Office Staff
Sarah, BA, Operations Manager
Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Communications and Human Relations from Western Illinois University. Sarah has worked in business administrative management for more than 15 years across various industries, including healthcare, radio, television, and film. She enjoys photography, biking, yoga, and spending time with her family in her free time. Fun fact, Sarah also works as a voice-over actress for commercials!
Monica, Clinic Manager
Monica is a seasoned business professional with over a decade of experience in the medical field. Her extensive background has equipped her with a deep understanding of the industry's dynamics, making her a valuable asset to Ridge Zeller Therapy.
Monica is married and has two sons, Dominic and Tyler, who bring joy and excitement to her life. Her family also includes a diverse menagerie of pets: two dogs, one cat, and a turtle. A fun and unique aspect of Monica's life is her passion for soccer. She and her husband played on a co-ed competitive soccer team for 14 years!
Monica, MEd, Marketing Manager
Monica holds a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix and an Arizona Teacher Certification. Monica has worked as a classroom teacher for in both elementary and secondary classroom settings and served as a 504 Coordinator for students requiring learning accommodations. She has spent ten years advocating for children's health and education and worked as the Chief Operations Officer of a nonprofit organization dedicated to children's vision health and the Deputy Director of a national aerospace organization promoting aerospace, aviation, and STEM education. Monica brings an in-depth understanding and perspective to the needs of children and families with educational and medical disabilities and remains a passionate advocate for children's mental health and education. Her advocacy efforts have resulted in the passage of Arizona legislation for suicide education and prevention training for education providers. Her hobbies include traveling, hiking, and cooking. She enjoys spending free time with her husband and two sons.
Polly, CMA, Administrative Specialist
Polly is a dedicated Administrative Specialist and a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) who graduated from San Joaquin Valley College. With a passion for enhancing the lives of others, she finds great joy in simplifying processes and making someone's day better or easier. Her commitment to helping others is a cornerstone of her professional life.
Polly is married and the proud mother of two wonderful children. Her family includes a charming guinea pig named Digit Darling, affectionately known by a variety of nicknames such as Bibi, Best Boy, Goober, and My Chonk.
In her leisure time, Polly loves to immerse herself in painting and nurturing her plants. She dreams of expanding her green thumb to include a bountiful vegetable and herb garden. A lifelong learner, Polly enjoys acquiring new skills and exploring different areas of knowledge, always eager to grow both personally and professionally.
Katie, Billing Specialist
Katie enjoys sports, watching football and hockey, and spending time with her family.
Colleen, BA, Administrative Assistant, Bilingual
Colleen holds a degree is in Spanish Literature and Culture with an emphasis in Mexican-American studies from Arizona State University, and holds certificates in Brazilian Studies and Translation. She has translated materials for the Latin American Healing Traditions and Spanish for Biomedical Sciencescourses at ASU. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Counseling at ASU. In addition, Colleen also her business experience from her former role as a mortgage processor, to her position at Ridge Zeller Therapy. Colleen say she enjoys working at RZT because it allows her the opportunity to assist others and provides a sense of purpose, belonging, and connection to whoever it is that needs help. Colleen enjoys baking, cooking, ceramics, doing nails, makeup, camping, bird watching and Spinato’s pizza. A fun fact is that Colleen can speak Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese!
Renita, Front Office Assistant
Renita brings over 24 years of dedicated experience working with exceptional students, serving in various capacities as a Cross-Categorical Developmental Instructional Assistant and a Certified Deafblind Intervenor Specialist (CDBIS). Her extensive background and specialized training have equipped her to act as an informer, guide, and communicator, effectively bridging the world for individuals who are deafblind.
In addition to her work with exceptional students, Renita also serves as an elementary school health assistant. Her role involves not only providing care but also fostering a safe and inclusive environment for both typical and special needs students. What Renita finds most rewarding about her work is the opportunity to interact with students and build connections with their parents, ensuring they feel confident and comfortable with their children in her care. Renita is a proud mother of three beautiful young women, aged 32, 31, and 29. Her personal life is enriched by her love for traveling, with a particular fondness for California, Disneyland, and the beach. She also enjoys reading and visiting her family on the Navajo Reservation in Northern Arizona. Renita’s long-standing commitment to her roles and her passion for helping others have made a significant impact on the lives of the students and families she works with. Her dedication to creating a supportive and nurturing environment continues to drive her professional and personal endeavors.
Deborah, LPN, Community Relations Coordinator
Deborah is an LPN with many years of nursing experience from hospital to home care. In addition, Deborah has served as a medical trainer for doctors, nurses, nurse aides, and certified caregivers on the use of EMR systems for the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. Deborah also brings 20 years of experience in sales and marketing of services such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and business development in medical and non-medical home care. She loves spending time with her family, children and grandchildren. Deborah is a professional artist specializing in acrylic paintings and an avid supporter and volunteer with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.
Darren, BA, Hearing and Vision Screening Coordinator
Darren is a distinguished educator with over 30 years of teaching and coaching experience in the elementary and high school settings and a die hard Sun Devil. He is certified through the Arizona Department of Health Services sensory program to conduct vision and hearing screenings. A fun fact about Darren is that he is a third generation native of Tombstone, Arizona.
Special Education Teachers
Dru, MEd, Special Education Teacher
Dru holds a Masters in Education and a diverse background in education, with experience in multiple roles. She has spent two years teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) with the Peace Corps, followed by two years as a special education resource teacher. Dru also served as a maternity leave substitute for one year and spent another year as an ESL instructor with AmeriCorps. As a special education teacher, Dru enjoys working in an environment where she is constantly learning. She values the moments when her students can teach her something new, and she takes pride in helping them discover new approaches to problem-solving that address their individual needs.
Logann, MEd, SLPA- Special Education Teacher/ Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Logann earned her degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Arizona State University. She holds a Master's degree in Special Education and holds dual certification in Elementary Education and Special Education. Logann brings a broad range of knowledge in understanding the whole child and has experience in home-based and school-based speech-language therapy. Logann says what she most enjoys about her job are the new challenges that are always presented and problem solving these challenges to support the children she serves. "Meeting these goals and overcoming these challenges is what is most fulfilling".
Mike, MEd, Special Education Teacher
Mike holds a Bachelor of Communications from Southern Utah University and a Masters of Education from Grand Canyon University with certification in Special Education. Mike says he finds it rewarding to see students do things they never thought they could. Mike served a mission for his church in Costa Rica, and played football at Southern Utah University. He has taught special education and coached boy`s volleyball for 6 years. He and his wife have a mini golden doodle, Harry, and two children.
Certified School Psychologists
Aleks, MSEd, School Psychologist
Aleks holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science, and a Master of Science in Education - School Psychology, from Brooklyn College. Aleks says, "The most rewarding thing about being a school psychologist is knowing that I make a positive difference in children`s lives. I enjoy working with various teams to ensure that each child is on the right path and being properly supported." Aleks is also bilingual in both Polish and English.
Angela, MEd, School Psychologist
Angela earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah in Psychology in1985 and her Master of Education degree from Ottawa University in 2014. Before becoming a certified school psychologist, she developed an interest in working with students with learning differences during her time as paraprofessional and substitute teacher, working with students with emotional and learning disabilities as well as gifted students. She strives to assist school teams in understanding student strengths and needs in order to help students become successful learners. She is originally from Warner Robins, Georgia. She’s been married to her high school sweetheart since 1984 and has two adult children. Angela enjoys watching movies, spending time with family, friends, and her two cats, Mogi and Luci.
Anna, EdS, School Psychologist
Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Northern Arizona University, a Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix, and an Education Specialist Degree with an emphasis in School Psychology from Ottawa University. Anna loves to get to know students through the testing process and enjoys the analytical aspects of her work. She is especially interested in ADHD and Autism and helping students with these challenges thrive in the school setting. She loves the collaborative nature of the MET and her goal is to support parents by creating a supportive and parent-friendly atmosphere at all meetings. Anna has been married for 17 years. She and her husband have 4 children, their dog “Franklin”, and a tortoise, “Miss Violet”. Anna is also a pianist and singer and she loves karaoke. She sings with Millennial Choirs & Orchestras and performs twice a year at the Mesa Arts Center. A fun fact about Anna is that she is six feet tall but has never played sports.
Annamarie, EdS, NCSP, School Psychologist
Annamarie holds a Specialist Education Degree with an emphasis in School Psychology from Eastern Washington University and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Anna loves working with teams and helping to empower parents. Annamarie has experience working in public, private and charter schools. Her special training includes secondary classroom teaching and educational therapy focused on working with students with dyslexia and math disabilities. She has one son who just graduated from kindergarten. She, her husband, and son, all love to swim, explore the mountains, and mini golf. A fun fact about Anna is that she was once stranded in the jungle at night!
Dane, MEd, School Psychologist, Bilingual
Dane brings many yeas of experience as a Bilingual School Psychologist. When asked what Dane enjoys most about being a school psychologist, Dane says " What I love most about being a School Psychologist is seeing growth and success in students that have been struggling. Seeing their excitement when they succeed, even on small goals, is amazing."
Frances, EdS, School Psychologist, Bilingual
Frances brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position at Ridge Zeller Therapy. As a bilingual school psychologist, she has 12 years of experience in her role working with K-12 populations. What Frances enjoys most is the evaluation component of a school psychologist’s role. She and her wife have three dogs; a Mini Aussie, a Mini Poodle, and a Maltese Mix. She has three brothers and is very close to her family.
Joshua, EdS, School Psychologist, Bilingual
Joshua holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minors in Spanish and Business Management, and a Masters in Psychology Education Specialist Degree with an emphasis in School Psychology from Brigham Young University and Ottawa University. What Joshua finds most rewarding about his job is working and helping the children. Joshua has four children. His wife teaches voice lessons and his family loves music. He plays the piano and sings on occasion. He loves to travel and spend time with his family. If Disney is involved, count him in!
Josh, EdS, School Psychologist
Josh holds and EdS Educational Specialist in School Psychology from Seattle University. Josh has extensive experience including Academic Motivation, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Reading Disabilities, Social Skills, and Neuropsychology Assessments. Josh enjoys therapeutically supporting students, and seeing students gain insight into their own thinking. Josh enjoys cleaning and spending time with his family.
Katie, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Certified School Psychologist
Katie holds a PhD in Psychology, is a licensed Psychologist and a School Psychologist. She also holds a Master’s in School Psychology, a Master’s in Counseling, and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Additionally, Katie brings a wealth of experience to her role as a certified school psychologist. She has worked in home foster care programs, child counseling in school settings, and clinical evaluations for the juvenile justice system. She is always looking for what she can add to her range of expertise. It was her work as a counselor that interested her in pursuing her PhD in School Psychology. Katie says she is passionate about helping others find their success. When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Katie says, "finding ways to help others and problem solving the root of the issue to make the best assessment possible."
Kelly, MA, School Psychologist
Kelly holds a Master of Arts Degree in School Psychology from the University of Texas San Antonio. She has a background in school based-counseling, threat crisis training, and conducting functional behavior assessments. Her areas of expertise include, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, attention issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, self-injurious behaviors, and social skills. Kelly says the most rewarding part of her job is being able to work with students and their families. She enjoys explaining assessment results to families and planning IEP's with crucial members of the student's learning team. Fun facts about Kelly are that she’s married, she enjoys exercising, thrift shopping, and spending time with her daughter.
Linda, EdS, NCSP, School Psychologist
Linda holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Hispanic and Portuguese Studies from Macalester College of St.Paul Minnesota, and a School Psychology Education Specialist Degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has experience working in both elementary and high school settings. Linda has certifications in PREPaRE 1 & 2, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), Psychological First Aid, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (iNCI). Additionally, Linda is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). She says the most rewarding part of her job is getting to know the kids that she works with and building relationships. Fun facts about Linda are that she has one cat, she likes camping, and she boxes for fun.
Marline, MEd, School Psychologist, Bilingual, Team Lead
Marline received her degree from Ottawa University and is one of Ridge Zeller Therapy's highly experienced Bilingual Certified School Psychologists. She brings a great depth of expertise to her role with 9 years experience as a certified school psychologist and previously as a Developmental Specialist. Although she was born in New York, Marline was raised in the Dominican Republic and is fluent in Spanish and English. Marline is dedicated to ensuring all students, especially ELL students, are properly evaluated for services. She deeply enjoys providing school based counseling services to students with a variety of social/emotional needs and supporting and training school staff on how to understand and manage students' challenging behaviors. Additionally, Marline helps connect Spanish speaking community members with community resources by providing them material in their native language. She loves the beach and tropical weather, enjoys music, singing, dancing, movies, and going for walks with her dog. She enjoys spending quality time with her son, especially watching his basketball games!
Nicole, EdS, School Psychologist, Bilingual
Nicole holds a Bachelo's Degree in Spanish from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from National University. She holds credentials in School psychology, School Counseling, and Special Education. Nicole most enjoys helping students take ownership of their education. She loves to practice yoga and get out into nature whenever possible.
Stephanie, EdS, NCSP, School Psychologist
Stephanie holds an Educational Specialist School Psychology Degree from the University of Arizona. She brings a background of experience working in educational settings, including preschool through grade 12. Her areas of expertise include autism, ABA therapy, English Language Learner (ELL) populations, and preschool teaching. Stephanie says the most rewarding part of her career is building relationships with students and parents, working one to one with students and assisting with their social-emotional needs (counseling). Stephanie is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, she is married with a two-year-old daughter. She has one small turtle and one large German Shepard. She enjoys reading, watching movies and photography. A Fun fact about Stephanie is that she is a certified veterinary assistant and she love animals!
Occupational Therapists
Ashley, MOT, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed
Ashley holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University. Ashley’s experience and areas of expertise include Anxiety Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention issues, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Communications System / AAC, Handwriting, Occupational Therapy, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, TBI, and Visual Motor Integration. She has worked with medicare clients, pediatrics, school settings, ASD, and severe behavior disorders. She says the most rewarding part of her job is helping others and seeing people thrive in their natural environments. Fun facts about Ashley are that she has served in Africa to help the less fortunate, traveling is her favorite hobby and she has a labradoodle named Mino.
Cassie, MOT OTR/L, Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed
Cassie holds a Masters of Occupational Therapy from Concordia University of Wisconsin, Associate OTA, from North Dakota State College of Science. Cassie has extensive experience including both adult and pediatric populations. She has training in ASD, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Feeding, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Handwriting, Social Skills and Visual Motor Integration. She enjoys playing sports including sand volleyball and pickleball. She also enjoys spending time reading a good novel and completing a puzzle in a few hours.
Heather, BS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed
Heather holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University. She has extensive education, training and experience working with children across a variety of settings, helping to facilitate development at home, at school and in the community. She has specialized training in sensory processing, ADLs, responsive feeding, visual motor skills, fine motor skills, oral motor skills, postural development, trauma informed care, social emotional development, and regulation. She says the most rewarding part of her job is helping children to learn and grow. She has a golden retriever named Bentley. A fun fact about Heather is that she has traveled to 30+ countries.
Marin, OTD, OTR/L, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapist
Registered/Licensed, and Clinic Team Lead
Marin holds a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Northern Arizona University.
She has experience working in pediatric outpatient clinics, home health, and school settings. Additionally, she has experience with specialty areas of AAC, powered mobility, feeding, and vision. What Marin finds the most rewarding about her career is building relationships and providing client-centered care to help others achieve independence in meaningful daily activities. Marin loves spending time with her dog Ridley, paddle boarding, hiking, camping, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.
Noelle, BS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed, OT Team Lead
Noelle has over 27 years’ experience as a registered and licensed occupational therapist, working in school, behavioral health, home and clinic settings. She loves her job as an OT, focusing on skill building, empowering students, and enabling independence in the school and home settings. In addition, she has developed workshops for educators and professionals about sensory, fine motor and visual perceptual development. Noelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling, and volunteering as a parent contact for other parents of children with special needs.
Sarah, BS, COTA/L, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/Licensed
Sarah has been a COTA since 2010 and she received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from Arizona State University in 2009. She has worked in pediatrics her entire career in schools, clinic and home health settings, She has also worked PRN with adults in acute care, skilled nursing facilities and home health. Sarah says, "The most rewarding thing about working as an Occupational Therapist is making a noticeable difference in a child’s life. I enjoy building rapport with clients and their family." In her free time she enjoys hiking, traveling, trying new restaurants and spending time with her family.
Shaina, OTD/OTR/L, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed
Shaina holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor in Psychology and has attended Midwestern University-Downers Grove and Loyola University of Chicago. She has experience working with adults, in clinic settings, pediatric populations and in school settings. Shaina says she loves working with the pediatric population and setting them up for success. “It is great to be able to see through a holistic lens when working with our clients which is what initially drove me towards occupational therapy.” Shaina loves being outdoors, enjoys going on walks and spending time with friends and family.
Taylor, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist Registered/Licensed
Taylor holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Milligan University, Tennessee. Taylor has experience in both school settings and in adult acute care. Taylor says that working in the school system is such a rewarding setting to her because she can have such a big impact on students. Getting to see the same students for a whole year, if not more, and provide them with all the tools they may need to succeed in school and watching them grow and improve each year is so rewarding.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Abby, BS, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Abby holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Abby has experience working in both clinic and school settings. She previously worked at a therapeutic clinic with children ages five through seventeen with a varying range of disabilities. She also worked as a paraeducator at an elementary school with children who have communication and social difficulties. She says the most rewarding part of her job as an SLPA is, “helping people find a voice when its been taken away from them so many times before.”
Ally, BS, C-SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Advanced Trained in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for treatment of moderate to severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
Ally is an ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. She has experience in accent modification, therapy, adult aphasia therapy, elementary and high school based therapy services. After graduating from Arizona State University with a Bachelors Degree, Ally gained experience treating K-8th grade students with and without a diagnosis of ASD for speech, language, and communication disorders working as an SLPA in the school setting. Additionally, Alexandra has a specialized interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and has received Advanced Training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for treatment of moderate to severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Her hobbies include spending time with family, exercising, traveling, following curiosities, and learning new skills. She enjoys listening to music and absolutely loves spending time with her dog Sophie.
Alyssa, BA, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Speech Language Pathology Assistant certification from Arizona State University. Alyssa has worked as a social worker, specifically with DCS cases. She has also worked at a preschool as a substitute teacher and an ELL teacher. Alyssa says the most rewarding part of her work is helping students achieve their goals and helping them to feel more confident with their speech and language. Some fun facts about Alyssa are that she loves to travel, spend time with friends/family, learn new things, eat good food, indulge in nerdy things, and read.
Amanda, BS, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Amanda became a speech-language pathology assistant after teaching kindergarten through fourth grade for 15 years. She enjoys traveling, scrapbooking, cake decorating, and spending time with her family.
Jane, BS, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Jane holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University. Jane has a background of experience working in school settings. Jane says the most rewarding part of her job is working with kids, and while working as a BHT, she discovered her passion for leading and teaching. She enjoys connecting with clients and making lessons interactive for everyone involved. Jane enjoys drawing and creating digital art. She also loves reading unconventional books, and one of her favorite authors is Jeff Vander Meer.
Jasmine, BA, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of New Mexico. She has a professional background in school settings, including four years experience as a preschool teacher. Jasmine say the most rewarding part of her career is seeing her students being intrinsically motivated to achieve their goals. She also enjoys seeing their progress and letting them know that they are special and capable. Some fun facts about Jasmine are that she is getting married soon and she made it a goal this year to read 75 books!
Jessica, BS, SLPA - Speech Language Pathology Assistant
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from Arizona State University. She has experience in clinic and school settings. She has worked with children with ASD in a self-contained classroom. During that time, she used various low-tech AAC and took CEU courses on the LAMP AAC system. She specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Speech Therapy. Her favorite part of her work is building relationships with her clients and seeing them grow as individuals. Some fun facts about Jessica are that she has one dog, and she was born on Valentine’s Day!
Madison, BS, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Paola, BS, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Paola holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech & Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University. Her areas of expertise include pediatric, school setting, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Bilingual Treatment. She has worked in the school setting with elementary school through high school age students. She has also shadowed in the clinic setting. As a bilingual speech language pathologist assistant, she has the opportunity to work with clients from different cultural backgrounds providing bilingual therapy in English and Spanish. Paola says Communication is a complex area and she enjoys the opportunity to work with many different disorders. Paola loves what she does and finds it fascinating to see the progress her clients make and help them along the way to achieve their goals. A fun fact about Paola is that she loves going on hikes and taking her puppy Luna with her!
Talia, AAS, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Talia holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology Assistance from Estrella Mountain Community College. Talia brings a background of experience working in special education, including experience working with visually impaired children, and working as a behavior technician and paraprofessional one on one with children facing challenges such as trauma, autism, and other conditions that influence behavior. Talia says the most rewarding part of her career is helping children to learn self-advocacy skills. A fun fact about Talia is that she loves houseplants and orchids.
T.J., BS, SLPA - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
T.J. is a Valley of the Sun native, with Bachelor of Science degrees from Arizona State University in Speech and Hearing Science and Psychology. T.J. passionately works to implement emerging and novel technologies into therapy to engage students. In his spare time, he enjoys tinkering with computers and game consoles, cycling, rowing, reading, and traveling with his wife Megan and their dogs Diego and Henry.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Adalia, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Adalia holds a Masters of Science in Speech and Language Pathology from Midwestern University. She has experience working in pediatric school settings (elementary and middle school), evaluations and treatments of ASD, language disorders, fluency disorders , Adult - Aphasia, TBI, and dysphagia (evaluations and treatments). She has worked in a pediatric clinic, elementary and middle school and a hospital settings. Her specialties include, Accent Modification, Adult Therapy , Apraxia of Speech , Attention issues , Auditory Processing Disorder , Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) , Childhood Apraxia of Speech , Early Intervention , Speech Therapy , Swallowing Therapy/ Dysphagia, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Adalia finds the most rewarding part of her career is helping people find themselves again, gain confidence, work on their communication/language skills which will benefit them in the long run. Adalia loves to paint, play volleyball and hike for fun. Some fun facts about Adalia is that she is fluent in Russian which was her first language (even though she was born in Arizona). She also has an American Pitbull Mastiff who is her “heart and soul.”
Adrienne, MA, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Adrienne earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma. She is experienced in working in schools ranging from Pre-K through High School. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and going on walks. A fun fact: Adrienne went to a French immersion elementary school.
"I find making an impact on someone's communication skills and watching their confidence grow to be the most rewarding part of being an SLP."
Alana, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Ali graduated with a Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2019. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University. She taught pre-school for four years and is passionate about working with children. She enjoys cooking, playing with her puppy, eating at new restaurants, and exercising.
Alyson, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, Team Lead
Alyson received her graduate degree in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University in May 2012. She has been part of the RZT team for 8 years. She has worked with both children and adults with a variety of communication disorders. Alyson specializes in speech services for high school-aged children. As a wife and a mother to four little girls, Alyson enjoys spending every free moment with her family.
Angie, MS, CCC-SLP, SLPA and Intern Coordinator, Bilingual
Angie received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Family and Human Development and Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University in 2014. She graduated Cum Laude from ASU and began working as a home-health and clinic-based speech-language pathologist assistant (SLP-A) her final year as an undergraduate student, in 2013. She continued to work as an SLP-A in a variety of settings, expanding to school-based work in 2016, as she pursued her Master’s degree in Clinical Speech-Language Pathology from Northern Arizona University. She graduated magna cum laude from Northern Arizona University in 2019. With Ridge Zeller, she completed one year of school-based intervention services as an SLP-A and then, continued through her Certified First Year, as an SLP and received her ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech-Language Pathologists (CCC-SLP), internationally recognized credential in 2020.
Angie has many interests including language and literacy, complex communication modalities, and bilingual evaluations and treatments. Angie prides herself as an advocate for clients and their families. She works hard to provide teams with strategies and resources to optimize the success of her clients across a variety of settings.
In her spare time, Angie enjoys a good book, going for walks, playing games, and spending time with her family.
Ashley, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Ashley has experience providing in-person services to preschool-aged children with varying diagnoses such as articulation, apraxia of speech, autism, down syndrome, selective mutism, fluency, phonological, social communication, and expressive/receptive language disorders. What she finds most rewarding about her work is the ability to measure progress of each client. She enjoys creating goals that can be achievable and measurable, as well as educating family members on how to carry-over skill at home. Ashley has a beautiful husky German Shepherd who she loves to take on long walks. She loves to spend the majority of her time outdoors (when the weather permits), and she enjoys camping and staying active.
Bailey, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Bailey has worked with children from 1 to 21 years old in the schools, home based, and clinic settings. Bailey has specialities in early intervention, picture exchange, social skills and speech therapy. She loves working with secondary students and helping them navigate becoming and adult. Bailey is originally form Utah and holds an M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Utah and a B.S. in Communication sciences and disorders from the University of Utah. She has one brother and loves to visit her family as much as possible. She also has two dogs Marley and Gilligan who she calls her babies.
Casey, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Casey holds a Masters in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University. She has experience in Clinic Settings, Pediatrics , and School Settings and says she enjoys working with children in the school setting the most! Before grad school, I was a home health SLPA. Casey says the most rewarding part of her career is being able to make a difference in other people`s lives. Some fun facts about Casey, she has a dog named Mocha, she loves reading, going on hikes, listening to Taylor Swift and swimming.
Cass, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, Team Lead
Advanced Trained in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for treatment of moderate to severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Cass is an NLA Trained Clinician skilled and educated in the Natural Language Acquisition framework and gestalt language processing and part of the Meaningful Speech NLA Trained Clinician Registry. Cass earned her Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree from Minot State University in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She has experience in schools, clinics, private practices, nursing homes and preschool settings. Cass began her journey to become an SLP through our Ridge Zeller Therapy Externship Program. After completing her Externship she continued on to complete her Clinical Fellowship with Ridge Zeller Therapy and now works as one of our full time Speech-Language Pathologists in an elementary school setting. Additionally, Cass has has a specialized interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and has received Advanced Training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for treatment of moderate to severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Cass enjoys working with children and says “working with little kids just makes your day.” She loves to adventure outdoors by hiking, camping, and fishing. She also enjoys ice hockey and played collegiately.
Cristina, MS, CCC-SLP, Bilingual- Speech-Language Pathologist
Cristina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Clinical Speech Language Pathology from Northern Arizona University. She has specialty experience in bilingual evaluations, bilingual treatment, and early intervention. Additionally, Cristina has experience in treating, adults with TBI, apraxia of speech, and aphasia. She has worked in multiple settings including clinics, schools, and teletherapy. Cristina says the most rewarding part of being a speech therapist is "witnessing a client`s progress as it relates to their personal relationships with others. Whether it`s a child`s first time saying "mama", or hearing an adult client`s story about their engagement, it is incredibly rewarding to facilitate a person`s access to connection and community."
Dagne, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Dagne holds a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science, and an M.S. in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University. Her specialties are in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Early Intervention, PECS, Picture Exchange, Social Skills Problems, and Speech Therapy. She has experience in preschool and school-age speech and language treatment, including autism and students who have specific learning disabilities as well as speech language impairments. What Dagne says what she finds most rewarding about her career is providing speech and language therapy to her students and seeing their progress. Dagne has two successful adult sons. She has two cats and is planning on getting a new dog soon. She loves socializing, cooking, reading, and watching movies. A fun fact about Dagne is that she has a vintage cottage in Clarkdale, AZ that she and her husband are restoring.
Elaine, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Elaine holds a BA in Psychology, from Providence College, and an MS Communication Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University. Elain has been an SLP for almost 20 years, she has experience in almost every setting but especially enjoys school settings. She has experience in clinic settings, pediatrics, and school settings and specialties in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Early Intervention, Speech Therapy, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Elaine says she wanted to be an SLP because she wanted to feel like she was directly helping people and she has always loved working with children. Through the years she’s learned that she also enjoys working with parents and families. Fun facts about Elaine are that she has two kids, one dog and two cats. She took a mother-daughter tap class with her little girl and she cheers her son on at baseball games.
Elizabeth, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Masters in Communication Disorders from Murray State University in Kentucky. Elizabeth says she has been living out her dream of working with children by providing services in the school setting for the last 4 years. She is passionate about incorporating literacy skills into any therapy she provides and she loves working with speech sound disorders! Elizabeth says the most rewarding experience being an SLP is to be able to successfully motivate and encourage a student do their hard “thing” in therapy- be it a speech sound, fluency-shaping technique, or language concept/strategy. There's always success in trying your best, which she love to celebrate. What she enjoys the most is getting to know her students and their strengths. Elizabeth is also a proud plant parent! She enjoys reading, hiking, watching Disney movies, playing golf, going to Target, and taking naps. A fun fact about her is that she read 52 books last year!
Erica, MS, MEd, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Erica is an accomplished Speech-Language Pathologist. She holds a BS in Hearing Sciences & Disorders from Arizona State University, an MS in Clinical Speech Pathology from Northern Arizona University, and an Med in Elementary Education with Literacy Emphasis from Northern Arizona University. With more than 18 years of experience, Erica has worked with a wide range of diagnoses and has a particular specialization in pragmatics. Her professional journey includes: PEERS Certification: Enhancing her skills in providing evidence-based social skills interventions, a Former AAC Trainer: Expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, and Graduate Intern Coordinator: Mentoring and training future SLPs. Her specialties include working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and addressing social skills problems. Erica values forming long-term relationships with her clients, enjoying the opportunity to witness their growth and progress over the years. A proud mother of four children and two pets, she is a fourth-generation Arizonan, which adds to her deep-rooted connection with the community.
Erin, MA, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Fellowship Coordinator
Erin graduated from the University of Kansas with her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. While in graduate school, she was a scholar for the Augmentative and Alternative Communication in the Schools: Leadership and Access (ACTS-KS) Project, which provided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) access and support to students with complex communication needs in rural school districts. Erin currently works with students with a variety of communication needs in the secondary school setting. Erin is passionate about providing effective, evidence-based intervention to help her clients and students become empowered to achieve their goals. In her free time, Erin enjoys good books and good tea. She enjoys time outside in the beautiful Arizona desert, including hiking, running, and camping.
Hannah, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Hannah received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her graduate degree from Baylor University. Hannah has experience in child speech/language therapy, in research lab for speech/language, Simucase clinical experience for speech/language, elementary school setting speech/language therapy, and high school setting speech/language therapy. Her hobbies include photography, crafting, volleyball, and reading. A fun fact about Hannah is she has a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who she says is the BEST thing to ever happen to her. She is also an alumni member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Hayley, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Hayley holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Arizona. Hayley has experience working with adults, clinic settings, pediatrics, and school settings. Her specialties include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), communications system / AAC , PECS , social skills problems, speech therapy and stuttering. She has worked with all ages with articulation, expressive/receptive language skills, fluency, and AAC. Hayley says the most rewarding part of her career is watching students grow in their speech and language skills. Some fun facts about Hayley is that loves to hike and spend time with animals.
Jahzae, MCD, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Prior to graduate school Jahzae worked as an ABA therapist where she taught, modeled, and coached ABA techniques for children on the autism spectrum, in order to: increase language, communication, social skills, play, attention, and daily living skills. She also worked as a speech therapy practice associate where she assisted in a self-contained therapeutic kindergarten classroom implementing specific behavioral and habilitative procedures.Her graduate clinical experience included the following settings: elementary and middle schools, hospital (outpatient and acute), and a private autism clinic. Across these settings she worked with a variety of ages, disorders, and ability levels, including but not limited to, AOS, dysarthria, cognitive disorders, speech-language disorders, voice disorders, ASD, Down Syndrome, and aphasia. Jahzae is DIR/Floortime trained and also has a registered behavior technician certificate. Jahzae say the most rewarding aspect of her career is being able to witness small daily gains that eventually add up to be a life changing. Something she enjoys the most is providing a fun, strengths based, and client centered intervention for her clients and their families. Her personal hobbies include traveling, reading, tennis, trying new restaurants, and listening to music. A fun fact about Jahzae is that she's been to one of the seven wonders of the world and she hopes to see the other six!
Jana, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC Specialist
Jana provides speech and language therapy in school-based and clinic-based settings to clients with a wide range of communication impairments including autism, specific learning disabilities, intellectual impairments, stuttering, traumatic brain injury, articulation impairments, and those who use augmentative and alternative communication. Jana’s passion is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Currently, she is the AAC specialist for Ridge Zeller Therapy. Her goal is to provide an accessible AAC program to each individual through awareness, staff and family training, technology support, and evidence-based practice.
Jennifer, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Jennifer holds a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Arts in Sociology, from Western Illinois University. Additionally, Jennifer has special training in Social Thinking Curriculum, Dysphagia therapy with adults. Jennifer especially enjoys the education, advocacy, and counseling components of working as an SLP as well as working with the inter-disciplinary team. She enjoys watercolor painting, hiking, and photography.
Jodie, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Jodie holds a Masters of Science in communication Disorders from Northern Arizona University. Jodie has specialties in Autism Spectrum Disorder, social skills, speech therapy, a variety of disabilities and ages. She enjoys trying new things, traveling and playing pickleball.
Julie, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Julie holds a Mater of Science, Communication Disorders from Arizona State University. Julie's areas of concentration and/or special training include preschool and elementary school. Julie finds most rewarding is working with children who face various speech and language challenges. Julie finds it immensely fulfilling to witness their progress and growth as they develop the ability to express themselves more effectively and the opportunity to witness the transformative impact effective communication can have on a child`s life. Whether helping children overcome speech sound disorders, supporting language development in those with disorders or delays, or assisting children with social communication difficulties, every breakthrough represents a significant milestone in their journey toward greater self-expression and independence. She enjoys skiing, scuba diving, rock climbing, and spending time with family and friends in her free time.
Kori, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, Myofunctional Specialist
Kori received her Bachelor of Science in Education: Communication Disorders from University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Kori has experience working in school-based and private practice settings, supporting clients across the lifespan with needs in articulation, receptive/expressive language, social/pragmatic language, fluency, swallowing/feeding, tongue thrust, habit elimination, and voice. She has additional experience providing services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Kori has training and experience in orofacial myology and utilizes a comprehensive approach to determine the root causes of musculature dysfunction for improved quality of living related to speech, sleep, and swallow function. She enjoys getting to know each client and family to incorporate their unique interests for engaging and interactive therapy sessions. Kori says the most rewarding part of her work is establishing rapport and trust with clients and families to determine what treatment areas to target. Additionally she finds it rewarding seeing clients form new connections and begin to generalize their skills across other settings. Kori enjoys traveling, reading, attending concerts, trying new restaurants. A fun fact about about Kori is that she studied abroad in Ireland!
Lauren, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Lauren attended the University of Arizona where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences as well as her SLPA certificate. She has been working with Ridge Zeller Therapy since 2016 where she has provided speech and language therapy in school-based, clinic-based, and home-based settings. She is dedicated to providing her clients with creative, fun, and meaningful speech therapy services. "I believe being able to accurately express what is on your mind and heart is incredibly powerful. Helping individuals better express themselves in many different ways is exciting and rewarding." Lauren enjoys cooking, yoga, spending time outdoors, and all things interior design!
Lacey, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Lacey holds a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Western Kentucky University. Lacey's work experience, areas of concentration and/or special training include SCERTS training, social skills, and speech therapy. She also has experience working in the public school setting, including a district ASD program as well as in a rural k-6 school. Lacey has 6 kids. She loves hiking and being outdoors and traveling with her family.
Lora, MAEd, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, Team Lead
She began her career as a Special Education Resource Teacher in 2002 before transitioning into the world of Speech-Language Pathology as a Speech-Language Technician in 2005. Lora received her second Master’s Degree from Northern Arizona University after working with children in the school setting for more than 10 years. Lora was born and raised in Niagra Falls, New York and has lived in the Phoenix area since 2003.
Madison, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Madison holds a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Midwestern University. She has experience working in an elementary school and in a private practice with patients who have severe diagnoses. Her specialties include Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and Communications System / AAC. Madison says the most rewarding part of her career is working with children and seeing their communicative growth (articulation and language skills). Fun facts about Madison are that she has a cat named Chloe, she enjoys kayaking, cooking, and gardening.
Madison, MS, CF-SLP- Speech-Language Pathologist
Madison holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from Arizona State University and Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northern Arizona University. Madison finds most rewarding about her field of speech-language pathology is building meaningful relationships with populations that have challenges and says connecting with others is her passion. Madison says that when she is not "nerding out" about all things SLP, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Ares, a Belgian Malinois-Pitbull, and Alpha, a Rottweiler. Her favorite quote is: "Be so completely yourself, that everyone else feels safe to be themselves too"
Maren, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Maren has a Bachelor of science in Speech Language Sciences and Technology from Northern Arizona University. She is currently pursuing NAU’s part time summer program to receive a Masters in Speech Language pathology. She has experience in clinic, school, and home health settings. What Maren finds most rewarding is working with children and watching them achieve their goals. Fun facts about Maren are that she enjoys traveling, hiking, and hanging out with loved ones. She was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and she has been to 25 countries!
Mollie, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Molly has a specialized interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and has received Advanced Training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for treatment of moderate to severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
Morgan, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Morgan holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University. She enjoys working with students with complex communication needs and says "AAC is my jam!" Morgan's specialities include working with primarily nonverbal school-aged students and gaining access to designated communication devices. She specializes in AAC, ASD, early intervention, and school-setting speech therapy. She is originally from Indiana and her hobbies include hiking, shopping, cross fit, and painting! A fun fact about her is that she was the Chicago Cubs bat girl when I was 8 years old!
Nicola, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Nicola holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Speech Sciences and Technology from Northern Arizona University. Nicola has experience working with adults, clinic settings, pediatrics, and school settings. She is currently completing a graduate certificate in Assistive Technology. Nicola says she enjoys helping clients create personal goals and watching their delight in achieving those goals. Fun fact about Nicola is that she is in the process of running a half marathon in each of the fifty states.
Nicole, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Nikki, MA, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, Home Setting Team Lead
Nikki received her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from Truman State University. She brings a depth of knowledge to her positions at RZT and serves as both a Natural Setting Advisor and a Clinical Fellow Trainer. Some interesting facts about Nikki are that she worked at an early intervention program in Missouri while she was in graduate school and she also studied abroad in England and ran theater seminars for British students who needed to learn an “American accent” for their acting roles.
Paige, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist, School Manager
Paige is a Speech-Language Pathologist with Ridge Zeller Therapy. She provides therapy and supervises at two High Schools. Her motto is “Flexibility.” “Sometimes you have meet a student where they are and work from there to build a strong rapport.” One of her most rewarding moments was working with a child who was non-verbal and wheelchair bound. Her team worked to obtain visuals and schedules and an iPad with two button hits. This gave her client the ability to begin to communicate and regulate their own environment. "This was such a powerful moment; to help someone develop the ability to communicate their wants and needs, when they had not be able to before."
Patrice, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Patrice holds a Master of Speech and Language Sciences from the University of Arizona.
Patrice has been providing speech and language services in public schools. She has evaluated, diagnosed, and implemented therapy for speech and fluency disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), as well as Pragmatic, Expressive, and Receptive language delays. What she finds most rewarding is connecting with students and families to help them find meaningful strategies to meet their communication goals. Some fun facts about Patrice are that she loves skiing, watching Marvel Movies, and hosting game nights.
Rachel, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Rachel holds a Master of Science in Clinical Speech Language Pathology from Northern Arizona University. Rachel's work experience, areas of concentration and/or special training include, adults, pediatrics, clinic and school settings, and feeding and swallowing therapy. She enjoys being able to help others communicate since it is a necessity in life! She has a 3 year old Goldendoodle named Oakley. She enjoys spending her free time out and about or by watching her favorite shows.
Rose, MS, CF-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Rose holds a Masters in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University. Rose worked as a teacher in a specialized autism classroom for 3 years and worked with individuals who use AAC devices. She has worked with adults, pediatrics, and in school settings. Rose has experience working with head switches, touch devices, and eye gaze. She currently works for the ALS association as a communication specialist and her role is to set up eye gaze communication devices. She says the most rewarding part of her work is when she sees or hears about her students/clients having meaningful interactions with others and advocating for themselves. She loves to see her clients build relationships with the people around them.
Sarah, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Sarah has been working as a Speech Language Pathologist since she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies from Minot State University in North Dakota in 2009. She is from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, but moved to Phoenix, Arizona to complete her graduate practicum, clinical fellow year, and pursue her career with RidgeZeller Therapy. Sarah’s clinical experience includes the high school population, a variety of cultural backgrounds, and an array of speech and language impairments. She has developed a passion in the areas of stuttering, accent reduction, feeding and swallowing, speech sound disorders, transition skills, and training and supervising Speech Language Pathologist Assistants, graduate students, and Clinical Fellows.
In Sarah’s spare time, she enjoys being with her family, taking her dog for walks, shopping, sitting by the pool, traveling, and visiting her family every summer in Canada.
Sara, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Advanced Trained in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for treatment of moderate to severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS).
Sara knew from the age of 16 that she wanted to be a Speech-Language Pathologist. From her first job and volunteer opportunities, she always centered her experiences around working with children. Her previous positions as a special needs cheer team coach, a preschool teacher’s assistant, a special education classroom paraprofessional, and a summer camp counselor have all prepared and led her to her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Through her experiences, she has found that working as an SLP allows her to make a direct impact in the lives of the children that she works with. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, she loves seeing her clients grow and develop new skills week to week as well as creating individual relationships with each of her students. Sara says one of the most rewarding aspects of being an SLP is when her students or their parents report success stories back to her. Additionally, Sara has a specialized interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and has received Advanced Training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for treatment of moderate to severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Sara was born and raised in Orange County, California and she has a a dachshund-poodle mix named Banjo.
Shelby, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Shelby holds a Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology from Midwestern University. Shelby has experience in sensory integration and in clinics working with a variety of speech and language disorders, fluency, articulation, dyslexia, and ABA clinics treating Autistic children with speech and language disorders, social pragmatics, and articulation. Her specialties include Applied Behavior Analysis, Apraxia of Speech, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention issues, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Communications System / AAC, Dyslexia, Early Intervention, Feeding, Occupational Therapy, PECS, Picture Exchange, Reading Disabilities, Self-Injurious Behaviors, Speech Therapy, Stuttering, and TBI. She most enjoys giving her clients the ability to self-advocate and establish meaningful relationships with others. Fun facts about Shelby are that she has a 10-year-old girl who is amazing. She loves to read, cook, and spend time with her family. She has also been in the Navy for 13 years and plans to retire from the Navy in 7 years.
Sophie, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
“The most rewarding part of my job is making connections with my students, whether it be while working on their goals or chatting with them about their life and what's going on with them. It definitely makes therapy more fun! The part of my job that is most inspiring is when my students with AAC devices make selections on their devices with more and more independence as they become more confident in using them. It's definitely a team effort , but it's amazing to see progress with AAC devices and seeing students find their voice and make their own decisions.”
Sophie grew up in Minnesota and earned her undergraduate and Masters Degrees from the University of Northern Iowa. She really enjoys spending time reading and being by the pool. She is dedicated to fitness and goes to the gym at 4am M-F. She is also into tennis! Her older sister introduced her to playing tennis with her then she was “hooked”.
Susan, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University and a Masters in of Science in Clinical Speech Language Pathology from Northern Arizona University. Susan has 11 years experience in school-based settings (preschool, K-5 and middle school); primary focus-self-contained classes, AAC, apraxia. Specialty training for visualizing and verbalizing (Lindamood Bell) as well as Gestalt Language Processing. Susan believes in helping all children find their voice, which leads her to creative, positive solutions and opportunities for all because everyone has ideas, thoughts and feelings to share with the world. She truly enjoys collaborating with other professionals and utilizing a whole-child approach to therapy. She enjoys reading, being outside with her kiddos, baking and all things Disney!
Taylor, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Northern Colorado. Taylor brings work experience in the school setting, as well as in the acute care/inpatient rehabilitation setting, working with adults. She is also in the process of completing training for Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC). Taylor says that communication is the one of the most essential components for people to thrive and the most rewarding part of her work is watching children begin communicating clearly with their peers and teachers in the school setting and gaining confidence as they continue to grow in their communication skills. Taylor is married and has one sweet dog named Ruby. She and her husband love to take Ruby for walks (when it isn't too hot outside!) and relax at home. She also enjoys reading and playing tennis. A fun fact about her is that not only does she share a name with Taylor Swift, but she is also a Swiftie through and through!
Taylor, MA, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Taylor received undergrad and graduate degrees from the University of Northern Iowa. She has worked in a variety of pediatric/adult settings . She has experience working with Fluency disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, articulation disorders, language disorders, Dysphagia, impaired cognitive abilities as a result of a stroke or degenerative disease, Aphasia, and Dysarthria. Her area of concentration is working with the pediatric population, specifically children with complex communication needs (i.e., diagnosed with ASD, Down Syndrome, etc.).
Tory, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech-Language Pathologist
Tory holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Chapman University. Tory says the most rewarding part of her job is getting to see the hard work her clients put in, pay off. Whether it’s a little victory or a big victory, she loves getting to be a small part of their success! Tory has the sweetest golden retriever, Harlee! She is always happy to greet her when she gets home. Some fun facts about Tory are that when she is not working, she enjoys watching movies/catching up on shows, traveling, trying new restaurants with friends, going to sporting events, and spending time with her dog and her family!