Speech Therapy in Erie

Samantha is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with over 4 years of diverse experience across various care settings, including skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, independent living facilities, and assisted living facilities with memory care units. Samantha is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She holds a BS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona and earned her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Chapman University. Samantha is passionate about empowering her clients to build confidence, enhancing their independence and self-assurance while working towards their goals. Outside of work, Samantha is an amateur ceramist and loves playing guitar, gardening, and spending time with loved ones. **My Approach to Therapy** Speech Therapy focuses on creating a supportive and engaging environment tailored to each individual’s goals. My approach integrates evidence-based techniques with creativity to make therapy effective, enjoyable, and client-centered. **What a Session Looks Like With Samantha** I provide virtual speech therapy sessions where we address your personal goals by building skills through targeted activities. Sessions are structured yet flexible, progressing while adapting to the client’s unique goals and interests.

Nicole has over 12 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist, providing services to patients and clients of all ages across a wide range of clinical settings, including hospitals, acute rehabilitation, outpatient/private practice, schools, skilled nursing and long-term care, and home health. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds additional certifications as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) from the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), an ADHD-Rehabilitation Services Provider from Evergreen Certifications, and a Certified Lingraphica Technology Specialist from Lingraphica. She earned a B.A. in Curricular Studies at Randolph-Macon Woman's College and an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at James Madison University. Throughout her career, she has worked with a broad spectrum of diagnoses and disorders, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological and cognitive disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, dysphagia and swallowing/feeding disorders, voice disorders and gender-affirming voice treatment, stuttering, and more. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** I see speech therapy as a team effort where we work together to figure out your unique goals, strengths, and challenges. My focus is to help you build strategies and skills you feel confident using in your everyday life, so progress keeps going even after our sessions. With an evidence-based, affirming, and holistic approach, I want you to feel supported, understood, and ready to succeed. **What A Session Looks Like With Nicole** In each session, we start by discussing how your communication, cognitive, or swallowing challenges have shown up in your daily life—what’s working well and what might need more attention. From there, we dive into activities, education, and strategies tailored to your goals. Sessions are structured but flexible, adapting to your progress and preferences. I’ll always make sure you leave with practical tools and next steps to keep moving forward between sessions. **Fun Facts About Nicole** When I’m not working, I love spending time with my two dogs and two cats, reading, running, and foraging for mushrooms. I’m also a coach for Girls on the Run and serve on the board of a nonprofit that supports cultural exchange and education in El Salvador.

Alexa is a AuDHD speech-language pathologist based in the Atlanta area. She has expertise in trauma-informed care, person-centered care, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. She is a certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) and is trained in Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) theory. Her passion is teaching her clients the skills necessary to be the best self-advocates they can be. **My Approach To Therapy** My approach to speech therapy incorporates a holistic, trauma-informed perspective. I recognize that neurodiverse individuals have a history of trauma to some extent, which can have a negative impact on communication skills and overall quality of life. I address the trauma response and how this integrates into communicative functions. **What a Therapy Session Looks Like With Me** A therapy session with me is a very relaxed and low-pressure environment. Consent is key, so rather than me telling you what needs to be done, we collaborate on what we think is best for your given situation. I also advocate for what makes you feel the most comfortable in our sessions, so that can be wearing your PJs, having your camera turned off for virtual appointments, whatever helps you function at your best! My structure for sessions typically involves self-reflection while we practice functional communication goals. Sessions always end on a discussion regarding a home exercise program (HEP) that will help you generalize what you've learned into your everyday routine. **Fun Facts About Alexa** I spend my spare time doing various things in my free time that keep my body and brain regulated. This often entails reading, knitting/crocheting, watching my favorite TV shows, and playing video games. Don't be afraid to bring these activities up in our sessions, I love talking about my special interests!** Patient Testimonials** I cannot recommend Brain Positive Therapy LLC enough, especially my speech pathologist, Alexa Kelly. When I first started, I was primarily seeking help with motor control skills (which I now know is the correct terminology), but Alexa's expertise and ability to connect quickly revealed other areas for improvement.Through our sessions, we transitioned into working on cognition and speech processing. I learned so much about ADHD and autism that I never realized were related, particularly issues that I had been unfairly beating myself up over. Alexa guided me through these challenges, helping me practice and improve in ways I never expected.Not only has my speech improved, but I also feel that my thoughts are clearer and my confidence has grown significantly. Alexa's flexible hours and responsiveness made the entire process smooth and accommodating. If you're looking for a speech pathologist who truly understands and cares about your progress, Alexa Kelly at Brain Positive Therapy is the person to see.

Kenslee Haley is a Texas-based Speech-Language Pathologist and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Kenslee graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Stephen F. Austin State University. Kenslee has gained experience in a variety of settings such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient, inpatient/hospital, NICU, schools, and private clinics. Kenslee is also certified in AMP care to help those with swallowing disorders. Kenslee enjoys working with both children and adults. Her clients become like family, and her goal is to provide the best care in order to see her clients succeed. Outside of work, you can find Kenslee spending time with her husband and their two dogs, Tzar and Rip. She also enjoys spending time with family and close friends. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** My approach to speech therapy is patient-specific, focusing on the individual needs and goals of each client. I believe that every person is unique, so I take the time to assess their specific challenges, strengths, and communication preferences. This allows me to create a customized therapy plan that is both effective and engaging. Whether addressing speech delays, language difficulties, or social communication skills, I use a variety of techniques tailored to the person’s age, abilities, and interests. My goal is to empower each individual to communicate with confidence and clarity, while ensuring the therapy process feels supportive and relevant to their life. **What A Speech Therapy Session Looks Like With Kenslee** A speech therapy session is designed to be a supportive and engaging experience tailored to your specific needs. When you first arrive, we’ll start by briefly discussing how you’ve been feeling about your speech and language progress, any challenges you've encountered, and your goals. Then, we'll dive into activities that are focused on improving specific skills, whether it’s articulation, fluency, language comprehension, or social communication. Throughout the session, I’ll use a variety of exercises and tools that suit your individual strengths and areas of improvement. These might include practicing sounds or words, engaging in conversation, or using visual aids and games to make the process fun and effective. I’ll give you feedback and guide you through each task, breaking it down into manageable steps. We’ll also spend time discussing strategies you can use outside of therapy to continue progressing, whether it’s practicing at home, in social settings, or through self-monitoring. The pace is flexible, and I’ll adjust based on how you’re doing, making sure you feel comfortable, confident, and motivated. Above all, our sessions are collaborative, and I encourage open communication so we can work together to achieve your goals. Each session is designed to help you feel more empowered in your ability to communicate, one step at a time. **Fun Facts About Kenslee** I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, our two dogs, skiing, shopping, relaxing, and connecting with friends and family.

April Jackson is a neuroaffirming Speech-Language Pathologist with licensed expertise in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, and communication disorders as well as feeding difficulties while utilizing culturally aware, evidenced-based practices. April has extensive experience working with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and encourages generalization of multi-modal communication skills in an intentional effort to improve the quality of life experienced by the clients she has been called to serve. April believes in tailoring individualized speech therapy treatment plans specific to each client’s unique needs. She is an advocate for nurturing neurodiversity affirming communication skills through training and education to families and caregivers in order to promote functional communication skills. April earned a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2016 and has experience in various settings including adult rehabilitation, public schools, pediatric private clinics, ABA centers, as well as home health. **My Approach to Therapy** My inclusive, affirming, evidence aware, client led approach to therapy prioritizes connection and support intrinsic motivation **What a Session Looks Like With April** Emotionally supportive to both clients and families, interactive to peak the interests of client, taking intentional time to understand client’s unique strengths/interests, while guiding clients toward their goals **Fun Facts About April** I love cuddling up with my husband and watching a great film, going on walks with friends, and spending quality time with family. In my spare time I enjoy karaoke, making vision boards, and reading a good book.