Speech Therapy in Portsmouth, VA

Kristin Dattoria is extremely passionate about speech-language pathology. She grew up in Valencia, CA, and attended Utah State University and University of California at Irvine for her Bachelor's degrees and Utah State University for her Master's degree in English. She received her Master's degree in Speech Pathology from California State University, Northridge. She moved to Maryland in 2020 with her husband, Kevin. Kristin loves seeing clients progress over the course of the year and connecting with their families. In speech therapy, she works hard to accomplish her clients' speech and language goals, but she also loves to keep things fun and personalized. She especially loves working on strengthening vocabulary, visual and working memory, executive functioning skills, stuttering, and symptoms of aphasia. In her free time, Kristin enjoys running after and playing with her son, playing board games, dancing hula, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. **My Approach to Speech Therapy** I am a big believer in motivating clients/students to meet goals and new challenges through evidence-based practice, relating to them through their interests and personal goals, providing opportunities for making autonomous choices, and supporting a feeling of accomplishment and competency in their skills. We can do this together! **What a Therapy Session Looks Like With Kristin** In my therapy sessions, I start with a check-in to see how you're doing and if you have any new information to share with me. Then, we jump into "the work." That can look like working on word and memory associations, visualization tasks, articulation practice...the goals and session are tailored to your unique needs and goals. I will help create those goals and make each session enjoyable, but I always see us as a team, working toward each goal together. **Fun Facts About Kristin** - I am a Hula and salsa dancer - I speak Spanish and English, but I'm half-Japanese, part-German, and part-English - I enjoy the outdoors, especially the ocean and mountains, so I love to hike and camp or glamp! - I played the piano and cello when I was younger

Anna Kay Ellison is a Florida-based Speech-Language Pathologist with state licenses in Florida, Indiana, and Virginia. She is also a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Anna Kay graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Carlos Albizu University. Anna Kay has gained experience in a variety of settings, including the public school system, private practice, nonprofit outpatient clinics, and telehealth. Anna Kay enjoys working with both children and adults, and has experience treating a variety of disorders and difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, intellectual disabilities, genetic disorders, stroke, dementia/memory decline, swallowing disorders, and voice disorders. Anna Kay prides herself on her ability to connect with her patients and their families and create individualized treatment plans that target the patients’ greatest areas of concern. Outside of work, you can find Anna Kay spending time with her husband and two-year-old son, usually on the beach, on a paddle board, or lounging around the pool. **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 Anna** 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.

Emilee Lane is a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed to practice in the state of Virginia. She grew up in rural southwest Virginia and now resides in the New River Valley. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Virginia’s college at Wise and later graduated from Radford University where she obtained her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. Emilee is passionate about helping children achieve their goals by fostering connection and engagement. Her clinical interests include early language development (birth-5), working with individuals on the autism spectrum, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She has experience working with children of all ages who have language disorders, speech sound disorders (including childhood apraxia of speech), fluency disorders, and reading difficulties. She is certified in the Diagnosis and Treatment of CAS Using Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) and is also a member of the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy. When she isn’t working, Emilee enjoys spending time with her husband and their four-legged friend. **My Approach To Therapy** I value a total communication approach to therapy, meaning I embrace and encourage all modes of communication (i.e., verbal speech, AAC, sign language, etc.). Each session is tailored to the specific needs of the client in order to best support their progress and development. I value building genuine connections with my clients, and I recognize that intrinsic needs must be met before meaningful learning experiences can occur. **What A Session Looks Like With Emilee** Whether through virtual learning or in-home support, sessions typically begin with a discussion of the child’s progress from the previous week. I encourage parents to be active and involved in sessions so that they can learn strategies to better support their child. Sessions may involve more direct 1:1 intervention between me and the child, while other times they may take the form of a coaching experience with the parents. If applicable, I like to provide families with “homework” or a “goal for the week” to help implement new skills into the child’s daily life. My ultimate goal is for both the client and their family to feel supported and comfortable when working together. **Fun Facts About Emilee** -I minored in Spanish for my undergraduate degree! -I have a succulent obsession. -My husband and I love to build Legos together, and we are avid football fans!

Shani Franks has over 23 years of experience in Speech-Language Pathology. She has provided therapy in various settings from schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and out-patient facilities. Shani has held positions in Speech-Language Pathology from therapist, clinical director/supervisor, and Area Director of facilities, and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Shani has provided therapy for most of her career with the Adult/Geriatric population. Her expertise extends to treating a variety of speech language disorders and diseases, and she has extensive experience working with cognitive-linguistic disorders. Shani holds a BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Hampton University and an MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University. In her down time, Shani enjoys baking/cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. **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 Shani** 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.