Speech Therapy in Tukwila, WA

Sarah Sponseller has over 13 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist and therapy leader. She has worked across settings, from skilled nursing to schools to outpatient. She excels at providing skilled interventions for both children and adults, and is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Her specialties include dysphagia, aphasia, dementia, cognitive impairment, articulation, language development and AAC. She has a bachelor’s in Human Resources from Xavier University and a Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys hiking, boating, traveling, and good cup of coffee. **My Approach to Speech Therapy** I take a client-led, holistic approach to speech therapy. It is important to me to use evidence-based treatments, while making sessions productive and fulfilling for my clients. I enjoy establishing rapport and building relationships, which in turn makes our sessions both fun while being serious about reaching goals. **What a Therapy Session Looks like with Me** I always like to check in first, and hear how things are going for my clients. We will discuss any changes since the last session, whether they were able to complete homework, and any barriers to progress. Then, we will get into the meat of the session with an activity I have planned or we have agreed upon. At the end, we will review what we worked on and talk about next steps and any activities they can complete prior to our next session. **Fun Facts About Sarah** - I love sports, particularly football and basketball. - I enjoy hiking and boating, so much that it's what prompted me to move to the PNW. - I love to read and am always looking for my next book.

Christine Corl has over 19 years of experience working with a wide range of clients and their families in the areas of speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Christine is a certified neonatal therapist and specializes in the area of pediatric feeding and swallowing as well as early childhood development. Beyond pediatrics, Christine has worked with adult clients in both hospital and clinic settings. Christine’s practice has been shaped by her experience working at such facilities as the University of Chicago Medical Center and the University of Washington Medical Center. Christine is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), holds a Bachelors of Science from James Madison University, and a Masters of Science from Gallaudet University. She is proficient in basic sign language. When Christine isn’t working she loves spending time with her daughter, traveling, and exploring the Pacific Northwest. **My Approach to Therapy** My approach to speech therapy is centered on both the patient and their family. I prioritize creating functional goals that align with what the client/family aims to achieve in their daily life, ensuring that our time together is relevant, meaningful and fun! **What a Session Looks Like With Christine** In my therapy sessions, I prioritize following the patient’s lead on what they want to work on while keeping our goals in focus. I strive to create a light, meaningful, and fun atmosphere. I ensure that all information and home practice materials are presented clearly and are manageable for both the client and their family. Additionally, I make myself available via email, text, or phone for any questions or concerns that may arise. **Fun Facts About Christine** A random fact about me is I have an extra vertebrae which makes shirt shopping challenging. My hobbies include: Working out in any form - running, weight lifting, hiking, etc., Skiing, Paddle boarding, Reading, and above all: enjoying time with friends and family!

Eve Asencio-Acevedo is a bilingual (Spanish) SLP with over 7 years of experience working with adults in skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospital settings. She specializes in acquired swallow, language, motor speech, and cognitive-communication disorders. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola University. She has experience treating a variety of diagnoses including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, dementia, functional neurological disorder, and ALS among others. In her free time, Eve enjoys reading and going to K-pop concerts. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** I strongly believe in a collaborative approach to therapy. We work together from the beginning to determine appropriate goals and how to work on them. I want therapy to feel motivating and empowering. Ultimately, my aim is to offer a safe and comfortable space to work on your therapy goals in a relaxed yet focused environment. I am dedicated to finding the right approach that will produce the best results for you. **What A Session Looks Like With Eve** I like to start therapy sessions with a brief check in. Sessions will primarily consist of activities that aim to help you progress toward your goals. While completing these activities, I will provide varying levels of assistance and feedback, as needed. We will then review, address any questions/concerns, and plan for our next session. I like to incorporate family or caregivers into therapy when appropriate, as they can play an essential role in helping you achieve your therapy goals. **Fun Facts About Eve** In my free time, I like exploring local coffee shops and restaurants with friends. I enjoy reading fantasy books, listening to K-pop music, watching TV shows, and playing board games and video games. I like to try new things and take classes (I recently tried jiu-jitsu and dancing)! I also love drinking boba tea.

Kelli Miller is a passionate Speech-Language Pathologist with over four years of experience working in outpatient clinics. She specializes in reading and literacy support for dyslexia, early childhood language development, and speech sound disorders. Kelli also has experience supporting individuals with traumatic brain injuries. She earned her BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences and her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Washington State University. Kelli is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed in Washington State. Outside of work, Kelli enjoys hiking and spending time with her two children. **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 Kelli** 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.

Dr. Sami Wong is a dedicated clinician with over four years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and over 15 years of involvement in the aphasia community. She has worked across acute care, skilled nursing, and telehealth settings. Her specialties include aphasia, dementia, cognitive-communication challenges, and AAC. Sami earned a PhD from Pacific University, where her research focused on return-to-work processes for individuals with aphasia. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Communications from New York University and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Pacific University. She is certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed in Oregon and Washington. When she isn't working, Sami enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, running, and designing digital resources for clinicians. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** I take a collaborative, patient- and family-centered approach to speech therapy, using a life participation framework and evidence-based treatments to focus on goals that matter most to my clients. I believe therapy should be both practical and meaningful—focused on real-life communication while creating a supportive, engaging space. **What A Session Looks Like With Sami** We’ll start with a check-in to discuss what’s new, what’s working, and what feels challenging. Together, we’ll talk through what makes sense to focus on that day, based on the goals we’ve set. Then we’ll dive into functional activities tailored to your needs. We’ll wrap up with a review of what we worked on, go over any home practice, and make a plan for our next session. **Fun Facts About Sami** Outside of speech therapy, I enjoy traveling with my family, exploring local coffee shops, and planning our next adventure. I grew up tagging along on my dad’s international business trips, which sparked my love of exploring new places and cultures. Recent adventures include advocating for speech-language pathology services on Capitol Hill and presenting my return-to-work research at state and national conferences. My path to becoming an SLP was inspired by my dad’s experience with stroke and aphasia—I saw firsthand how his speech therapists made a difference for him and for our family.

Chantal Mathurin was born and raised in Miami, FL. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida and her Master's degree from Carlos Albizu University. Chantal has over nine years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings. Being fluent in Haitian-Creole, Chantal is well-equipped to provide bilingual services and advocate for communities that are unfamiliar with communication disorders/speech therapy. Chantal ensures a positive clinical environment where clients feel respected and valued during treatment. She takes pride in seeing her clients reach their communication goals and always strives to provide evidence-based and tailored therapy plans that cater to their individual needs. Chantal is licensed in Florida, Oregon, Texas, California, and Washington and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Aside from her work, Chantal enjoys traveling and being active. She also loves spending time with her family and has a keen interest in interior design. **My Approach to Therapy** Your Well-Being Comes First: Communication is influenced by emotional, social, and physical factors, and I aim to support you in a way that respects and addresses these aspects. I see you as a whole person, not just someone with a speech concern. I care about your overall health. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: We’ll work together to set meaningful, achievable goals that align with your needs and priorities. We’re a team — I bring expertise, and you bring your personal experiences. Together, we’ll celebrate successes, address challenges, and adapt as needed to ensure your therapy is effective and supportive. I want you to leave each session feeling more capable, empowered, and at ease with your voice. In short, my approach is about more than just reaching speech goals — it’s about fostering your confidence, well-being, and sense of agency. Together, we’ll work toward a future where you feel proud and empowered in your communication. **What A Therapy Session Looks Like With Me:** A session with me is a blend of hard work, focus, and fun. While we’ll dive into specific speech goals, I make sure that the process feels engaging, motivating, and tailored to you. Every session is designed to be a positive experience where you can challenge yourself while feeling supported and confident. **Fun Facts About Chantal** When I'm not in a speech session, you can usually find me taking a neighborhood walk with my husband, doing arts and crafts with my 3-year-old daughter, reading a romance novel, or exploring a new restaurant.

Catrina Hughes (she/her) is a passionate neurodiversity-affirming speech therapist based in Chicago, IL (in-person & virtual) and is also licensed in Washington state (virtual only). She brings a special skillset to her practice as she is also a professional improv comedy educator and performer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology & Education from Marymount Manhattan College (2012) and her Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders from The University of Vermont (2014). Catrina has been on the Faculty at The Second City Training Center, Chicago for 3+ years. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** With a distinctive use of improvisation (improv), play, and integral life skills as transformative tools, my approach to speech therapy is rooted in joyful client-directed care. I collaborate with clients in their therapeutic experience to promote meaningful personal growth, autonomy, wellness, and connection. Partnering and connecting with caregivers/families is also a vital element to my practice to maximize carry-over of skills to each client’s community. **What A Session Looks Like With Me** A session with me is going to be first and foremost: comfortable and fun! We will begin our sessions with wellness, consent and boundary check-ins to see how you are doing presently (e.g., maybe you would like to refrain from any activities that involve movement, or any topics that discuss ableism). Next, we will review learning accommodations and needs for the day (e.g., maybe you are feeling overstimulated so need to wear headphones or find a quiet space in your home with low lighting to meet). Then, we will write out a visual schedule and set timers for the session to better anticipate upcoming activities and support executive function skills. Following this, we will support the nervous system with an energizing or calming improv game with specific intentions (e.g., ground in our bodies, let go of stress, increase mindfulness/presence). From there, we will move into goal-directed activities tailored to your individual needs, using evidence-based strategies to build skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. As much improv and playful movement will be incorporated as desired by each client. That might look like role-playing certain social or advocacy scenarios (e.g., initiating a hang-out with an acquaintance, asking for help at school), enhancing narrative/listening comprehension skills via sensory story-building games, or affirming your unique way of communicating in creative scene games. **Fun Facts About Catrina** Outside of speech therapy, I am typically coaching improv performers, going to theater or comedy performances, or performing myself! I love to connect on and off stage with creative comedians and actors, as I am always inspired by everyone’s unique points of view. Laughter and improv have supported me in my own neurodivergent journey and I believe I am able to be my best, most authentic self when I am consistently engaged in the comedy community. I also love swimming in the lake, dance classes, and pottery! My favorite quote is from the mother of improvisation, Viola Spolin: “Through spontaneity, we are re-formed into ourselves.