Presenters at Keys to a Successful SLP Private Practice

September 6–18, 2023 | Online Conference

Bobbi Adams Brown, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is an experienced pediatric speech-language pathologist with degrees in elementary education and speech pathology. She founded Anchor Creek Speech Therapy Inc. out of a desire to revolutionize the way that we serve autistic and neurodivergent children in speech intervention. Her practice focuses on connection over compliance and integrating neurodiversity affirming intervention approaches. She has invested years into learning from autistic and neurodivergent self-advocates in order to best serve her clients, and she learns something new from each family that she works with. Adams Brown graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, with a BS in Elementary Education, and went on to earn her MA in Speech Pathology and Audiology from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. Early in her career, she was awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate for leadership and advocacy from ASHA. She is committed to lifelong learning and is passionate about integrating research, clinical experiences, and the lived experiences of autistic self-advocates into her services.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• CEO of Anchor Creek Speech Therapy, Inc.
• Head of Content for the Start Your Private Practice program for The Independent Clinician
• Sells digital materials on Teachers Pay Teachers

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Tamala H. Close, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is an African American speech-language pathologist and the founder of SLP Private Practice in Color. She is a Dallas, Texas, native who received her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and graduate degree from Southern University A&M. Upon graduation, she moved to Florida, where she worked at a skilled nursing facility, and it was at the end of that tenure she decided to go PRN to launch her own private practice. She then formed Close to Perfection Speech Therapy Services, LLC in May 2018. It was the mentorship of two African American SLP private practice owners and their willingness to disseminate their knowledge that gave her the idea to found SLP Private Practice in Color Facebook group to provide a safe space for resources, networking, and mentorship for clinicians of color who decided to step out on faith and form their own practice. She has recently relocated back to Dallas, Texas, and formed Close to Perfection Therapy Services, PLLC. She urges us all to utilize the platform and be a stepping stone and constant resource for each other. She believes there is undoubtedly enough space for us all to grow and flourish as independent contractors and private practice owners.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Owner of Therapeutic Endeavors and SLP Private Practice in Color

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Britney W. Desir, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) graduated from Florida State University cum laude with a bachelor degree in communication sciences and disorders and a masters in communication sciences and disorders shortly thereafter. Her career initiated practicing speech services in the school system. Since then she has expanded and developed professional experiences across settings, including, but not limited to, skilled nursing/rehabilitation facility, private practice, and home health. Britney Desir has had personal life experiences to which she attributes her passion in speech-language pathology, including her developed interest in early intervention and private practice secondary to her first child's premature birth. She has personal and work experience overcoming challenges caused by developmental delays. Not only does Britney have a special interest in early intervention and private practice, she has a passion for geriatrics and adults that may suffer from consequences of strokes, traumatic brain injuries, dysphagia, or other debilitating disorders. Britney enjoys mentoring and sharing information with others in regards to private practice and speech-language pathology, hence the collaborative experience of SLP Private Practice in Color.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Owner of Therapeutic Endeavors and SLP Private Practice in Color 

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Melissa Page Deutsch, MS, CCC-SLP, ACC, CPCC (she/her/hers) is a life coach and a speech-language pathologist. She is the author of This SLP Life: Powerful Self-Care Practices to Embrace Change. Melissa has published and presented on creative and empowering ways to navigate professional transitions, manage burnout, and deal with the inner critic. Her work as a speech-language pathologist has included clinical work with individuals and groups spanning ages and diagnoses in teaching hospitals, rehabilitation, private practice, and university clinics, as well as academic work as a researcher and clinical supervisor of graduate students. Melissa draws on her experience and expertise in communication and cognition, as well as superb listening skills and deep intuition, in her life’s work as a coach to appreciate and encourage the best in individuals and groups. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in French from Davidson College and a master of science in speech-language pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Melissa is married with two adult children. She, her husband, and their two dogs split time between Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia. She loves learning about other cultures, enjoying nature, and spending time with family and friends.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Author ot This SLP Life, published by ASHA Press

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Rachel Dorsey, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers), is an autistic speech-language pathologist who has been practicing for 7 years with the pediatric population. She has experience working within early intervention, preschool, and school-age itinerantly and children of all ages within clinic-based private practice. She is the owner of Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC, which provides therapeutic services, parent coaching, professional consultations, in-services, and courses to educate about neurodiversity-affirming speech-language practices.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Owner of Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC
• Creator of the course Goal Writing for Autistic Students for Learn Play Thrive, LLC and received a portion of sales profits

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Carrie Fleming, MEd, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is a speech-language pathologist with over 26 years of experience. She is an entrepreneur, mentor, and executive coach. Carrie is the co-owner of Six Way Solutions, Inc., a business consulting company in Northern Virginia. As an entrepreneur, she founded Fleming Therapy Services, Inc., in October 2004 and grew the company into a multidiscipline clinic with seven locations across Northern Virginia. In 2018, the company was acquired and Carrie continued to be a part of the larger organization as the VP of Quality and Education, with an emphasis on quality care and ongoing education for professional development. Her extended experiences have focused on ongoing mentorship through ASHA and clinical supervision at the academia level. She received her Certificate of Clinical Supervision from the APTA (2016) and ASHA (2019). Carrie served two terms as the VP of Speech Pathology on the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech Pathology (2011–2014). She was awarded the Distinguished Alumni in the Health and Human Services Department from The University of Toledo in 2016. Carrie resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and six grown children. Currently, she is completing her certification in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance with American University.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• ASHA member
• Member of the Advisory Board for the Speech and Hearing Department at the University of Toledo

Julissa Iracheta, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is a bilingual SLP and the founder/CEO of a multi-location private practice in Fort Worth, Texas. She has served in multiple roles in her career, including as a clinical supervisor for a university graduate program; SLP-CF mentor; SLP-Assistant supervisor; and a practicing clinician in home health, school, and outpatient settings. She has a special interest in collaborative opportunities for speech and language professionals that enhance and expand access to skilled speech services in all communities. 

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Practice owner of Talking Tadpoles LLC 

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Jerrold Jackson, MA, CCC-SLP, is the Director of Specialized Supports at the Roundtree Group, PLLC and an advocate for culturally responsive practices with a range of professional experiences. He has provided professional supports as a consultant, assistive technology specialist, special education director, clinical coordinator, and graduate program coordinator. Mr. Jackson is an active professional volunteer member of ASHA (CFCC, CAA site visitor, chair of the SLPA scope of practice revision committee, and Scientific and Professional Education Board) and NBASLH. Jerrold was the recipient of the 2022 ASHA Dororthy Dreyer Award for Volunteerism.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Practice owner and consultant of Roundtree Group, PLLC 

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Former member of the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC)
• Former Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee to revise the SLPA scope of practice

Ana-Maria Jaramillo, SLPD, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is a board-certified bilingual pediatric Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology and is in the owner/founder of Voz Speech Therapy. Dr. Jaramillo is currently licensed by the Department of Health to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Texas. She graduated summa cum laude in 2022 with her Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she successfully defended her research on the implementation of a psychoeducational intervention through the creation of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Latinx families with children with neurodevelopmental disorders increase health care literacy, access to medical services, and speech therapy outcomes. She graduated cum laude in 2013 with a master of science in communication sciences and disorders from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Jaramillo currently serves as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, where she teaches a course on the assessment and intervention of multilingual learners with communication disorders. When she isn't treating patients, Dr. Jaramillo is actively speaking at local high schools and offering webinars on ways to diversify and combat racism in the field of speech-language pathology with her organization, DiverCity SLP.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Ruchi Kapila, MS, CCC-SLP (they/she) is the sole proprietor of Kapila Voice and Speech Services in Hayward, California, providing speech and singing voice services as a speech-language pathologist, NCVS-trained vocologist, and singing voice specialist with a gender-inclusive lens. In addition, they provide private singing voice instruction as a voice teacher. They are a frequent presenter and educator on gender-affirming voice care and intersectional cultural responsiveness in speech-language pathology, with previous presentations at ASHA, Northwest Voice, and Sin City Laryngology. She is a founding member of Trans Voice Initiative, a volunteer organization advocating for the training, community, and advocacy by and for trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) speech-language pathologists. They also serve in a research role for the newly founded Disability Caucus, a ASHA Multicultural Constituency Group dedicated to the inclusion, advocacy, and service of professionals and students with disabilities in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. She is a contributor to CREDIT institute, a course series on critcal topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion by AC Goldberg, PhD.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Sole proprietor and SLP of Kapila Voice and Speech Services
• Paid content contributor for CREDIT Institute

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Founding member and organizer of Trans Voice Initiative
• Member and research role in the ASHA Multicultural Constituency Group The Disability Caucus

Paul W. Kim, Esq., MPH (he/him/his) is a health care attorney. He has worked for a private managed care organization, a state Medicaid program, and the federal Medicare program. He handles compliance with CMS, OIG, and OCR requirements. He graduated from the Johns Hopkins Unversiry with a BA in Public Health, University of Maryland School of Law with a JD, and the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health with an MPH.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Katie Meyer, Esq. (she/her/hers) is the Senior Director of Ethics at ASHA. In this role, she is an ex officio member of the ASHA Board of Ethics. Prior to coming to ASHA, she worked as an attorney at GKG Law, P.C. in Washington, D.C., for 20 years, providing legal counsel to nonprofit and certification organzations. During this time, Katie assisted multiple certification clients with creating and maintaining disciplinary programs. This included drafting and revising Codes of Ethics and internal procedures, training ethics committees and investigatory panels on disciplinay processes, and providing general guidance regarding the complaint process. Katie has written numerous articles for trade association journals, including Association Trends and Associations Now. She has spoken nationally on issues including credentialing, ethics, and intellectual property for organizations such as the American Society of Association Executives and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. Katie graduated from Colgate University (BA, 1993) and received her JD from American University Washington College of Law in 1998.

Financial Disclosures:

• ASHA employee

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Ex officio of the ASHA Board of Ethics

Brianna Miluk, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC (she/her/hers) is a speech-language pathologist and certified lactation counselor from Greenville, South Carolina, who provides home, outpatient, and telepractice-based services to infants and medically complex children. She specializes in pediatric feeding disorders, which she enjoys talking about in her continuing education courses, mentorship programs, and on her podcast. Bri strives to provide collaborative and compassionate family-centered care.

Financial Disclosures:

• Founder and CEO of Pediatric Feeding Therapy, LLC
• Instructor for Pennsylvania Western University

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Founder and president of the Pediatric Feeding Disorder Foundation
• Volunteer ambassador and on the conference committee for Feeding Matters
• Manages the Instagram page @pediatricfeedingSLP and co-hosts the podcast The Feeding Pod
• ASHA SIG 13 Professional Development Committee

Tanna Neufeld, MS, CCC-SLP, is an SLP by training with 15 years in the field supporting pediatric clients and families. On her career journey, she has branched out into several niche markets to broaden her skill set and add variety to her work-life expreiences. Neufeld currently owns a private practice offering telehealth services for children and families who use AAC. She is also the product manager for an assistive technoogy startup that creates apps to support neurodiverse individuals and their families. And because there must be more hours in the day, she is also the founder and director of the nonprofit, web-based organization AACcessible, a mission-driven project that aims to improve global access to AAC tools and strategies through educiation, awareness, advocacy, and action. Neufeld catches her breath and recharges her batteries by spending time with her two young children and her husband, running, cooking, and reading.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Salary from Goally
• Private consulting services through Summit AAC and Autism Services

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• ASHA member
• ASHA SIG 12 affiliate
• Founding director at AACcessible and The AAC Academy

Courtney Overton, MS, CCC-SLP, is the owner and founder of Speech of Cake, Inc., a private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, that specializes in treating speech sound disorders and dyslexia. She is also an adjunct professor of Speech Sound Disorders at Emerson College. Additionally, Courtney is a doctoral candidate at Indiana University, with a focus in literacy, culture, and language education and a minor in educational leadership and policy studies.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Lissa Power-deFur, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, Professor Emeritus, has served at Longwood University for many years, serving as the first program director and department chair as well as interim dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. Previously, she worked at the Virginia Department of Education, where she served as a director in the Office of Special Education and Student Services. Lissa has served as an active volunteer throughout her career, with volunteer leadership in ASHA and the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV). Her work includes service as ASHA's Vice President of Ethics and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology (2014–16), Council on Academic Accreditation site visitor, SHAV President and Board member, and various other ASHA and SHAV committees and boards. She regularly writes and presents in the areas of ethics, special education, educational standards, and serving as an expert witness. She co-wrote Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses, published by ASHA Press, with Dr. Brenda Seal. She has received teaching, leadership, and service awards from Longwood University and from various professional organizations.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Co-author of Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses, published by ASHA Press
• Has been a paid expert witness

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Christina Royster, EdD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL (she/her/hers) is the owner and founder of Play on Words Therapy. She is licensed in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and has been practicing for over 10 years. Christina specializes in working with complex communication needs, including developmental delays and speech/language delays secondary to intellectual disability. She also specializes in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), as she works on an AAC team in the public school setting. Christina is a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language. She is a member of the following groups: ASHA, Maryland Speech-Language-Hearing Association, DC Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Christina is a co-creator of DiverCity SLP and DiverseAAC.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Meghan Ryan, BA (she/her/hers) studied speech and hearing sciences, with a minor in linguistics, at George Washington University and is currently completing a masters of studies in law at Wake Forest University School of Law, with a focus in Health Care Policy and Law. Meghan has served as the Public Policy Associate on ASHA's Health Care and Education Policy team since 2017.

Financial Disclosures:

• ASHA employee

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Debra Schober-Peterson, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, is a speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience. Schober-Peterson serves as the Director of the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at Georgia State University and oversees all aspects of Clinic operation. Schober-Peterson's areas of expertise are early intervention, pediatric language disorders, and speech sound disorders. Schober-Peterson is the co-author of a family center intervention program called Toddler Talk and is the current chair of the ASHA Ethics Education Subcommittee and former chair of the ASHA Board of Ethics.

Financial Disclosures:

• None

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Chair of the ASHA Ethics Education Subcommittee
• Former Chair of the ASHA Board of Ethics

Brenda Seal, PhD, CCC-SLP, is Professor Emerita in Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University and retired professor and director of Speech-Language Pathology at Gallaudet University. Dr. Seal and Dr. Lissa Power-deFur are co-authors of Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses (2020, ASHA Press). She has served as an expert witness in criminal, civil, and due process disputes; she has published and consulted with Dr. Power-deFur on expert and fact witnessing.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Co-author of Speech-Language Pathologists as Expert Witnesses, published by ASHA Press
• Has been a paid expert witness

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Jill Shook, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) has provided fun, evidence-based speech-language therapy services since 2011. She founded her private practice, Jill Shook Therapy, in 2015, and created a course to support other SLPs starting their own practices in 2018. She also provides consulting for SLPs through her private practice SLP site. She has done extensive research into HIPAA compliance, billing, EMR selection, and credentialing/insurance, and is always learning more!

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Royalties from Northern Speech Services for sales of Private Practice Foundations course
• Affiliate marketing fees from Amazon, Therapy Marketing Kit, Cued Creative, and SimplePractice

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Consulted on the planning and content of this conference

Neela Swanson, BA (she/her/hers) is ASHA's Director of Health Care Policy for Coding and Reimbursement, serving as a resource for ASHA members regarding coding and payment policy. She works with ASHA's Health Care Economics Committee, the American Medical Association's CPT Editorial Panel and Relative Value Update Committee, ASHA members, payers, and other stakeholders as an advocate for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding and payment for audiology and speech-language pathology.

Financial Disclosures:

• ASHA employee

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Sarah N. Warren, MA (she/her/hers) is ASHA's Director of Health Care Policy for Medicare. In this role, she supports ASHA's membership by answering member questions, anticipating Medicare policy trends, advocating with Congressional leaders, and commenting on Medicare's proposed policies. She has worked on health care payment policy for more than 15 years. Prior to joining ASHA, Warren represented inpatient rehabilitation facilities at the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association and physical therapists at the American Physical Therapy Association.

Financial Disclosures:

• ASHA employee

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None