About Us

At CCLTD, we are a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric therapy team dedicated to supporting children and families through speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and more. We believe meaningful connections are the foundation for effective therapy and strive to create a collaborative, supportive, and fun environment in every interaction.

We recognize that communication, play, movement, and self-expression are fundamental human rights. We presume competence in every child, honoring all forms of communication, regulation strategies, sensory preferences, and play styles as valid expressions of who they are.

At CCLTD, we believe neurodiversity is a beautiful thing, and differences should be celebrated—not fixed. Regulation, connection, communication, advocacy, and functional independence are at the heart of what we do. Our goal is to meet each child where they are, build on their strengths, and support their unique journey toward a meaningful, connected, and fulfilling life.

Meet the Team

Discover the dynamic and creative individuals dedicated to enriching your child's play experience. Dive into each team member's journey, expertise, and unique personal narrative, shaping the tapestry of our team. We look forward to working with you! 

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

  • Founder

    Courtney has been a speech-language pathologist for over 27 years. After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 1996, she went on to earn her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University in 1997.

    Courtney began her career in the Chicago Public Schools, working primarily with autistic children. During her time with CPS, Courtney had the privilege of supervising a number of graduate students from Northwestern University and mentoring speech pathology assistants and clinical fellows. To enhance her clinical skills, Courtney developed a small pediatric private practice while also working with adults at Illinois Masonic Hospital during after-school hours.

    In 2002, Courtney gained her early intervention credential and decided to pursue her private practice full-time. By 2004, Courtney began slowly expanding her practice and building a team of knowledgeable and experienced speech-language pathologists who share her belief in family-centered treatment for communication and feeding challenges. Courtney and her team are all certified members of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) or American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), early intervention credentialed and licensed in the state of Illinois. During her career, Courtney has continued to broaden her education. She is trained in the SOS feeding protocol, Pyramid Approach to Education and PECs (Picture Exchange Communication) and is certified as a Compton P-ESL provider.

    A life-long Chicago girl, Courtney lives with her two boys in the Southport Corridor. When not managing the needs of teenagers and missing her college kid (Sko Buffs!), Courtney enjoys walking on the lakefront with her energetic Bernedoodle, Fenway, playing pickleball and furthering her Peloton obsession so she can indulge in far too many french fries with friends.

  • Rebecca started her speech-language pathology journey as an undergraduate at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She received her graduate degree from Northwestern University. She began her career working in the school system, but transitioned to early intervention over 15 years ago.

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, live video visit (teletherapy) services have become available to families in the Illinois early intervention system. Rebecca services families all across the state of Illinois by virtually coaching during ongoing speech language therapy sessions. She believes strongly that carryover of speech and language strategies happens most effectively when families are empowered to utilize strategies that are discussed during weekly therapy sessions.

    Additionally, Rebecca has taken the attuned and intentional workshop, along with other continuing education hours that utilize the coaching model in speech therapy.  She also was trained as an evaluator in the Northwestern University Reduce the Wait grant for autism evaluations. Rebecca believes that therapists and families are partners in the process towards helping the child achieve their communication goals. She believes in a Neurodiversity affirming and strengths based approach to treatment.

    Rebecca is a registered yoga teacher, and in her spare time enjoys doing yoga, walking, birdwatching, spending time with her kids and family. She loves having Greyhounds and volunteering on their behalf.

  • Kirsten studied speech pathology and audiology at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While there, she lead day camps and excursions for a therapeutic recreation program for children and adults with disabilities. In 2011, she moved to Kansas City to pursue a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She’s been working with children all over the southwest side of Chicago, helping them develop language skills and achieve success in feeding therapy. She feels lucky to work with children, and she loves to help parents understand and improve their child’s communication and feeding. Kirsten's jams in therapy include neurodiversity-affirming therapy, family education, Autism, Gestalt Language Processing (GLP).

    Originally from Ohio, she now lives in Riverside with her husband and children. She often spends her weekends relaxing in South Haven, Michigan. And while she wishes it was true, she’s not related to Johnny Cash.

  • Isabella (Bella) Juarez is a proud Chicago native and bilingual speech-language pathologist passionate about supporting children in finding their voices. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and Disorders from Elmhurst University and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from DePaul University, where she also completed the Bilingual English-Spanish Specialization Certificate (BESSC). With advanced training in bilingual English-Spanish services, she centers her practice on equity, cultural understanding, and play-based learning. Bella’s clinical focus includes early language development, autism, AAC, and expressive/receptive language disorders. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks with her dog, discovering new neighborhoods within Chicago, and connecting with loved ones.

  • Nora is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist who recently moved back home to the Western Suburbs after spending 8 years in Southern California. Nora received a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Spanish from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a Master degree in Bilingual Communication Disorders at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and a Master of Jurisprudence in Child Law and Policy from Loyola University of Chicago. Nora also holds a certificate in Leadership and Education of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) through a partnership between USC and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

    Nora’s primary clinical experience has been working with children in early childhood. She is passionate about working with the family unit and the whole child by integrating other developmental domains to create a natural setting and augment successful growth. Nora is skilled at problem-solving and creativity when implementing unique therapy activities individualized to each child. Her strengths include building clinical rapport and organization. She has networked and consulted with many professional organizations in the Los Angeles area, including developing a parent training curriculum through a grant at CHLA. Nora’s career is geared to promote language-rich environments embedded in the community by making all families feel welcomed, which aids and encourages children to achieve their maximum potential while engaging caregivers to create a positive atmosphere for children to grow.

  • Chelsey received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders from Augustana College and her graduate degree in Speech Language Pathology from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she now lives in the Ravenswood neighborhood with her partner and two tabby cats. When not working as an SLP, Chelsey enjoys spending time in nature, crafting, and exploring the many neighborhoods of Chicago.

    Chelsey is an early intervention therapist with areas of interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Autism, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She has worked with children in a variety of settings, including pediatric outpatient clinics, in-home therapy, and schools. Having experience with children of all ages has allowed her to understand the importance of developing foundational language skills in early childhood. She is a neurodiversity-friendly therapist, with her approach to therapy being child-led and sensory informed.

  • Denise received her Bachelors of Science from Illinois State University in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in 2001.  She continued on at Illinois State University to receive her Masters of Science is Speech Language Pathology in 2003.  With a love for children, Denise focused her graduate studies in pediatrics.  She went on to work in pediatric outpatient clinical settings, working with children, adolescents, and young adults ranging in age from birth to 21, as well as within the State of Illinois Early Intervention System, to service children and families within their natural environments.   Denise has experience servicing children with a variety of challenges, including developmental delay, genetic disorders, expressive and receptive language impairments, phonological speech disorders, articulation disorders, language processing disorders, apraxia, and autism.  She strongly believes in early intervention and a family centered approach to therapy as a means to maximize a child's potential.  

    Denise was born and raised in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, where she currently resides with her husband and 2 boys.  Outside of work, she enjoys being a mom, volunteering at her boys' school, spending time outdoors with her husband and sons, visiting family and friends, and traveling.  

  • Abby earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Iowa in 2023 and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at DePaul University in Chicago in 2025. She has had the privilege of working with children from 8 months to 18 years old across a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and home health. Her clinical experience includes evaluating and treating expressive and receptive language delays, speech sound disorders, and feeding difficulties. Abby is a neurodiversity-affirming provider who takes a child-led, family-centered approach to therapy. She believes caregiver involvement is essential to progress and prioritizes parent and caregiver education throughout the therapeutic process. Abby has a special interest in supporting children with Autism, implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and providing feeding therapy.

    Born and raised in Chicago, Abby is passionate about giving back to the community she grew up in and is dedicated to providing competent, compassionate, and family-focused care. Outside of her work as a speech-language pathologist, Abby enjoys cooking, baking, traveling, and trying new foods!

  • Kiley began her career not as a speech language pathologist, but as a middle school math and science teacher in Louisville, Kentucky. After individually working with students after school hours, Kiley realized she could have a bigger impact with her students in a one-on-one setting. As a child with a severe articulation disorder herself, speech pathology was always close to her heart. So she got her Master of Science in Communicative Disorders at the University of Louisville. Following graduation, she has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, in-home therapy, and most recently, teletherapy.

    Kiley resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota servicing clients both in Illinois and Minnesota through live virtual visits. Kiley feels that she can reach more children virtually, and equip parents with the tools and strategies to help their children succeed. Kiley works with children both in early intervention and private therapy to help improve expressive and receptive language delays, phonological and articulation disorders, and feeding disorders. While Minneapolis is her home, she has family all over the country —Chicago, Asheville, Seattle, Kansas City are just a few of the places she travels to. Any excuse to see her four nephews!

  • Katie graduated with her Master of Health Sciences in Communication Disorders from Governer’s State University in December 2014 and has been working as a speech-language pathologist for over 10 years.

    She has extensive experience evaluating and treating a wide range of speech, language, social communication, fluency, and feeding disorders across the pediatric population. While she has worked in both school-based and private clinic settings, her true focus and passion is supporting children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Since 2020, she has worked exclusively with DHH students in a cooperative based special education program in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, where she uses sign language daily and advocates for full access to communication. Katie is committed to fostering listening and spoken language skills while honoring and supporting the use of sign language, helping children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

    One of the reasons she is excited to serve families in this program is the opportunity to partner directly with parents and caregivers- because so much of a child’s growth and success begins at home. Her knowledge of audiograms and audiological devices strengthens her ability to support children with hearing loss across settings. She is experienced in adapting assessments to reflect the unique needs of children with hearing loss and understands how typical developmental milestones are influenced across auditory access. This perspective enables her to create individualized therapy goals that support both language and listening development, setting children up for the highest level of success.

    Katie lives in the southwest suburbs with her husband and three young children. When she’s not supporting families, Katie can usually be found refereeing her three kids’ latest adventures, trying new recipes, or planning the next family trip.

  • Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communication sciences and disorders in 2019 as well as her Master of Arts degree in speech-language pathology in 2021 from the University of Iowa. Nicole is originally from the suburbs of Chicago and just moved to Chicago after 4 years practicing speech pathology in Seattle within the public-school setting. While working in the schools, Nicole got the opportunity to work across every setting, from preschool to high school and across special education settings from students working mainly in the general education setting to students in self-contained special education classrooms. Nicole specializes in neurodiversity affirming practice, having led the Seattle Public Schools SLP Department professional learning community for neurodiversity affirming practices for the last 2 years. Additionally, Nicole has led many trainings for fellow SLPs, special education teachers and staff, and general education staff about implementing neurodiversity affirming practices and culturally sensitive care throughout the school day. Nicole is a strengths-based practitioner who meets children and families where they are to partner together and achieve best outcomes.

     When Nicole is not practicing speech, she loves spending time with her husband and cat. She enjoys traveling, reading, gardening, cooking, finding records, making jewelry, and having game nights and dinner parties with friends and family.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

  • Meg received her bachelors degree in Psychology, and Gender Studies (2016), as well as her Masters in Occupational Therapy (2018) from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. She grew up in the Quad Cities and started her career there as a school based OT provider after working in a variety of settings for clinicals. She has developed a passion for working with children and families to provide access to all activities and spaces regardless of challenges they may face. 

    Meg moved to Indianapolis, IN in the summer of 2023 and began providing virtual early intervention services in tandem with a position as a school provider. After falling in love with the connection and coaching aspect of virtual OT, Meg is now a full time EI provider and is enjoying work with families and children through live virtual visits. Meg is a neurodiversity affirming and strengths-based therapist with a background in trauma informed care. Her interests include assistive technology, social & occupational justice, sensory-informed approaches to feeding, and play based therapy. Meg’s goal is to center the child and family in the therapy experience, while providing strategies to make everyday life as fulfilling as possible. She enjoys being creative, and tailoring therapy plans to match the unique special interests, strengths, and passions of her clients. In her free time, Meg likes to spend time with family, friends, and her two dogs. She loves to travel, be creative, spend time in nature, bake, and care for her collection of indoor plants.