Therapies
Speech-Language Therapy
Speech-Language Pathologists evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals of all ages with speech and language disorders. Speech disorders include difficulty with articulation skills, voice or fluency (stuttering) disorders. Language disorders refer to difficulty understanding and/or using oral or written language to effectively communicate. Speech-Language Pathologists also work with Occupational Therapists to treat feeding disorders.
Speech-Language services at The Carruth Center include evaluation and treatment of:
- Phonological and/or articulation disorders
- Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
- Central auditory processing disorders (CAPD)– How a child’s central nervous system processes information may affect the development of language skills, attention, memory and learning. Speech-language pathologists may work as part of a multidisciplinary team to diagnose CAPDs, however the actual diagnosis is made by an audiologist.
- Receptive and/or Expressive Language disorders – Therapy is offered to improve receptive, expressive and/or pragmatic language skills. Targets may include understanding and giving directions, asking and answering questions, using appropriate sentence structure, and understanding and using vocabulary and concepts. Speech-language pathologists help children improve language skills, often leading to better academic performance in the classroom, increased confidence in themselves and/or improved peer interactions.
- Social Language and Competence – The skills children need to make conversation or make and keep friendships. Some of the skills included are the ability to take other’s perspectives, social self-regulation, social problem solving and flexible thinking.
- Fluency disorders – such as stuttering
Get speech therapy services started!
After completing the paperwork found in this link, a Carruth Center employee will contact you regarding next steps and scheduling.
Some speech and language disorders occur in the absence of co-occurring diagnoses. Others are concomitant with diagnoses such as Autism, ADHD, genetic syndromes, hearing loss, birth complications, sensory integration disorders, developmental coordination disorder, intellectual disabilities, dyslexia and/or emotional/behavioral disorders.
The Carruth Center provides speech and language therapy on-site to children attending The Parish School, however most of our clients attend other preschools/schools. We also provide speech therapy off-site at Houston area private schools and applied behavior analysis (ABA) clinics. Speech therapy services are offered year-round.
During the month of July the Carruth Center offers a 3-week intensive day camp for children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech or severe phonological disorders, Kaufman-Apraxia Bootcamp. Information about this camp can be found here.
Carruth Therapists:
Our Speech-Language Pathologists are Texas licensed and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association certified. Several have additional training in Social Thinking, DIR/Floortime, SOS Feeding, Hanen, and/or Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Many of our Speech-Language Pathologists have specialized training or experience in the diagnosis and treatment of Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This is a motor speech disorder that requires a different treatment approach than other phonological or developmental articulation disorders. Many of the Speech-Language Pathologists at The Carruth Center are trained in the Kaufman-Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP) developed by CAS expert Nancy Kaufman and established as an evidenced based approach to the treatment of children with CAS. The Carruth SLPs receive ongoing mentorship from Nancy Kaufman including client consultations if needed. In addition, one of our Speech-Language Pathologist’s is recognized as having advancing training and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of CAS through Apraxia Kids.
Mimi Branham, MA, CCC-SLP
Mimi comes to us with more than 22 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including as owner of a private practice, SLP in p...
Mimi Branham, MA, CCC-SLP
Mimi comes to us with more than 22 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including as owner of a private practice, SLP in public education and over the past five years, as clinical supervisor and director of a private therapy clinic.
Mimi's clinical expertise has focused on early language disorders, feeding disorders and apraxia of speech. She enjoys mentoring staff and clinical problem solving, and values strong collaboration among all team members.
She earned both her master's and undergraduate degrees in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston.
Sheri Bryan, MA, CCC-SLP
Sheri Bryan is a licensed and certified Speech Language Pathologist with a passion for working with children. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communicat...
Sheri Bryan, MA, CCC-SLP
Sheri Bryan is a licensed and certified Speech Language Pathologist with a passion for working with children. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Houston. She completed her graduate work in 2008 and received the “Outstanding Graduate Clinician Award.” Sheri worked at The Parish School from 2008-2011 in level A/I and I/II classrooms as the lead teacher/SLP. She has worked at the Carruth Center as a contract SLP since 2011. One of her favorite aspects of working at the Carruth Center is the opportunity to collaborate with children, parents, and TPS staff in a unique family-centered setting. She is a member of TSHA and ASHA. Sheri lives in Katy, TX with her husband and two children. She loves spending time with her family and watching her children experience new things. She also volunteers in the preschool ministry at her church.
Courtney Dahl, MS, CCC-SLP
Courtney is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist in the State of Texas. She holds a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Texas at Austi...
Courtney Dahl, MS, CCC-SLP
Courtney is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist in the State of Texas. She holds a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Texas at Austin and an MS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Texas.
Her work experience includes home health, private practice, and telehealth. She also worked for 6 years as a Lead Speech-Language Pathologist in the Early Childhood Program at The Parish School.
She is basic-level trained in DIRFloortime, completed over 25 hours of professional development related to Social Thinking® by Michelle Garcia Winner, completed More Than Words® by The Hanen Centre® Online Workshop. She is recognized as a Kaufman Speech to Language Practitioner for children with apraxia of speech and other speech sound disorders.
Courtney believes that every child should have the ability to express themselves to others. She feels that every child is unique and brings special gifts to this world and she wants them to be able to share these gifts. Courtney values the “whole child” approach and enjoys the connections she’s able to build with the children.
Outside of Carruth, Courtney likes to work out, travel and enjoy time with friends and family.
Nicole Devens, MS, CCC-SLP
Nicole is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with eleven years in practice. She received her undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 1997 and graduate degr...
Nicole Devens, MS, CCC-SLP
Nicole is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with eleven years in practice. She received her undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 1997 and graduate degree from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1999. Her memberships include TSHA and ASHA. Past work settings include: a therapeutic day school for children with social, emotional and behavioral differences; an auditory-oral school for children with hearing impairments; and the Carruth Center. She received certification with the Beckman Oral Motor Techniques and has attended over 100 hours of continuing education courses oriented to pediatric therapy. Areas of focus pertain to the support of language development in the young, non-verbal child; speech development of children presenting with speech coordination and articulation difficulties, and families seeking a comprehensive approach to the individualized development of social/pragmatic skills. Nicole’s therapeutic approach is multi-sensory and frequently incorporates parent participation. Often therapy is designed to utilize the interests and motivations of the child in a format guided and directed by the clinician with the intent of striking a balance between Child-Directed and Clinician-Directed therapy to build confidence, trust, and a drive to work through challenges.
Brittney Fertak, MS, CCC-SLP
Brittney Fertak is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2011 and her graduate degree fro...
Brittney Fertak, MS, CCC-SLP
Brittney Fertak is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2011 and her graduate degree from the University of North Texas in the field of Communication Disorders in 2013. She is a member of the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and is Recognized for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech by Apraxia Kids. Brittney is passionate about working with the pediatric population and has worked in a pediatric private practice for the duration of her career.
Brittney’s areas of focus include: childhood apraxia of speech, phonological processing disorder, articulation disorder, receptive and expressive language disorder, autism spectrum disorder, auditory processing disorder, neurological disorders, and development of social/pragmatic skills. Brittney is passionate about treating the whole child and believes the incorporation of each child’s “team” (i.e., the child’s parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, therapeutic team, etc.) is integral to their success. Her collaborative spirit, enthusiasm and ability to problem-solve with families and other professionals earned her the designation of The Carruth Center’s 2017-18 Therapist of the Year.
Brittney has attended over 100 hours of continuing education courses oriented to pediatric therapy. She has received specific training in the Social Thinking® methodology, Nurtured Heart Approach, Talk Tools, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, and DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing). In addition, Brittney was selected to attend The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Intensive Training Institute (Apraxia Bootcamp) in 2018 and earned Apraxia Kids’ designation of “Recognized for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech.”
In the summer months, Brittney enjoys facilitating The Carruth Center’s Kaufman Apraxia Bootcamp, which is a language group geared toward children who have childhood apraxia of speech or a phonological processing disorder. In addition, Brittney helps coordinate the annual Houston Walk for Apraxia each fall.
Brittney currently lives in Houston, where she enjoys spending time with her family, attending Aggie sporting events, reading, outdoor activities and traveling.
Jenn Guarino, MS, CCC-SLP
Jenn Guarino is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist through the Texas State Board of Examiners and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). During ...
Jenn Guarino, MS, CCC-SLP
Jenn Guarino is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist through the Texas State Board of Examiners and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). During college, Jenn worked at The Parish School’s Camp Acorn summer program for three years. She received her undergraduate degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from Texas Tech University’s Health Science Center, and earned a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Baylor University.
Jenn’s experience includes working in private schools with children who have learning differences, private therapy practice, and a pediatric outpatient clinic for one of the top children’s hospitals in the nation. She has treated and evaluated children who have speech and sound disorders, speech delays, receptive and expressive language delays and disorders, autism, neurological impairments, cleft palate, hearing impairments, stuttering, and motor speech disorders. As an avid problem-solver, she enjoys working as part of a team with parents and other disciplines to help a child succeed.
Taylor Kopycinski, MS, CCC-SLP
Taylor Kopycinski received her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University and her graduate degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. She w...
Taylor Kopycinski, MS, CCC-SLP
Taylor Kopycinski received her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University and her graduate degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. She will begin her career at the Carruth Center. Her areas of interests include Childhood Apraxia of Speech, oral motor disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, and the development of social/pragmatic language skills in children. Taylor has clinical experience in the treatment of children with autism, articulation, feeding, apraxia, and language difficulties. Taylor is thrilled to start her career at the Carruth Center and looks forward to working with children and their parents in order to provide the best therapy in the most motivating, trusting and challenging environment.
Megan Lenz, MA, CCC-SLP
Megan Lenz is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist through the Texas State Board of Examiners and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She recei...
Megan Lenz, MA, CCC-SLP
Megan Lenz is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist through the Texas State Board of Examiners and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from The University of Houston in 2009.
Megan’s experience includes working in the public-schools, private practice, pediatric outpatient clinics, and home health. She has treated and evaluated children who have language delays and disorders, speech and sound disorders, autism, stuttering, neurological impairments, and motor speech disorders. She has attended trainings with Social Thinking, Talk Tools, Prentke Romich (LAMP) and SOS Feeding and is passionate about learning different intervention strategies to help her clients. Megan enjoys collaborating with the child’s family and teaching team to best serve the child. Megan received the Therapist of the Year award in 2019 from her employer and comes to The Carruth Center with a wide variety of experience treating pediatric clients.
Megan lives in Richmond, TX with her husband and daughter. She loves spending time with her family along the coast, traveling, and watching her daughter navigate the world around her.
Wendy Wiseman, M.S., CCC- SLP
Wendy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from The University of Houston and a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Texas Woman’s University. Sh...
Wendy Wiseman, M.S., CCC- SLP
Wendy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from The University of Houston and a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Texas Woman’s University. She has been working with children and their families for more than 20 years. For 15 years, she has held her certification with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as her Texas state licensure. For many years, Wendy had the opportunity to provide speech and language intervention for elementary and preschool-aged children as a classroom teacher at The Parish School. She also worked as a Speech Language Pathologist for preschool through fifth grade students at elementary schools in the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District. Most recently, she held a position at Cy-Hope Counseling and Speech Therapy Services offering both in person, as well as teletherapy sessions for individual clients. Wendy comes to The Carruth Center with many years of varied experiences and training. She has a passion for engaging with children and their families, serving as a positive influence in their journey through speech, language and learning intervention. Wendy has experience working with children who have: Developmental Delays, Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, Pragmatic/Social Language Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Articulation/Phonological Disorders, Autism, Attention, Memory, and Learning Disorders, Fluency (stuttering) Disorders, and other Neurological Impairments. She believes in the importance of connection as well as acceptance, and strives to help others achieve increased self-esteem and their most effective communication skills.