M.S., CCC-SLP
Toms River, NJ
To get started, schedule a free, 15-minute consultation with one of our speech therapists. We'll use this time to discuss your communication needs and treatment goals.
Schedule a free consultationHi! I'm Cathleen. I became a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in 2011. I became an SLP for various reasons. I have always wanted to be in a helping profession from a young age, and I always found speech, language and communication to be fascinating. I have had a knack for communicating with those that have difficulty from the time I was much younger, and felt it was an area I could really excel while helping others with the crucial skill of functional communication and swallowing. I am certified in VitalStim for dysphagia treatment, certified in Neonatal Touch & Massage (NTMTC), and a certified SpeakOut! Provider. I am trained in: modified barium swallow studies (pediatric and adult), SOS Feeding, Prompt Level 1, and gender affirming voice therapy. I have taught extensively at the graduate level for over 6 years, teaching courses in adult and pediatric dysphagia, acquired language disorders in adults, pediatric assessment & treatment, and diagnostics across the lifespan. I worked in settings such as acute care hospitals, NICU, acute rehabilitation settings, outpatient, and private practice. I would describe my clinical style as client-centered, functional, individualized/personalized, family-centric, and routines-based.
New Jersey
English
B.A., Villanova University
M.S., New York University
Accent Modification
Acquired Apraxia
Adult Articulation
Adult Dysphagia
Aphasia
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Breathing
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Cleft Palate/Cleft Lip
Dysarthria
Early Language Development
Executive Functioning
Gender Affirming Voice
Parkinson’s
Pediatric Articulation/Phonological Disorder
Pediatric Fluency/Stuttering
Pediatric Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder
Pediatric/Adolescent Social-Pragmatics
Pediatric Dysphagia/Sensory Feeding
Professional/Public Speaking
Tongue Thrust
Traumatic Brain Injury
Voice
I love spending time with my family outside of the SLP world. In particular, we live by the beach and enjoy going there during the warmer months (and even the cooler months too!). I also enjoy reading, painting, and drawing.
At Expressable, all individuals and families are matched with a licensed speech therapist that's experienced to their specific area of need. You'll receive expert help from a talented, caring, and compassionate speech therapist invested in you or your child's communication success.
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Private payHSA/FSA Major insurance plansCommunication is one of our most vital, life-long skills. Speech therapy can help children reach communication milestones appropriate for their age; clearly articulate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas; comprehend the language of others; and develop socially. It also contributes to their academic success and emotional well-being. Plus so much more!
The first step is to schedule an evaluation with a speech therapist. They’ll assess your child’s communication development and make a professional recommendation as to whether your child could benefit from speech therapy.
There is no minimum age. Communication skills begin developing in infancy. Building strong language skills in very young children can set the foundation for strong communication and literacy skills later on. Speech therapy is particularly important for children who aren’t reaching age-appropriate communication milestones, or who are experiencing difficulties such as stuttering or a lisp. Because speech and language patterns become more ingrained over time, the earlier speech errors can be corrected, the better the outcomes are likely to be.
The duration of speech therapy is different for everyone, and it depends on several factors. This includes the type of speech disorder or communication challenge, the frequency of speech therapy sessions, how often you and your child practice the skills taught in speech therapy at home, your child’s age, any underlying medical conditions, and more.
Most children love online speech therapy! Many become more attentive with online learning, and they prefer the interactivity of online exercises and communication. Plus, there are many effective strategies that speech therapists use to engage children online. Expressable’s model of care also focuses on the most important component of improving children’s speech and language skills: the involvement of their parent or caregiver. When parents are actively involved in their child’s care, that leads to faster progress. Our therapists work directly with caregivers to teach them techniques and strategies they can use in their child’s everyday life.
Speech therapy sessions are focused on each client’s care plan, and the activities done during sessions always relate to those goals. So, if a person is in speech therapy to better pronounce the /s/ sound, they’ll begin by learning how to make the sound by itself and work up to practicing it in conversation. Or if someone wants to improve the quality of their voice, their speech therapist will teach them appropriate breathing and vocal exercises. The therapist will aim to do as many trials of each exercise as possible, in order to make the most of each session.
Your speech therapist will constantly be measuring and assessing your response to these exercises. When needed, they’ll make changes to your treatment plan to help you make progress as quickly as possible. Regardless of your goals, your speech therapist will always provide practice activities to complete at home between sessions.
Expressable currently accepts many of the largest insurance companies, and we’re actively working on contracting with new plans across the country. We also offer affordable private pay options and accept HSAs/FSAs for those who do not have insurance coverage or prefer to pay out-of-pocket.
Therapy from the comfort of your home
