Our Speech Paths

 

[MEET Kayla]

Kayla is a clinically licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated from Idaho State University, Meridian with a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. An Alaskan transplant from the Pacific Northwest, Kayla "temporarily" relocated to the Mat-Su Valley with her husband and two pups in 2016, but they fell in love with Alaska and haven't looked back! They have since added a beautiful daughter and adorable son to their family as well as some entertaining goats. When she is not working, Kayla enjoys hiking and simply being outdoors. She also values a healthy, non-toxic lifestyle and enjoys growing a garden, cooking from scratch, and sewing and knitting with organic fibers.

Kayla has completed many hours of continuing education specifically related to TOTs (tethered oral tissue) and orofacial myofunctional disorders. Some of these include courses by Dr. Bobbi Ghaheri, MD, and Robyn Merkel-Walsh, MS, CCC-SLP, COM and Lori Overland, MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT, CLC, FOM at TalkTools. She completed TOTS: Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training with Autumn Reed Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, COM, IBCLC and is in the process of becoming a Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM) through Neo-Health Services. She has also taken multiple courses by Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, QOM, COM. Through Hallie's classes, Kayla has been Feed the Peds Trained, is an active member of The Myo Membership, and is currently completing The Myo Method course to become a Certified Myofunctional Therapist.

Kayla has the unique perspective of being not only a practitioner, but a mother and a patient herself for oral tie releases. Both of her children have had multiple tongue releases as well as release of their lip and buccal ties. Kayla also went through myofunctional therapy and bodywork before and after her own tongue and lip tie releases in July 2021.

[meet kristin]

Kristin is a clinically licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.


Kristin developed an interest in pediatric feeding disorders after completing an online course to help her son overcome his feeding challenges. Having navigated her own “picky eater,” she is able to use her knowledge and personal experience to support the pediatric population and their caregivers.


Kristin is has completed her Feed the Peds training with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, QOM, COM and is in the process of becoming a Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM) through Neo-Health Services. She has completed trainings from TalkTools which include Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach with Lori Overland, MS, CCC-SLP and 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™ with Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson, MS, CCC-SLP.


Kristin is also a certified Integrative Breathing Practitioner (IBT) and the owner of the Yoga Shack in Palmer, Alaska. Passionate about movement-based practices, Kristin believes in the implementation of a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to breathing in order to promote health and wellness within the Alaskan community. When she's not busy working or teaching at the Yoga Shack, Kristin enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband and son, Leo.