Our Story
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CSTC has been committed to serving children and their families for over 20 years. Our staff of exceptionally talented speech-language pathologists and support professionals are dedicated to helping children of all ages.
The speech-language pathologists at Children's Speech Therapy Center are all State Licensed and have their Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Each therapist has earned at least a Master's Degree and completed additional post-graduate training. Children's Speech Therapy Center's staff have extensive training and experience working with children, and each therapist completes yearly continuing education classes including: PROMPT, The Greenspan Floortime Approach®, Social Thinking®, Orton Gillingham, and other topics specific to child development.
Meet The Team
Each of our exceptional speech-language pathologists is ASHA and VA certified.
Alicia McFadden, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-CL
Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist
Alicia is a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice therapy in the states of Virginia and Maryland. She is one of the less than 100 Board Certified Language Specialists in the country. Alicia received her graduate degree from George Washington University in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She began her career in Los Angeles, California working in a non-public school setting. specifically designed for children with Autism in Los Angeles, California. There, she worked with children and adults utilizing augmentative communication devices, implementing a pragmatic language curriculum, and addressing receptive and expressive language skills. She also has experience working with adults in the rehabilitative setting. Alicia enjoys working with children and adults of all ages. Her special interests are in the area of language and pragmatics. She has completed the Social Thinking® Clinical Training Program and she has extensive training in Executive Function skills. Alicia has earned ASHA ACE awards for completing more than 70 hours of continuing education within a three-year period. She is also trained in Orton Gillingham and has completed multiple education courses aimed at improving literacy, articulation and phonological disorders, augmentative communication, and expressive/receptive language disorders. Alicia has been a guest speaker at preschools, universities, and school districts educating staff and students on early intervention, social skills, and executive function skills.
Caroline Short M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Caroline is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed member of the Virginia Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. She graduated with her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University. Caroline also holds a certification through the Infant and Toddler Connected of Virginia and has experience providing Early Intervention services to children ages birth-three. She is trained in Gestalt Language Processing as an NLA trained clinician. Caroline enjoys working with children of all ages with a variety of communication disorders including receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, motor speech disorders, fluency disorders and social/pragmatic language disorders. She has completed continuing education courses in the areas of motor speech disorders, fluency, literacy, and alternative communication devices.
In her spare time, Caroline enjoys going on road trips, watching movies, and playing games with friends and family.
Erika Everett M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Erika is a Speech Language Pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping children overcome communication challenges. She earned her bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida. Shortly after, she gained valuable experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in a private pediatric setting. Erika relocated to Louisiana to further her education, obtaining her master's degree from Louisiana State University. She has worked in a private pediatric clinic and an ABA center, where she emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. She has experience working with gestalt language processing, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), articulation/phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, and Dyslexia.
Erika is passionate about working with clients to improve their literacy skills and speech sound development through interactive and individualized services. She prioritizes strength-based intervention methods, fostering connections with children and their families to cultivate meaningful and functional experiences together. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling with her husband!
Kristyn Butler M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Kristyn is a licensed member of the Virginia Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. She received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at James Madison University. She received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from JMU as well, making her a proud Double Duke! Kristyn has been trained to collaborate with clients across the lifespan and is passionate about working with clients with a variety of communication needs. She has experience working within the areas of receptive and expressive language, articulation and phonology, social pragmatics, early intervention, and motor speech. She loves to celebrate with, learn from, and grow alongside her clients and their family members! In her free time, Kristyn enjoys running, reading, spending time with family and friends, and trips to the beach!
Debbie Rhodes, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Debbie is a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the state of Virginia. She received her graduate degree from Kent State University in Speech-Language Pathology and her Bachelor of Education Degree in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Debbie began her career working in the public-school setting in Prince William County, VA and then transitioned to private practice.
Debbie has special interests in working with children who have articulation and phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency disorders, and pragmatic difficulties. In addition, her experience includes working with children with autism spectrum and sensory integration disorders. She has completed continuing education courses in the areas of childhood speech and language disorders, fluency, sensory integration and executive functioning disorders as well as DIR Floortime®,
During her free time, Debbie enjoys reading, camping, and traveling.
Melissa Mitchell, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Melissa is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
(ASHA) and a licensed member of the Virginia Board of Speech-Language Pathologists
and Audiologists. She received her graduate degree from George Washington
University in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She received her undergraduate degree
from Brigham Young University in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Melissa
began her career working in Fairfax County Public Schools where she provided therapy
for preschool through middle school students in various settings, including preschool
autism classrooms, preschool special education classrooms, and moderate-severe
disabilities classrooms. When her family moved to Mexico City, Mexico for over five
years, she had the opportunity to continue her work with English-speaking children
addressing their speech and language needs. Melissa enjoys working with children of
all ages and has experience working with children who have speech sound disorders,
motor speech disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, voice disorders,
fluency disorders, and social/pragmatic language disorders. She has completed
continuing education courses in the areas of articulation and phonological disorders,
childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), expressive/receptive language disorders, and early
intervention including late talkers and early autism.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys reading, walking, hiking, jigsaw puzzles, traveling, and
hanging out with her husband and three children.
Shea Swingle M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech therapy in both
Virginia and Washington, D.C. She received her Master’s Degree in
Speech Language Pathology from The George Washington University and
her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a
minor in American Sign Language from Radford University. Shea has work
experience with both pediatrics and adults in the following settings:
skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and private practices.
She enjoys working with both children and adults with a variety of
cognitive linguistic disorders. Her pediatric experience includes
treatment of pragmatic/social skills, receptive/expressive language,
voice, articulation, literacy, and early intervention for speech/
language delays. Her adult experience includes dysphagia, aphasia,
expressive/ receptive language, memory, voice, dysarthria, and
executive functioning.
In her free time, Shea enjoys being with family and friends (& her
dog, Ollie!), writing, traveling, and attending DC sporting events.
Valarie Dargan
Practice Manager
Valarie has over 12 years of Healthcare management experience that includes serving as Practice Administrator for a cardiovascular organization with multiple offices, Practice Manager for a holistic physician's office that treated autistic children and Front Desk Manager for a MRI center. Valarie possesses extensive administrative experience combined with excellent interpersonal skills and organizational ability. Her experience includes Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing, and Credentialing. Valarie is a proud graduate of Townson University in Maryland.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time traveling with her husband. Valarie is an avid reader and enjoys cooking big Sunday meals for her 2 adult children. Valarie is a Baltimore Ravens fan!
Sarah Looney
Practice Scheduler
Sarah is a native of Alabama and brings over 10 years of administrative experience. She has an Executive Bachelor of Business Administration from Faulkner University. As a mother of a special needs child, Sarah feels a strong connection to other parents seeking services for their children.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and son. They love to watch University of Alabama football games in the fall and Atlanta Braves games in the spring / summer.
Join Our Team
CSTC Therapies is currently seeking a full-time Speech-Language Pathologist. Please email us if you are interested!
CSTC would like to talk to you about future opportunities at our center if you are a Speech Language Pathologist who has a passion for helping children succeed and would enjoy:
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Full or Part-Time Work
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Flexible Hours
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Lower Case Loads
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Providing Individual Therapy
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Being Treated as a Professional
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Opportunity to be Creative
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CSTC offers:
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Competitive Compensation
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Health Insurance
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Relaxed Work Environment
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Assistance with Professional Development
📫 Resumes can be sent to info@childrens-speech.com.