Kristen Dorsey Jones, M.A., CCC-SLP

Co-Director, Speech-Language Pathologist

Kristen 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 George Washington University in Speech and Hearing Sciences.  She received her undergraduate degree from Lafayette College.  Kristen enjoys working with children of all ages and has experience working with children who have apraxia of speech, fluency disorders, speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, learning disabilities, and reading disabilities.  Kristen is PROMPT trained (level 1) and has continuing education in Social Thinking and the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol. Kristen has a passion for reading and is trained in Lively Letters, the Orton Gillingham Approach, and is a Tier I Certified Structured Literacy Teacher through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction.

Alicia McFadden, M.A., CCC-SLP

Co-Director, Speech-Language Pathologist

Alicia is a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice therapy in the state of Virginia.  She received her graduate degree from George Washington University in Speech and Hearing Sciences.  Alicia began her career as a clinician working in a non-public school specifically designed for children with Autism in Los Angeles, California.  There, she worked with children and adults utilizing augmentative communication devices, implementing a social thinking 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 is one of 3 speech pathologists in the state of the Virginia who has completed the Social Thinking® Clinical Training Program and she has extensive training in Executive Function skills. Alicia has earned an ASHA ACE award for completing more than 70 hours of continuing education within a three-year period. She is also trained in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and has completed multiple education courses aimed at improving literacy, articulation and phonological disorders, augmentative communication, and expressive/receptive language disorders. 

Susan Morgan Salam, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Susan is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the state of Virginia. She has experience working with children in outpatient pediatric clinics, Early Intervention, public and private day school settings. She received her Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of North Carolina Wilmington.  She specializes in augmentative and assistive communication and enjoys working with a variety of diagnoses including autism spectrum disorders, Downs Syndrome, and genetic disorders. She has continuing education and experience in feeding disorders, fluency, play based therapy and sensory integration.

When not at work, Susan can be easily spotted jogging along the sidewalks of Ashburn with her certified therapy dog, Muki. She is an avid runner and Pinterest addict.

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.

Sara Dada M.H. Sc., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Sara 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.  Sara graduated with a Master’s of Health & Science from the University of Toronto in 2007 and started her career as a private practitioner in Canada working with a focus on early intervention and preschool screenings.  She moved to the U.S. in 2010 and continued in the field as a full-time school Speech-Language Pathologist with a focus on individuals with Autism at the preschool and elementary level.  In 2014, she moved to the secondary level and continues to enjoy addressing the needs of students with Autism, focusing on social skills and increasing functional communication, using augmentative and assistive technology.  In addition, she provides services in the areas of articulation, fluency, pragmatics and receptive/expressive language skills for her students.  She has completed continuing education courses in “Fluency Shaping Techniques”, “Hanen Program-It Takes Two to Talk”, “PROMPT introduction”, Kaufman, and PECS level I and II.  She has recently started working part-time back in the private sector field and enjoys working with a variety of ages and speech and language needs.  During her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, listening to podcasts, and watching movies/playing games with her family. 

Makenzie Sinclair MA, CF-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Makenzie is a licensed member of the Virginia Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.  She graduated with her Masters in Speech and Hearing Sciences from George Washington University.  

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!