Our Team

Maria is a native of Monterey, Calif. She graduated summa cum laude with a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of the Pacific. She is a board-certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the California Speech-Language-Hearing-Association. She has received introductory training in Positive Behavior and the Orton-Gillingham Approach for literacy. Maria has been with the Central Coast Language and Learning Center since completing her clinical fellowship. She currently works as a full-time therapist in addition to fostering the growth of SLP graduate students and SLPAs by lending her wisdom and knowledge in a supervisory capacity. Although Maria has some experience working in public schools, acute rehabilitation, and post-acute care, the vast majority of her experience lies in the private clinic setting. Her true passion is in providing remote, or in person services to the pediatric population with particular emphasis on school-age children. Maria believes in taking a semi structured, play-based approach to speech and language development to make learning fun, motivating, and meaningful. Areas of interest include speech sound disorders, phonological/phonemic awareness, and language-based learning disabilities.

Meadow is a California native and has been in Santa Cruz since the late '90s. She began her journey toward becoming a Speech Language Pathologist after her daughter was diagnosed with a hearing impairment as an infant. Meadow received her undergraduate degree in sociology at UC Santa Cruz and later CSU Northridge where she earned her Master of Science in Communicative Disorders and Sciences. Through her work in a range of settings, including private practice, private group clinic, home healthcare and skilled nursing, Meadow gained experience assisting people with their speech, language, cognitive, social, and swallowing challenges. She strives to create a safe and welcoming space in which all clients can work to achieve their goals. Meadow spends her free time dancing, hiking, reading and cooking, and is grateful for a loving community of family and friends.

Deborah became a Speech Language Pathologist after going through speech therapy herself and later seeing positive interactions between an SLP and occupational therapy services for a family friend. She wanted to be part of a team that helped others with speech and language difficulties. Deborah graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with her degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and spent two years as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant before obtaining her Masters in Speech Pathology from Pacific University. She has worked in both clinical and school settings with a primary focus on helping individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Deborah has advanced SLP training in TalkTools Feeding First and myofunctional training by Linda D'Onofrio. Deborah is an English-Spanish bilingual and enjoys spending her free time with friends, baking and cooking new recipes, and spending time with her dog Blue. 

Tiffany is a native of New Jersey. She received a bachelor's degree from New York University in Speech Language Pathology and graduated with honors with a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Kean University. She is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and holds state licenses in Virginia and California. She is also certified in the PROMPT treatment method for those with motor speech disorders like apraxia or dysarthria. Throughout her career, she has gained experience in a variety of settings with populations spanning from infant to adult. Most recently, she has provided services to children severely impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder and utilized an interdisciplinary approach to best serve this population. Her areas of interest include language-based learning disabilities, speech sound disorders, and facilitating social-pragmatic development, most specifically with pediatric populations. She practices based on the quote by Lev Vygotsky, " A child's greatest achievements are possible in play." She sees clients exclusively through teletherapy, or virtual sessions.

Carrie is a SLP with more than 30 years of experience working with children in the public schools. She obtained both her bachelor's and master's degree from CSU-Northridge. She has advocated and provided speech/language therapy for students who exhibited difficulties in the areas of articulation, language, voice and fluency. She collaborated and consulted with parents and classroom teachers in the management of speech/language disorders. She has supervised undergraduates, interns, paraprofessionals and volunteers. Carrie also served as President of the Monterey County Speech Language Hearing Association for several years and is a lifetime member of the American Speech Hearing Association. She has presented classes at the Monterey County Office of Education in therapy techniques, as well as in the school system. Carrie aims to help children know not only how to communicate but why communication is important. She wants them to be clearly understood, be able to form bonds between people, and become contributing members of their community. Carrie recently retired and will be working part time for CCLLC. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and seeing the country and meeting new people.

Doris graduated with a master's degree from Long Beach State University with a major in Communicative Disorders (Speech Therapy).  Her training involved regular elementary schools with special education classes (aphasia), Long Beach VA Hospital with stroke patients and a specialized intense preschool clinical training program at Long Beach State, which included parents, teachers and occupational therapists. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and a California Licensed Speech Therapist. Doris has had varied experience with children from infants, pre-schoolers to High School.  She began her career in L.A. City Schools where she specialized in assessing, diagnosing and treating infants and preschoolers in a team approach with Physical Therapists, Psychologists, Educators and Parents.  She also worked with children who were diagnosed with Autism, Developmentally Delayed and ADHD.  Treatment included knowledge of receptive/expressive language disorders, pragmatic disorders, articulation, voice and fluency disorders.  She then moved to Monterey where she began working at Monterey County Schools in the Infant, Pre-school and Head Start Programs.  She then retired and began working part-time for Central Coast Language & Learning Center specializing in the younger populations.

Paulina is a Monterey County native who received her master's degree in Speech Language Pathology with the honor of magna cum laude from San Jose State University. She is fluent in Spanish and has a passion for working with multicultural and bilingual individuals. Through her field work experience she has had the opportunity to work in schools and in clinics specializing in aphasia, fluency, social pragmatics, and pediatric language. She also had the privilege of completing a student externship at CCLLC under the guidance of Jennifer D'Attilio and Leah Kohl, where she evaluated and treated a diverse population of patients with varying needs. In her free time, Paulina enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her dog, Walter

Jamie is the revenue cycle manager at Central Coast Language and Learning Center. She comes to us from an allied healthcare office and has several years of experience in billing, coding and management. She is currently earning her bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and Management. Jamie is conscious and engaged in her work and aims to provide top-notch administrative support to our clinicians and families. Establishing relationships with our families is paramount as Jamie has a patient-centered philosophy and is focused on exceeding expectations by bringing elements of concierge care to the front office.

Kim grew up in the Monterey Peninsula and is a graduate of Santa Catalina School. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of the Pacific, where she also enjoyed being a part of the cross country and track teams. She is currently a graduate student at Palo Alto University, working toward her master's degree in counseling. She is passionate about helping others receive the services they need. With previous customer service/front desk experience, she strives to make patients feel welcomed and at ease when visiting CCLLC.