ABOUT US
Speak to Connect
Step into a world of personalized growth, expert guidance, and transformative communication. Welcome to Speak to Connect, your committed partner in crafting pathways to articulate and have meaningful conversations.
The Speak
to Connect
Methodology
Effective communication is a cornerstone of personal and professional success, yet many individuals, from toddlers to adults, face challenges in this vital area. Our mission is to bridge this gap by delivering expert, evidence-based therapy customized for diverse communication needs.
At Speak to Connect, we understand that life gets busy. That’s why we’re dedicated to ensuring that our tailored treatment plans fit seamlessly into your schedule, providing maximum benefit with minimum disruption.
Years of Experience
Over 15 years of expertise in speech and language therapy.
Speech Programs Offered
Offering a wide range of tailored programs to meet diverse communication needs.
Satisfaction Rate
Exceptional levels of client satisfaction, delivering tangible results.
Our welcoming office, comprehensive services, and personalized therapies create a supportive and productive environment. In this space, you’re not just a client—you’re a partner in the journey towards improved communication.
Our Values
Improved Communication for All Ages
We're committed to helping everyone— toddlers, children, adults—communicate more effectively, thereby improving their quality of life.
Top-Level Expertise from Qualified Therapists
Our team is composed of certified speech-language pathologists with the experience and knowledge required to offer top-notch therapy services.
An Inclusive Space for Individual Needs
At Speak to Connect, we believe in a holistic approach to therapy. We don't just treat symptoms; we strive to understand and address the root cause of your communication challenges.
Meet Our Team
MEET THE TEAM
Jessica Vario
Co-Owner
Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Spanish/English)
Jessica Vario, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a bilingual speech-language pathologist and co-founder of Speak to Connect with nearly two decades of experience evaluating and treating clients across the lifespan and a wide range of communication needs and clinical presentations. Her bilingual background gives her deep insight into multilingual language development and the critical distinction between communication disorders and differences rooted in language exposure or cultural background. Her background in television and film also shows up in how she uses storytelling, character play, and improvisation to make therapy feel like play.
Jessica is especially passionate about the evaluation process, helping clients and families understand not just what is happening, but why, looking beyond standardized scores to developmental history, clinical observations, and individual strengths. She takes the same whole-person approach in treatment, looking past isolated symptoms to understand how different factors connect. When appropriate, she collaborates closely with families, educators, and other professionals to help therapy translate into meaningful, lasting change in everyday life.
Her clinical expertise spans articulation and speech sound disorders, orofacial myology, language development, auditory processing, accent modification, bilingual language development, and social-pragmatic communication.
At the heart of Jessica's work, and the philosophy behind Speak to Connect, is the belief that communication is about more than words. It's about helping people feel understood, confident in expressing themselves, and meaningfully connected to others.
MEET THE TEAM
Sarah Van Auken
Co-Owner
Speech-Language Pathologist
Specialist in voice therapy, public speaking, and performing arts
Sarah's rich background spans a wide range of clinical settings, ages, and diagnoses. She has many years of experience evaluating and treating pediatrics and adults, and creating person-centered treatment plans. Through a somatic and nervous system regulation lens, her specialty lies in helping performers and other professionals, as well as children, heal their voices and refine their vocal prowess. As one of the founders of Speak to Connect, her focus includes speech, language, dysphagia, voice, respiration and nervous system regulation, orofacial myology, social skills, executive functioning, accent modification, and public speaking.
Sarah holds a BFA in acting and worked as a professional performer for a number of years. She continued her education to become an SLP at Teachers College, Columbia University.
EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS
Both Jessica and Sarah are alumni of Teachers College, Columbia University, holding Master’s Degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Their diverse educational backgrounds also span acting and speech-language pathology.
MEET THE TEAM
Olivia Perlmutter
Speech-Language Pathologist
Olivia is a dedicated speech-language pathologist with experience in public and private schools, as well as private practices. She earned her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University and her Masters degree from Boston University. Personally, Olivia has a twin sister with Down Syndrome. Growing up with her and watching her develop her own communication skills, inspired Olivia to become a speech-language pathologist and commit to helping children of all ages achieve their communication goals. She believes in meeting an individual where they are and developing individualized treatment plans to support them throughout the therapy process. Olivia enjoys collaborating with families, caregivers, and other professionals to help individuals reach their goals. Olivia specializes in the assessment and treatment of speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language development, and pragmatic (social) language skills.
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Shreya Chaturvedi
Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Hindi/English)
Shreya is a passionate speech-language pathologist, healthcare administrator, and clinical educator with extensive experience across the lifespan, from early childhood to older adulthood. She began her career as a researcher, studying the neural rehabilitation of speech and language intervention. She now specializes in both pediatric and adult populations, focusing on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions.
Her clinical expertise includes pediatric and adult cognitive-linguistic disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, voice disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, medical complexities, dysphagia, and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). Shreya is also a proud ADHD–Rehabilitation Services Provider, with advanced training in ADHD evaluation, intervention frameworks, and parent and teacher coaching to better support neurodivergent clients. Additionally, she is certified in administering FEES, MBSS, and VitalStim. In recognition of her leadership, clinical expertise, and innovation, Shreya received the ASHA Distinguished Early Career Professional Award in 2023. As a clinical professor at Widener University, she supervises graduate clinicians in their care of adult and pediatric clients. She earned her Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University and her Bachelor's in Cognitive Neuroscience and Speech and Hearing Science from George Washington University.
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Maureen McGonagle
Speech-Language Pathologist
Maureen is a compassionate licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist with broad experience across diverse settings, including day habilitation programs, elementary and middle schools, specialized schools for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), teletherapy, and adult services. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Bridgewater State University and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Maureen specializes in evaluating and treating speech sound disorders, receptive-expressive language delays, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs, and autism spectrum disorder. She is passionate about empowering clients to strengthen their communication skills and enhance their overall quality of life. Her approach is client-centered, collaborative, and adaptable to meet the needs of linguistically and communicatively diverse populations.
Dedicated to ongoing professional growth, Maureen practices through a neuroaffirming, strengths-based lens, integrating the principles of inclusion, autonomy, and respect into all aspects of therapy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and being with her family.
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Lindsey Kornhauser
Speech-Language Pathologist
Lindsey is a licensed and dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist who is committed to providing person-centered care that supports each client’s communication goals and overall well-being. She believes that meaningful progress is built on trust and connection and places high value on developing strong rapport with clients and their families. Her approach is rooted in collaboration, working closely with caregivers, educators, and other professionals to provide holistic, individualized support. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. She received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University.
Her clinical experience includes working with children in elementary and middle school settings who have a range of diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and developmental delays. She also has specialized experience in adult voice therapy, supporting professional voice users and individuals seeking gender-affirming voice modification. She is passionate about partnering with clients to help them discover and express their most authentic voice.
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Rebecca Holztman
Speech-Language Pathologist
Rebecca is a compassionate and dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist who is passionate about helping individuals build confidence in their communication. She has experience working with both pediatric and adult populations across educational, clinical, and medical settings, supporting clients with a wide range of speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing needs. Her diverse clinical background has equipped her with a well-rounded perspective and reinforced her commitment to providing individualized, evidence-based care.
Rebecca believes that meaningful progress begins with strong relationships. She values partnering closely with clients and their families to create a warm, supportive, and collaborative environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process. She is dedicated to making therapy engaging, functional, and tailored to each individual's unique strengths and goals.
Rebecca earned her Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz and her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Stony Brook University.
MEET THE TEAM
Sarah Rockitter
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sarah is a licensed speech-language pathologist with experience providing evaluation and treatment in public schools, private practice, and through telepractice. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Binghamton University and her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Hunter College. Sarah enjoys working with children and adults and is passionate about helping each individual communicate with confidence and participate more fully in their everyday lives.
Sarah believes meaningful therapy begins with understanding the person behind the diagnosis. She takes time to learn each client's strengths, interests, and goals so that therapy is individualized, engaging, and directly connected to everyday life. She partners closely with clients and families to develop practical strategies that promote carryover beyond the therapy room, while creating a welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable trying new things, asking questions, celebrating progress, and building confidence along the way.
Sarah has a special interest in early language development, social communication, and working with adult clients across a variety of communication needs. When working with young children, she enjoys empowering parents and caregivers to become confident communication partners, encouraging them to embrace play, conversation, and even a little silliness to create language-rich experiences that continue long after therapy sessions end. Whether working with children or adults, Sarah believes lasting growth comes from a balance of encouragement, thoughtful accountability, and honest feedback, helping clients develop skills they can confidently carry into their daily lives.
Outside of speech-language pathology, Sarah teaches yoga, an experience that continually reinforces her belief that growth happens when people feel supported, challenged, and empowered. She brings that same sense of adaptability, encouragement, and connection into every therapy session.
MEET THE TEAM
Laurie Campbell
Office Manager
Laurie Campbell joined Speak to Connect in October of 2023 as Office Manager. After graduating with a degree in finance, she worked as a pricing analyst for a government contractor for five years before leaving to stay home with her first child. She recently began to substitute teach for county schools and thoroughly enjoys working with children, especially those with special needs. She also finds joy in giving back to her community, serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for the PTA Board at her children's school.
Laurie and her husband reside in the South Riding neighborhood of Northern Virginia with their three children and two dogs. With the experience of two of their children in speech therapy, Laurie and her family greatly appreciate the important work of Speak to Connect.
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Phyllis Albertson
Medical Secretary
Phyllis Albertson joined Speak to Connect in October of 2022 as secretary. With over 15 years of experience in finances and medical billing, Phyllis is committed to delivering the highest standard of service, recognizing that the healthcare experience is a crucial aspect of our patients' well-being. I believe that our private practice's success is founded on a balance of professionalism, empathy, and efficiency. My interest and passion lie within the autistic community. Through my role as a mother, I've become a strong advocate for autism awareness and inclusion. I've joined support groups, volunteered at local organizations, and worked to raise awareness about the incredible potential that individuals on the autism spectrum possess. I'm here to share the message that our society must continue to embrace and support those with autism, appreciating the diverse perspectives they bring to our world. Phyllis lives in Floral Park with her husband of thirty years and her two children.
Office Photos
With a blend of psychology, neuroscience, and speech-language pathology, we’ve created transformative treatment blueprints that cater to the unique needs of every client. Discover the transformative power of expert speech therapy at Speak to Connect.
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Begin Your Journey to Clear Communication
By joining hands with Speak to Connect, you’re not just opting for therapy; you’re investing in a life-changing
experience designed to help you or your loved ones communicate better, connect deeper, and live fuller lives.