Meet the Staff


Dr. Deborah Ross-Swain, CCC-SLP

Clinical Director, Owner

Dr. Deborah Swain is the founder, owner, and director of the Swain Center. She is the former Chief of Speech Pathology at the University of California, Davis Medical Center and held a clinical staff faculty appointment to the school of medicine at the university. She is the past President of the California Association of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists in Private Practice (CALSPAPP). She was appointed to serve on the California Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s Task Force for developing guidelines for Auditory Processing Disorder. Dr. Swain is a former California representative to the Legislative Council for the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She is the author of six standardized test batteries and six treatment manuals. She has received national media and professional attention for her contributions and expertise in her field. She is married to Richard Swain and is the mother of four children.

    Professional Affiliations

  • CSHA President 2015-2016
  • Legislative Council of the American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)
  • California Association of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists in Private Practice (CALSPAPP)
  • American Academy of Private Practice Speech Pathologists and Audiologists(AAPPSPA)
  • International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
  • Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)
    Selected Publications

  • Auditory Processing Abilities Test (APAT)
  • The Ross Information Processing Assessment-2
  • The Ross Information Processing Assessment-Geriatric
  • The Ross Information Processing Assessment-Primary
  • The Bedside Evaluation and Screening Test
  • The Swallowing Ability and Function Test
  • The Comprehensive Auditory Processing Abilities Test
    Books

  • Auditory Processing Disorders
  • Aphasia Rehabilitation: Auditory and Verbal Treatment Hierarchy
  • Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Reading and Writing Task Hierarchy
  • The Cognitive-Linguistic Improvement Program
  • The Voice Advantage/Book and 3 Audio Cassettes
  • The Voice Advantage/Book and 3 Audio Cassettes
  • The Cognitive Linguistic Improvement Program (Clip)
  • The Voice Advantage
  • The Geriatric Treatment Manual

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Michelle Chastain, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“Happiness is walking in the grass in your bare feet.“ —Lucy Van Pelt

    Professional Affiliations

  • American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)
    Specialties

  • Pediatrics/Early Intervention
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Articulation
  • Phonological Disorders
  • Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Social Skills /Social Thinking©
  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Parkinson’s(LSVT®)
    Certifications

  • Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
    -American Speech-Language Hearing Association
  • California Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
  • Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT®)
    –Rehabilitative Therapy for People with Parkinson’s
  • Interactive Metronome
    –Improves Motor Planning & Sequencing
  • Lindamood Bell®
    –Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech
  • Kimochis®
    –Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage      their emotions
    Education

  • M.A. Speech-Language Pathology – California State University, Fresno ‘97
  • B.A. Communication Sciences and Disorders – California State University, Fresno ’94

Beyond The Swain Center

Michelle lives in Santa Rosa, California with her son and Paws As Loving Support (PALS) facility dogs, “Austin” Powers and Princess “Nadia.” She has worked at the Swain Center since 2001. Michelle’s passion is working with children on the Autism Spectrum. She enjoys teaching social skills classes. In 2010, Michelle became an active volunteer and puppy raiser for PALS. She wanted to team up with an assistance dog to help her out with her job at the Swain Center. Austin and Michelle graduated on September 11, 2011 as an Assistance Dog Facility Dog Team.  Nadia and Michelle graduated on October 20, 2012 as an Assistance Dog Facility Dog Team. Both Austin and Nadia currently work at the Swain Center. Michelle and Nadia are in training to become a Comfort Team for the County of Sonoma. In her free time, Michelle loves to snuggle up on the couch and watch movies. She enjoys scrapbooking, reading, gardening, canning, pickling, hiking and camping.

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Jenica Joseph, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”  -George Bernard Shaw

    Professional Affiliations

  • American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
    Specialties

  • Provides Spanish speaking therapies
  • Pediatrics/Early Intervention
  • Articulation
  • Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
  • Cultural and Linguistic Diversities
  • Bilingual/Spanish Therapy
  • Social Skills/Social Thinking©
  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Dementia
  • Dysphagia/Swallowing Disorders
  • Parkinson’s(LSVT®)
  • Certifications
     Certifications

  • Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
    -American Speech-Language Hearing Association
  • Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in California, Colorado, and Iowa
  • Licensed Educational Speech-Language Pathologist in Colorado
  • Lee Silverman Voice Treatment(LSVT®)
    –Rehabilitative Therapy for People with Parkinson’s
    Education

  • M.S. Speech-Language Pathology –Loma Linda University, Loma Linda ‘09
  • B.S. Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology –Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI ’07

Beyond The Swain Center

Jenica lives in the area with her dog, Wheezer. She worked at the Swain Center previously from 2009-2012 and has recently returned. In the interim, Jenica has worked as a traveling bilingual therapist and in educational and acute care rehabilitation/long term care settings. Jenica’s passion is working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and adults with communication disorders. In her free time, Jenica loves to be outside in nature. She enjoys reading, cooking, playing musical instruments, backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, adventures and exploring.

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Debbie Davison, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“It is my pleasure to open up the world of communication to children and their families. The joy I receive each and every day in serving those with communication difficulties comes back around in astounding ways!”

          Professional Affiliations

  • Member of American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) since 2003
  • Member of California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA) since 2003

Specialties

  • Pediatrics
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Articulation
  • Phonological Disorders
  • Social Pragmatic Development
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Parent Education
  • School-age Language Disorders
  • Voice Therapy
  • Dysfluency Disorders (Stuttering)
    Certifications

  • Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) –American Speech-Language Hearing Association
  • California Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (License # SP13919)
    Education

  • M.S. Communicative Disorders –San Francisco State University 2003
  • B.S. Communicative Disorders –San Francisco State University 2001

Beyond The Swain Center

Debbie enjoys sharing time with her family and friends. Her two daughters each have a son and Debbie spends as much time with her grandsons as possible. She also enjoys hiking, walking, gardening, going to the beach and discovering the wonders that beautiful Sonoma County has to offer.

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Taylor Baldry, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“A career in speech-language pathology challenges you to use your intellect (the talents of your mind), in combination with your humanity (the gifts of your heart), to do meaningful work that feeds your soul.”

—Megan Hodge

    Professional Affiliations

  • American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)
    Specialties

  • Early Intervention
  • Articulation
  • Phonological Disorders
  • Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
  • TinyTalkers™
  • TARPSing™
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Social Pragmatic Development
    Certifications

  • Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential
  • California Required Professional Experience (RPE) License in Speech Language Pathology
  • American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) – Expected May 2016
    Education

  • M.S. Communicative Disorders – San Francisco State University ‘15
  • B.A. Communicative Disorders – San Francisco State University ‘13
  • A.A. Social and Behavioral Sciences – Santa Barbara City College ‘11

Beyond The Swain Center

Taylor was born and raised in Sonoma County, and grew up with a love for working with children paired with a passion for singing. A recent graduate from San Francisco State University, Taylor completed her final internship at The Swain Center in April 2015, and is thrilled to be back and working full time as a Speech-Language Pathologist! Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with her parents and two younger sisters, obsessing over the San Francisco Giants, and spending time in the sunshine.

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Maria Dilley, MS, CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”
― Martha Graham

Professional Affiliations

  • American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)

Specialties

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication
    • TouchChat, Proloquo2Go®, Dynavox, Tobii©, PECS™
  • Pediatrics/Early Intervention
  • Articulation
  • Phonological Disorders
  • Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Social Skills/Social Thinking©
  • Cognitive Disorders

Training and Certifications

  • California Required Professional Experience (RPE) License in Speech Language Pathology
  • Certificate of Clinical CompetenceExpected June 2017
    -American Speech-Language Hearing Association

Education

  • S. Communication Disorders and Sciences – University of Oregon ‘16
  • A. Communication Disorders and Sciences – University of Oregon ‘14

Beyond The Swain Center

Maria was born and raised in Cloverdale, California and was thrilled when she had the opportunity to move back to Cloverdale after spending 6 years in Oregon. Since she was a young girl, Maria has had a passion for finding a way to give people who can’t speak a voice. She delighted in programming different speech generating devices and enjoyed the challenge of making the device pronounce the words properly. Once she found the field of Speech Language Pathology, she knew Augmentative and Alternative Communication would be her passion because it would allow her to give a voice to people. In her free time, Maria loves to spend time with her family, friends, dogs, dance, be outdoors, read and relax.

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Jennifer Villasenor-Robledo, MA, CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“What we think, we become.”- Buddha

Professional Affiliations

  • California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)

Specialties

  • Early Intervention
  • Bilingual/Spanish Therapy
  • Articulation
  • Phonological Disorders
  • Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • TinyTalkers™

Certifications

  • California Required Professional Experience (RPE) License in Speech Language Pathology
  • American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate- Expected April 2017
  • Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

Education

  • A. Speech-Language Pathology – San Jose State University ‘16
  • S. Speech Language Pathology and Audiology – California State University, Sacramento ’13
  • A. Social and Behavioral Sciences- Santa Rosa Junior College ‘10

Beyond The Swain Center

Jennifer was born and raised in Calistoga, California and was thrilled to be able to move back to Napa Valley after college. Ever since she can remember, she has always enjoyed being around children and knew at an early age that working with kids would be in her future. She enjoys spending time with her family, being active and driving along the coast of California.

elizabeth

Elizabeth Carrillo-Pérez, B.S.

SLPA Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

    Professional Affiliations

  • California Speech-Language & Hearing Association (CSHA)
    Specialties

  • Bilingual/Spanish Therapy
  • Early Intervention
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Articulation & Phonological Disorders
  • Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Social Skills/Social Thinking©
  • Tiny Talkers Group Therapy
     Certifications

  • California State License Speech Language Pathology Assistant
    -Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Boards
  • Kimochis®
    -Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions
    Education

  • Speech-Language Pathology Assistant(SLPA) Program -California State University, Sacramento ’10
  • B.S. Speech Language Pathology and Audiology – California State University, Sacramento ’10
  • A.A. Social and Behavioral Sciences -Santa Rosa Junior College ‘05

Beyond The Swain Center

Elizabeth lives in Rohnert Park, California with her husband Luis. She has worked at the Swain Center since 2013. Elizabeth enjoys working with children, helping them learn and further there abilities across a variety of areas, it is through this work she has learned “life” teachers can come in tiny packages! Helping the Spanish-speaking community has been a lifelong passion which continues here at the center, helping English-Language Learners in the area of speech and language. She also enjoys helping teach social skills and Tiny Talkers classes. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys dancing, exercising, hiking, camping, and watching movies.

lindsay

Lindsay Swain Lerro

Special Programs and Outreach Coordinator

    Specialties

  • The Tomatis Method
  • Interactive Metronome
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Speaking to support groups and professionals about Tomatis
  • Autism
  • Biomedical interventions for autism
  • Sensory Integration
  • Alternative Therapies
    Certifications

  • Certified Tomatis Practitioner
  • Interactive Metronome Certification
    Education

  • Ph.D. in Educational – U.C. Davis (In Progress)
  • M.A. in Educational Psychology- U.C. Davis
  • B.A. in Communications- San Diego State University

Beyond The Swain Center

Lindsay currently resides in Santa Rosa with her husband Brian, son Rex, dog Bella and cat Jack. When not working or studying, Lindsay enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, sports, snowboarding, and traveling.

katie

Katie Stone

Listening Center Director, Clinic Coordinator

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

—Robert Brault

    Specialties

  • The Tomatis Method
  • Interactive Metronome
  • PACE® Program (Processing and Cognitive Enhancement)
  • Master the Code®
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Autism
    Certifications

  • Interactive Metronome
  • PACE
  • Master the Code
  • Lindamood-Bell Visualizing & Verbalizing®
  • Lindamood-Bell On Cloud Nine® Math
    Education

  • B.A. Sociology & Education, University of California, Santa Cruz

Beyond The Swain Center

Katie grew up in Santa Rosa and was very happy to move back to Sonoma County after college. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband and three little boys.

 

allie-bio

Allie Garcia

Tomatis Clinician

Specialties:

  • The Tomatis Method

Education:

  • B.A. in Psychology- Sonoma State University (Graduating 2016)

Outside of The Swain Center

Allie is from Orange County, CA. She moved to Sonoma County in 2013 and fell in love with the area, opportunities, and experiences. She took a large part in Public Relations during her time at Sonoma State, and believes that spreading positivity is extremely important in today’s society. She has a passion for working with children, as she believes each child has so much to offer the world. In her free time, Allie enjoys hiking, running, volleyball, and singing.

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Jacob Flader

Aide

“The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.“

—Oscar Wilde

    Specialties

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Social Skills/Social Thinking©
  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Neurological Processing and Dysfunction
    Education

  • B.A. Psychology– Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park 2015

Beyond The Swain Center

Jacob lives in Santa Rosa and has worked at the Swain Center since 2013. He is a recent college graduate who hopes to pursue graduate school one day in order to delve into the field of clinical neuropsychology. In his free time he enjoys cooking, fencing, fine-arts photography, learning foreign languages, hiking, and drinking entirely too much caffeine.

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Julia Robson

Aide

“When it rains, look for rainbows. When its dark, look for stars.” -Unknown

Specialties

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Social skills/ Social Thinking
  • Early Childhood Development

Education

B.A. Sociology- Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park ‘16

Beyond the Swain Center

Julia lives in Santa Rosa, California and has just recently graduated from Sonoma State University in May 2016.  She currently works as a social skills aide at the Swain Center and hopes to be attending a graduate program for Speech Language Pathology in the near future. She hopes to combine her education and love for working with children to make a difference in the lives of those around her. In her free time she enjoys taking trips to bodega bay and playing with her rambunctious dog, Sake.

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Tami Jacobs

Bookkeeper

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

—Jim Elliott

    Specialties

  • Quickbooks

Beyond The Swain Center

Tami’s has spent over 20 years working as both a bookkeeper and an administrative assistant. She enjoys doing her part to make the operation run smoothly and efficiently. Tami has lived in Santa Rosa, California for most of her life. She loves spending time with her husband, two grown children and two granddaughters. She enjoys cooking, traveling, Disneyland and the SF Giants. She has been part of the Swain Center team since 2012.