Meet the Staff

Dr. Deborah Ross-Swain, CCC-SLP

Clinical Director, Owner

Deborah Ross-Swain, Ed.D., CCC-SLP is the clinical director and CEO of The Swain Center for Listening, Communicating and learning. She is the immediate past president of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA) and has served on the CSHA Board of Directors for 10 years. Dr. Swain is the former Chief of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of California, Davis Medical Center and held a clinical staff appointment to the School of Medicine. Dr. Swain has received awards from CSHA including Fellow of the Association, Outstanding Service and Outstanding Achievement and was awarded Outstanding Alumnus in 2016 from California State University, Sacramento. Dr. Swain was honored with the Nancy McKinley Leadership award from the Council of State Association Presidents (CSAP) presented at the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s annual convention in Boston, MA. Dr. Swain currently serves as chair for CSHA’s Early Intervention and International Committees. She also served as the project coordinator for a tri-state ASHA grant which produced five videos on Interprofessional Practice and Interprofessional Education for assessment and treatment of ASD, Literacy and Early Intervention as well as SLP Scope of Practice and Audiology Scope of Practice. Dr. Swain has served on ASHA’s Legislative Council, Advisory Committee and is currently serving on the Governmental Relations and Public Policy Board and Perspectives Editorial Review. She is the author of numerous books and standardized test batteries: Auditory Processing Disorders-Third Edition: Assessment, Treatment and Management; The Receptive-Expressive Social Communication Assessment-Elementary; The Auditory Phoneme Sequencing Test; The RIPA series of tests; The Listening Inventory; The Swallowing Ability and Function Test; Aphasia Rehabilitation: An Auditory and Verbal Treatment Hierarchy and The Cognitive-Linguistic Improvement Program. Dr. Swain is an internationally and nationally recognized speaker and author.

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

Michelle Chastain, MA, 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®)

Training and Certifications

• Certificate of Clinical Competence
  -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
• Lindmood 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

• A. Speech-Language Pathology – California State University, Fresno ‘97
• 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/Let’s Adapt! 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. The kids enjoy seeing and working with the dogs during their therapy sessions. 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.

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

• California Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SP#24138)
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) –American Speech-Language Hearing Association
• Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

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.

Jennifer Villasenor-Robledo, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“What we think, we become.” -Buddha

Professional Affiliations

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

Specialties

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

Certifications

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

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.

Melissa Bearup, M.A., CF-SLP

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist

“When it’s dark enough, you can see the stars.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Professional Affiliations

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

Specialties

• Bilingual (Spanish) Speech-Language Therapy
• Parkinson’s – Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT)
• Aphasia
• Apraxia
• Dysarthria
• Cognitive Linguistic Therapy
• Dysphagia
• Early Intervention
• Articulation and Phonological Disorders
• Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders

Certifications

• California Required Professional Experience (RPE) License in Speech-Language Pathology
• American Speech Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) – Expected August 2018
• Lee Silverman Voice Therapy (LSVT) Certified Clinician
• San Diego State University Certificate in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology

Education

• A. Speech-Language Pathology – San Diego State University, 2017
• S. Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education – Utah State University, 2014
• A. Language Studies (Linguistics, Spanish, French) – University of California, Santa Cruz, 2007

Beyond The Swain Center

Melissa lives in Sonoma County with her family and dog. She has worked at the Swain Center in numerous capacities – as a student observer and volunteer, a Tiny Talkers and Social Skills aide, and finally, as a Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist! Melissa loves working with adults and children and thrives on her diverse caseload. In her free time, she loves to garden, cycle, hike, camp and do pretty much anything outdoors in beautiful West County.

Sarena Bailey, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin

Professional Affiliations

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

Specialties

• Early Intervention
• Articulation Disorders
• Phonological Disorders
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
• TinyTalkers™
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Social Pragmatic Development
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Aphasia

Certifications

• American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)

Education

• M.S.Communicative Disorders – California State University, East Bay, 2016
• B.A. Liberal Studies – Sonoma State University, 2013

Beyond The Swain Center

Sarena was born and raised in Sonoma County with a family full of music lovers. Seeking a profession that allowed her to combine her passion for both children and music, she stumbled into the world of Speech Pathology. Throughout school, she took interest in working with young kiddos as well as creating functional, life participation programs for adults. After graduating from California State University, East Bay, she moved back to Santa Rosa and got married to her new husband, TJ. Outside of work, Sarena enjoys kickboxing, watching movies and trying out new recipes.

Taylor VanBebber, MA, CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

“If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.” –Les Brown

Specialties

• Pediatrics
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Social Skills/ Social Thinking©
• Articulation
• Phonological Disorders
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• TouchChat, Proloquo2Go®, PODD

Certifications

• California Required Professional Experience (RPE) License in Speech-Language Pathology
• American Speech Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) – Expected August 2018

Education

• M.A. Speech-Language Pathology – Wichita State University ‘18
• B.S. Communicative Disorders– San Francisco State University ‘16

Beyond The Swain Center

Taylor was born and raised in Santa Rosa, California and moved back to California after spending 5 years in Kansas for school. Ever since Taylor was little she had a passion to help people, she knew that she would work with kids. She enjoys spending her free time with her family, going to the lake, or being with her dog Cooper.

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
• 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 Sebastopol, 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.

Dr. 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
• 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 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
• AMPS® Program (Attention, Memory, and Processing Skills)
• Reading Comprehension
• Master the Code®
• Autism

Certifications

• Interactive Metronome
• PACE
• Master the Code
• AMPS
• 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.

Sierra Overton

Let’s Adapt! Aide

“Spread love everywhere you go” – Mother Teresa

Specialties

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

Education

• B.A. Psychology – Sonoma State University, Graduating December 2018
• Minor Business Administration – Sonoma State University, Graduating December 2018
• A.A. Psychology – Santa Rosa Junior College

Beyond The Swain Center

Sierra lives and grew up in Santa Rosa California. She has always enjoyed working with kids starting with coaching soccer and working with young girls in girl scouts. Sierra started her college life at Santa Rosa Junior College and transferred to Sonoma State University after receiving her associates degree. Sierra enjoys anything she can do outdoors being active and hanging out with all her family.

Gina Peil

Tiny Talkers Aide

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do” – Mother Teresa

Specialties

• Early Childhood Development

Education

• Psychology B.A. & Sociocultural Linguistics Minor – University of California, Santa Barbara
• A.A. Psychology for Transfer- Santa Rosa Junior College

Beyond The Swain Center:

Gina was born and raised in Sonoma, California but has recently moved to Santa Rosa, California. She has always enjoyed working with children, starting with teaching swim lessons and volunteering with various youth education programs during her time at UC Santa Barbara. Outside of work, Gina enjoys surfing, listening to music, traveling, and playing board games with family and friends.

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.

Marie E Estrada

Office Coordinator

“A journey must begin with a single step.“

Beyond The Swain Center

Marie lives in Santa Rosa, California with her husband and teenage son & daughter. She joined the Swain Center in November of 2016. Marie and her family are HUGE SF giants, 49er and Warrior fans, and always enjoy watching the games together. Marie has lived in beautiful Sonoma County for over 30 years. Marie enjoys wine tasting, outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.