speech
therapy
Our mission is to provide the highest quality of speech and language services to the pediatric population of Acadiana and its surrounding areas. We provide screening, evaluation, consultation, and treatment for expressive-receptive language deficits, articulation disorders, feeding disorders, and related developmental disorders. We believe each child is unique and strive to create individualized treatment in a fun, engaging environment. Our therapists are committed to continuous learning in order to implement innovative, evidence-based techniques to help your child reach his or her maximum potential. Through collaboration with multi-disciplinary specialists, our goal is to provide treatment that will allow your child to become socially, emotionally, and developmentally more successful.
Speech and Language Team
Michelle Thomas, LPC-S, L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Michelle Thomas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Speech Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP). She is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Shreveport, where she earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Michelle also graduated from University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has been practicing in Lafayette for four years as a licensed counselor with a focus on children and adolescents. Michelle approaches counseling from a cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused perspective in order to help clients better understand and deal with issues that may arise from depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disorders and other life stressors. Previously, she worked in Shreveport as a substance abuse counselor and on a psychiatric assessment team for inpatient mental health. As a speech pathologist, Michelle has worked with children and adolescents with language, articulation and fluency disorders. Her primary focus is language and literacy. Michelle is also a certified provider for Interactive Metronome and uses the tool to improve attention, working memory, processing speed, and overall executive functioning. She also offers cognitive intervention services to improve planning, organization, studying habits, and other skills related to academic performance. Currently, Michelle is in the process of training to become certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy to promote healthy relationships between the parent and child. Michelle believes in the importance of intervention, support, and healthy relationships during childhood because of the impact of early development on social and emotional functioning later in life.
Taylor Darbonne, M.C.D, L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Taylor Darbonne is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP). She graduated from Louisiana State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2016. She then pursued a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from LSU Health and Science Center in Shreveport and completed her degree in May 2019. Previously, she worked as a Registered Line Technician with children on the autism spectrum. As a speech pathologist, Taylor has worked with children, adolescents, and adults with language, articulation, fluency (i.e., stuttering), and feeding/swallowing disorders. Her special interests include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), language, feeding, and early intervention. Taylor is a pediatric feeding therapist that is trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. This approach is designed to meet every child at their current level, actively involves the whole family, and builds upon their strengths to achieve the next skill. Additionally, Taylor is specialty trained in tethered oral tissues which aids assessing and treating speech and feeding disorders that are related to tethered oral tissues (i.e., tongue, lip, and/or buccal ties). Taylor believes that every individual deserves a means of communication. She believes in the importance of intervention, parent-child interaction, and social interaction during early development. Taylor aims to create individualized, fun, and positive interventions to allow individuals to expand their skill set while maximizing their strengths.
Janee Viator, M.S., L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Janee is a licensed speech-language pathologist and recently received her clinical competence certification. She attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders with a minor in Psychology in 2016. She then continued her studies at Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge and earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in December of 2019. As a speech-language pathologist, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults with language, articulation, and feeding/swallowing disorders. Janee believes that it is important to help individuals become effective communicators, and enjoy and participate in social interactions through the dynamic involvement of key people in the individual’s lives.
Courtney Istre, M.S., L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Courtney Snyder is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She attended Louisiana State University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2017. Pursuing her interest in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, she attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2019. She has clinical experience in various settings and with diverse age populations, ranging from children in head starts and schools to adults in a nursing home. She has evaluated and treated children with language, articulation, speech fluency, developmental delays as well as hearing impairments. Courtney uses a client-centered approach that focuses on client interests and communicative strengths to transform weaknesses. She believes every individual is unique and deserves to utilize their preferred mode of communication to be an effective participant within social environments.
Summer Breithaupt, M.S., L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Summer Breithaupt is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in 2020. She continued her education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to receive her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2022. She has clinical experience in various settings and with diverse age populations, ranging from Early Intervention children, school-age children, and the adult population. Many of the communicative difficulties that she has experience with include expressive/receptive language delays, articulation, autism, and literacy. Summer believes that there is no better feeling than being an advocate for an individual’s communication and enhancing their quality of life.
Hannah Gounsolin, M.S., L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Hannah Hebert is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2021. She continued her education at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to receive her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2023. She has clinical experience in various settings with diverse age populations, ranging from Early Intervention to adult populations. Hannah has had the opportunity to professionally work with children with Developmental Delays, Feeding/Oral Motor Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Autism, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Language-Based Literacy Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Medically Fragile Children, Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders, and Articulation/Phonological Disorders. Hannah enjoys collaborating with families and other professionals to treat children using a team-based approach.
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Bethany Chauvin, M.S., L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Bethany is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2022. She completed her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in April 2024.
Before becoming a speech-language pathologist, Bethany worked for two years as a Registered Line Technician, providing support to children with autism. Her clinical experience includes work in private practices, schools, and nursing homes, serving individuals across the lifespan—from Early Intervention to adults.
Bethany has worked with individuals experiencing a range of communication challenges, including expressive and receptive language delays, fluency disorders, cognitive-communication deficits, literacy difficulties, speech sound disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, and those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She also has experience supporting clients with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
Bethany finds it incredibly rewarding to help clients build the skills needed to communicate effectively with their families and peers in all settings. She is passionate about ongoing growth as a clinician and is dedicated to enhancing her clients’ quality of life through improved communication and language development.
Jena LeBlanc, M.S., PL-SLP, CF-SLP
Jena is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology with a minor in Child and Family Studies in 2022. Jena continued her education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology in May 2024. Previously, Jena was a speech language pathologist at an Elementary School working with children with a variety of diagnoses. She has clinical experience in multiple settings (private practices, schools, and hospitals) with diverse age populations ranging from Early Intervention to adults. Jena has worked with children with various communicative difficulties, including expressive & receptive language, fluency, cognition, literacy, articulation/speech sound disorders, feeding/swallowing disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She has also worked with special populations, including autism and cerebral palsy. Jena believes in the importance of collaborating with other service providers and family members to provide the most effective communication therapy for each individual client.
Kenedi Akers, PL-SLPA
Kenedi is a provisionally licensed Speech Language Pathologist assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2022. She continued her education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe to receive her SLP-A license in 2025. Previously, Kenedi was a registered line technician at Aspire for three years. Kenedi plans on returning to school to complete her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. She has a strong passion for helping others communicate effectively. She is inspired by the meaningful impact that speech and language support can have on a child’s confidence, relationships, and overall quality of life.