Crystal Buehre, MS CCC-SLP

Crystal, the founder and owner, is a licensed speech-language pathologist. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1998, after which she taught in public schools for 7 years. In 2007, Crystal completed her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Crystal has experience in hospital, home health, outpatient therapy, rehabilitation, and school settings. After opening her private practice, Crystal primarily focused on pediatric speech therapy with a special interest in early intervention services. She also provides gender affirming voice therapy. She has successfully treated individuals with apraxia, articulation disorders, aphasia, autism spectrum, cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, Down syndrome, dysarthria, dysphagia, feeding delays, language delays (expressive and receptive), learning disabilities, seizures, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Crystal is certified by the Missouri Board of Healing Arts and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

When not working, Crystal enjoys spending time with her children, husband, parents, and pets. She loves fitness activities and traveling.

Jenni Lang, MS CCC-SLP

Jenni is a licensed speech and language pathologist who joined the practice in 2023. She graduated from Western Illinois University in 1997 with her master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Since graduation, Jenni has worked in many settings including acute and subacute care, skilled nursing, inpatient, outpatient, home health, and the educational system.

Jenni has many passions in the field from speech/language/cognitive disorders to dysphagia management and is currently becoming certified in Vital Stim therapy. School systems and outpatient care have provided her with love of pediatric services. She enjoys working with children from 18 months of age through the elderly.

Outside of her career, Jenni has enjoyed directing the local Kid’s Club, Daisy Scouts, and church programs. When not working, she can be found hanging out with her family, cooking, or reading.

Vanessa Barazza, MS CF-SLP

Vanessa is a licensed speech-language pathologist who joined the practice in August 2023. She received her Bachelor of Sciences degree from Chico State University, CA in 2021. Vanessa attended graduate school at Missouri State University where she received her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders in May 2023.

Vanessa has worked with individuals ages 3 to 90+ years of age. She has experience in a skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and a school setting. Through her clinical placement in skilled nursing, Vanessa assessed and treated adults with dysphagia, dysarthria, aphasia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and cognitive and executive functioning deficits. In her educational setting and outpatient clinic, Vanessa assessed and treated children with language, articulation, and phonological disorders.

Vanessa loves to help her clients communicate their wants and needs. She is excited to be a part of your child’s journey to reach their goals!

In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with family, especially with her partner and their cat, Bitty.

Danelle Carter, SLPA

Danelle is a certified speech-language pathology assistant who joined the practice in August 2018. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Disorders from the University of Kansas.

Danelle has focused on pediatric speech and early intervention services (First Steps). She is pursuing her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Danelle is certified by the Missouri Board of Healing Arts.

When not working, Danelle likes to visit with friends and remodel her house. She loves animals and is a proud dog mom.

Kailie Kinder, SLPA/Graduate Student

Kailie is a licensed speech-language pathology assistant from Licking, MO who joined the practice in June 2023. Kailie graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in December 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and Disorders. She has worked in skilled nursing facilities, home health, outpatient rehabilitation, and educational settings. Kailie is currently pursuing her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Western Kentucky University.

In her free time, Kailie enjoys riding horses, going to barrel races, and floating on the Current River.

Betsy Griffin, MS CCC-SLP

Betsy is a licensed speech-language pathologist who joined the practice in February 2017. She received her Master of Science in Communication Disorders from Southeast Missouri State University in May 2015.

Betsy has experience with ages 1 to 90+ years of age through her prior work in public schools and nursing homes. She routinely conducts therapy for the following conditions: aphasia, apraxia, articulation, autism, cognitive deficits, expressive and receptive language delays, fluency, learning disabilities, and traumatic brain injury. Betsy is certified by the Missouri Board of Healing Arts and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Courtney Moro, OTR/L

Courtney, an occupational therapist, joined our practice in 2015. Courtney obtained her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2005.

Courtney has spent most of her career working full time in the specialty area of pediatrics. She has worked in the Missouri State Schools for Severely Disabled, early intervention, outpatient, and home health settings.

Courtney has experience with children of all ages and diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, pervasive developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorder, learning disabilities, cognitive delays, cortical visual impairment, hearing impairments and general developmental delays. Courtney is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy.

Irene Muir, OTR/L

Irene, an occupational therapist, joined the practice in 2021. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Perpetual Help System in the Philippines. She is nearly finished with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Irene is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy.

Irene has experience with pediatric and adult clients. She previously worked with pediatric clients in the Philippines. Irene also has experience working in skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation, and hand therapy. She is certified in Size Matters and HWT for handwriting and is a certified PECS implementer. Irene has additional certification in Sensory Integration from USC Chan and is pursuing specialization in feeding.

Irene continually seeks knowledge, evidence-based practice, and certifications to better understand children with sensory needs and other challenging behaviors. She is passionate in her search for knowledge, especially related to pediatric clients. Irene is a retired Army wife and the mother of two children. When not working, Irene loves to play online games.

Allyssa Dondlinger, COTA

Allyssa is a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant who joined the practice in June 2023. Allyssa received her AAS degree in occupational therapy from Missouri Health Professions Consortium in August 2021. Allyssa obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Management from Drury University in May 2022. Allyssa is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy.

Allyssa has two years of experience in school-based occupational therapy services where she worked with children of all ages and diagnoses. Allyssa also has one year experience with home health occupational therapy services, where she gained experience and knowledge working with adult clients with a wide variety of diagnoses.

While not at The Speech House, you will more than likely find Allyssa somewhere outdoors spending time with her family and friends. She loves being at the river, going camping, or pursuing her hobby of photography.

Caitlin Fincher, Office Assistant

Caitlin joined The Speech House in February 2023. While Caitlin is new to The Speech House, she is not new to this position and brought over 10 years of administrative experience with her. She looks forward to communicating with families and assisting in therapy needs.

Caitlin has lived in the St. Robert area for most of her life. She is the mom to 2 humans and a cat! Caitlin loves visiting with family and traveling to new places. Her favorite activities include thunderstorms, seafood, Dr. Pepper, and fishing.

Lillie Allen, Finance Manager 

Lillie is responsible for billing, accounts receivables, insurance issues, and physician authorizations.  Lillie joined the staff in 2012 after retiring from 35 years of business ownership in the hotel drapery design and manufacturing industry.  Previous experiences were in business management, training, payroll, and tax preparation.

When not working Lillie’s hobbies include oil painting, crocheting, cooking, and gardening.  She loves spending time with her family, including her two grown grandsons.

Alisa Jenkins, Therapy Aide

Alisa joined the practice in 2023 as a therapy aide. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Once she graduates, she hopes to pursue her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology, following in her grandma’s footsteps.

She has experience in working in preschool settings and special education classrooms, she has a passion for learning. Alisa taught swim lessons for students with special needs for 3+ years and it was what sparked her interest in her future career field.

When not working, Alisa can be found doing crafts, swimming, and volunteering in animal shelters. She is a mom to one tiny human who keeps her on her toes. However, she loves to watch her daughter learn and grow.

Rebecca Maasen, MS CCC-SLP

Rebecca is a licensed speech-language pathologist who joined the practice in 2023. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders in 1993 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 1995, she received her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Southeast Missouri State University.

Rebecca has both adult and pediatric experience in the hospital and outpatient settings, home health, and as a First Steps provider. She is certified and licensed by the Missouri board of Healing Arts and the ASHA.

When not working, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her adult son, Andrew, and her partner, Neal. She loves cycling and fitness, travel, reading. She is an avid snow skier.

Tami,

Tami has 35 years of experience in office settings including clinics, schools, and small businesses. She is professional, approachable, friendly, and always ready to assist.

When she’s not busy at work, she’s connecting with friends, diving into a good book, striking a yoga pose or walking her mastiff, Tay.

She’s been happily married for 16 years as a retired military family with 3 daughters, 2 sons, and 6 grandchildren (3 boys & 3 girls, with another on the way to break the tie!) She and her husband are very active in their church community.