Founder

Anat Sohn

Welcome to Metro Speech Therapy! I’m Anat Sohn, M.A., CCC-SLP, the founder of our practice. My personal quest to find excellent, yet affordable services for my own child, inspired the creation of Metro Speech Therapy back in 2014. I envisioned a speech therapy practice that not only accepts insurance, but also provides exceptional care while ensuring that everyone feels valued, understood, respected, and empowered.

At Metro Speech Therapy, we’re more than just a therapy office—we’re a close-knit family. We believe in infusing joy into therapy sessions, whether it’s through music, animals, movement, technology, and more. Our approach is grounded in compassion, with a focus on tailoring our methods to meet each individual’s unique needs and goals.

With over two decades of experience as a licensed Speech Therapist and certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), I’m committed to maintaining the highest standards of care in our field.

What keeps me driven? The remarkable team here at Metro Speech Therapy. Together, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. We thrive on continual learning, collaboration, growth, and kindness.

Outside of work, you might catch me in a yoga class, dancing, or engrossed in a captivating book—essential activities for balancing life with my two teenagers and my supportive husband!

Thank you for considering Metro Speech Therapy for your journey. We look forward to the opportunity to support you.

anat@metrospeech.com

Speech Therapists

Erika Baldwin Sasthav

Erika Baldwin Sasthav, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Lead, received her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and her Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has experience providing speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing treatment to both adults and children in outpatient, acute, school, teletherapy, and community-based settings. She started her career in East Tennessee schools focusing on speech sound disorders, stuttering, and cluttering. Since joining the team at Metro Speech Therapy, Erika has discovered an additional love for working with her Autistic clients and gestalt language processors. She is now certified as a Natural Language Acquisition Clinician after participating in the Meaningful Speech program. Since discovering the impacts of her own tongue and lip ties, Erika has pursued mentorship in tethered oral tissues, tongue thrust, and myofunctional therapy. She also has taken extensive continuing education coursework in pediatric feeding therapy, AAC, and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Erika is passionate about building a relationship with her clients and families. Therapy with Erika aims to be client-led and play/interest-based: she strives to be neurodiversity affirming in her practice every day. Outside of work, Erika enjoys rock climbing, bubble tea, and searching for bargains at her favorite resale shops.

erika.baldwin@metrospeech.com

Andrea Pham

Andrea Pham, M.A., CCC-SLP, Feeding/Myo Clinic Coordinator; Provider Relations Coordinator, received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland, is a Maryland State-Licensed speech-language Pathologist, and is nationally certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She completed her graduate thesis in voice disorders at the University of Maryland and is published for her research (e.g., Solomon, N. et al. (2022)). Resting Respiratory Resistance I’m Female Teenage Athletes With and Without Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction. Journal of Voice, 36(5), 734.e1-734.e6). Andrea has evaluated and treated both adults and children with a range of speech, pediatric feeding disorders (e.g., dysphagia), gestalt language processing, vocal cord dysfunction (e.g., EILO), receptive/expressive language, articulation, voice, transgender voice, fluency (stuttering), auditory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), augmentative-alternative communication (AAC) evaluations/treatment, aphasia, executive functioning, cognitive-linguistic disorders, and more in clinical and school settings. 

Andrea’s practices are informed from a variety of experiences. For example, her passion for trauma-informed care comes from her experiences as a foster parent. She also draws from her experience with Montgomery County Schools, where she has experience with all ages in a variety of programs including the Preschool Education Program (PEP), Homeschool Model, Private-Religious, Bridge Program, Autism Program, Learning and Academic Program, Autism Resources Program, etc. Her clinical philosophy is also informed from her experience serving in the medical field for over 10 years in the United States Navy and at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a medic (Hospital Corpsman) in various areas of healthcare including Internal Medicine, Immunization, Emergency Medicine, Neurology, and Sleep Medicine. This included provision of healthcare to The White House! 

Her passions have led to the initiation and implementation of two sub-specialty clinics at Metro Speech Therapy: 1. Feeding Clinic and 2. AAC Clinic to meet the demand within the community. She cares deeply about these areas of need due to her experiences as a mother with a child with needs (we all have needs!) and as a professional to fill a gap needed in the DMV area. Andrea currently resides in North Bethesda, MD with her husband and son, Rowan. She looks forward to growing professionally by seeing the unique needs of her clients as an opportunity to help others and to challenge herself to grow a deeper practice. 

andrea@metrospeech.com

Peter Stoll

Peter Stoll, M.S., CCC-SLP received his Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Long Island University–Brooklyn. He is a Maryland State-Licensed Speech Language Pathologist and is nationally certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Peter has worked in evaluating and treating clients with speech, language, and swallowing disorders in both pediatric and adult settings, which includes adults with cognitive linguistic disorders and children/adults with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries). He has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of speech sound disorders (phonology and articulation) and language disorders, particularly expressive and pragmatic language skills in clients. Peter also has a strong interest in using music as a tool for applicable clients to build upon their language skills. He and Anat Sohn have also co-developed Melodic Connections ©, a unique program that targets speech-language objectives through melodic and rhythmic arrangements. Peter considers therapy tailored to the individual’s interests and functional needs to be the most effective approach in helping clients to improve their speech and language skills.  Working towards improving quality of life through communication is Peter’s passion. Peter is certified to provide Interactive Metronome Training to address communication and cognitive goals, and he integrates this technology into his sessions when appropriate. Peter is also a songwriter and musician and resides in Rockville, MD with his wife, son and dog.

peter@metrospeech.com

Sydney Anshel

Sydney Anshel, M.S. CCC-SLP received her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2018 and completed her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at Loyola University Maryland in 2021. She maintains active certification and membership with ASHA (the American Speech and Hearing Association) and full licensure to practice in the state of Maryland. Additionally, she is a member of Sigma Alpha Nu, the Jesuit honor society and holds a current certification in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). 

Sydney has prior professional experience using evidence-based practice to holistically and comprehensively evaluate and treat individuals with a variety of diagnoses in school, telehealth, clinic, and private practice settings. Her experience includes clinical work serving clients with speech sound disorders, language disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, aphasia, voice disorders, cognitive communication disorders, literacy needs, and apraxia of speech. Sydney’s approach to therapy is both communication focused and neurodiversity affirming, with an emphasis on collaboration and flexibility. She is also trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, and values a responsive and holistic approach to feeding. In her free time, Sydney enjoys spending time researching topics of personal and professional interest, hiking, writing fiction, and taking too many pictures of her cat, Marvin.

sydney@metrospeech.com

Madeline Swerdlow

Madeline Swerdlow, M.A. CCC-SLP, received her B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland. She has worked with children and adults in school, clinic, tele-therapy, and private practice settings. She has specific experience working with Autistic individuals and has received training in feeding therapy, myofunctional therapy, gestalt language processing, dynamic tactile and temporal cueing (DTTC) for Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), specifically AAC for gestalt language processors.  Madeline aims to form strong therapeutic rapport with her clients and families. She is passionate about providing therapy that is child-led, play-based, and neurodiversity affirming. In her free time, Madeline enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends, family, and dog.

madeline@metrospeech.com

Kimberly Harrity

Kimberly Harrity, M.S., CCC-SLP, received her undergraduate degree from University of Maryland, College Park and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has experience evaluating and providing treatment to individuals with speech, language, cognitive-communication, AAC, and feeding needs across the lifespan. She is certified in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding. Kim is passionate about providing a therapeutic environment that is neurodiversity-affirming, response, relationship-based, positive, and individualized to the unique treatment each patient deserves. She believes that evidence-based practice is at the forefront when aiming to provide those she works with an opportunity to meet their goals. In her free time, Kim enjoys hiking with her dog, crocheting, and traveling to new places.

kim@metrospeech.com

Abbi Shepherd

Abbi Shepherd, MS., CCC-SLP CDP, received her BA degree from the University of Central Florida and her MS degree in Speech Language Pathology from Florida State University. She is an ASHA board certified SLP who currently holds licenses in Florida, Maryland, and DC. She is an ASHA ACE awardee completing more than 70 hours of continuing education in a one-year span. Clinically, she started her clinical fellowship in the school system in Florida and a private clinic simultaneously. She has worked with a variety of pediatric clients including childhood apraxia of speech, language impairments, speech/phonological impairments, and pragmatics. Shortly after her CF, she moved to an acute care facility working with adults feeding and swallowing, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and post stroke care. Thus, she has experience working with adults with multiple comorbidities. This fostered a passion for becoming a Certified Dementia Practitioner and an LSVT Loud certified clinician. She has experience in Skilled Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Home Health, hospitals, schools, and private clinics. 

She has a lot of expertise in the area of speech language pathology. She specializes in play-based therapy, feeding/swallowing (adults and pediatrics), voice, myofunctional therapy, and childhood development. Abbi has experience with fragile infants, treating myofunctional disorders, and feeding/swallowing impairments. She is a certified provider from Feed the Peds (FTP) and Supporting Oral Feeds in Fragile Infants (SOFFI). 

Abbi is passionate about individualized care, building relationships with clients and families, practical therapy approach, and neurodiversity affirming practice. She is passionate about using evidence based practice to foster independence, holistic, and comprehensive evaluations and treatment. Outside of work, Abbi enjoys hiking with her husband and dog, reading, and going to the gym.

abbi@metrospeech.com

Holly Ballentine


Holly Ballentine, M.A., CF-SLP, 
received both her undergraduate degree and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Maryland, College Park. She has experience treating and evaluating individuals across the lifespan with speech, language, cognitive-communication, and feeding/swallowing needs. Holly is passionate about feeding therapy, myofunctional therapy, working with children on the Autism spectrum, stuttering, and working with adults. She is trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, and values a responsive and holistic approach to feeding. Holly is also certified in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). Holly strives to provide an inclusive, collaborative, and comfortable therapeutic environment that is client led. In her free time, Holly enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

holly@metrospeech.com

Beatriz Castelblanco

Beatriz Castelblanco, M.A., CCC-SLP, received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland and is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Beatriz has experience working with children with a variety of language delays/disorders including gestalt language processors, autistic children, and children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She has worked in clinical and private practice settings.

Additionally, Beatriz is a certified Spanish-English bilingual speech therapist and has experience in evaluating and treating bilingual children with a range of speech and language disorders. She is committed to a dynamic evaluation approach to highlight every child’s individual strengths while also identifying areas of support. Her treatment approach focuses on child-led, play-based sessions to motivate and encourage her clients. Beatriz also believes in the importance of supporting families and being a resource for them to promote carryover skills at home and in their communities. When Beatriz is not working with her clients, she enjoys traveling with friends and family, supporting local businesses, practicing yoga, and baking. 

beatriz@metrospeech.com

Ellen Greenblatt

Ellen Greenblatt, M.A., CCC/SLP received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University in Union, New Jersey.  Ellen has provided evaluation and treatment for articulation, language, and social skills in school settings with both typically developing and multiply disabled students.  She has worked with adults in developmental and psychiatric settings addressing language, cognition, and swallowing disorders and has also worked with children and teens in private practice for many years.  Ellen has extensive experience working with patients who have undergone frenectomies and those with literacy challenges. In all settings, she believes in using a multi-modal approach to therapy including visual and auditory input, gesture, sign and augmentative communication to help students achieve their speech and language goals.  Ellen moved from New Jersey to Maryland to be near her children and grandchildren.

ellen@metrospeech.com

Erika Harmon

Erika Harmon, M.S., CCC-SLP, received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Women’s University (TWU) and is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has worked with the pediatric population for over 10 years and has worked in clinical, private, daycare, and home settings. Erika has experience in evaluating and treating bilingual (Spanish) children with a range of speech and language disorders. Treatment should be fun, functional, and tailor made to fit the needs of every client and their families. Play-based therapy, is an approach Erika likes to implement as it helps with maintaining attention in order to help build positive interactions between client and clinician. Erika believes that providing families with the proper tools and strategies for the home environment is extremely important for carryover of skills learned in therapy. Erika is fluent in English and Spanish. In her free time she enjoys exploring Maryland and spending time with her husband and two boys (2 & 7). She currently resides in Germantown, MD.

erika@metrospeech.com

Laura Morgan

Laura Morgan, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS, received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in Aural Habilitation from the University of Tennessee. She started her clinical fellowship in Frederick, Maryland, but was a passenger in a motor vehicle accident. Despite wearing a seatbelt, Laura sustained serious injuries that delayed her return to work. This gave Laura a unique perspective as both a provider and recipient of cognitive therapy.

Once able to work again, Laura had to repeat her clinical fellowship and retake the SLP licensing exam. For more than six years she served as a speech and language pathologist at Head Injury Rehabilitation and Referral Services, Inc. in Rockville, MD. Inspired by a passion for cognitive rehabilitation, Laura passed the exam to become a Certified Brain Injury Specialist for the field of Speech Pathology. She has shared her clinical reflections as both a provider and a recipient of this discipline in many articles and dozens of multimedia presentations. Laura is certified to provide Interactive Metronome Training to address communication and cognitive goals, and integrates this technology into her sessions when appropriate.

When Laura was growing up, her parents provided foster care for scores of infants awaiting adoption in Maryland. Laura learned early how to care for young children. In her free time, Laura loves working out on her stationary bike, learning to play hammer dulcimer, and spending time with her young nieces.

laura@metrospeech.com

Stacey Dermady

Stacey Dermady, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a Maryland State-Licensed Speech Language Pathologist and is nationally certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).  After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in 2000, Stacey did not immediately go to graduate school wanting to gain experience in the field before studying for her Master’s Degree.  Stacey worked as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in California where she found a passion for Communication Disorders.  She moved back to the east coast, and completed her Master’s Degree from University of Virginia in 2004.  Over the past 20 years, Stacey has worked with many different ages and populations of clients including pediatric clients through Montgomery County Public Schools (PK through 5th Grade), Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program (birth to 4), and Frederick County Public School (3 to 21 years old students with moderate to severe disabilities in a separate public day school).  Stacey also has extensive experience working with adults in Sub-Acute Rehab, Outpatient, Assisted Living Facilities, and Long Term Care settings.  Not only has she worked as an SLP over her career, but Stacey also has a wealth of leadership experience having worked as a Director of Rehabilitation for at least 8 years.  Most recently, Stacey received her Educational Leadership certificate through Hood College in 2023, and holds an Administrator I certificate.

Stacey has vast experience in evaluating and treating a variety speech and language disorders to include, but not limited to: articulation/phonology, receptive and expressive language disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) systems, and dysphagia.   She is a strong defender of play, and supports a play-based approach to learning and intervention for her youngest clients.  Stacey maintains certification by the Hanen Center to lead and provide support to parents and caregivers in the following programs:  It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words, and Target Word.  She has also taken Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention continuing education course.

Stacey currently resides in Frederick with her husband, son, and cats.  In her free time, you can find her on the baseball field cheering on her son’s team.  

stacey@metrospeech.com

Rebecca Eisen

Rebecca Eisen, M.A. CCC-SLP, received her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland and is nationally certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) with full licensure in Maryland. Rebecca gained clinical externship experience treating both children and adults when she worked at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (in the pediatric outpatient unit) and at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital (in the adult inpatient unit). Her Clinical Fellowship at Sheppard Pratt Schools led to a full-time position at Sheppard Pratt where she empowers students with autism and other disabilities to communicate verbally and with communication devices. Rebecca’s top priority is maximizing her clients’ communication abilities through personalized sessions focusing on clients’ interests, family collaboration, and the ability for generalized skills in household and school/work settings. Rebecca uses diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for goals in social-pragmatics, expressive/receptive language, AAC implementation, articulation, fluency, cognition, Traumatic Brain Injury, Aphasia and Gender Affirming Voice Therapy. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys jogging, cooking and reading. You might even see her outside walking dogs as a “Wag! Walker” because she loves all types of dogs.

rebecca@metrospeech.com

Adrianna Leith

Adrianna Leith, M.S., CCC-SLP, received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and her master’s degree from University of Tennessee.

Adrianna grew up in Germantown, MD and moved to Rockville after graduate school. Adrianna was a part of a grant that focused on language and literacy for AAC users. Adrianna is very passionate about teaching and advocating for literacy skills for AAC users! Adrianna currently works full-time at the Kennedy Krieger Institute with students with varying developmental disabilities and loves to share her talents with Metro in an outpatient setting. Adrianna’s specific areas of interest include autism spectrum disorder, gestalt language processing, social skills, and AAC. Adrianna believes that no one therapy approach works for all clients and takes a child-led approach in order to promote authentic, functional communication.

Outside of work, you can find Adrianna reading a book, traveling, going on walks, or spending time with friends and family.

andrianna@metrospeech.com


Occupational Therapists

Mary Rose Soniregun

Mary Rose Soniregun, M.S., OTR/L, graduated Summa Cum Laude from an Accelerated Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy Program of Duquesne University and is a Maryland State-Licensed Occupational Therapist and is nationally certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Mary Rose has experience in Outpatient, Inpatient, Home Health, and Aquatic settings. She has years of experience evaluating and treating adults and children with developmental, neurological, visual, sensory processing, physical, and functional needs. She has extensive experience with sensory processing, visual, and developmental deficits in diagnosis including sensory processing disorder, genetic disorders, and visual impairments. Other modalities include vestibular processing, ataxia, fine motor, sensory motor, visual-perceptual, ocular motor disorders, sound-based listening interventions, self-regulation programs, and executive functioning programs. Mary loves believing a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches are a powerful combination to achieve goals.

Mary Rose strives to craft creative person-and-family-first oriented treatment plans to give patients the best tools to be successful in making lasting change. She is consistently engaging in further certifications and self education to learn about innovative treatment approaches that will help her patients. Mary Rose believes caregivers and extended family members are all integral parts of the therapy process and ensures that these individuals are appropriately educated so that they can be empowered to affect positive change toward their child’s progress. She is certified in specialized treatment techniques including Therapeutic Listening, The Astronaut Protocol, and Interactive Metronome.

maryrose@metrospeech.com

Kanan Shah

Kanan Shah, M.S., OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University in 2001, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University in 2010. 

Kanan has dedicated herself fully to the field of pediatric OT and has extensive experience serving infants, children, and families in diverse settings, including Level III neonatal intensive care units, pediatric acute-care and hospitals, early intervention, private practice, and school-based special education programs. She specializes in a multitude of modalities including but not limited to sensory integration and processing disorders, pediatric vestibular processing disorders, dysgraphia, fine-motor, sensory-motor, visual-perceptual, and ocular motor disorders, infant feeding, and developmental therapy, sound-based listening interventions, self-regulation programs, and executive functioning programs. 

Kanan strongly believes in meticulously tailoring the right interventions for each child’s unique needs, and in engaging caregivers in the therapeutic process to best support the whole child – family unit. She uses a strengths-based approach and collaborates closely with other disciplines. Kanan is also a Certified Marma Therapist (vital energy points), and trained in coaching parents on infant massage modalities. She has a special interest and is trained in ayurvedic cooking, children’s yoga and meditation techniques to help restore balance and improve health outcomes. Additionally, she is an Orton Gillingham Associate Level Course graduate and is currently completing a post-graduate certificate program in Equity in Education at McDaniel College. 

Kanan is fluent in English, Hindi, and Gujarati. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, fostering dogs, and spending time with her husband, daughters, and dog, Grace. 

kanan@metrospeech.com


Interns

Nicole LeGar (Speech Intern)

Nicole is a second year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Nova Southeastern University. She received her bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University in Speech and Hearing Sciences. While receiving her bachelor’s degree she also played division one lacrosse and collected various accolades.

After graduating, Nicole worked at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI). She has worked in a pediatric private clinic, elementary and high school during her graduate studies.

When not doing school or work, Nicole enjoys coaching young women, playing with her rescue dogs, and spending time with her family.

Nicolette Cure (Speech Intern)

Nicolette is a 2nd year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the George Washington University. She received a bachelor’s degree from Emory University in Linguistics and Environmental Studies. Nicolette has experience working in pediatric private practices, as well as evaluating and treating a wide range of adult and pediatric clients in the George Washington University Speech & Hearing Center. In her free time, Nicolette enjoys dancing, reading, and baking! 

Charon Booker (Speech Intern)

ChaRon Booker (Roni) is a 2nd year graduate student in the Speech Language Pathology program at the University of the District of Columbia. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Eastern Michigan University. 

ChaRon developed an interest in speech language pathology, with a specific focus on neurological impairments after personally observing how varying health experiences impact our ability to communicate.

ChaRon has experience working with children with autism and as an audiology assistant in an ENT office. When she is not in school or work, she enjoys spending time with those she loves the most, traveling, and binge watching tv. 

Emily Trujillo (Speech Intern)

Emily is a graduate student in her fourth semester of the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of Maryland. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland. As a first-generation Mexican American, she has a special interest in serving the bilingual population of all ages, with other interests in AAC and PWS. She has experience providing evaluations and treatment to children, young adults, and older adults with a variety of speech and language needs in multiple settings. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, watching (horror) movies, and trying new restaurants.


Administrative Staff

Julie Gonzalez

Julie Gonzalez, Office Manager and Billing Specialist, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree from Suffolk University in Boston, MA. She has over 30 years’ experience in her field, working with large corporations to small start-up companies. When her son was diagnosed with developmental delay, she took a job as an Education Technician in the local school district working with children who had learning disabilities – a job she found challenging but rewarding. Having personal experience with a child who faced challenges while growing up, and the multiple therapy sessions he required, gives Julie a unique perspective as an administrator at Metro Speech Therapy. In her most recent role prior to joining Metro Speech, Julie was employed at a large women’s healthcare practice in Cincinnati, OH. She brings over 10 years’ experience in medical administration to Metro.

In Julie’s spare time, she enjoys cooking for her family, spending time outside with her two Boxer mixes, Roxie and Maia, and watching her beloved New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. She resides in Montgomery Village with her husband and son and is excited to be a part of the Metro Speech family.

julie@metrospeech.com

Kathie Branitsky

Kathie, Lead Medical Receptionist and Credentialing Specialist, is a key member of our front desk team and plays a crucial role in assisting our clients. She hails from Hershey, PA and appreciates a fine chocolate as much as the next girl. A mother of four and friend to all, she has an extensive background serving individuals in a variety of settings with compassion, poise, and respect. Her effortless confidence in caring for others comes from years managing Ritz-Carlton hotels and working in the fashion industry, among other service-oriented positions, including yoga instruction.

Always happy to assist (or discuss the latest Burberry), Kathie is our team’s go-to for scheduling needs and she can often be found on the phone or supplying much-needed communication opportunities for clients young and old. When not tirelessly providing top-notch coordination and care, Kathie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and very small dog, as well as winning rounds of golf. 

kathie@metrospeech.com

Angelina Araj

Angelina Araj, Medical Receptionist & Authorization Specialist, is currently attending University of Maryland College Park and is studying Hearing and Speech Sciences. Having resided in Montgomery County her whole life, she has had the privilege of engaging with a diverse community. Her fluency in both Arabic and English further enhances her ability to connect and communicate effectively with individuals from various backgrounds. Angelina is deeply committed to making a positive impact on individuals, not only within the school environment but also in her personal and professional life. Her affection for younger children is evident through her experience teaching invaluable lessons to her two younger brothers over the course of their lives. Her dedication extends to her work with families at Metro Speech Therapy, where she wholeheartedly strives to assist and support them. Angelina enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as having an active lifestyle, including spending time at the gym and playing soccer. 

angelina@metrospeech.com

Paula Andoniah

Paula Andoniah, Medical Receptionist and Reconciliation Specialist, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA. She brings a warm and welcoming presence to our practice with over 15 years of experience in finance, education, and administration. Having worked as a private tutor, a teacher’s assistant, a substitute teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools, and volunteered at Mary of Nazareth Catholic School, Paula has a knack for understanding the needs of children. With a background in administrative roles at the National Institutes of Health and various other organizations, she is adept at managing appointments, answering questions, and making everyone feel comfortable. When not at the office, Paula enjoys spending time outdoors and with her husband and three children.  

paula@metrospeech.com


Pet Therapists

Terp

Terp, a beloved therapy dog, spent the first 16 months of his life in training to become a guide dog. However, his path took a different turn, and he found his forever home with Kim. Terp embarked on a new journey to become a therapy dog, and he is now proudly certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). Terp’s friendly nature and loving personality make him a true joy to be around. He has a knack for bringing smiles to everyone’s faces and brightening up even the toughest days. With his extensive training, Terp knows over 20 commands and is always eager to show off his skills. Terp is not only a furry companion but also a source of comfort and support. His gentle and caring nature makes him the sweetest therapy dog you’ll ever meet. Whether you’re in need of a listening ear or simply a warm snuggle, Terp is here to provide unconditional love and bring a little extra happiness to our office. We’re truly fortunate to have Terp as part of our team, and we invite you to spend some time with him and experience the incredible therapeutic benefits that only a dog as special as Terp can provide.