Our Team

Jacki Kemp is a New Jersey State and New York State licensed as well as ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience. Jacki graduated from Ithaca College where she received her MS and B.S. in Speech Language Pathology & Audiology. She has had experience working with children birth to 21 years, as well as adults and geriatrics in a variety of settings. Jacki has been trained in the Beckman Oral Motor approach and has completed courses focusing on Kaufman Childhood Apraxia approach. She is also VitalStimcertified. She has treated many children and their families to improve feeding and swallowing disorders. She has also worked with families to educate, evaluate and train their child or adult family member on the most appropriate AAC device to improve their ability to become an effective communicator in their community. She has treated children in both school and clinical settings with a wide range of receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation / phonological disorders, apraxia and oral motor and feeding delays/deficits.

Denise is a New Jersey State licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Denise graduated from Hofstra University with a BA in Speech-Language Pathology and also with a MS in Special Education from Hofstra University. She received her MA in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University. She has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in a public school setting and New Jersey Early Intervention Home Based Programs providing therapy for children from toddlers to school aged. Denise also worked in a hospital setting providing speech and language therapy to adult patients with aphasia and swallowing disorders. Denise is also fluent in Spanish and holds bilingual extension certification.

Valerie Romano, M.A. CCC-SLP, TSSLD is a New York and New Jersey State licensed and ASHA certified speech language pathologist with over 10 years of experience. Valerie has been recognized by NJ Family Magazine as a “NJ Family Favorite Kids’ Doc” in both 2017 and 2023. Valerie received her B.A in speech language pathology from Loyola University Maryland, graduating magna cum laude. She received her M.A in speech language pathology from Kean University, as a member of the Alphi Pi Chapter of Alpha Epilson Lamba, the National Honor Society for Graduate Students. Valerie holds a certificate from the New Jersey Department of Education as a Speech-Language Specialist, as well as a certificate for Teaching Students with Speech-Language Disabilities (TSSLD) for New York State. Valerie is experienced in treating communication disorders in private practice, public schools, pediatric outpatient, and specialized private school programs. She has provided speech and language intervention for children with a variety of diagnoses, including expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language disorders, dysarthria, childhood apraxia of speech, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, auditory processing disorders, and more. Valerie has experience working with children with a variety of medical diagnoses and syndromes, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and Down Syndrome. She is PROMPT trained.  Valerie has proficiency with low-tech and high-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She emphasizes the importance of generalization of skills, and encourages families to incorporate targeted therapy goals into their child’s everyday activities and life skills.

Michelle is a New Jersey State licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist, with over 18 years experience. Michelle graduated from Iona College where she received her BA in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology and from NOVA Southeastern University with a MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She has experience working in a variety of pediatric and geriatric settings including home-based early intervention, public schools, and assisted living facilities. She has treated children with a wide range of communication difficulties including articulation/phonological disorders, disfluencies, oral motor deficits, auditory processing and receptive and expressive language disorders. Michelle has extensive training in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders and follows the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She is also PROMPT trained. 

Tracey graduated from Muhlenberg College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then received a Masters of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from West Chester University. She has over eight years experience working both in the clinic and public school setting. Tracey has treated a variety of individuals ranging in age and communication impairment including developmental delays impacting speech production and language, Apraxia, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, stuttering, and cognitive impairments relating to Traumatic Brain Injuries and stroke. She has extensive experience working with patients with Central Auditory Processing Disorders and has a particular interest helping adolescents with Asperger Syndrome develop functional social skills to lead independent, productive lives.

Jaclyn is a New Jersey State licensed and ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist. Jaclyn graduated from Stockton University where she received a B.S. in Speech Language Pathology & Audiology. She then graduated from Kean University where she received an M.A. in Speech-Language and Communication Disorders. Jaclyn has experience working with children from infancy through 21 years of age with a wide range of language disorders, articulation disorders and oral motor and feeding deficits. She has provided skilled treatment in a pediatric outpatient hospital setting as well as in home early intervention. Jaclyn is PROMPT trained.

Dana is a New Jersey state licensed and ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist. Dana graduated from the University of Maryland and received her MA in Speech Pathology from Kean University.   She joined The Speech Tree in 2017, bringing with her a great deal of experience and a diverse background.  With over 20 years of experience, Dana has provided speech and language services for a wide range of children in settings such as early intervention, pre-schools, elementary schools and private practice. She has vast clinical experience in Apraxia, Articulation, Receptive/Expressive Language Delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dana is devoted to providing effective individualized therapy for every child that she works with. Her belief is that Speech Therapy is most successful when a partnership is formed between the Speech Language Pathologist and parents. Dana’s passion for helping children inspires her to make her sessions fun and enjoyable.   Dana is PROMPT trained.

Danielle is a New Jersey State Licensed and ASHA Certified Speech Language Pathologist, with over 17 years of experience. Danielle has experience working with children from infancy through 21 years of age. She has provided speech and language intervention for children with a variety of diagnoses, including expressive and receptive language disorders, dysarthria, childhood apraxia of speech, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, auditory processing disorders, pragmatic language disorder, and oral motor and feeding deficits, as well as treating children that have a wide range of medical diagnoses and syndromes. She has worked in pediatric outpatient and inpatient hospital settings, early intervention (both in home and in daycares), as well as in private practice settings. Danielle is trained in PROMPT, PECS, and Hanen. Danielle loves involving families in the therapy process so that they can carry over the techniques and strategies taught in therapy and produce the best progress possible.

Andrea is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist who is licensed in the states of New York and New Jersey. Andrea graduated from Kean University with a B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2011 and an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology in 2014. She has worked in a multitude of settings including home-care, preschool, private practice, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers, hospital acute care, and skilled nursing facilities. She has extensive experience working with neurodivergent children, as well as children with apraxia, articulation and phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, and children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Andrea is trained in PROMPT therapy and LSVT. She is passionate about neurodiversity affirming therapy and the inclusion of family in the therapeutic process to optimize carryover and generalization of newly learned skills into home and community settings. 

Michelle is a New Jersey state licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated cum laude with both her BA and MS in Communication Disorders and Sciences from William Paterson University. Michelle’s clinical experiences include working with individuals of all ages in various settings, such as daycares, outpatient clinics, public schools, and assisted living centers. She has provided speech and language therapy for various speech and language disorders, including articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, receptive and expressive language delays/disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, pragmatic language disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), hearing impairment, cognitive impairment, and aphasia. Michelle believes that families are a crucial part of the team and in providing strategies along with fun and functional activities to facilitate speech and language development in the home. Michelle is also fluent in Russian. She welcomes the opportunity to work with you and your child! 

Amanda is a New Jersey and New York State Licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated summa cum laude from both the University of Rhode Island, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders, and from Kean University, where she received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Amanda has experience working with infants, toddlers, school-age children, adolescents, and adults. She has treated a wide range of disorders, such as receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language disorders, articulation disorders, phonology disorders, fluency, cognitive difficulties, and swallowing disorders. She also has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and multiple physical and cognitive disabilities. Amanda is trained in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and is proficient with a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Amanda has experience working in a public school, specialized school, early intervention in the home, and at an acute rehabilitation hospital. Amanda encourages family involvement and provides families with education and strategies to implement target skills every day. Amanda is PROMPT trained. 

Kimberly Cullen is a New Jersey state licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. Kimberly received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Linguistics from Montclair State University in 2014. She then received her graduate degree in Speech Language Pathology from Seton Hall University in 2017. Kimberly has experience working with toddlers, school aged children and adolescents. She has worked in a variety of settings including early intervention, private practice and NJ public schools. She has treated children with a range of deficits including expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation disorders, fluency disorders, selective mutism, developmental delays, auditory processing disorder and social communication disorders. She has additional experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and Down Syndrome. Additionally, she is a PROMPT Bridging Trained therapist. Kimberly believes in an approach that promotes functional communication and readiness skills for socialization and academics. She also believes a team approach is best to allow for collaboration between therapists and the child’s family to encourage carry over of skills to a variety of settings.

Aparna is a New Jersey licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Aparna then switched gears and got her Master’s of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the Nathan Weiss Graduate College at Kean University. She has experience working in public schools and specialized school districts. Aparna has experience treating students with social communication disorders, articulation disorders, and various expressive and receptive language disorders. She specializes in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Aparna has proficiency with a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Aparna highly values parent communication and involvement as part of a team approach to ensure client success and generalization of skills. 

Dr. Robyn Becker CCC/SLP, is a New Jersey State Licensed and ASHA Certified Speech- Language Pathologist (SLP) with over 28 years of experience in a variety of clinical settings working with children, adults, and their families. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Montclair State University. Her research interests include Interprofessional Practice between SLPs and teachers, particularly in the area of emerging literacy. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Phonetics, Language Acquisition, Childhood Language Disorders, Literacy and the SLP, and Adult Language Disorders.  For the past 17 years, she has worked in the New Jersey Public Schools while simultaneously working in adult settings. Robyn specializes in assessment and treatment of toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children with speech and language disorders. She has provided pediatric and adult therapy services in a variety of settings including schools, home care, hospitals, and private practice.   She graduated from Binghamton University with a B.S. in Linguistics in 1993, from William Paterson University in 1995 with an M.S. in Communication Disorders, and a Doctorate of Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University in 2016.  Robyn lives in New Jersey with her husband and loves to do marathons and triathlons. She has two grown children, a daughter, who works and lives locally, and a son who is currently an undergraduate at Ohio State University, Go Bucks!