Therapists

Owner/Speech-Language Pathologist

April Smith holds Masters Degrees in Speech-Language Pathology, and Clinical Psychology. She has over 30 years experience in the field, specializing in speech, oral motor, feeding, swallowing, language, fluency/stuttering, learning, behavioral, and emotional problems.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Anji Fernandes holds a Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has experience working with a variety of children, adolescents and adults, specializing in language, learning, and fluency disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings, including private and public schools, home health, and psychiatric facilities. She is a certified Fast ForWord provider.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Marcia Napier, M.A. CCC, has an undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. and a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin.  She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings.  She has special interests in communication for hearing impaired individuals, phonological disorders, and early childhood speech/language development.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapist

Brittni Chapa, a registered occupational therapist, received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from UT Health San Antonio. She has 5 years experience working primarily in a variety of pediatric settings; including outpatient clinics, home health, early childhood intervention and school facilities.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Kayla Muckleroy received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and her master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has experience working with pediatrics in a home health care setting as an assistant speech-language pathologist. As a student, she gained experience in Outpatient Acute Care within the hospital setting, the NICU, Outpatient Rehab with adults with Traumatic Brain Injuries, and within the schools.

Occupational Therapist

Billie Dickens
My career in occupational therapy found me after serving 4 years in the Air Force, working in corporate, and raising my 2 girls. In my free time I enjoy traveling and visiting new places. Excited to get to know the families here at Greater Learning!

Speech-Language Pathologist

Sophia Alexander (she/her), M.S. CCC-SLP, has 10 years of experience in the field and 14 years of experience working with school-age children. She received her master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX and her bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from St. Mary’s University here in San Antonio. Sophia enjoys working with children who have apraxia, articulation disorders, language disorders, and phonological awareness (an early literacy skill) disorders. She intermixes playful activities, your child’s interests, functional activities and evidenced-based strategies to create effective and enjoyable individualized treatment sessions.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lanize Tapia received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree from Texas State University. She is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist with work experience in public schools. Within the school setting she worked with children from 3 years of age up to 14 years of age. As a graduate student, she gained clinical experience working with adults in a hospital setting. Lanize enjoys creating an inviting environment where she can meet her clients where they are at and build their skills by providing effective therapy.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Michelle Renshaw, M.S., CCC-SLP received her bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and her master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University. She has over 25 years of experience working in a variety of settings to include public and private schools, outpatient clinics and home health. She also has experience as a Special Education Campus Coordinator and Graduate Student supervisor.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Valerian (Val) Garay holds a masters degree from New Mexico State University, where she spent six years before moving back to her native San Antonio. Val has 10 years of experience working in a variety of pediatric settings, including the schools, private practice and home health. She loves working with the pediatric population, especially early language learners! She enjoys getting to know her patients on an individual basis, to be able to incorporate their unique strengths and interests into motivating, functional and evidenced-based activities. Her hobbies include reading, interior decorating, fashion and spending time outdoors.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Priscilla Samuelson, M.S. CCC-SLP, has 13 years of experience in the field working with school-age children. She received her master’s degree from California State University of Northridge and her bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University here in San Antonio. Priscilla’s special interests include working with children who have apraxia, articulation disorders, receptive, expressive and pragmatic language disorders, and early childhood speech/language intervention. She encompasses child lead play with functional activities and evidenced-based strategies to create effective and enjoyable individualized treatment sessions. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, including public schools, home-health, and clinic.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Katy Capps (she/her) received her bachelor’s degree from Trinity University and her master’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. During graduate school, she gained clinical experience working with a wide variety of patients, including those who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, cognitive impairment, aphasia, or who are Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device users. Katy’s commitment to evidence-based practice and collaborative care shines through as she works closely with families to develop individualized treatment plans that help nurture the development of communication and social skills in clients of all ages.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Shannon Ratsch received her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from UT Health in San Antonio. She also received undergraduate degrees, one in Oral communication from Harding University and one in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University. She has a combined 4 years of experience working with children in public schools and an outpatient clinic. She has worked with children with a wide range of speech and language disorders, as well as concomitant conditions, including autism, genetic syndromes, intellectual disabilities, hearing loss, and physical impairments. Shannon values a comprehensive therapy approach that combines play and structured learning to build on each child’s strengths.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Megan Denhard, MS, CCC-SLP has been working in the field of speech therapy for four years, primarily with preschool and school aged children. She graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with her masters in communication sciences and disorders. She enjoys working with children with articulation disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, stuttering, and early childhood language development.

Occupational Therapist

Yanira Arce
I was born and raised in the island of Puerto Rico. I received my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus in 2012. Prior to pursuing my dreams, and accomplishing my goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist, I received a Bachelor’s degree in special education, and had the opportunity to teach at the Puerto Rican Down Syndrome Foundation for one year. I love to work with children and I am passionate about what I do to help them be more independent and achieve their goals. I have almost 11 years of experience working with children with variety of diagnosis. I have worked in pediatric outpatient clinics and home health. My passion in life is to continue helping to improve the lives of children with disabilities, making their lives, and their families’ lives happier, healthier, and more fulfilling.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lauryn Castro received her bachelor’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Psychology: Pre-Counseling and her master’s degree in Communication and Learning Disorders with a culturally and linguistically diverse certification at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. During her academic journey she has had experience working in several settings including a university clinic, an adult outpatient clinic serving military service members and their families and within public schools. She had extensive experience providing in-person and tele-based therapy across the lifespan.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Vanessa Vargas is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech language pathologist and is nationally certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). She graduated from Texas A&M International University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and earned her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Jacksonville University. Vanessa has worked in a variety of settings, including public schools, private practice clinics, and pediatric medical daycares. She has experience in providing therapeutic interventions in the areas of articulation, language (comprehension and expression), fluency, augmentative and alternative communication, social communication and feeding and swallowing. Additionally, Vanessa has experience in supervising Speech/Language assistants.