CORE VALUES

Duncan Lake Speech Therapy is an intentionally small, private speech-language practice. We know our clients.
As a clinic, we strive to live into these company values:

We embrace diversity, inclusion, representation and cultural competency

All brains are beautiful. Culture is an integral part of who we are as humans. Abilities of all varieties should be celebrated. Here at Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we all strive to unpack our own implicit biases to ensure that this is a safe space for all of our clients.

A client-centered approach is the best approach.

The most important people in our practice are the clients. We believe in meeting clients where they are and affirming who they are. In treatment planning, we take into consideration the whole person, including caretakers and family members, to develop a plan of care that works for everyone.

Flexible thinking and growth mindset are key to providing quality care.

At Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we pride ourselves in thinking outside of the box. While we always follow best practice, we are comfortable stepping outside of our routine to explore unconsidered or untraditional options. Our team believes in continual growth, and participates in continuing education regularly to better our service delivery.

Integrity is more than a buzzword - it’s an action

Our practice is guided by ethics and honesty. We always do our best to communicate openly to all of our clients while acting with their best interest in mind. We center our work around this principle, not by the demands of insurance, by our own personal preferences, or the influence of outside sources.

Meet the Team

TAMIKO TESHIMA, M.A., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist and Owner

Tamiko, who goes by Tami (pronounced "Tommy"), is a former teacher turned speech-language pathologist. She received a Master of Arts in Education, Speech-Language Pathology from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University. Tami opened Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, LLC in May 2019 after working as a school-based speech-language pathologist. Her vision was to provide client-centered and collaborative speech-language services to her community while focusing on the values of diversity, inclusion, representation, and cultural competency/humility.

Tami's areas of speech interest include articulation and phonological disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), expressive/receptive language delays, and gender affirming voice modification. Tami has obtained certification through Simon Says Speech in orofacial myology, and completed the 28 hour introductory course through International Association of Orofacial Mylogy .

In addition to client-centered work, Tami also is a current member of the Grand Rapids LGBTQ Health Consortium where she sits on the Advocacy  Committee. In addition, she is a member of Our Mental Health Collective (formerly Mental Health Clinicians of Color) where she sits on the Event Planning Committee. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Tami participated in and graduated from Cohort 9 of the Urban Core Collective's Transformational Leadership Program. Most recently, Tami became foster parent to a Paws With a Cause puppy, Ace!

When she is not working, Tamiko spends time with her friends and family. She enjoys traveling, bird watching, hiking, and water activities such as kayaking. She can often be found reading a book and quilting.

Tami holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as a Speech-Language Pathology license from the state of Michigan.

EMILY ELLISON (SHE/HER)

Administrative Assistant & Medical Biller

Emily has a variety of experience working with people, both from a customer service standpoint and as a clinician with a background in physical therapy. She received her education from Michigan State University (Go Green!) and Grand Valley University.

She enjoys working in the healthcare and therapy fields and contributing to getting patients the help they need, answering questions, and advocating for them through communication with their care team and insurance companies. She prioritizes the individual and strives to support clients however she can, from insurance to scheduling, and everything in between.

In her free time she enjoys walking and exercising, snuggling up with a good book, and playing piano. She lives in Grand Rapids with her husband and their beloved cat Nala.

BETHANY BARBER, M.A., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Bethany is passionate about understanding the individual strengths and areas of growth for her clients and their families, and tailoring therapy to address their daily communication needs.  She takes a holistic approach to her therapy, because communication is integral to every aspect of life! She specializes in play-based therapy for 0-5 year olds and working with clients of all ages who stutter.

In her free time, she enjoys anything outdoors (hiking, backpacking, kayaking, you name it!). On a rainy day, you can find her snuggling her dog Ellie and working on her latest embroidery or knitting project.

Bethany holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as a Speech-Language Pathology license from the state of Michigan.

HANNAH BLACKWELL, M.A., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Hannah received her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University and her Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University. She has enjoyed her work with pediatric and adult individuals in various settings, including public schools, center-based schools, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals. She has enjoyed her experiences with clients requiring myofunctional therapeutic treatment and is particularly passionate about Childhood Apraxia of Speech, fluency, feeding, and encouraging communication through multi-modal approaches. Hannah recently completed the 35.5 hour SOS Approach to Feeding Level 1 training and is now a certified SOS Provider (Level 1). Hannah is excited to offer this service to our clients to help them understand their child's feeding habits and difficulties more deeply.

In her free time, Hannah enjoys doing puzzles, spending time with friends and family, and working on art projects. She also loves taking walks around her home in Grand Rapids, where she lives with her husband and two cats.

Hannah holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as a Speech-Language Pathology license from the state of Michigan.

ANNA DUBIAK, M.S., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Anna earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She then went on to receive a Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.  Anna started her career as a school based speech and language pathologist and found her passion working with students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.  Anna also enjoys working on receptive and expressive language disorders, and social communication.  She has worked hard with the individuals she serves to gain confidence in their communication skills and foster positive change.

Currently, Anna is the Duncan Lake Speech Therapy gender-affirming voice modification specialist.  To better her skills in this area, she has taken 12 hours of advanced voice modification professional development through Mantra Voice. She also works with clients with voice disorders and swallowing disorders, and is a certified SPEAK OUT! provider for folks with Parkinson's Disease and other disorders that impact voice and swallowing.

As a neuro-affirming provider, Anna has also invested a significant amount of time in professional development in this area. Anna is a PEERS® certified provider through the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. In addition, she has completed the 8 hour Meaningful Speech course on natural language acquisition and gestalt language processing. Anna is registered as a certified GLP/NLA provider through Meaningful Speech.

Anna is a current member of the Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium.

Outside of work Anna enjoys crafting and playing her guitar and ukulele. She is new to Michigan and is enjoying discovering Grand Rapids.  She has 2 rescue dogs and loves taking them to the dog park with her husband.

Anna holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as a Speech-Language Pathology license from the state of Michigan and the state of Alabama.

ALYSSA MISIAK, M.S., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Alyssa received her Bachelors of Science in Special Education: K-12 Communication Sciences and Disorders (Elementary Endorsement) at Eastern Michigan University before going on to earn her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Grand Valley State University. She has worked with both pediatric and adult populations in a variety of settings such as public schools, private clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. She is passionate about early intervention and encouraging communication through all modalities. Alyssa has experience with language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), and gender-affirming voice therapy.

Alyssa enjoys crafting, reading, caring for her plants, and exploring new restaurants around Grand Rapids, where she currently resides with her partner and their two cats.

Alyssa holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as a speech-language pathology license from the state of Michigan.

CAITLIN REYES CORDERO, M.S., CF-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication and Spanish from Western Michigan University and later returned for her Master of Arts in Spanish linguistics, literature, and culture. After immersion abroad, she taught university and high school Spanish before pursuing her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Missouri State University. Caitlin engages dynamically with pediatric clients to improve feeding, speech, and language skills. She is passionate about working with adult patients who are seeking to regain communication skills. Her clinical practice includes acute care in hospitals, public schools, and pediatric outpatient with hippotherapy treatment.

She loves animals, outdoor activities, time with family and friends, traveling, and learning new forms of dance.

Caitlin is in her clinical fellowship year and holds a speech-language pathology license in the state of Michigan.

AMANDA REDEKER, M.A., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Amanda holds her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from Calvin University. She has worked with a variety of individuals across the lifespan and is passionate about person-centered care. Amanda is dedicated to embracing all neurotypes and advocating for her clients. Her areas of focus include pediatric expressive/receptive language disorders, play therapy, traumatic brain injury and encouraging/supporting multi-modal communication. Amanda has obtained certification through Simon Says Speech in orofacial myology.

Outside of the therapy setting, Amanda enjoys spending as much time outside as possible. She has a particular love of hiking, camping, and swimming. When not outdoors, She can usually be found spending time with her nieces and nephews or playing board games with her partner.

Amanda holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-language Hearing Association and a Speech Language Pathology license from the state of Michigan.

KATRINA BEALS, M.A., CCC-SLP (SHE/HER)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Katrina received her Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Grand Valley State University. She has worked with pediatric population both virtually and in person in both the private practice and school settings. Katrina is passionate about working with students with speech sound and language disorders.

Outside of being an SLP, Katrina enjoys gardening, traveling, convincing friends and family to do yet another sunrise/sunset hike, going to concerts and starting one too many DIY projects at home. She has two dogs, Athena and Bella, and a tortoise, Miss Magoo, who all keep her life very interesting.

Katrina holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as a Speech-Language Pathology license from the State of Michigan.

ACE (HE/HIM)

Future Assistance Dog

Ace is a Paws With a Cause foster puppy currently residing with our owner, Tami.  Ace was born in February 2023 and is a Labrador retriever/golden retriever mix. Until roughly summer 2024, Tami will house Ace and teach him to be a Very Good Dog. After that, Ace will continue on his Paws With a Cause journey to become an assistance dog or a facility dog. In the meantime, Ace will be joining Tami at the office to learn how to be in a therapeutic setting.

In his personal life, Ace is a very big fan of drinking water, eating snacks, socializing with children and babies, and participating in low-level thievery (no napkin is safe!). He likes to sniff cats and is known to snore.

Ace holds his Certificate of Cuteness Competence from the staff of Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, which is a real and legitimate certification.

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