Michelle Lynch Barredo
CLINICAL DIRECTOR, SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Michelle is a New Jersey licensed speech-language pathologist and nationally certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She is dedicated to making a difference in children’s lives utilizing an interactive, “whole child” approach. Michelle has treated hundreds of clients across the age spectrum in various settings including early intervention, elementary school, acute and sub-acute rehabilitation hospitals, and a private practice since 2010. Michelle received a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Northwestern University.
Michelle founded Treehouse in 2014 and has enjoyed growing the practice to include multiple disciplines and a strong team of therapists to help children reach their full potential. Michelle has provided services to children ranging from 6 months to 18 years of age with various speech, language, fluency and feeding disorders. Throughout her experiences, Michelle has developed special interests in articulation and phonological disorders, orofacial myology, and feeding difficulties. She is trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, PROMPT method, Melanie Potock's ARFID, Oral Placement Therapy, Sensorimotor Approach to Feeding, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Tethered oral tissue, and orofacial myology.
Having grown up in Mahwah and Ramsey, Michelle is a dedicated member of the community and loves working in her hometown. When not at Treehouse, Michelle loves spending time with her family. Having two young children herself she understands the importance of a strong network and village to help parents and families navigate the world of development.
“Parents, look no further, Michelle is the best in her field, and you’ll agree when you meet her. She’s so gentle, so kind, and ready to do her best work for your child. What she’s done for my son, our family, has made life all the more better! Thank you Michelle!”
Christine brAIA
DIrector of occupational therapy
Christine is a licensed and registered occupational therapist licensed in the state of New Jersey. Christine received a Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences from James Madison University, with a minor in Special Education. She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Sacred Heart University.
Christine has experience working with children of all ages from infancy to teenage years, with varying diagnoses and developmental levels. She has advanced training in sensory processing disorders and sensory integration treatment, reflex integration, visual processing therapy, yoga for children, integrated listening systems and auditory processing, as well as early intervention. She is certified in Handwriting Without Tears, Zones of Regulation, and the Astronaut Training Program. Christine is experienced in creating sensory diets, home exercise programs, and collaborating with parents, schools and other professionals regarding client progress. She utilizes playful and targeted interventions to help clients achieve goals, and is passionate about educating caregivers on strategies to foster development in home and school environments. When not at Treehouse, Christine spends time with her husband and two young children and loves to bake and be outdoors.
“Our son loves working with Christine and looks forward to his sessions all week. He has made great progress and we have seen his confidence grow in both school and playing baseball with his team. Christine’s patience, kindness, and expertise has helped him in working towards his sensory goals. In fact, he’s having so much fun that he doesn’t know he’s “working”. Christine also designed an extensive sensory diet with ideas and strategies to support him at home and at school. We are so pleased with his progress and feel so lucky that he works with such a knowledgeable and supportive therapist!”
MEGAN PAGANO
SPEECH-LANGUAGE pathologIST
Megan is a New Jersey licensed speech-language pathologist and certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She also holds a certificate from the New Jersey Department of Education as a Speech Language Specialist. Megan received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Seton Hall University and her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University. She has worked in sub-acute rehabilitation centers, middle and high schools, early intervention and the private practice setting.She has provided services to children, adolescents and adults ranging from the ages of 18 months to 21 years. Megan has experience in treating oral motor and feeding difficulties, articulation disorders, phonological disorders, autism, verbal apraxia, and language disorders.
Megan is trained in the SOS (sequential oral sensory) approach to address feeding difficulties with children. She has a special interest in diagnosing and treating children with apraxia, oral motor and articulation difficulties. Megan is passionate about her career. She is kind-hearted and loves working with children to make a difference in their lives as well as the lives of their families.
JACLYN SPITTLER
Speech-Language Pathologist, Supervisor
Jaclyn is a New Jersey licensed speech-language pathologist and is nationally certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Bloomsburg University with a minor in Special Education. Jaclyn received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Seton Hall University.
Jaclyn has a strong passion for working with the pediatric population. She has experience in evaluating and treating children ranging from 12 months to 18 years old with various language delays/disorders, phonological and/or articulation disorders, and fluency disorders. Jaclyn has a special interest in working with young children who have expressive language delays as well as children who have phonological disorders.
Jaclyn has additional training in PROMPT method, oral placement therapy, Gestalt language development, and stuttering in both preschool aged and school aged children. She strongly believes in taking a whole child approach when treating children. She finds collaborating with other professionals and parents makes a positive impact on the child’s therapeutic journey. Jaclyn enjoys incorporating fun and motivating activities within her treatment sessions in order to promote speech and language skills.
Outside of the office, Jaclyn enjoys spending time with her family and her two adorable cats. She loves running, shopping, and trying new restaurants with her husband.
Nicole Kalish
Senior Occupational Therapist
Nicole is a certified occupational therapist in the state of New Jersey. She received both her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University. She also has a minor in music, which she loves to utilize during therapy. Before coming to Treehouse, Nicole has clinical experience working in community mental health centers, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and public school systems. She is certified in MNRI Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration and Handwriting/Keyboarding Without Tears. She also has advanced training in sensory integration, anxiety and difficult behaviors, Gestalt Language Processing, anxious eating, emotional regulation, and interoception.
Nicole is very enthusiastic about being involved in the occupational therapy process including creating interventions, collaborating with other professionals and parents, and providing in-depth evaluations and analyses of the children that she will be working with every day. She is truly passionate about her career and is a bubbly person who loves to turn meaningful, functional therapy into play. She hopes to make a difference in the lives of the children and families she meets.
Erica civerchia
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Erica is a registered occupational therapist licensed in the state of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science Studies along with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University. Additionally, she has a minor in psychology.
From a young age, Erica has had a passion working with kids between tutoring, babysitting, and working at daycares and summer camps. She has experience in local elementary school districts conducting evaluations, implementing goal directed interventions, and collaborating with parents and teachers. She also has clinical experience in the acute care hospital and homecare settings. Erica is highly creative with the ability to design fun and evidence-based interventions that motivate children to reach their full potential. She has advanced training in Sensory Integration, Reflex Integration, and Gestalt Language Processing. Erica is excited to continue supporting the children in the community she grew up in!
KaTE POLIDORO
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Kate is a registered occupational therapist licensed in the state of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor's in Health Science as well as a Master's of Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University. In her career spanning over the last 12 years, Kate has gathered clinical experience working in Early Intervention, children's rehabilitation hospitals including both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as school districts. She currently splits her time between Treehouse and a local school district.
Kate is passionate about helping each child reach their potential using their biggest occupation, play! As a mom of two children of her own, she recognizes the need for collaboration with the whole family to support each child in fostering their development and growth in nurturing environments.
Michelle hickey
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Michelle is a registered occupational therapist licensed in New Jersey and New York. Michelle received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University, with a minor in Psychology. She went on to receive her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University.
Michelle has experience working with children of all ages in the private practice and school settings. She has received her Level 1 Learning Without Tears certification, and is also certified in S'Cool Moves, Inc. Michelle has experience utilizing various therapeutic methods in order to provide a holistic approach to her work with children, including: Zones of Regulation, Astronaut Training Program, The Interoception Curriculum, Social Thinking, 360 Thinking, and Collaborative and Proactive Solutions. Michelle is passionate about enabling children to feel confident and successful in their sensory, motor, and emotional development. She is dedicated to collaborating with parents, teachers, and providers to ensure children are supported in all of their roles and responsibilities. In her downtime, Michelle enjoys cooking, reading, and yoga.
Caylie Landau
Occupational Therapist
Caylie is a registered occupational therapist licensed in the state of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Science Studies as well as her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University.
Since high school, Caylie knew that she wanted to become an occupational therapist and help people of all ages live life to the fullest. She has experience working with the pediatric population from babysitting, volunteering, tutoring, and her clinical experiences in OT school. In fact, Caylie completed her Level II Pediatric Fieldwork placement at Treehouse! She is familiar with the mission and values that Treehouse stands behind and has experience working with the staff and local families.
Caylie has experience in conducting evaluations, creating goals, implementing evidence-based interventions designed to meet the needs of each child, and collaborating with families. She also has clinical experience with clients across the lifespan in settings such as physical rehabilitation and skilled nursing. Caylie is creative in her interventions to motivate children to participate in fun and challenging therapeutic activities to reach their full potential. Caylie is so excited to continue her occupational therapy journey at Treehouse!
LAUREN O’Connell
Speech-Language Pathologist
My name is Lauren O’Connell, I am a certified speech language pathologist in the state of New Jersey. I received my bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Masters of Science degree from Seton Hall University in Speech Language Pathology. During my clinical experience I had the opportunity to work in a public school, an adult rehabilitation facility, and my final placement being Treehouse Pediatric Therapy! I am fully aligned with mission and values that Treehouse represents.
Throughout my placements I have the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals to ensure the optimal level of treatment in order for the child to succeed and provide them with the necessary foundational skills.
I am fascinated by the field of Speech Language Pathology. I have a special interest in the pediatric population working specifically with articulation, phonology, and building language skills. I am dedicated to providing my clients with a voice and the confidence to express themselves independently.
Outside of the office I enjoy practicing yoga and meditation as well as, spending time at the beach with my friends and family.
Courtney lockhart
Speech-Language Pathologist
Courtney is a licensed speech-language pathologist and is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology with minors in Psychology and Deaf Studies from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and her Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders - Speech Language Pathology at Montclair State University. During Courtney's clinical fellowship experience and externship placements, she had the opportunity to work in various public school settings, working with children from the preschool age to young adulthood (ages 18-21) and in a skilled nursing facility, working with the adult population.
Courtney decided to seek out employment at Treehouse to continue to grow her clinical expertise in various areas within the field and build upon her current knowledge to strengthen her skills/abilities as a speech-language pathologist. Throughout Courtney's experiences, she has learned the importance of client-centered treatment programs as every child develops and learns differently. She also emphasizes the importance of collaborating with parents to promote carryover outside of the therapy room/space.
Courtney has a special interest in working with the pediatric population, specifically in articulation, phonology, receptive/expressive language, and fluency. She enjoys working to build early language skills. Courtney is dedicated to finding strategies and treatment approaches that work best for that given child. She believes that embedding speech goals into fun, interactive activities can make a speech therapy session a productive and enjoyable experience for a child!
Outside of the office, Courtney enjoys spending time with her dogs, her family, and her friends. Courtney currently splits her time between Treehouse and a local public school district.
