Our Mission
Our mission is to help every individual communicate, connect with others, and actively participate and contribute in their everyday life. We presume competence and believe every client has the ability to learn. We teach and empower parents & caregivers so they feel confident supporting communication at home and in the community. We also work closely with client’s service providers to provide consistent, meaningful support.
Meet The Team
_edited.jpg)
Carrie Balick, MS, CCC-SLP
Owner, Executive Director
Carrie grew up in upstate New York. She received her undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. She received her master’s degree from Gallaudet University, where she specialized in Deaf studies. She has received advanced training in the areas of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), early intervention, American Sign Language (ASL), Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Sensory Oral Motor Approach to Feeding and Speech, and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD).
Carrie has been a Speech Language Pathologist for over 21 years. She started her career as an SLP for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and served as the district's AAC Specialist for 16 years of the 18 years she was employed there. Driven by her passion for AAC, she helped establish the district’s T.R.A.I.L. (Technology Resources for Access to Independent Learning) program.
Carrie is passionate about working with individuals who require AAC devices and equipment to communicate including those with multiple disabilities and complex physical impairments who require alternative access to communication device (i.e., switches, eye gaze). Carrie helps clients learn effective communication strategies to express themselves and form meaningful relationships while using their AAC system.
Carrie offers a fun, play-based, and family-friendly approach. She enjoys finding solutions to help her clients feel confident communicating their wants and needs and training family/caregivers. Seeing positive growth in her clients and their families is just one of the many reasons why Carrie loves her job.
Carrie’s dedication extends into her community. She promotes community awareness and knowledge around communication disorders and the speech-language pathologists that help foster optimal communication. When Carrie is not working, you can find her heading out on a road trip, reading, cooking, practicing yoga, and watching documentaries. She is also an avid runner, and triathlete (she's completed a 140.6 mile Ironman triathlon!)
Advanced Training and Certifications
-
80 hrs of continuing education in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and attended 2021 Apraxia-Kids Bootcamp
-
75 hrs of continuing education in Sensory-Motor and Feeding issues
-
50 hours of continuing education in the areas of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTs), airway/breathing-related disorders that negatively impact mouth/jaw development, and speech and language development
-
Received an Award for Continuing Education (ACE) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for her dedication to lifelong learning in speech-language pathology
-
Certified Hanen SLP in 2 programs: It Takes Two to Talk®️ and More Than Words®️
-
PROMPT®️ (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Musculature Phonetic Targets) Level 1 Certification
-
Certified Level 1 Clinician with TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy techniques for sensory-motor, speech, and feeding issues
-
PECS Level 1 & Level 2 training, trained in transitioning from PECS to Speech-Generating Devices (SGD)
Isabelle Puckett
Speech Language Pathologist
Clinical Fellow
Growing up in Shasta Lake, California, Isabelle developed a strong appreciation for connection, communication, and community from an early age. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Chico, where she discovered a passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and supporting individuals with diverse communication needs.
Isabelle has thoroughly enjoyed building meaningful relationships with clients and families while exploring the ever-evolving world of AAC. She is passionate about helping individuals utilize their voice to advocate for their wants, needs, and participation in everyday life. She believes communication is essential to connection, independence, and quality of life, and strives to create supportive environments where clients feel empowered and understood.
Using a client-centered approach, Isabelle incorporates activities and interests that are motivating and meaningful to each individual in order to foster engagement, confidence, and authentic communication. Accessibility, compassion, and kindness are deeply important values in her approach to therapy. She believes in a collaborative, team-based model that actively involves family members, caregivers, and communication partners throughout sessions to encourage growth and carryover across all environments. Her goal is to help clients build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and foster meaningful connections in their daily lives.
Outside of work, Isabelle enjoys baking and going on nature walks. She looks forward to working alongside clients and families to help individuals feel more connected to both the world around them and the world within themselves.
Advanced Training and Certifications
-
AAC Training: AAC assessment, feature matching, device trials and customization, aided language modeling, alternative access and switch scanning, implementation planning, and communication partner and caregiver coaching.
-
AAC Training emphasis on Alternative Access (Eye Gaze & Switch Scanning)
-
Assistive Technology (AT) Training using the SETT Framework
-
AAC Training from Tobii Dynavox in "AAC Systems and Implementation"
-
Clinical training in Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), and language intervention for gestalt language processors
-
Introduction to TalkTools and Sensory Oral Motor training for Speech Development & Clarity
-
California AB 1172 Evidence-Based Practices & Interventions training, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), data analysis and measurement, behavior intervention, and de-escalation strategies
Kristene Ortega, MLS (ASCPi)
Administrative Assistant
Kristene is a Healthcare Virtual Assistant from the Philippines with a degree in Medical Laboratory Science. She is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCPi) as of August 2025 and has two years of experience working in a hospital laboratory. Through her work, she developed a strong heart for service, providing reliable and empathetic support to clients.
As our remote Administrative Assistant, she is responsible for onboarding new clients, maintaining client files and records, and helping everyday operations run smoothly.
She is a compassionate, highly dedicated professional committed to supporting clients with sincerity and care even in a remote setting. As an administrative assistant, she manages client inquiries, office organization, document management, and other clerical tasks with efficiency and attention to detail.
Outside of work, she enjoys pilates, pickleball, relaxing on the sofa with a matcha latte while watching documentaries and detective TV shows.
Natalie Galvan
Community Outreach & Clinic Support Assistant
Natalie was born and raised in Southern California and has been living in the East Bay Area for seven years. She earned her first degree in Child Development from Chico State and she recently received her Bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science this Spring 2026. She is driven by her goal of entering graduate school to become a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Natalie first joined The ProAACtive SLP as an undergraduate intern during the Spring 2026 semester. She is excited to return to the team as our Community Outreach and Clinic Support Assistant. In this role, Natalie supports community outreach, social media, client recruitment, creation of printed AAC materials, and daily clinic organization. Natalie will also observe clinical sessions to deepen her understanding of the SLP’s role and responsibilities as she prepares to attend graduate school and become a speech-language pathologist.
Natalie brings over twelve years of hands-on experience in childcare, beginning as a preschool infant teacher, working with children aged three months to two years. Since 2015, she has worked as a nanny, working closely with children of all ages from newborns to teenagers. She is passionate about building strong connections with families and supporting the child and family as a unit—a passion she looks forward to translating into her SLP career.
When she's not studying or working, Natalie enjoys staying active by running, hiking, and biking on the local trails. She loves watching baseball and spending the weekends exploring the Bay, searching for her new favorite restaurant.
Sadie
Animal-Assisted Interventionist
Breed: Goldendoodle
Born in Idaho on March 11, 2023, Sadie was adopted by Carrie when she was 4 months old.
Sadie is a friendly, gentle, and eager-to-please Goldendoodle who is currently in training to assist in speech therapy sessions with Carrie as part of Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI).
With a playful demeanor and a love for human interaction, Sadie helps clients feel comfortable and engaged as they work on their communication goals. Whether it's encouraging speech through interactive play, providing emotional support during challenging moments, or simply offering a non-judgmental presence.
Sadie is a valuable part of the therapy team. Sadie’s natural ability to bond with people helps foster a safe and relaxed environment, which is key to successful therapy outcomes. Through her companionship, Sadie inspires confidence in children and young adults alike, making speech therapy sessions more enjoyable and effective.When Sadie isn’t working, she enjoys fetching the Chuck-It ball at the bark park, belly rubs, eating her favorite cookies, and lounging in the sun. Sadie is always ready to brighten someone’s day.