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), feeding disorders, early language 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)
Suzanne Lin, MS, SLP-CF
Speech Language Pathologist
Clinical Fellow
Suzanne grew up in Minnesota and Texas. She received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. She received her master’s degree in communicative sciences and disorders from The University of New York and is excited to complete her clinical fellowship year with The ProAACtive SLP. Suzanne has a clinical interest in AAC, early speech and language development, social pragmatics, and literacy.
Prior to her career as a speech-language pathologist, Suzanne was a middle school and high school English teacher for 12 years in both Texas and California. Passionate about engaging students and community building within the classroom, she found joy in reaching students of all abilities and backgrounds and helping everyone reach their academic potential.
Suzanne follows a client-centered approach grounded in evidence-based practice with strong family and caregiver participation. By building relationships and meeting clients where they’re at, she excels at creative and fun ways to engage and sustain communication growth. By combining parent and caregiver training with therapeutic activity, Suzanne hopes to build confidence and communication for all members of the family.
When she’s not working, Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, and two kids. They enjoy cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling. In the fall, Suzanne coaches her daughter’s cheerleading team and enjoys supporting her son in kung fu and soccer. The Lin family is active in the Down syndrome community and participates in several community events throughout the year.
Hitomi Torng
Administrative Assistant
Born in Taiwan, Hitomi immigrated to the U.S. with her parents at age 4 and spent her childhood in Orange County, CA. Hitomi graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2022 with a major in Linguistics and double minors in Child Development and Education. She worked as a Preschool Teacher in a variety of preschool settings, where she worked with children ages six months old to six years old.
After leaving the preschool setting, Hitomi started her own childcare business as a nanny to two Autistic children. She considers herself part of a multidisciplinary team to address their needs and help achieve developmental milestones. She believes children are at their best when caregivers problem-solve collaboratively with them to achieve a common goal. She employs an approach based in empathy and gentle discipline over strict compliance.
As the Administrative Assistant, she is responsible for creating materials, maintaining client files and records, and onboarding new clients. She is also currently in the process of applying to graduate school for speech-language pathology and finds much fulfillment in expanding her knowledge about the field of speech-language pathology. One day, she hopes to obtain her PhD and conduct research about communication development of neurodivergent, multilingual children.
When she is not working, you can find her exploring a new trail, enjoying a new video game, entertaining her three cats, or learning a new language.
Natalie Galvin
Undergraduate Student Intern
Arizona State University
Natalie was born and raised in Southern California and has been living in the East Bay Area for the last seven years. She earned her first degree in Child Development from Chico State and is currently furthering her education at Arizona State University, where she will complete a degree in Speech and Hearing Science this Spring. She is driven by her goal of entering graduate school to become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
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 ac tive 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 Balick
Animal Assisted Interventionist
Breed: Goldendoodle
Born in Idaho on March 11, 2023, Sadie was adopted by Carrie at 4 months of age.
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.