ABOUT US
LEARN WHO WE ARE
Speech Waves is a privately run practice, located on the beautiful central coast, focusing on Speech Language Pathology.
MEET OUR TEAM
NATASHA BALA
OWNER OF SPEECH WAVES
Natasha Bala is a Speech-language Pathologist. She graduated with high honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology, Linguistics, and Speech and Hearing Sciences). She completed her Masters degree in Speech Pathology at the University of South Carolina in 2014 followed by a summer externship in Oahu, Hawaii. Natasha has been working on the Central Coast since the year 2016 serving premature infants, pediatrics, and adults. In addition, she has provided in-home speech therapy with the birth to three year old population. Natasha has always had a passion for helping others and working with children which sparked her interest in a career in speech therapy. She has grown to love rehabilitating adults as well as enjoys working with all ages. In her spare time, Natasha enjoys backpacking, hiking, and traveling to new countries. She loves to immerse herself in new cultures and spend time at the beach.
SUZY WRIGHT
ROOTS AND WINGS
Suzy Wright is a Certified Recreational Therapist who leads the social skills group known as “Roots and Wings”. The purpose of the Roots and Wings Program is to teach students fundamental social and interpersonal skills that will allow them greater independence and fulfillment in academic, community and home life, and to help parents/caregivers to support their child/individual in the process. Social skills targeted include eye contact, listening skills, first impressions, greetings, body language, taking perspectives of others, personal safety, effective communication, self-advocacy, and meaningful ways to connect with the community. Group sessions are held in the office as well as in the community setting (retail stores, coffee shops, bowling alleys etc.) for the students to practice their skills. Group participants range from ages 8-25 with students placed into their appropriate group. TriCounties is an active sponsor of this group.
Roxana Jimenez
Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
Roxana attended San Francisco State university and graduated with a Bachelors in Child and Adolescent Development in 2018. After finishing her degree she began working in various roles serving children with special needs, including a behavioral interventionist and school- based paraprofessional. During this time she discovered the vast communication needs of the children she was working with. In 2023 she graduated with a Speech Language Pathology Assistant Associates of Science from Santa Ana College. Currently she is taking post baccalaureate courses with San Diego State University and furthering her knowledge of speech and language therapy and disorders. During her free time she enjoys going on coastal hikes, the beach and spending time with family.
Kristina Doles
Administrative Assistant
Kristina Doles has been living on the Central Coast since 2006, when she started at Cal Poly. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology, worked at the Department of Social Services, then returned to school to become an elementary teacher. For the past 10 years, she has worked in a variety of school-based roles, both behind-the-scenes and in the classroom. Inspired by experiences with her students, she is now pursuing a Masters Degree in Communication Disorders in order to become a Speech Language Pathologist. She recently has joined the team at Speech Waves as an administrative specialist and we are lucky to have her! When not at work or school, she's chasing her young sons around her neighborhood park, playing in the garden, staying up past her bedtime reading, and spending time with her family.
CHECK OUT THE OFFICE
Get acquainted before your visit
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