Melissa Schachter, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD
Melissa is Director of The Speech Language Place. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY with a Major in Speech-Language Pathology and Minors in Music, Psychology, and Business. She earned her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of New York, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and a New York State Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) professional certificate. Melissa is also trained in PROMPT and Myofunctional therapies.
Melissa is a classically trained singer who has been studying privately for more than 14 years. She was a member of the Ithaca College Music Conservatory, participating in multiple choir ensembles. Her love of singing combined with her vocal training has allowed Melissa to specialize in voice disorders, including vocal nodules, polyps, muscle tension dysphonia, and more.
Melissa is a member of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Long Island Speech and Hearing Association (LISHA). She is passionate about working with children and adults of all ages with a variety of communication difficulties and diagnoses.
Samantha Renieris, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD
Samantha received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences with a minor in Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities from the State University of New York College at Cortland, Cortland, NY. She earned a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of New York, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and holds a New York State Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) initial certificate.
Through her academic, clinical and professional work, Samantha has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including preschool, elementary school, middle school, the home environment and in private practice. Samantha has worked with children and adults treating a variety of disorders and difficulties, including articulation/phonology, receptive and expressive language skills, feeding and swallowing, fluency, social skills/pragmatics, aphasia and apraxia of speech. Samantha is passionate about the power of communication and in giving each and every individual a voice.
Samantha is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Alyssa VanCooten, MA, CF-SLP, TSSLD
Alyssa is a Clinical Fellow at The Speech Language Place. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at St. Joseph’s University, Patchogue, NY with a major in Speech Communication. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in Bilingualism from St. John’s University, Queens, NY. Alyssa is working as Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist under the supervision of the director of The Speech Language Place, Melissa Schachter. After this year/upon completion of her fellowship, she will obtain her licensure in Speech-Language Pathology.
Alyssa has experience working first-hand with individuals with communication deficits, having worked at elementary schools and a medical rehab facility. She has experience working with populations such as English Language Learners (ELL), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and Dynamic Assessment of Speech Sound Disorders.
Lori Medina, M.S.Ed., CCC-SLP, TSHH
Lori completed her undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA. She earned her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology, with a concentration in education, from State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and a current member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Lori currently holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a NYS Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH), and a permanent teaching certificate for grades K-12.
Lori is passionate about evaluating and treating individuals with a variety of communication disorders, ranging from articulation, language delays, cognitive-linguistic struggles, voice and social language skills.
Erica Imbriani, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD
Erica completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Saint Joseph’s College, Patchogue NY, with a major in Speech Communication and a minor in Psychology. She earned her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and holds the New York State Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) professional certificate. Erica is also a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Erica has completed additional graduate credits beyond her Master of Science degree in the areas of Education and Psychology.
She works with children and adults of all ages with a variety of communication difficulties and diagnoses. She is passionate about helping individuals improve their overall speech and language skills.
Sara Joseph, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD
Sara received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences with a minor in Psychology of Children with Exceptionalities from the State University of New York College at Cortland, Cortland, NY. She earned a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of New York, holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and holds a New York State Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) initial certificate.
Sara has worked with diverse populations, treating children and adults with swallowing disorders, social skills/pragmatics difficulties, receptive and expressive language disorders, Autism, and articulation difficulties. Sara is passionate about helping individuals functionally communicate.
Sarah Huss, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD
Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences with a
minor in Spanish from St. Joseph’s University, Patchogue, NY. She earned a Master of Arts
degree in Speech Language Pathology from Long Island University, Brookville, NY. She is a
licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of New York, holds a Certificate of Clinical
Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and
holds a New York State Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD)
initial certificate.
Through her academic, clinical, and professional work, Sarah has spent time treating children
and adults through the school setting, hospital setting, and home care. These opportunities have
allowed her to work with diverse populations, including those who are medically fragile. Sarah
has spent her career advocating for the belief that everyone deserves a voice.
Brittney Tartaro, MA, CCC-SLP
Brittney received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology from Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Long Island University/LIU Post, Brookville, NY. She is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of New York and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Throughout her academic, clinical and professional career, Brittney has spent time treating children and adults in school settings, and rehab settings as well as home care and telehealth. She has treated a diverse population of individuals including those who are medically fragile. Brittney’s interests include feeding and swallowing disorders, expressive/receptive language skills, pragmatic/social skills, articulation and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to name a few. Brittney is passionate about making speech therapy FUN, while at the same time, addressing the needs of her clients to meet their functional therapy goals.