Marina Bakharovskaya
MS, CCC-SLP, IBCLC
Clinical Director, Speech-Language Pathologist, Myofunctional and Feeding Therapist, Lactation Counselor
Marina Bakharovskaya is a licensed speech-language pathologist and founder of Therapy Matters NY SLP PC. She spent the first 10 years of her career as an educator working with young children before obtaining her second Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Adelphi University and diving into the world of clinical speech-language pathology. Marina received invaluable clinical experience from Saint Mary’s Hospital for Children and Winthrop University Hospital, where she became fascinated with the world of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. Soon after, Marina launched her practice to use it as a platform in making a difference in the lives of children and their families. Marina boasts a unique and wide-ranging skillset and specializes in pediatric feeding/swallowing, oral-motor, and myofunctional disorders. She’s a board-certified lactation counselor and takes special interest in helping breast/chest feeding dyads. She has received training from world-renowned speech therapists like Suzanne Evans Morris, Lori Overland, Catherine Shaker, Debra Beckman, and Diane Bahr, among others.
Marina is a proud mom of 2 and an enthusiastic world-traveler.
Elizabeth Schwartz
MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech-Language Pathologist, Myofunctional and Feeding Therapist
Elizabeth Schwartz graduated from Adelphi University with a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in May 2012. She has clinical experience in various adult and pediatric settings including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. In addition she has treated pathologies ranging from voice, articulation, feeding aversions, neurogenic swallowing disorders, head and neck cancer, traumatic brain injury, trach/vent dependent, aphasia, and dysarthria/apraxia of speech. Elizabeth’s certifications include Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), VitalStim, and training in myofunctional disorders from the International Association of Orofacial Myology. Elizabeth is dedicated to providing a fun and supportive environment, with a strong clinical foundation, for each of her clients so that they can reach their highest potential.
Rebecca Azevedo
MA, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech-Language Pathologist, Feeding/Swallowing, and Oral-Motor Therapist
Rebecca obtained her Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from Temple University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from George Washington University. She has performed evaluations and treatment for pediatric clients with developmental delays, Feeding/Oral Motor Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Language-Based Disorders, Apraxia and Articulation/Phonological Disorders. She has experience integrating clinical knowledge and evidence-based practice for pre-school and school aged children. Rebecca has received specialized training in SOS ®, CAN- EAT ©, Childhood Apraxia of Speech Advanced training, Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP), Augmentative Alternative Communication devices, sensory based approach to behavior. Rebecca is also a supervisor at Temple University for Fluency disorders for preschool children, school-aged children, and adults.
Gabriella Magid
MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD
PROMPT trained Speech-Language Pathologist , Feeding/Swallowing and Oral-Motor Therapist
Gabriella (Gabby) Magid-Khabensky is a bilingual English/ Russian pediatric speech language pathologist and feeding therapist based in Brooklyn NY. She completed her undergraduate education in CUNY Brooklyn College and obtained her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from New York University. She is passionate in working with early childhood language, articulation, and feeding. She is a new mom to a one year old baby boy. Having a baby with tethered oral tissue and leading him through the transition to solid foods provided a different lens into the world of feeding therapy, providing her with personal experience of feeding difficulties. Gabby is well versed and educated in baby led weaning, TOTs remediation, and early feeding skills, in addition to articulation and phonological disorders, and early language development. She loves to incorporate sensory components in her sessions, creating a fun, yet productive environment for success. In addition, she is Level 1 PROMPT trained and has seen firsthand success with this therapeutic technique in combination with traditional articulation therapy in regards to treatment of childhood apraxia and other phonological disorders. Gabby makes sure to incorporate movement to her therapy sessions, taking a “whole child” approach to therapy and feeding the body and mind what it needs to excel and progress in order to meet the child’s goals. She is engaging with the families she works with, creating a team approach during intervention, and making sure everyone plays their role in order to ensure their child’s success. Gabby is empathetic and compassionate with all of the kiddos and families that walk through the door. On a personal level, Gabby loves to travel with her family and explore and learn about different cultures and cuisines that she can incorporate into her future sessions.
Joanna Valevich
MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BEA
Bilingually Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Joanna is a certified bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), providing individual and group treatment to individuals with a wide variety of communication and cognitive disorders,including difficulties with speech, language, articulation, voice and swallowing. Joanna completed her undergraduate education and obtained her Master’s of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Long Island University. In addition, Joanna holds a Teacher Of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) certification as well as a Certification of Clinician Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Joanna has a vast variety of experience with both pediatric and adult populations. Joanna strives to create and tailor therapy sessions to target the needs of each client’s goals. In addition, Joanna provides support, counseling, and models techniques for caregivers in order to increase carry over between sessions. Joanna dedicates herself completely to each and every client and has compassion towards the struggles and frustrations a communication impairment can have on individuals. Joanna has worked in numerous settings such as schools, developmental centers, private practice, adult outpatient clinics and home health agencies. In addition, Joanna also provides therapy targeting accent reduction/modification for bilingual speakers in order to enhance articulatory precision. These techniques build confidence and aid individuals in achieving a more powerful communicative delivery system. Joanna is passionate and excited about working with and helping all of her clients reach their highest potential and communicate in the most functional and effective manner possible! TOGETHER WILL WE THINK. SPEAK, AND BE HEARD!
On a personal level, Joanna is a proud girl mom who loves to travel and live a healthy lifestyle.
Amanda Maniscalco, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist , Feeding/Swallowing and Oral-Motor Therapist
Amanda received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family, Youth, and Community Sciences from the University of Florida. She went on to graduate with her master’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from New York University. Amanda currently holds her Certification of Clinician Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Amanda has worked with children ages 1-18+ years of age in the areas of articulation, language, fluency, voice, social skills, and feeding. She also has experience working with adults in the areas of speech, language, cognition, voice, gender-affirming voice, and swallowing. Amanda has completed training in the Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding and the diagnosis and treatment of CAS using Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC). Amanda has a strong interest in working with feeding and picky eating clients. She enjoys working on building strong oral motor skills with her children and introducing them to new foods through play-based therapy. Amanda brings an understanding and empathetic perspective to her feeding clients, as she grew up as a picky eater herself! When she is not at work, she can be found with her nose in a book, trying out new recipes, watering her plants, or playing with her dog.