Therapy Staff
Kirsten Gottschalk
Co-Founder & Director
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.Cl.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, Western University
B.A., Cognitive Science of Language, McMaster University
Limited availability for virtual services only
Languages Spoken: English, American Sign Language
Kirsten is a speech-language pathologist with extensive experience with working with various populations, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and Rett syndrome.
Before Kirsten became a speech-language pathologist, she worked in related fields as a respite/support worker, a behaviour therapist, and as an early childhood teacher.
Kirsten is trained in Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and PROMPT level 1.
In Kirsten’s spare time, she loves to travel, is a dog enthusiast, and enjoys coaching sports, including basketball & soccer.
Giulia Quance
Clinical Director
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.H.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto
B.Sc., University of Waterloo
On leave - returning September 2026
Languages Spoken: English, Romanian
Giulia has experience in school board, private practice, community and hospital settings, working with children with speech, language, and literacy delays, fluency and voice disorders, children with alternative or augmentative communication needs as well as with children with diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay and Down Syndrome. She is formally trained in Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk, the Lidcombe Program, and is PROMPT-trained.
Over the course of her career, Giulia has become very passionate about working with children and their families, and has become an advocate for the importance of parent training. When she is not in her therapy room, Giulia enjoys travelling, hiking with her dog and learning to paint.
Jade Green
Clinic Operations Manager
Communicative Disorders Assistant, Reg. CDAAC
Diploma, CDA, Durham College
B.A., Speech & Language, Brock University
Available at the Dundas Clinic
Limited in-home availability in Halton Hills and Milton
Languages Spoken: English
Jade is a Communicative Disorders Assistant, who fell in love with linguistics during her undergraduate program, and was inspired to become a CDA.
Jade has significant experience with literacy and articulation concerns, and has experience working with individuals with behavioural challenges.
In Jade’s spare time, she enjoys discovering cozy cafés and spending quality time with friends and family.
Julia Lahmann
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, McMaster University
B.Sc., Biology, McMaster University
Available at the Dundas Clinic
Languages Spoken: English
Julia is a speech-language pathologist with experience supporting children with a wide range of speech, language, and social communication needs. She has a particular passion for programming alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems and empowering families with the knowledge and strategies needed for successful implementation. Julia has extensive experience working with autistic children and youth, providing individualized, strengths-based support to help them achieve their communication goals. Julia has taken professional development course including the Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for Childhood Apraxia of Speech, School-Age Stuttering through Northern Speech Services, and F-Words for Child Development.
In her spare time, Julia enjoys cooking, running, and reading.
Olivia Lazzaro
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.H.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto
B.Sc., Biology, York University
Available for virtual services
Languages Spoken: English
Olivia has experience supporting children with a variety of speech and language needs. She has worked with children virtually to address challenges, and spent several years in the school board system, working closely with educators. Her experience includes supporting children who use AAC devices, as well as those with articulation, motor speech, fluency, and language difficulties. Olivia has participated in professional development activities including Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for Childhood Apraxia of Speech and training in implementing the Minimal Pairs Approach.
In her clinical practice, Olivia has a particular interest in articulation and phonology, targeting specific speech sounds and patterns to improve speech clarity. She enjoys building on each clients' strengths to support growth in areas of need and promote carryover into everyday communication.
In her spare time, Olivia enjoys playing soccer, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.
Sana Mumtaz
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.H.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto
B.A. & B.Sc., McMaster University
Available at the Dundas Clinic
Languages Spoken: English, Urdu
Sana is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with extensive experience spanning the communicative disorder spectrum, who has spent a significant part of her career in neurological & children’s care units at major hospitals in Toronto & Hamilton. Her credentials include It Takes Two to Talk, the Lidcombe Treatment Program, Gentle Persuasiveness Approach, Modified Barium Swallow Profile, Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA) and the Fluency Plus Program.
In Sana’s spare time, she is a skilled photographer and loves the outdoors.
Ciara Costabile
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, Nova Southeastern University
B.Sc., Psychology, University of Charleston
Limited availability for in-home services only in Brantford
Languages Spoken: English
Ciara is an organized & detail-oriented practitioner who has been exposed to a wide variety of clinical settings through her career on both sides of the border. Ciara has significant pediatric experience, particularly with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), expressive & receptive language, articulation & fluency.
In her free time, Ciara is an accomplished golfer, having studied to the United States to play golf at the collegiate level.
Jessica Woodworth
Communicative Disorders Assistant
Diploma, CDA, Georgian College
B.A., Cognitive Science of Language, McMaster University
Languages Spoken: English
Jessica, our former Clinic Coordinator, will be starting with Zebra Therapy as a CDA in 2026.
Sankavi Ragu
Communicative Disorders Assistant, Reg. CDAAC
Diploma, CDA, Durham College
B.Sc., Biomedical Sciences, Toronto Metropolitan University
On leave - returning early 2027
Languages Spoken: English, Tamil
Sankavi is a Communicative Disorders Assistant, whose passion for speech-language therapy began with her work with the Toronto Catholic District School Board as an Educational Assistant for children with special needs.
Sankavi has experience in several areas of speech-language therapy, including alternative & augmentative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and more.
In Sankavi’s spare time, she loves nature walks, drawing & gardening. She is passionate about trying different cuisines, and says “food is definitely the way to my heart!”
Support Staff
Brendon Carson
Managing Director
Languages Spoken: English, French
Brendon is the office-end partner of Zebra Therapy, providing the business support for our practice.
Brendon works in automotive software, and in his spare time, he is a soccer coach & club president, real & fantasy hockey enthusiast, and a dog lover.
Oatmeal
Chief Health Officer
Languages Spoken: Dog, English (when convenient), Sound of the Fridge Opening (fluent)
Oatmeal is a 5 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He is extremely energetic, loves food, loves belly scratches, swimming and rolling around in the snow. His favourite tricks are “bang” and “wave”.
Lana
Chief Security Officer
Languages Spoken: Dog, English (very little), Ghost (we think)
Lana is a 9 year old Miniature Daschund. She is cuddly, loves napping, eating cheese and barking at weird noises. Her favourite tricks are “prairie dog” and “get out of the kitchen”.
Improving quality of life is our passion.
We treat our clients with the utmost care.
Transparency
We pride ourselves on transparent assessments, reporting & billing; our care for our clients is thoroughly honest and details will not be missed.
Professionalism
We are incredibly thorough with our record-keeping and your privacy is assured; and we will always treat our clients with patience, respect and understanding.
Engagement
It’s important to us that our clients enjoy therapy with us; we make every effort to make our sessions fun, engaging and stimulating.