Our Team Philosophy
If you have any prior experience with speech, you know the turnover of therapists in our field is at an all time high. The team at Beech Street is committed to longevity and meeting your speech and language therapy needs over time.
Our graduation rates speak for themselves.
92%
Graduate
*8% are life-long learners, move out of state, etc.
4.9/5
Star Rating
from 40 happy
families
100%
Clients Return
after their 1st session when continued care is warranted
Our team is made up of seasoned therapists who have found a happy, sustainable home at Beech Street.
With complete control over their caseloads and schedules, we are proof that happy people work harder and provide better services to their clients.
Meet the Team
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![Nikki Hinsley, M.S., CCC-SLP at Beech Street Speech & Language in Portland Oregon]()
Nikki Hinsley, M.S., CCC-SLP / Owner
Specialization include:
OMT (orofacial myofunctional therapy), Motor speech (Apraxia), Neurodiverse affirming care, Orton Gillingham trained, Gestalt Language Processing
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![Taylor Kavolinas, M.S., CCC-SLP at Beech Street Speech & Language in Portland Oregon]()
Taylor Kavolinas, M.S., CCC-SLP
Specializations include:
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), Neurodiverse affirming care, Autism, Expressive & receptive language, Gestalt Language Processing
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![Nico Pagan, M.S. SLP - Beech Street Speech & Language Team]()
Nico Pagan, M.S. SLP
Specializations include:
Augmentative / Alternative Communication (AAC), Neurodiversity-affirming care, Articulation, Early Intervention, Early Communication & Behavior
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![Amber Farris, M.S., CCC-SLP at Beech Street Speech & Language in Portland Oregon]()
Amber Farris, M.S., CCC-SLP
Specialization include:
Early language development, childhood apraxia of speech, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), speech sound disorders, and pediatric feeding disorders
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![Tara Thorn, M.S., CCC-SLP - Beech Street Speech & Language Team]()
Tara Thorn, M.S.,CCC-SLP
Specialization include:
Neurodiversity-affirming care, early language development, family centered care & coaching, bilingual households
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![Lillian Hallett M.S.,CCC-SLP at Beech Street Speech & Language in Portland Oregon]()
Lillian Hallett M.S.,CCC-SLP
Specializations include:
Gestalt Language Processing, SOS Feeding Approach, Early Intervention, Neurodivergent Affirming Care
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![Sheila Canty, M.S., CCC-SLP]()
Sheila Canty, M.S., CCC-SLP
Specializations include:
AAC, Autism, Complex communicators, Early intervention, Neurodiverse affirming care, Gestalt Language Processing
Nikki Hinsley, M.S., CCC-SLP/ Owner
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Nikki holds a Bachelor's in secondary education from the University of Delaware and a Master's in speech-language pathology from Pacific University. With over 8 years of experience in the private sector, she's helped 500+ children and adults, specializing in hearing loss, reading, motor speech disorders, and more.
Committed to tailored, gold-standard care, Nikki collaborates with your team for clear, data-driven progress. Her expertise lies in hearing loss, reading and literacy learning, motor speech disorders, language processing, and orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, and cooking with her wife, Deana, and their two Australian Shepherds, Laney and Remy.
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• Board certified in OR and
• Hold Certificate of Clinical Competence with national board, ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association)
• OMT (orofacial myofunctional therapy)
• Motor speech (Apraxia)
• Neurodiverse affirming care
• Orton Gillingham trained
• Gestalt Language Processing
Taylor Kavolinas, M.S., CCC-SLP
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Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a concentration in Aural Rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist in Oregon and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Taylor began her career at a nationally recognized rehabilitation hospital, where she worked with individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for neuroplasticity and the functional foundations of communication. Today, she works with both children and adults, specializing in speech sound disorders, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT), and selective mutism.
Taylor takes a comprehensive approach to speech sound therapy by integrating myofunctional principles when appropriate. She evaluates and treats orofacial myofunctional disorders, including tongue thrust, tethered oral tissues, oral resting posture, and dysfunctional oral habits that can impact speech, feeding, swallowing, and breathing. She also provides pre- and post-frenectomy therapy to support optimal healing, improve tongue mobility, and maximize functional outcomes. Recognizing that successful treatment often requires a team approach, Taylor collaborates closely with dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, lactation consultants, and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
In addition to her myofunctional work, Taylor has extensive experience supporting children with selective mutism, helping them build confidence and develop communication skills across home, school, and community settings. She embraces each client's unique strengths and believes that partnering closely with families is essential to achieving meaningful, lasting progress.
Outside of work, Taylor enjoys trail running, hiking with her husband, and exploring the Oregon coast with her children in search of intertidal sea creatures.
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Board Certified in Oregon
Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
Pre- & Post-Frenectomy Therapy
Speech Sound Disorders
Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
Autism
Early Intervention
Hearing Loss & Aural Rehabilitation
Expressive & Receptive Language
Gestalt Language Processing
Selective Mutism
Amber Farris, M.S., CCC-SLP
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Amber is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who was born and raised in Arkansas. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas. After 5 years of teaching in the early childhood setting, she earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Amber has experience treating individuals across the lifespan in hospitals, pediatric clinics, and developmental preschool settings, and she feels comfortable with various ages and disorders. Her areas of interest include early language development, childhood apraxia of speech, speech sound disorders, and pediatric feeding disorders. She values a child-centered, play-based therapy approach.
In her free time, Amber loves thrifting, eating ice cream, and enjoying the outdoors with her husband, Drew, daughter, Palmer, and dog, Huckleberry.
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Board certified in OR
M.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders from University of Arkansas
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
Oral Resting Posture & Tongue Thrust
Speech sound disorders
Childhood apraxia of speech
Early language development
Pediatric feeding disorders
Nico Pagan, M.S., SLP
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Nico Pagan, M.S. SLP, holds a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice Law and Society from Pacific University. While newly graduated, Nico completed a wide range of clinical experiences during his graduate program and brings nearly a decade of experience working in early childhood care and education. He has supported children from infancy through early adolescence with a variety of communication needs, backgrounds, and levels of support.
Nico is passionate about providing strengths-based, family-centered care. His clinical interests include neurodiversity-affirming practices, articulation, early communication and behavior, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Inspired by both his personal experiences with his younger sibling, who has special needs, and his professional experiences helping at summer programs for individuals with special needs, Nico is dedicated to helping children and their families build meaningful communication skills and confidence.
Drawing from his background in early childhood education, Nico takes a fun, child-led approach to therapy while thoughtfully targeting each child’s goals. He is also passionate about family coaching and helping caregivers implement practical strategies that support communication growth in everyday routines.
Outside of work, Nico enjoys arts and crafts, exploring the Pacific Northwest, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
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• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
• Master of Science, Speech-Language Pathology
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
• Articulation & Speech Sound Disorders
• Early Communication Development
• Early Childhood Behavior & Communication
• Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Family-Centered Care
• Caregiver Coaching
• Child-Led Therapy Approaches
• Pediatric Speech & Language Development
Sheila Canty, M.S., CCC-SLP
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Sheila holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and writing from Southern Oregon University and earned her Master's of Science in speech-language pathology from Portland State University. With over five years of experience in school-based and pediatric outpatient clinic settings, she's a licensed speech-language pathologist in Oregon, holding a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association.
Sheila's professional interests encompass augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), speech sound disorders, early childhood and school-age language, and social communication. She specializes in evaluating and treating children with complex communication needs, emphasizing coaching and collaboration with families and caregivers. Her expertise includes advanced training in AAC and autism spectrum disorders.
In her downtime, Sheila often enjoys the outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking, gardening, yoga, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family.
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• Board certified in OR
• Hold Certificate of Clinical Competence with national board, ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association)
• AAC
• Autism
• Complex communicators
• Early intervention
• Neurodiverse affirming care
• Gestalt Language Processing
Lillian Hallett M.S.,CCC-SLP
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Lillian Hallett, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a skilled speech-language pathologist and feeding therapist with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Communication Disorders and Sciences from the University of Oregon. She has extensive experience providing therapy to children of all ages in various settings, including outpatient clinics, schools, early childhood special education centers, and summer camps.
Lillian specializes in helping children who stutter, late talkers, Gestalt Language Processors, and those needing neurodiversity-affirming care. She is also passionate about supporting parents with breastfeeding, transitioning to solids, and expanding their child's food repertoire. Lillian emphasizes child-led, play-based therapy and builds strong family-therapist alliances to enhance communication and feeding skills.
Outside of her professional life, Lillian enjoys art, concerts, cooking, vintage thrift shopping, and spending time with her fiancé, Bruce, and their dog, Frankie. She looks forward to meeting and working with you!
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• Board certified in OR
• Hold Certificate of Clinical Competence with national board, ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association
• Gestalt Language Processing
• Formally trained in SOS Feeding Approach
• Early Intervention
• Neurodivergent Affirming Care
Tara Thorn, M.S., CCC-SLP
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Tara Thorn, M.S., CCC-SLP, holds a Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University and a Bachelor’s in Classical Studies from Scripps College. With over a decade of experience, Tara has worked with children from infancy through high school in early intervention and private practice settings, providing strengths-based, family-centered care.
Her clinical interests include neurodiversity-affirming care, early language development, and family coaching. Coming from a bilingual household, Tara has a deep respect for how culture and language shape communication. With a calm and playful presence, she helps children feel seen and connected. She believes regulation, learning, and play are deeply linked and that supporting the whole child is essential for meaningful growth in communication.
Outside of work, Tara enjoys lively book discussions, spirited board game nights with friends, spontaneous dance parties with her two young children and partner, and exploring the river with her sweet dog.
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• Board certified in OR
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (ASHA)
• Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences, from Portland State University
• Cultural and linguistic expertise in supporting diverse communication needs
• Specialized in supporting neurodiverse individuals with tailored communication approaches
Other Team Members
Deana Larro, MHA/Owner
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Deana studied Business Administration at Rider University and earned her Master's in Healthcare Administration from Pacific University with a certificate in Healthcare Compliance. With over 8 years in private practice, she enjoys solving complex insurance coverage issues for families.
During her free time, Deana loves camping and traveling with her wife, Nikki, and their two Australian Shepherds. She also enjoys woodwork and furniture building in her spare moments.
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• Ensures accurate benefit checks for all new clients prior to starting therapy
• Troubleshoots denials, authorization delays and complex insurance issues
• Tracks and submits authorizations to ensure no lapse in care
• Manages accounts and client portal for easy access, accuracy and assistance of all client accounts
Get Matched with Your Speech Pathology Specialist
You can trust Beech Street Speech to make a meaningful impact on your child's speech and language development. We're here to guide you every step of the way, promoting clear communication and self-confidence.
To get your free consult & see who would be the best fit for you, get in touch with us today.