Meet Kelly, a Speech-Language Pathologist with the McKibben & Monte team in Cleveland. Kelly earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University and her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University. She specializes in cognitive communication impairments, swallowing disorders, and both family-centered and play-based therapy approaches.

For Kelly, the most rewarding part of being a therapist is seeing children gain confidence in their communication abilities. She also values partnering with families, supporting and guiding them through their therapy journeys. Alongside her work with clients, Kelly enjoys mentoring graduate SLP students, sharing her passion for the field and helping future therapists grow.

Kelly’s career inspiration began with her Aunt Lisa, a retired school-based SLP, whose love for her work and family-friendly balance encouraged Kelly to pursue the same path. Her story has since inspired others in her family—her cousins are now SLPs as well.

When first working with a child, Kelly prioritizes building trust and establishing meaningful connections, believing that successful communication can only flourish when a child feels safe and respected. This foundation allows her to create therapy sessions that are both engaging and effective.

Her favorite children’s book is Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton, and she cherishes the memory of her grandmother reading The Animals Who Changed Their Colors by Pascale Allamand to her as a child. One of her guiding quotes is: “Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these.”

Outside of therapy, Kelly enjoys time with her family and continues to carry her compassion and warmth into all areas of her life. With her expertise and genuine care, Kelly is a trusted and valued member of the McKibben & Monte team.