Staff
Meet Our Speech-Language Pathologists
Nicole Gerami
M.A., CCC-SLP
Owner/Founder
Nicole Gerami is the founder and owner of Nicole Gerami, LLC. She is a certified speech language pathologist who received her master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University. She is best known for her work with children with autism spectrum disorders. Nicole has created many successful social skills programs and camps including the FIT Program, Friends in the Forest, FIT for College and Friendship Groups. Nicole is the recipient of the 2017 Milestones Community Innovator Award. She is a member of the adjunct faculty in the Department of Communication Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and is a frequent lecturer for the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Milestones, and Northern Speech Services. She lectures on a variety of autism related topics including building narrative skills, improving conversation and social skills and using the forest as a context for learning. Nicole is the creator of the Narrative Builder Tool and online course, published in 2011 by Northern Speech Services. Nicole is highly experienced in the area of forensic speech language pathology, and has provided expert testimony. Nicole is multilingual and conducts speech and language therapy in German and French as well as English.
Nicole is fully licensed by both the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and the Ohio Department of Education, and she is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
“Everything I have ever created, whether a new game, an online e-course, or a published book, has come from the childrens’ needs and ideas. They are my inspiration.”
Bethany Burkhart
M.A., CCC-SLP
Bethany Burkhart is a dedicated therapist with over a decade of experience working with children ages 1-22. Prior to joining Nicole Gerami, LLC in 2015, Bethany worked in the public schools for 6 years, providing a deep understanding of school educational processes. Her experience also includes individual and group therapy in public and private schools, FIT camp, and classrooms for students with ASD. She has completed research on methods for language facilitation with children. Bethany is passionate about working with children of all ages and ability levels. She also enjoys mentoring and training Speech Language Pathology graduate students. She strives to take a collaborative approach by working together with children, their families, and other members of a child’s support “team”. Bethany’s drive comes from seeing growth in her students and the positive impact on their lives and relationships.
She is fully licensed by both the Ohio Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology and the Ohio Department of Education, and she is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
“I knew I wanted to be an SLP the moment I saw the look in my grandpa’s eyes after losing his speech due to a stroke. In that moment, regardless of the method of communication, I realized the true power of helping people find their voice.”
Leia Bendersky
M.A., CF-SLP
Leia Bendersky joined Nicole Gerami, LLC as a clinical fellow after graduating with her M.A. from Kent State University in 2022. She holds her clinical fellowship license from the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board. Leia received her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Ohio University in 2020. Her experience ranges from a variety of services to assess and treat people who have speech, language, voice, and/or fluency disorders. Leia is passionate about her work, and enjoys being able to help children communicate and grow their confidence through fun and engaging activities.
She holds her clinical fellowship license from the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
“It doesn’t feel like I’m coming into work everyday, I truly love creating relationships with my clients and their families and being a part of their growth. The look of accomplishment on my clients faces when they achieve a new skill or even make a small step towards progress is so rewarding.”
Marilyn Gardner
M.A., CCC-SLP
Marilyn Gardner earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Ohio University and a principal’s certificate from John Carroll Universi-ty. She has 30 years of experience in public education, successfully providing speech/language services and support within a diverse range of service delivery models while serving as a school wide consultant and resource for staff and families. Additionally, she has provided coaching to day care workers and parents of children with disabilities to support communication skills in the home and community. Marilyn delivers teletherapy services to children with a range of communication disorders in both school and home settings including speech, language and social competency skills.
She is fully licensed in both Ohio and New Mexico by both Boards of Speech Pathology and Audiology and Departments of Education, and she is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
“I give the services but receive so much more from the children and families I work with. They are at the heart of it all: the ones that energize, inspire and motivate me to be the best practitioner I can be.”
Lauren Collins
M.A., CF-SLP
Lauren Collins joined Nicole Gerami LLC as a clinical fellow after graduating with her M.A. from Kent State University in December 2022. She has held clinical placements with Kent State’s English Language Proficiency Clinic and Speech and Hearing Clinic, Salem Community Clinic, Family Child Learning Center, Nicole Gerami, LLC Friends in the Forest and Friendship in Teams Camps, and Tallmadge Elementary School. Lauren has experience providing therapy to toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged children. She also has experience providing individual and group therapy for articulation, expressive and receptive language, social skills, AAC, and fluency. Lauren is very passionate about working with children of all abilities and strongly believes in celebrating all successes, however big or small.
She holds her clinical fellowship license from the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
“My first semester of grad school I had a client graduate from speech after struggling with his /r/ sound for years. His mom wrote me a thank you note and told me I helped him with a skill that will impact him for the rest of his life. It was the most rewarding feeling to know that I had made such a positive impact on this child’s life.”
Kaylee Eastridge
M.S., CCC-SLP
Kaylee has been with Nicole Gerami LLC since June 2022, after graduating from Baldwin Wallace University with her Master of Science. She is originally from Colorado, where she volunteered with therapy camps that focus on enrichment of social skills and life skills through outdoor experiences and recreational activities. As an undergraduate student, Kaylee assisted with research focusing on self advocacy and social communication for college students with autism, and she has maintained her passion for working with this population. Throughout her time in graduate school, she completed clinical placements in the medical and public school settings, and gained experience with evaluation and treatment of a wide variety of speech and language areas.
Kaylee is fully licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
“I like to think of each session like a puzzle. It is my job to make sure all of the pieces are in place for each individual I see, so that they have the tools and support to become a more confident and independent communicator. I love experiencing their growth with them, and learning from them through our time together!”
Natalia Just
M.A., CCC-SLP
Natalia Just joined Nicole Gerami, LLC as a clinical fellow after graduating with her M.A. from Kent State University in December of 2021. During her graduate education, she held clinical placements with Alliance Local Schools, Kent State University’s English Language Proficiency Clinic, Salem Community Clinic, Bath Elementary School, and Nicole Gerami, LLC in FIT Camp. Natalia has experience with providing a range of different therapies for apraxia, autism, AAC, fluency, language, and articulation. Her passion for speech comes from her love for working with children and their families.
Natalia is fully licensed by the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
“I knew I was going to love being an SLP when I had my first student ‘get’ his speech sound target for the first time. Seeing the level of pride on his face for working hard and achieving something, and knowing I was a part of it, is the best feeling in the world!”
Meghan McNamara
M.A., CCC-SLP
Meghan is one of our senior therapists and has been practicing in public schools for 9 years. She completed her BA at Baldwin Wallace University and her MA at Cleveland State University. In addition to working directly with clients, Meghan also has experience supervising Speech-Language Pathology graduate students in a variety of settings. Her favorite memories of working with the Nicole Gerami team include moments during Friends in the Forest Camp. She loved witnessing the unique benefits of nature based activities, encouraging children to get outside of their comfort zone, and contributing to their growth in communication and social skills.
Meghan is fully licensed by both the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and the Ohio Department of Education, and she is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
“Building relationships and getting to know my clients on a personal level is a passion of mine.”
Jill Kidwell
M.A., CCC-SLP
Jill has an M.A. in Communication Disorders from Case Western Reserve University. She has worked for over 25 years in hospital, private practice and school settings providing speech-language services to children ranging from 2 to 21 years of age. Jill is very experienced in the areas of language, fluency and speech sound disorders, and she loves working with children who have learning differences and children with Autism. Jill says it has been a privilege working with children attending the FIT and Kindergarten Readiness programs.
Jill is fully licensed by both the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology and the Ohio Department of Education, and she is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
“I believe that every child communicates in their own unique way. It’s my job as an SLP to help each child be heard.”
Christine Hanley
Office Manager/Billing
Maisie Hanley
Teen Program Coordinator
