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.”
Olivia Nemeth
M.A., CCC-SLP
Olivia Nemeth is a Speech Language Pathologist with over eight years of experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals and schools. She received her M.A. from Edinboro University in 2016 and completed her Clinical Fellowship at University Hospitals. Olivia has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, AAC, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, receptive and expressive language disorders, and speech sound disorders. While she enjoys working with children of all ages, she especially loves helping young children advocate for themselves and empowering families with the tools to support communication outside of therapy. Olivia takes a collaborative approach to therapy and enjoys working as a team with parents and any caregivers, teachers, or other therapists who may be working with the child.
Olivia 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’m passionate about building connections with my students and their families. Nothing is more rewarding than getting to see a student or parent from years ago, and hearing about the positive impact I had on their child’s development. I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all the children and families that I work with.”
Bethany Bond
M.A., CF-SLP
Bethany Bond joined Nicole Gerami LLC as a clinical fellow after graduating with her M.A. from The University of Akron in May 2025. She has held clinical placements with The University of Akron Audiology and Speech Center, Lakewood Elementary Schools, Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, and LLA Stars and Stripes Camp. Bethany has experience providing therapy to toddlers, preschoolers, elementary-aged children, middle school-aged children, teenagers, and adults. She also has experience providing individual and group therapy for articulation, expressive and receptive language, social skills, and AAC. Bethany loves seeing the positive impact she has on those she works with and the excitement they have when they’ve accomplished something they’ve been working so hard to achieve.
Bethany has her conditional license from the Ohio Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
“One of the biggest reasons I became a Speech Pathologist was because throughout my life I’ve realized the power that effective communication has. Being able to express ourselves clearly allows us all to connect and understand one another on deeper levels that many people, for various reasons, struggle with. As a speech therapist, I have the opportunity to help people achieve that connection and when it happens, it can be truly magical!”
Amy Burlinghaus
M.A., CF-SLP
Amy Burlinghaus joined Nicole Gerami as a clinical fellow after graduating with her M.A. from Cleveland State University in May 2025. She has held clinical placements with MetroHealth Outpatient Neuro Rehab, Parma City Schools, Galvin Therapy Center, Cleveland State Speech and Hearing Clinic, and Albert Einstein Academy of Ohio. Amy has experience providing a range of therapy services to clients of all ages and needs including early intervention, speech sound disorders, social skills, and expressive and receptive language. She is especially passionate about supporting children with diverse communication needs and believes in creating therapy that feels engaging, functional, and empowering for every child.
Amy holds her clinical fellowship license from the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board.
“My goal is to make every child I work with feel seen and genuinely valued. I believe children grow best when they know that their voice matters.”
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.”
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!”
Chrisanna Whitten
M.A., CCC-SLP
Chrisanna Whitten began working as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist after receiving her M.A. from the University of Akron in 2022. She has previously worked in both private and public school settings, and has enjoyed being able to continue working with students at schools as well as in the office. Chrisanna has experience working with children with many different needs, including articulation disorders, language delay and disorder, speech fluency, and social communication. She loves getting to know each child and tailoring their therapy to their individual needs and interests. Finding the motivation for a child to make their therapy progress their own is one of the most rewarding things about the field for Chrisanna.
Chrisanna 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 communication is the most important form of connection with others. Being able to support a child and their family as they grow their communication skills is a true privilege.”
Christine Hanley
Office Manager/Billing
Maisie Hanley
Teen Program Coordinator
