Meet
the Team
“In every child’s voice lies a story worth hearing. Together, we unlock their potential to communicate, connect, and thrive.”
Katharina Lawrence
CEO | Speech and Language Pathologist
Katharina is the Founder and Clinical Director of Speech 360 Therapy Inc., established in 2020 to help families maintain access to speech and language services during the COVID-19 pandemic. She specializes in early intervention and supports children from infancy through adolescence with autism, developmental delays, and diverse communication needs. Her approach is family-centered, focused on strengthening communication and connection and supporting meaningful progress at home and in the community.
Fluent in English and German, Katharina offers bilingual evaluations and individualized therapy for children and families. She also partners with several school districts, supporting K–12 students and collaborating with teams across multiple campuses.
Katharina serves as a clinical supervisor at California State University, East Bay, mentoring graduate clinicians during practicum. She also supports families navigating complex school-based cases, helping them move through district processes thoughtfully and effectively while keeping the focus on connection, communication, and progress across everyday settings.
Gabriela Amador
Clinic and Operations Manager
Gabriela Amador holds the position of Clinic and Operations Manager at Speech 360 Therapy Inc. She is dedicated to supporting families and providers by ensuring smooth operations and compassionate, high-quality care.
Gabriela Amador holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and brings professional experience in Human Resources and Recruiting. She is passionate about supporting families and being part of their speech journey. As a mother to a toddler, she deeply values the trust parents place in those who support their families and strives to be a caring, reliable resource they can turn to for guidance or reassurance.
She finds great fulfillment in celebrating positive outcomes for the families she works with and in being present throughout their progress. Gabriela is committed to supporting not only parents, but also her team, fostering collaboration and compassion in everything she does. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she is fluent in both Spanish and English, allowing her to effectively communicate with and support a diverse community of families.
Outside of work, Gabriela enjoys going to Disney with her daughter and spending quality time together as a family. A fun fact about her is that she has two Golden Retrievers who keep family life extra active and joyful.
Cecelia Bachman
Speech and Language Pathologist
Cecelia (Cece) is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist who brings heart, knowledge, and creativity to her work with children and families. She holds a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, along with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education—giving her a strong understanding of language development and how young children learn best.
With experience in early intervention, preschool, and elementary settings, Cece supports children in schools, private practice, and in-home environments. She specializes in neurodiversity-affirming, child-led therapy for autistic children, AAC users, and gestalt language processors, always following each child’s lead to foster meaningful communication.
Her playful, connection-focused approach emphasizes emotional regulation and relationship-building. She partners with families to help them feel informed, empowered, and confident in supporting their child’s journey.
After moving from New York State in 2024, Cece is enjoying all the sunshine and nature that California has to offer. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her outside soaking up the sun with her sweet 10-year-old dog by her side.
Dominique Carter
Clinical fellow - Speech and Language Pathologist
Dominique Carter earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia University. She enjoys working with individuals across the lifespan to support communication and swallowing skills that foster connection, confidence, and independence. Dominique’s professional interests include language development, social communication, dysphagia, and pediatric feeding, as well as collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to promote functional growth in both academic and community settings.
Astrid Calderon
Speech and Language Pathologist
Astrid is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist who earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Bilingual Certification from Texas Woman’s University. Born and raised in Mexico, she is fluent in both Spanish and English and brings a deep cultural understanding to her clinical practice. She has experience working with children in early intervention, preschool, and school-age settings and currently serves families through teletherapy, providing accessible and individualized care.
Astrid values building strong relationships with families and takes pride in getting to know each child and their unique needs. She thoughtfully integrates cultural values, family priorities, and linguistic background into communication goals to ensure meaningful and functional progress. In addition to pediatric services, she has experience supporting individuals across the lifespan with a wide range of developmental and acquired communication disorders. She is deeply passionate about collaborating with families and caregivers to empower them in supporting their loved ones’ communication journeys.
In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, exploring new food spots, and connecting with art through dance—particularly ballet—as well as attending cultural events.
Melissa Balagtas
Speech and Language Pathologist
Melissa is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist who received a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Sacramento State University. She has both clinical and school-based experience serving individuals across the lifespan, from supporting adults with acquired neurological disorders to helping preschool-aged children build foundational communication skills.
She is currently supporting preschool-aged children in EGUSD, specializing in diagnostics and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of school psychologists and special education teachers to make recommendations on services and treatment. Her areas of specialty include early childhood language development, AAC, autism, and assessment of speech-language disorders. Melissa prioritizes connection-based, child-led care to ensure that each child is empowered in their communication journey.
Outside of supporting children and families, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Join the Team
Are you a passionate Speech-Language Pathologist looking to make a difference in the lives of children? We’re seeking dedicated professionals to join our dynamic team! Whether you’re experienced in pediatric, early intervention, or school-based settings, we offer a supportive environment where you can thrive, grow, and create lasting impact.