Birgit Suess, M.S., CCC-SLP

COO

Diana Parafiniuk, M.S.,CCC-SLP

CMO

Birgit and Diana are pioneers in the educational technology space. Their company, E-Therapy, has become a leader in the educational technology revolution. Over the past year, E-Therapy has delivered thousands of Teletherapy sessions to schools and students throughout the USA. Together, the two co-founders bring over 16 years of experience and expertise to the Teletherapy market. Prior to founding E-Therapy, Diana and Birgit worked as speech language pathologists serving schools and students in several states, including those in underserved areas.

Both Birgit and Diana are certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and hold their certificates of clinical competence. Birgit earned a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics and German at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northern Arizona University. Diana received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Linguistics and a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northern Arizona University. Together they speak 3 languages and bring a broad understanding of multiculturalism to their practice. Both Birgit and Diana have provided services for bilingual English/Spanish speaking populations.

Kristan Culbertson, M.S.,CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Kris earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Speech Language Pathology at Northern Arizona University, graduating with honors in 1993. Her passion in the field has led her to work in the public schools on the Navajo Nation for 15 years. She was part of a transdisciplinary team while serving early intervention with Growing In Beauty. She specializes in assistive technology, a labor of love for her. In addition to therapy, Kris teaches online classes at NAU in the Speech Science and Technology department.

Kymm Nesheim, M.S., L/CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Kymm received her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) from Western Washington University and her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northern Arizona University. Her 10+ years of experience include working with children from birth through young adult in a variety of settings, including reservation schools, small and large public school districts, and home-base. Kymm served on a district assessment team for children birth to 5 years, identifying children with speech-language needs and counseling families through the initial identification process.

Heather Foerster-Bach, MOTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Heather received a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Loyola University Chicago and a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ. She has been practicing Occupational Therapy since 2002, focusing on pediatrics, with experience in a variety of settings including clients' homes, private clinics, schools and hospital settings in both rural and urban areas. Heather has experience with Sensory Integration, handwriting, Hippotherapy, is trained in Therapeutic Listening® and Interactive Metronome, has a Certificate of Mastery in The Basic Course on the Greenspan Floortime Approach™, and is trained in Yoga for the Special Child®. She completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher training and specializes in teaching yoga to children. Heather enjoys working with the family as a whole and strongly believes a child's fullest potential flourishes when the family is involved. Her favorite moment is the smile on a child's face when they have learned something new.

Tara Larson, M.S., OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Tara is an Occupational Therapist with over 11 years of experience in school-based therapy. She has a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science from The University of Arizona and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from The Arizona School of Health Sciences. She has worked on district preschool evaluation and assistive technology teams. Her background has included work with a wide range of disabilities from mild fine motor delays to severe sensory impairment. Her passion is watching children thrive and learn through exercise, playing and purposeful activities. Since 1998, she has helped her students improve and become more independent with visual motor, sensory, handwriting and fine motor skills.

Karen Murray, MOT/L

Occupational Therapist

Karen received her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Fitness from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master's in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. She has been practicing as an OT in various settings since 1996. Her specialty is treating individuals with neurological impairments specifically problems with fine motor, sensory, and neuromuscular function. She became interested in providing therapy services in the educational setting as a result of her own sons needing intervention at school. Karen has the insight of a therapist but also has the unique perspective of being the parent of children receiving school therapy services, a valuable resource when working with children and their families.

Emilie C Saftoiu, MOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Emilie is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University in Florida with a Master's degree in occupational therapy. While in school, she worked as a teacher’s aide for Baudhuin Oral School, which specialized in children who were diagnosed with autism, PDD, and Aspergers. She has been practicing since 2004 and specializes in pediatrics. Her specialization is in sensory integration, handwriting, and the development of the hand and body, as well as hippotherapy. Emilie has worked in the school system for 4 years now and has specialized in pediatrics since 2004.

Damon Burke

IT and Web Support

Damon is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with degrees in Mathematics and Electronic Media Production. He has ten-plus years of experience in providing technical and web support for online and remote-delivery higher-education classes.