Meet Our Team
Meet Alyssa.
Alyssa is the only Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM)® in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
She has extensive knowledge of the current science of orofacial myofunctional disorders and their treatment and has completed advanced training in the following areas:
- The myofunctional evaluation
- Tethered oral tissues (TOTs)
- Massage and bodywork for the head/neck/TMJ
- Breastfeeding
- Oral habits (e.g., thumb sucking and pacifiers)
- Nasal breathing re-education
- Manual lymphatic drainage
- Sleep disordered breathing
Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences. She is also a Registered Dental Hygienist, Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, Licensed Massage Therapist, Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner, Certified Lactation Counselor®, and Certified Buteyko Breathing Educator (BBEA-1).
As someone who has experienced nasal breathing difficulties herself, Alyssa has a passion for all things airway.
Meet Sarah.
Sarah has decades of experience as a labor and delivery nurse and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
She also has experience as a midwife, infant massage instructor, massage therapist, and La Leche League leader.
Sarah incorporates elements of infant massage, the TummyTime!™ Method, and more into her treatment sessions. Sarah is the only person in the Pittsburgh area currently trained in the TummyTime!™ Method.
Sarah’s own grandchildren experienced tongue ties, impacting their ability to breastfeed. Now she is on a mission to empower other mothers and help their children to grow up happy and healthy.
Sarah is available to see infants most Wednesdays mornings/early afternoons.
Meet Erica M.
Erica is a licensed and registered occupational therapist with several years of experience in pediatrics working with children from birth to age 21 in home-based, school-based, and outpatient settings. She has experience helping families support their children through difficulties with eating and feeding, sensory processing differences, and delays in self help skills. Erica incorporates aspects of sensory integration, family coaching, and neurodevelopmental techniques to help children and families achieve their goals. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Seton Hill University, Master’s of Occupational Therapy degree from Chatham University. She is Beckman trained and is also a certified infant massage instructor.
Erica developed a strong interest in tethered oral tissues and their impact on infant and toddler feeding after facing difficulties with breastfeeding her own daughter. Her goal is to help families feed their children however they desire and enjoy meaningful connections over meals.
Meet Erica A.
Erica is an ASHA certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and earned a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Memphis. She has several years of experience working with a variety of ages, disorders, and skill levels in early intervention, schools, and private practice.
Erica is the only TalkTools Level 3 trained therapist in Pennsylvania, a program that incorporates tactile-proprioceptive input to improve articulator awareness, placement, stability, and muscle memory to improve clarity of speech. Erica is also PROMPT trained, and trained in orofacial myology. This combination of trainings allows her to assess and treat the structure and function of the muscles needed for speech and feeding.
Erica specializes in treating speech sound disorders, including childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, articulation disorders, and phonological disorders. Erica also provides feeding therapy focused on improving oral-motor skills improve chewing and manipulating various types of food, drinking from a straw and open cup, etc. She has experience treating orofacial myofunctional disorders that are impacting speech and feeding skills.
Erica’s passion is providing high quality, personalized speech, feeding, and orofacial myology services to clients so that they can achieve all their goals in life. She emphasizes family involvement and carryover of skills into daily life to increase rate of success.
