Sam Jaffe

Speech Language Pathologist

  • PEERS

  • CBT levels 1 & 2

  • Advanced Training for “Collaborative & Proactive Solutions” Model by Ross Greene

Certifications

Hobbies

  • Baking

  • Hockey

  • Gymnastics

Why did you become an SLP?

Sam has always enjoyed languages, helping people, and working with kids - this field fell into his lap in his first year of university and he’s never looked back!

Ayah Nassif

Communications disorders assistant

Certifications

  • B.A. in Linguistics - McMaster University - 2021

  • Post-Graduate Certificate - Communication Disorders Assistant - Georgian College

Languages

  • English

  • Arabic

  • Conversational French

Hobbies

  • Nature Walks

  • Drawing

  • Painting

Why did you become an SLP?

Ayah enjoys working with kids; she spent five years working as a Child & Youth worker at the YMCA in Ontario. Ayah acquired extensive knowledge from this position and developed her grasp of child development, particularly in social development. She is a registered member of Speech-Language & Audiology (SAC) as a Communication Health Assistant as well as is an active member for the Communication Disorders Assistant Association of Canada (CDAAC).

Kaitlyn Brown

Communications disorders assistant

Hobbies

  • Hiking

  • Baking

  • Crafting

Why did you become an SLP?

I love that speech-language pathology combines clinical problem-solving with a genuinely personal connection to each client. Being an SLP gives me the opportunity to support clients in participating more fully in school, relationships, and everyday life, which makes this work especially meaningful to me.

Chiara Rustico

Communications disorders assistant

Hobbies

  • Soccer

  • Spending time with her dogs

  • Taking walks along the beach

Certifications

  • Honours Bachelor of Applied Life Sciences - concentration in Biotechnology

  • Post-Graduate Certificate in Communicative Disorders Assistant

Why did you become an SLP?

Chiara has a passion for helping children develop their speech and language skills and finds it incredibly rewarding to support children as they build their communication skills, gain confidence, and reach their individual goals.

Chiara also has experience coaching and training children of all ages in soccer, which has helped her develop strong communication skills and create fun, encouraging, and supportive environments for children. She is excited to be part of each child’s communication journey and celebrate their progress along the way!

Kalena Gunn

Communications disorders assistant

Certifications

  • B.A. Major in Speech Sciences and Minor in Special Education at University British Columbia

  • M.Sc. in Audiology and Speech Sciences

  • Certificate in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies from Vancouver Community College

Hobbies

  • Lion Dancing

  • Building unique Lego

  • Spending quality time with family & friends through board games and shared meals

Why did you become an SLP?

Kalena has always had a passion for working with kids, volunteering in kindergarten classrooms and her church’s children’s programs as early as seventh grade. In becoming an SLP, she aspires to empower her clients with self-confidence and self-advocacy skills and aims for a collaborative, creative, and individualized approach to meet families where they are so that they can continue to thrive outside of sessions.

Christine Ciresi

Communications disorders assistant

Why did you become an SLP?

With a background in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, Christine brings 22 years of extensive experience supporting children and youth across daycare, elementary, and high school settings, including Life Skills programs for neurodivergent students. Her areas of focus include supporting neurodivergent students in developing life skills, independence, emotional regulation, and meaningful connections.  

Christine is passionate about creating safe, inclusive, and nurturing environments where students and families feel supported and valued. Her creative, positive, and relationship-based approach focuses on recognizing each individual's unique strengths, building confidence, and empowering them to reach their fullest potential. She strongly believes in the importance of a collaborative, team-based approach, working alongside families and professionals to support each individual's growth and well-being. She believes that it takes a village to raise a child, and that through compassion, teamwork, and positive support, every individual can be given the opportunity to thrive.