Meet the Speech Therapists
Karina Lee, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist & Feeding Therapist
Founder of Speech Eat Learn LLC
Karina was born and raised in Miami but came to Boca Raton to complete her undergraduate at Florida Atlantic University. Wanting to travel and gain new experiences, she moved to Madrid, Spain in order to better learn Spanish and receive her certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). This piqued her interest in language and working one-on-one with children. Upon moving back to FL, Karina completed her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She gained experience working in a variety of settings including
private practice, schools, specialized therapy centers, and teletherapy.
Through these experiences, Karina has become passionate about working with the pediatric population. With most experience being with the autistic population, she specializes in feeding therapy and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and is passionate about training and educating the parents and their families to communicate in the way their child learns best. She is proficient in adapting treatment for autistic children that are gestalt language processors, are hyperlexic, and those with sensory needs. Karina is proficient in Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) for those that are deaf or hard of hearing. She is trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding (and the food science model), AEIOU responsive feeding, and is a DIR Floortime provider. She also enjoys targeting functional language and social skills, bilingual speech and language acquisition (Spanish) and reading and phonological awareness. Karina is also passionate about working with autistic teenagers and adults focusing on life skills and social skills such as navigating social media, interviewing for jobs, forming new friendships and relationships, grocery shopping, and going out to dinner. Though Karina has her passions and specialties, she is well-rounded to work in all areas listed in areas of treatment, is continuously learning
and educating, and will individualize all sessions to the patient's needs.
Karina wanted the time, freedom, and flexibility to be able to continue educating herself for each patient and to be able to focus more on planning and individualizing each treatment session in order to maximize progress. Working with other companies that focused on billing as much as possible, Karina felt the patients were not getting attention to detail and best quality of care from their overworked therapists. Following Speech Each Learn's philosophy and therapeutic approach, she strives to focus all her attention on her patients to improve their
overall communication, confidence, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Natalie Kocikowski, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Natalie was born and raised in South Florida and developed a passion for helping others at an early age.
Growing up around nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, she was inspired by her mother, a nurse, and her father,
an occupational therapist, whose dedication to improving the lives of others sparked her interest in healthcare. Natalie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Carlos Albizu University in Miami.
Throughout her career, Natalie has worked with individuals across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including
schools, private clinics, homes, teletherapy, rehabilitation facilities, and skilled nursing centers. While she values her diverse clinical experience, her passion lies in pediatric speech and language therapy. She has extensive experience working within the school system and supporting children with a wide range of communication needs, including autism spectrum disorder, language delays, social communication challenges, speech sound disorders, and complex communication needs.
Natalie is passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming therapy through individualized, strengths-based approaches. She incorporates Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to help children access functional communication and enjoys collaborating with families and educational teams to create meaningful communication opportunities across environments. She also has experience supporting Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs) by utilizing natural language acquisition principles to foster authentic and meaningful communication development.
As a mother of three, Natalie understands the importance of connection, patience, and meeting families where they are. She believes therapy should be engaging, functional, and centered around each child’s unique strengths and interests. Natalie strives to create meaningful, family-centered therapy experiences that encourage communication through play, everyday routines, and natural interactions. Her goal is to empower children and their families with the tools, confidence, and support needed to help every child find their voice and thrive.
Natalie finds immense joy in celebrating every milestone—big or small—and feels honored to partner with families as they build confidence, connection, and communication skills that extend far beyond the therapy room.
Carly Levine, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist, Teletherapist
Carly is an ASHA board-certified Speech-Language Pathologist, exclusively practicing through telepractice. She graduated from Boston University for her Bachelor's degree and the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts, for her Master's degree. Carly enjoys treating children in the areas of articulation and language.
She has extensive experience working with adults via telepractice and in a skilled nursing facility in the areas of aphasia, brain injury, cognition, Parkinson’s Disease, and dementia, among others! She is conversational in Spanish.
Carissa Reyes, B.S., SLPA
Speech Language Pathology Assistant
Carissa was born and raised in Louisville Kentucky before moving to south Florida to complete her masters degree in Speech Language Pathology at Florida Atlantic University. She earned a double major in Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology while playing Division 1 Volleyball at Kent State University and then at Bellarmine University.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Carissa became a licensed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
in the state of Florida while she continues to work towards her masters degree at Florida Atlantic University.
She is very enthusiastic about helping children of all ages improve their communication in areas such as functional language, phonological awareness, social communication, articulation, AAC and overall confidence.
She likes to describe herself as positive, passionate, loving and team-oriented.
Sara Ottomanelli, B.S.Ed., SLPA
Speech Language Pathology Assistant
Sara graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Childhood and Special Education from St. John’s University and will earn her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Florida Atlantic University. Sara has been working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and has gained a wide range of experience across various settings, including telehealth, public and private schools, and home visits. She has worked with individuals of all ages, from 6 months to 70 years old.
Sara chose this field because she is passionate about helping her clients experience those “aha!” moments, gain independence, and thrive beyond therapy.
In her free time, she enjoys taking her dog to the beach, paddleboarding, serving in her local church, and sewing!
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