Meet Our Team

Michelle received her B.A. in Psychology from California State University of Northridge and began her career working as a behavioral therapist (ABA) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. During this time she realized her passion for teaching communication, which led her to go on to obtain her M.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from California State University, San Marcos. Since then, Michelle has acquired years of experience working as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in a variety of settings (private clinic, in-home, and child development centers) with children of all ages and varying needs. She loves working directly with families and teaching children to become better communicators!

Ann is a Speech-Language Pathologist passionate about helping children and families thrive. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from California Baptist University in 2018 and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Emerson College in 2023. Before and during graduate school, she spent several years working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in pediatric private practice and school settings. In these roles, she supported children from preschool through high school with a range of speech and language needs, including early intervention and autism spectrum disorder. Since becoming an SLP, she has continued working in private practice with clients across the lifespan, and has also gained experience treating adults with brain injuries. She is bilingual and provides therapy in both English and Spanish.

Ann believes that building trust and strong relationships with children and their families is essential to successful therapy. She strives to create a welcoming environment where families feel comfortable, supported, and encouraged to ask questions. She especially enjoys child-led, play-based approaches in early intervention, helping children build communication skills in a way that feels engaging and meaningful.

A Southern California native, Ann enjoys practicing yoga, growing her plant collection, arts and crafts, traveling, and trying new foods outside of work. She’s also a proud pet mom to one cat and one dog.

Anna earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Dallas. She has over three years of experience working with children from birth through high school. Anna has supported children with a wide range of communication needs, including speech sound disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is passionate about providing engaging, individualized, and family-centered therapy that helps children build confidence and develop meaningful communication skills for everyday life.

Anna holds a B.A. and M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology (San Jose State University). Anna now has 28 years of experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and has spent the majority of years in the public school setting. After retirement from the public schools, Anna missed the little ones. She yearned to work with children and their families in Early Intervention. She discovered that the children who made the most progress were the young children that had parent involvement. The home setting was the most functional setting and the younger the child the faster the progress. Anna has significant experience with a variety of speech and language needs, such as: early speech and language delay, cognitive delays, autism spectrum disorders, articulation and phonology, language disorders (semantics, syntax, morphology, pragmatics) and various genetic disabilities. She is compassionate about the families she works with and is grateful for the opportunity to work with this very special age group.

Brenna was born and raised in southern California, and earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communicative Disorders at the University of Redlands. She has eight years of experience serving a wide variety of clients from toddlers to teens, first in public schools and then in the private practice setting. Brenna is trained in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) in Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs) through Meaningful Speech, and is passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming care. Off the clock, Brenna enjoys cooking and traveling with her husband and toddler-age daughter.

Hi I am Caitlin Rodriguez and I’ve been in early childhood education for over 16 years now. During the day I work for a San Diego school district and after school I get the joy of being an SLPA with our little ones. Play based therapy and supporting families are my speciality. When not working I enjoy working out, time with family and friends and traveling.

Castara is a highly skilled Speech-Language Pathologist with a rich history of professional achievement and a genuine passion for helping children thrive. In 2004, she earned her M.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Colorado-Boulder, marking the beginning of a fulfilling career. Early on, Castara dedicated her expertise to the medical setting at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Her role extended across diverse environments, including the outpatient clinic, inpatient units, and specialty care clinics. Recognized for her exceptional contributions, she ascended to the position of Associate Clinical Manager of the Speech Department, showcasing her leadership and managerial acumen. In 2016, seeking new horizons, Castara and her family embraced the sunny landscapes of San Diego. Joining Rady Children’s Hospital, she assumed the role of site/clinical manager for the Oceanside and Escondido Developmental Services clinics from 2016-2018. Since that time, Castara has broadened her scope, accumulating extensive experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in various settings, including early intervention/in-home, school districts, private clinics, and preschools. In her free time, Castara enjoys life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s unwinding on the beach, engaging in a rejuvenating run or walk, or cherishing moments with her family, she embraces a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

Chris earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Fullerton. He has served students and families in San Bernardino and Riverside County public schools as both an instructional aide and speech-language pathologist, and has over a decade of combined experience in special education. Chris has worked with students of all ages and has a particular interest in tackling speech-sound production, pragmatic language, and fluency disorders, especially in the secondary education population. Whether working on essential vocabulary with kindergarteners or social language skills with adult transition students, Chris approaches every speech session with creativity, enthusiasm, and a sense of humor.

Danni is a speech-language pathologist who earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University San Marcos. She brings over ten years of experience working closely with children in various roles, including as a nanny, where she supported kids with diverse needs, personalities, and developmental profiles. This gave her a deep appreciation for the importance of caregiver relationships and working as a team to achieve goals. Her clinical experience includes supporting young children with a wide range of speech and language needs, including developmental delays and disorders. She enjoys using play-based, family-centered approaches to help children build communication skills in meaningful, everyday moments. Danni is excited to partner with families and help them feel supported in their child’s early learning journey.

Erica received her B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University in 2022 and her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from St. Ambrose University, located in Davenport, IA, in 2024. In the second year of her master’s program, she completed her school-based and medical internship in Illinois. Erica then decided to return to California and work for Radiant Kids Therapy as a contracted school-based speech-language pathologist. She has experience working with students from preschool through middle school across various classroom settings (i.e., early childhood education, special day class, functional life skills, general education). Erica has supported children with their individualized goals related to articulation, expressive/receptive language, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and pragmatic/social communication skills. She has a passion for child-led therapy, learning about AAC, and collaborating with team members, such as families and teachers. Erica is dedicated to supporting children in achieving meaningful progress and building their confidence to communicate and participate in their daily lives. In her free time, Erica enjoys exploring new cute coffee shops, watercolor painting, and traveling the world.

Hilary is dedicated to helping children build strong communication and oral motor skills that support their everyday lives. She holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and has clinical experience in both medical and school-based settings, working with children on speech, language, feeding, and swallowing (dysphagia) needs across a range of delays and diagnoses. Hilary’s approach is grounded in current, evidence-based practices that help skills carry over into daily life, while collaborating closely with the families she serves. She partners with caregivers to build therapy plans that target meaningful outcomes, while helping families feel confident and equipped to support their child’s progress. Hilary is passionate about creating a supportive, growth-focused environment where children feel safe to try and learn.

Hope is a Southern California native. She earned her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Fullerton, in 2021. After graduating, Hope worked as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant before earning her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from West Coast University in spring of 2026. Her experience includes working with a diverse population of children ranging in age from 18 months to 19 years and supporting individuals with a variety of medical diagnoses through private practice and telehealth services. Her personal experience navigating speech and language services with her own children inspired her passion for speech-language pathology and continues to guide her work in supporting children and their families as they strive to achieve their communication goals. In her free time, Hope enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children.

Janna attended California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) for her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology as well as for her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She has also completed her Administrative Services Credential Program with UC Irvine’s Extension program. She has over 26 years of school-based experience as a SLP working with children as well as experience in education settings as a SPED Program Specialist, Principal, Director of Special Education and Support Programs, Coordinator and Director of Student Support Services. Janna has held positions such as a Graduate Level Clinical Supervisor at CSUS and Senior Manager, Special Education, HOPE Infant Family Support Program at the San Diego County Office of Education. Janna will be based in the Downtown San Diego area!

Originally from the sunny state of California, Jenysa moved away for her undergraduate and graduate education to the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota (where the snow would cover ¾ of her front door some days!). Following her graduation, Jenysa worked in an outpatient clinic with pediatric populations ranging in ages from birth to 16 years old. She enjoys every day of being a speech pathologist, specifically watching little ones grow into their own individual personalities as they grow in their confidence to communicate. She loves working with children of all ages and has special interests in the areas of ASD, cognition and executive functioning, and early language development. She is specially trained in Guided Oral Movements and Active Patterning for infants and toddlers, aiding in their abilities to achieve speech and language milestones through oral motor exercises and nervous system regulation. Outside of work, Jenysa loves to run and workout, travel to other countries, cook, and spend time with her family. She is so excited to be back home in California and joining the Radiant Kids Therapy team!

Jessica received her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and B.A. in Intercultural Studies from California Baptist University, followed by her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. She has had many years of experience working with children with special needs through both speech therapy and equine-assisted therapy. Her clinical experience spans school settings (preschool through high school), private practice, and outpatient clinics, and she has also worked with a wide range of ages, including adults. Her specialty and passion lie in preschool and early intervention services, where she enjoys partnering closely with parents to support children in reaching their communication goals and building meaningful skills across daily routines. Jessica values supporting caregivers as key partners in the therapeutic process and helping each child grow in confidence and independence. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys traveling, baking, scrapbooking, and spending time at the beach.

Julia received her B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder and her M.S. in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University. She has eight years of experience serving a variety of clients from babies to teens. Her career has taken her from a multidisciplinary developmental day program in Chicago to pediatric outpatient clinics and eventually into her clients’ homes in San Diego, where she has worked as an Early Intervention therapist for the past four years. She has found a passion for direct, in-home intervention and parent coaching, supporting each child to find his/her voice within daily routines. Julia uses a child-led approach, using techniques inspired by DIR Floortime and the Intentional Relationship Model. Catch her learning all she can about AAC, gestalt language processing, and neurodiversity affirming care! In her spare time, Julia enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband, dog, and baby boy.

Kai Baker earned his Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University San Marcos, followed by his Master of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from San Francisco State University. During his graduate studies, Kai participated in the Project ALLIES program, receiving specialized training to provide inclusive, culturally responsive speech therapy to neurodiverse and underserved populations.

Kai has clinical experience across the lifespan, working with clients of all ages in articulation, language, voice, fluency, pragmatics, and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC).

Outside of the clinic, Kai stays active at the gym, practices judo, and enjoys reading in his free time.

Kara Vanderbyl attended Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Most of her 8+ years of experience have been in Early Intervention; she loves working with young children and their families. Kara grew up in North County and enjoys working in the community that she grew up in. She is a certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and is Hanen certified and can provide therapy in English and Spanish. In her free time she loves to spend time with her husband and two children, bake, cook, and be outside.

Kathleen is a San Diego native who received her B.S. in Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She subsequently attended graduate school at Idaho State University where she earned her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology in 2019. Kathleen has been working in pediatric private practice ever since. What motivates Kathleen most is her role in helping to improve people’s quality of life. Parent education is important to her, and she emphasizes a team approach to treatment. When she is not working with children, she is passionate about mentoring speech-language pathology students and recent graduates. She also enjoys meeting friends for coffee, volunteering in her community, and playing with her golden retriever, Skipper.

Born and raised in Central Illinois, Katie received her B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Katie had her sights set on relocating to California and received her M.A. in Speech Pathology from San Diego State University. She fell in love with San Diego and decided to become a permanent resident. She has 12 years of experience working in the public schools including Pre K- 12. Katie has enjoyed serving part time with in-home clients in the early intervention population throughout her career. She has a passion for providing creative and engaging therapy and has served three years in telepractice for a virtual charter school serving the Central California region. She has contributed as a mentor in the ASHA leadership and career transitions mentoring programs and presented at conferences on boosting student self advocacy. In her free time, Katie loves to travel and spend time with her husband and toddler age son.

Kelly graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Communication Science & Disorders from Queens College. She then went on to receive her master’s in Speech-Language Pathology at Molloy University.

Kelly is originally from New York but decided to move to San Diego in 2021. She has worked with a diverse population of patients with communication disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, expressive and receptive language delays, social-pragmatic delays, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), phonological disorders, and Spanish-English bilingual children with speech and language delays.

Kelly is an energetic and passionate SLP who loves working with kids and their families to reach their communication goals! In her free time, she enjoys staying active by working out and hiking as well as spending time at the beach.

Kelsey earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Sacramento State University in 2020 and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Kent State University in 2022. She has experience working with students from preschool through high school, providing assessment and intervention for speech sound disorders, language disorders, social communication, and pragmatic language skills. Kelsey is passionate about helping students improve their quality of life, build confidence, and achieve academic success. She values hands-on collaboration with team members, including families and educators, to support progress across all environments. Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys health and fitness, traveling, playing beach volleyball, and spending time with her dog, Poppy.

Lauren earned her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, San Marcos. Prior to entering the field of speech-language pathology, Lauren earned her B.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of California, San Diego. Lauren has experience working in a variety of settings with both adult and pediatric clients, including hospitals and private pediatric practice. Lauren is passionate about early intervention and working collaboratively with children, families, and caregivers to provide the best possible care, tailored to each family’s unique needs and goals. When Lauren isn’t doing home visits, she can be found playing with her toddler and rescue dog, cooking, reading, making art, exercising, and spending as much time as possible with her family.

Liberty Mills is a Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow who is passionate about helping individuals create meaningful relationships and communicate with confidence. She earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care that meets each client’s unique needs and goals. Liberty enjoys building open relationships with her clients and their families while creating a supportive, encouraging environment. She is committed to using evidence-based practices and believes that communication has the power to improve quality of life and strengthen connections with others. She looks forward to making a positive impact in the lives of the individuals and families she serves.

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Olivia “Liv” graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelors of Health Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Missouri in 2023. She then moved to Kansas City and earned her Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Kansas in 2025. Liv has treated speech and language disorders across the lifespan but has a particular interest in pediatric articulation, early literacy, and augmentative & alternative communication (AAC). She has experience in outpatient clinics, elementary schools, preschools, and inpatient hospital settings. Additionally, Liv participated in an intensive AAC evaluation clinic that inspired her passion for accessible communication. Liv moved to San Diego in 2025 to escape the Midwest winters and enjoy the sun! In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, practicing yoga, and spending time with her cat, Archie.

Melissa Bustos, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who is passionate about helping children build confidence and develop strong communication skills. She earned her Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology from Nevada State University and has experience providing speech and language services to preschool- and elementary-aged students in school-based settings. Melissa is passionate about bilingual speech-language therapy and helping children communicate confidently in the languages that matter most to them. She enjoys collaborating with families and empowering them with practical strategies to support communication beyond the therapy setting. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys exploring new coffee shops, going on walks, spending time with family and friends, and getting creative through crafts.

Nicole graduated with a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from The George Washington University and a Certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University. She is passionate about helping young children build strong communication skills through play-based, family-centered therapy that fits naturally into everyday routines.

Nicole has clinical experience supporting infants, toddlers, children, and young adults across early intervention, private practice, school, outpatient, and university clinic settings. She has worked with children with a wide range of speech, language, social communication, feeding, and motor speech needs, and enjoys collaborating with families to create individualized therapy plans that support meaningful progress. In addition to her clinical training, Nicole has experience in child development research and has spent several years working as a nanny and caregiver for children of all ages. In her free time Nicole enjoys going to the beach and going on walks while discovering different parts of San Diego!

Paris attended San Diego State University, majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and then went on to earn her license as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant at Loma Linda University. She had always known she wanted a career path working with children and being of service to help others. Paris always found herself drawn to kids and feels so lucky to be able to work with them and learn something new every single day. She enjoys the work she does; there’s truly no other job she would want to do.

Savanah earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University San Marcos and is passionate about helping individuals communicate with confidence. She has experience working with children and adolescents with a variety of communication needs, including autism, expressive language, social communication, and articulation disorders. She has received extensive training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), holds a certificate in AAC assessment and implementation, and is committed to continuing her education to provide evidence-based AAC services. She is especially passionate about early intervention and empowering parents with the tools and strategies to help their children succeed. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and any form of working out to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Shannon graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Since becoming a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA), she has gained experience working with children across various settings, including schools, clinics, and in-home services. Throughout her work, Shannon has continued to embrace a child-led approach to therapy, creating meaningful and engaging experiences tailored to each child’s individual needs.

Shannon is passionate about continuing to learn and expanding how she can support others. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine while also studying American Sign Language (ASL) with the goal of becoming an ASL interpreter.

Her background in communication, child development, and holistic health reflects her passion for connecting with others and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

Thiana is a bilingual speech language pathologist who graduated from California State University San Marcos with her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology. She has experience working with preschool and elementary aged children. She has worked with neurodiverse clients (Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome) for more than five years. She has a passion for working with parents to provide coaching and empower them to better communicate and connect with their children.

Tirsa graduated from the University of California, San Diego with her B.A. degree in Cognitive Science. After graduating from UCSD, Tirsa worked as a behavioral interventionist with children on the Autism Spectrum. While she worked as a behavioral interventionist, Tirsa completed her speech-language pathology assistant coursework. With over 14 years of experience as a SLPA, Tirsa has worked in a variety of settings; including public/private schools and private clinics.

When Tirsa is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters (ages 7 & 4), Jazzercise and traveling. In addition to being a busy mom, Tirsa is also a part-time substitute teacher and Girl Scout Troop Leader.

Tralain is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is passionate about helping children and families build confidence through communication. With over 10 years of experience working with children both in home and in school settings she brings a compassionate, child centered approach to therapy. Tralain earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and has experience supporting pediatric clients with a variety of communication needs, including extensive experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Cerebral Palsy (CP). She values building warm, collaborative relationships with clients and their families and believes that meaningful progress happens when care is individualized, engaging, and connection-centered. Outside of work, Tralain enjoys playing guitar, hiking, kickboxing, and spending quality time with her family.

Vanessa earned her Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and her Master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton both in communication sciences and disorders. She has experience supporting children across a range of age with a variety of speech and language needs, including articulation, receptive and expressive language, social communication, early communication, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), with a particular interest in early childhood communication. As a bilingual English and Spanish-speaking SLP, she values incorporating each child’s language, culture, interests, and strengths into therapy. She enjoys creating individualized, play-based experiences that support each child’s unique goals and values collaboration with families to support communication skills across everyday environments. Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, reading, trying new foods, and discovering new coffee spots.

Tori earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison before completing her Masters at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has always loved working with young children and is especially passionate about helping them find their first words, develop intelligible speech, build early literacy skills, and grow their social communication. Tori enjoys making therapy fun and personalized to each child’s unique strengths and interests. Outside of work, she loves cooking, practicing yoga, swimming, and is excited to try out surfing as a new San Diego resident!