"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." - Plato
Olympia Staff
Christopher - Speech Language Pathologist
Christopher Heistand has been working in the field of speech pathology since 1997, working in a variety of settings including private practice, schools and medical (pediatric outpatient, adult inpatient and NICU). His passion remains working with the pediatric population and their families. He enjoys the vast variety of personalities and speech related challenges that he encounters. His approach to therapy is a total communication approach, customizing therapy sessions to fit the needs of each uniquely opposed child and with providing families the strategies and confidence to integrate therapy into their everyday activities. Christopher lives in the greater Olympia area with his wife and two children where they enjoy year round boating, the outdoors, traveling and family activities that are focused on eating fine cuisine.
Rachel- Speech Language Pathologist
Rachel has been a speech-language pathologist since 2013. She has worked in both private practice and public school settings and is experienced in addressing a wide range of pediatric communication needs. Rachel is passionate about giving a voice to children with significantly impaired intelligibility and is skilled in treating speech sound disorders and implementing augmentative and alternative communication methods. Rachel knows that being able to communicate changes everything and is grateful to work with children and families in a field she loves.
Rachel enjoys reading aloud to her two small children and adventuring around the Pacific Northwest with her husband. She appreciates the beautiful trails in the greater Olympia area and is currently perfecting the art of going for a run while pushing a double jogging stroller and handing out snacks.
Rachel enjoys reading aloud to her two small children and adventuring around the Pacific Northwest with her husband. She appreciates the beautiful trails in the greater Olympia area and is currently perfecting the art of going for a run while pushing a double jogging stroller and handing out snacks.
Dana - Speech Language Pathologist
Dana has been a speech-language pathologist since 2019. She has previously worked as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant for three years in the school district setting before working as a speech pathologist at an autism clinic. Dana works with a variety of disorders but has a passion for working with individuals on the autism spectrum, implementing augmentative and alternative communication methods, and working with individuals with feeding and swallowing difficulties. Dana signs American Sign Language fluently and enjoys using multi modal communication methods in therapy. Dana believes everyone needs a voice to communicate and is determined to help all individuals find theirs. Dana was born and raised in the Olympia area and is excited to be back. In her spare time she loves zumba, swimming, kayaking, hiking, road trips, and watching football (Go Seahawks)!
Claire-Speech Language Pathologist
Claire joined the Therapeutic Beginnings Team in 2020. She received her Bachelors Degree at Washington State University, and her Masters Degree at Hampton University. Before receiving her Masters, she worked as a speech language pathology assistant at a local school district here in Washington. Claire's decision to become a speech therapist began with her love for teaching children. She is passionate about early language intervention and working with Augmentative and
Alternative Communication (AAC). In her free time, Claire enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, hanging out with friends and family, and watching cougar football. GO COUGS!
Alternative Communication (AAC). In her free time, Claire enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, hanging out with friends and family, and watching cougar football. GO COUGS!