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Our Mission

Changing Lives through Enabling Children to Find Their Unique Voices

Effective speech and occupational therapy begins with a recognition that each child is wonderfully and fearfully made and deserves to have his or her voice heard and needs met. We focus on getting to know each child and individualizing a plan of care for his or her specific needs. 

Care-givers provide the solid ground for effective speech and occupational therapy. In addition to working with your child, we work to equip parents with techniques to use in the home to foster their child's communication and development.  

Read more about our services ➝

Office Location

In addition to in-home therapy, Steel City Speech is excited to now provide an office location for private pay and BCBS, AllKids, Aetna, and Viva clients! We are conveniently located in Homewood and have a waiting area provided for parents/siblings if needed. Reference the map below for instructions on parking!

When you arrive, feel free to come inside and take a seat in the waiting area. Your therapist will greet you and show you to the therapy room! Contact your therapist when you arrive at the office in the event the door is locked - they may be coming directly from another session.

Our Therapists

American Speech Language Hearing Association Certified members, Angela Johnston and Kandice Pearson, M.S. CCC-SLP Speech Language Therapists in Birmingham, Alabama
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Amanda Bell, M.S., CCC-SLP

Clinical Director

I am most passionate about helping children acquire language and emphasizing the importance of language exposure in the home. I love working with families to provide language-rich environments and supporting the use of every language and dialect to communicate.

I am an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP) and hold a license to practice speech pathology in the state of Alabama. I earned Bachelor degrees in Communication Disorders and Spanish from Auburn University and attended the University of Arizona for my Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. While in Arizona I also received a bilingual certificate to work with children and adults from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Most recently I worked in a school setting with children from preschool to second grade, and I had the joy of evaluating and treating many students in both English and Spanish. I left the schools and joined Steel City Speech to have more opportunities to work with individual families in their home environment.

Feel free to contact Amanda at amanda.bell@steelcityspeech.com

Angela Johnston, ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) in Birmingham, Alabama

Angela Johnston, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

My passion is empowering children to overcome their communication barriers. I partner with parents to provide speech-language therapy that is individualized to your child's needs and enables your child to flourish in the home, school, and life.

I am an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP) and licensed to practice in the state of Alabama. I hold a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alabama, and have experience in a variety of clinical and education settings. Most recently, I was an SLP in the Birmingham City Schools system, serving pre-school, elementary, and middle school aged students. After having my first child, Liam, I left full-time therapy and started Steel City Speech. It is my joy to see your child thrive through professional speech services.

Annalise Wells, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Communication fosters connection, relationship, and growth. I am passionate about serving the pediatric population as effective communication sets the stage early on for meaningful relationships and valuable learning experiences that span a lifetime.

I am thrilled to be completing my Clinical Fellowship year with Steel City Speech as I become a certified Speech-Language Pathologist! I graduated from Baylor University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and from Samford University in 2024 with a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology.

My clinical rotations grew my love for speech therapy within a variety of settings including an elementary school, junior high and high school, and pediatric outpatient clinic. I am grateful for countless opportunities in this career to partner with children and their caregivers to facilitate meaningful communication in everyday life.

Brittany Irmscher, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

I have a passion for helping children learn to communicate in the world around them. It is a joy to watch them grow in their confidence as they reach their goals. Each child is special in their own way, and I am thankful to be able to play a part in helping them communicate.

I am an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) and am licensed by ABESPA to practice in the state of Alabama. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Mississippi. I then went on to receive my masters in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Dallas.

My clinical experience has focused on the pediatric population, and I have worked with children with a range of needs from speech sound disorders, language disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders. I have completed clinical rotations at a private practice, public school, and on site programs at the University of Texas at Dallas. I recently moved to Birmingham, and I am looking forward to serving children in the Birmingham area.

I am honored to be a part of Steel City Speech and to work closely with families in establishing the best therapy for their child.

Cady Karras, MCD, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

My passion in speech language pathology started with a love for helping children and quickly grew after experiencing my first client reach his goal of becoming a verbal communicator. My hope is to empower children of all ages and backgrounds to find their most successful means of communication. The gratifying part about working in this field is that every child is unique, and it is my joy to find the most functional and meaningful strategies for them to feel confident and heard.

I am an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP) and licensed to practice in the state of Alabama. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and my Masters of Communication Disorders in Speech-Language Pathology from Auburn University. I spent 6 years as a public school SLP in Hoover City Schools and the Birmingham City School system. I’ve worked with children ranging in age from Pre-K all the way to high school in the general education setting, as well as self-contained classroom settings.

I love working at Steel City Speech because I can form closer bonds with families and incorporate childrens’ most natural environment into therapy.

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Cameron Mallette, MCD, CCC-SLP

Assistant Clinical Director

Being able to engage and communicate with the world around us is one of the most essential gifts of life. I am passionate about my work as a Speech-Language Pathologist because I believe every child deserves access to this gift of communication, and it always feels like an honor to take part in helping them find their voice.

I am an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP) and am licensed by ABESPA to practice in the state of Alabama. I attended Auburn University for both undergraduate and graduate school, where I received a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders with a Spanish minor as well as a master’s degree in Communication Disorders.

Prior to joining Steel City Speech, I worked as a contract SLP for the Birmingham City School district serving pre-K, elementary, and middle school students. I gained experience evaluating and treating students with varying speech and language disorders, as well as culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. I love being a part of Steel City Speech because I am passionate about serving children and their families in a more individualized environment.

Caroline Thomas, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

I am thankful for the opportunity to help children reach their goals and become effective communicators. I am passionate about providing individualized therapy that is evidence- based, engaging, and FUN!

I am currently completing my Clinical Fellowship in Speech-Language Pathology (CF- SLP). I earned a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Neuroscience from Centre College and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Alabama.

My clinical experience has focused on serving the school-aged pediatric population. I completed clinical rotations with various populations in the public school system, VA hospital, and The University of Alabama outpatient clinic settings.

I am excited to be a part of the Speech City Speech team and create meaningful bonds with families!

Courtney Shiflet, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

I am passionate about helping children achieve their communication goals by partnering with families. By meeting each child where they are, I can provide therapy sessions that are both fun and meaningful!

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Spanish at Samford University. I continued my education at Samford University, completing my Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology.

My clinical experience includes working with kids of all ages in a variety of settings. I completed clinical rotations at multiple elementary schools, United Ability, and UAB Hospital. These experiences prepared me to work with children of all different abilities and communication styles.

I am so thankful to be completing my Clinical Fellowship in Speech Language Pathology at Steel City Speech. I look forward to working alongside the Steel City Team and supporting children’s communication development in Birmingham.

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Katie Kistler, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Having the means to communicate your wants and needs is a right that every child deserves. I’m thankful for a career that allows me to help children make their voices heard.

I am an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and am licensed to practice in the state of Alabama. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University, and a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Alabama.

My clinical experience includes outpatient clinics, in-patient rehabilitation, and public schools. Most recently, I worked in a public school system serving students in preschool, elementary, and high school, where I worked closely with special needs classrooms. I left full-time therapy when my son was born and enjoy helping children on an individual basis in their natural environment to meet their speech and language goals.

Melissa VanKooten, M.S., OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

I am passionate about helping children engage in activities that are meaningful to them, and enjoy cultivating fun, therapeutic activities to help children achieve their greatest potential. My personal therapy motto is “child-led, strengths based and rooted in evidence.” I believe these three pillars are essential to productive therapy sessions and achieving the greatest outcomes.

I am certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and am licensed to practice in the state of Alabama. I hold my bachelor's degree from the University of South Alabama in Recreational Therapy, and earned my Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020. I have clinical experience working with kids of all ages and backgrounds, and particularly enjoy working with the Autistic community.

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Dakota Woodson, CPA

Business Administrator

I love helping others utilize their time in the most effective way by taking care of the necessary grunt work. I hope to be able to provide families with a consistent voice that can be relied upon to help make therapy sessions run as smoothly as possible.

I graduated from Auburn in 2014 with a BS in Accounting and a minor in Spanish. I went on to work at a wonderful accounting firm for the next 7 years. During that time, I worked primarily in Tax and Client Accounting Services.

Contact Dakota for any billing or account questions at dakota.woodson@steelcityspeech.com

Helen Hosmer

Clinical Administrator

I am excited to have the opportunity to serve families by making the scheduling process as seamless as possible. I look forward to connecting with families and serving them by being a friendly voice and paying close attention to each family’s needs.

I graduated from Auburn University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Social Work. Prior to working for Steel City Speech, I was a social worker at IMPACT Family Counseling. I also served in an office administrator role in an OBGYN office at St. Vincent’s hospital. For the last six years I have stayed home with our three children.

Contact Helen for any questions at helen.hosmer@steelcityspeech.com

Sarah Steib

Office Manager

I am so excited to join Steel City Speech as office manager! This opportunity to serve both the clients and the therapists through small details is inspiring. I look forward to providing helpful systems for organization and logistics as well as building relationships with staff and families!

I am currently a senior at Samford University studying Communications Sciences and Disorders and will begin my Masters of Speech Language Pathology program in May. I am thrilled to continue to learn about Speech Language Pathology and become a therapist one day!

Contact Sarah for any questions at sarah.steib@steelcityspeech.com