Kaylen Whetstone-Team Lead, White Bear Lake
Hello! I graduated with my Master's Degree in Communication Disorders in 2008 from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. In addition to earning this degree, I have extensive training and experience working with challenges such as augmentative communication (AAC), apraxia, auditory and language processing disorders, hearing impairments, and autism. My favorite part of being a speech language pathologist working with kids is watching them learn and use new skills. Outside of the clinic, I love anything outdoors, cooking, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.
Email: kaylen@advancetherapy.org
White Bear Lake Office: 651-683-2953
Sarah Williams-Team Lead, Lino Lakes
Hi, my name is Sarah! I graduated with a Master's degree from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities in 2007. I joined the Advance Therapy team in August 2013. What I love most about being a speech therapist is seeing children get excited when they learn how powerful their communication can be.
In my free time I enjoy sampling the fine cuisine that the Minneapolis area has to offer and, during football season, I absolutely LOVE to watch Green Bay Packer games with my family. GO PACK GO!
Lino Lakes Clinic: 651-784-7007
Email: sarahw@advancetherapy.org
Anna Pfau Clark
Hi, I'm Anna! I graduated from Lawrence University with a bachelor's degree in linguistics and French in 2012, and completed my master's degree in speech-language pathology at Northwestern University in 2016. I joined the Advance Therapy team in 2016, where I practice full time at the Lino Lakes clinic.
My favorite part of being a speech therapist is that I get to play and be creative all day! I love watching kids grow over months and years, and helping them to gain confidence in themselves.
In my free time, I am involved in several types of folk music and dancing around the Twin Cities, and I travel frequently for singing. I also enjoy reading, cooking, hiking and spending time with my husband, my son, and my dogs.
Lino Lakes Clinic: 651-784-7007
Email: anna@advancetherapy.org
Will Hocker-
Hello, my name is Will! I completed my Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 2019. Prior to working in the school setting, I gained valuable experience working as a therapist serving a variety of age-groups in both inpatient and outpatient clinics. My favorite aspect of my work is watching my student’s confidence grow as they improve their communication skills. When I’m not with my students, I like to cook and bake bread, play the drums in a garage band I have with my neighbors, and go on road trips with my wife and daughter.
Will is currently serving on our School-Based team with one of our charter school partners.
Angie Thompson-
Hi, my name is Angie! I graduated with my master’s degree from the University of North Dakota in 2020. Currently, I practice at our Lino Lakes clinic. I have clinical background experience across ages from early childhood to the geriatric population. My favorite part about being a speech therapist is watching when something “clicks” with a child and they start to generalize the skills they learn in therapy to their everyday lives. In my free time, I love to make macramé projects, work out, volunteer at church, and spend time with family and friends.
Lino Lakes: 651-784-7007
angie@advancetherapy.org
Child Speech and Language
Children's speech and language development follows a typical pattern. Some medical and developmental conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Hearing Impairment, Dyslexia, and Brain Injuries can impact a child's ability to communicate. If you have concerns about your child's speech or language, a speech-language pathologist can determine if there are areas of need and design a plan of care to improve communication skills.
Kari Fox-
Hi, I’m Kari! I graduated with my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nazareth University in the spring of 2024 and joined Advance Therapy that fall. I have experience working with clients of all ages in clinics, schools, and day centers, and I also have research experience in assessing and treating right hemisphere brain damage. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a speech therapist is witnessing my clients’ confidence and independence grow as they progress toward their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy going for walks, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Kari is currently serving on our School-Based team with one of our charter school partners.
Jenny Jensen-
Hello and welcome to Advance Therapy! I am a licensed and certified speech and language pathologist and co-founder of Advance Therapy. I earned my master’s degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and have continued to learn through my clients, my peers, and continuous professional development over the years. I have a “whole family” approach to intervention by emphasizing communication skills that will improve child and family life. Some of my favorite resources include PROMPT for Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Talk Tools for speech sound disorders and feeding skills, Integrated Listening Systems for executive functions such as attention and working memory, Social Thinking for social skills education, and more. I also have a license for working with our charter school partners and love supporting and mentoring our school-based team. I live in Vadnais Heights with my husband, my two children, and my fluffy dog!
Email: jennifer.jensen@advancetherapy.org
Lino Lakes office: 651-784-7007
Kara Greshwalk-
Hi! I attended Saint Cloud State University, where I earned a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2019. I have enjoyed working with people across the lifespan, from preschool through adulthood, in settings such as schools, out-patient clinics, a hospital, and a skilled nursing facility. My favorite part about being a Speech-Language Pathologist is finding creative ways to tailor my sessions to the hobbies and interests of my clients and students. I believe that learning how to communicate can and should be a fun and meaningful experience. In my free time, I am actively involved in the Twin Cities arts scene: singing with Prairie Fire Lady Choir, attending and occasionally acting in local theater, and going to concerts. I also love to travel and spend time outdoors running, biking, and hiking.
Kara is serving on our School-Based Team with one of our charter school partners.
Hannah Coskran-
Hi! My name is Hannah. I attended Hamline University where I studied Psychology and Education, completing my Bachelor’s degree in 2017. I switched gears a bit and decided to become a Speech-Language Pathologist, graduating with my master’s degree from St. Cloud State University in 2021. I joined the Advance Therapy team shortly after in the summer of 2021. As an SLP, I love working with other SLPs as well as other professionals to help children and families reach their communicative goals while. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time at the cabin, trying new restaurants around the Twin Cities, and reading.
White Bear Lake Clinic: 651-683-2953
Email: hannahslp@advancetherapy.org
Jessica Briggs-
Hey there! It's me Jess :)
I graduated with a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Minnesota State University - Mankato in 2016 and joined the Advance Therapy team shortly after. I absolutely love being a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. I enjoy having a career that allows me to bring in my positivity, laughter, creativity and expertise into my individualized treatment plans. I enjoy having the opportunity to make connections and build relationships with my kiddos, caregivers, and co-clinicians to aid in development and achievement of their goals. Outside of my very rewarding career I like to spend my down time golfing, traveling, attending concerts, and trying new foods/restaurants with the ones I love most.
White Bear Lake Clinic: 651-683-2953
Email: jessicav@advancetherapy.org
Katie Czech-
Bio coming soon!
Katie is currently serving on our School-Based team with one of our charter school partners.
Becca Eaton-
Hi, I'm Becca! I earned my degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2023. Throughout my graduate program, I acquired valuable experiences in diverse settings, including schools across the Twin Cities with different age groups, an outpatient clinic at Fairview, and an Autism center. The most fulfilling aspect of my work as a speech therapist is witnessing my clients' growth in speech and communication skills, alongside forming meaningful connections with both the clients and their families. Outside of my professional life, I find joy in activities like reading, baking, and playing cards.
Becca is currently serving on our School-Based team with one of our charter school partners.
Ruthie Anderson-benge-
Hello, my name is Ruthie! I graduated with my Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 2018. Since graduating, I have had the opportunity to work with children of all ages who have a variety of speech/language disorders. I spent two years in a pediatric outpatient clinic before transitioning to the school setting. My favorite thing about being a Speech-Language Pathologist is helping children reach their communication potential. In my free time I enjoy cooking and spending time with family and friends. I’m also passionate about fitness.
Ruthie is serving on our School-Based Team with one of our charter school partners.
Belinda Lewis-
Hello! I have been a Speech Language Pathologist for over 20 years now and have had the pleasure of working in different environments, ranging from health care to schools. I graduated with a Masters in Communication Disorders from the University of Maryland. I am currently working with high school students at one our school partnerships. I am excited for the opportunity to help students prepare for adulthood and their post-graduation lives! In my free time I love to hike, practice yoga, cook, and complete stained glass artwork. I also love spending time with my adult children, cat, and dog.
Belinda is serving on our School-Based Team with one of our charter school partners.
Shana Banas-
Hi! I have worked at Advance Therapy since I earned my Masters degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Science from the University of Minnesota in 2012. I have experience on both the clinic and school based teams. I also have a background in the arts (theatre/music) and am a certified American Sign Language Interpreter. In agreement with my previous careers, I am passionate about being a Speech Language Pathologist because I love communication! I fundamentally believe all people, even the littlest among us, deserve to be seen and heard. I have continued my studies in the area of PROMPT and Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, and have an interest in literacy development. I enjoy spending time with my family (dog included), being active, eating plant-based whole foods, reading, singing, and traveling!
Shana is currently serving on our School Based Team with one of our charter school partners.
Anna Quast-
Hi, I'm Anna! I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from Northern Michigan University in 2017, then returned home to complete my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, graduating in 2020. I currently practice in a school setting, working with students from kindergarten to 12th grade. My favorite part about being a speech-language pathologist is the opportunity to witness a child's 'light bulb moment' when they learn a new skill and recognize their own potential. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending time with my husband and with my dogs.
Anna is serving on our School-Based Team with one of our charter school partners.
Kate Hanson-
Hi, my name is Kate! I graduated with my Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2022 and joined the Advance Therapy team shortly after. My favorite thing about being a speech language pathologist is helping kids of all ages find their voice and reach their greatest communicative potential. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends.
Lino Lakes: 651-784-7007
email: kate@advancetherapy.org
Kassi Lassonde-
Hi, I’m Kassi! I graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) in 2015 with my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I continued my education at UMD and graduated with my master’s in Speech Language Pathology in 2017. The first part of my career was spent in a medical setting working with adults and geriatric patients with a variety of diagnoses. I recently transitioned to practicing in a school setting working with later elementary to high school students! My favorite part about being a Speech Language Pathologist is the impact across the lifespan that our practice can provide to both patients and families. I currently reside in Stillwater with my family and enjoy taking walks, iced coffee, bonfires, podcasts, and traveling.
Kassi is serving on our School-Based team with one of our charter school partners.
Renee Bouchareb-
Bio coming soon!
Renee is currently serving our clinic based clients at BOTH clinics as well as on our School-Based team with one of our charter school partners.
Email: reneeb@advancetherapy.org
Marjorie Carlson-School Team Lead
Hello! I attended the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, where I earned a Master's Degree in Communication Disorders in 2002. I have clinical background experience across age ranges from preschool through adulthood in a variety of settings including schools, group homes, day programs, private practice, in-home services and summer camps. I am passionate about being a Speech-Language Pathologist and truly love working as a team with the kids, their families, teachers and other service providers in creating innovative, unique and fun ways to learn to communicate. I love to volunteer, paint, draw and create, practice yoga and spend time with family and friends.
Marjorie is serving on our School-Based team with one of our charter school partners and is also serving as our Lead School-Based therapist.
Email: marjorie@advancetherapy.org
Bailey Reiner-
Greetings, I'm Bailey! ! I graduated with my master’s degree from the University of North Dakota in 2020. I joined the Advance Therapy team in April of 2022 and practice at our White Bear Lake clinic. My favorite part of being an SLP is helping kiddos communicate more effectively-- because everyone deserves a voice! In my free time, I enjoy taking walks with my dog, Maui, work out, bake, read, travel, ride jetski, and spend time with family and friends.
White Bear Lake: 651-683-2953
email: bailey@advancetherapy.org