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Meet the Team
Therapists
Amanda Kelly (she/her)
M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amanda Kelly is from Cary, North Carolina and is a Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 2017. After moving back home to work in the Wake County Public School system as a special educator, Amanda then pursued her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Appalachian State University and graduated in 2022. She is now back in the Triangle area and excited to join the TheraFriends team. Amanda has clinical experience working in private practice, preschool, daycare, home health, university clinic, charter school, and rehabilitation center settings. She has worked with children of all ages with diverse speech and language needs. Amanda has provided services in the areas of expressive and receptive language, articulation and phonology, early intervention, social communication, and alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). Amanda is passionate about serving the pediatric population. As a neurodivergent individual herself, Amanda has a particular interest in working with the neurodivergent community in an affirming way. Amanda has always especially enjoyed working with autistic children and continually learning more about how neurodivergent brains work and thrive. Amanda strives to be a lifelong learner and is a firm believer in listening to the voices and perspectives of the populations she treats. One of Amanda’s current areas of study is working through NLA training (Natural Language Acquisition for gestalt language processors). She loves to implement child-led and play-based therapy to engage children in targeting their communication goals. Outside of work, Amanda’s other interests include writing poetry, researching psychology and health topics, and spending quality time with loved ones and pets. Amanda is thrilled to join the TheraFriends team and partner with children and their families in reaching their full potential.
Jessie Mewshaw (she/her)
M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessie was born and raised in Maryland. She moved to North Carolina with her now-husband after receiving her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University in 2014. Prior to becoming an SLP, Jessie worked with disabled and non-disabled children and adults in the U.S., South America, and Australia. These experiences ultimately led her to the field of speech-language pathology. She has worked as an SLP in early intervention, NC public schools, and in a multidisciplinary therapy clinic. Jessie is dedicated to providing neurodiversity-affirming communication services that respect the autonomy and unique strengths of each individual child, and partnering with families to create a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Jessie is NLA-trained (Natural Language Acquisition for gestalt language processors) and has a passion for working with neurodivergent youth of all ages. Jessie has two children of her own and enjoys family adventures in her free time.
Samantha Ryan (she/her)
Occupational Therapist
Samantha was led to pursue a career in occupational therapy after receiving OT for family members and serving as a support partner for youth with various disabilities. Throughout both
her OTA and OT programs, Samantha gained diverse experience in OT practice in various settings. Starting her career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Samantha gained broad experience
working with medically complex and fragile children in sensory integration-based clinic settings and with individuals in the community before returning to school for her Masters in Occupational
Therapy. Samantha leverages play-based strategies and aligns with client values to tap into intrinsic motivation and the principles of neuroscience, fostering the development of essential skills. She
engages caregivers by educating them on the importance of interventions, providing them with knowledge on how to support their child's growth, and fostering a spirit of collaboration throughout the therapy process.
Samantha has specific certification and training in:
● Interactive Metronome
● LAMP/Words For Life
● Oral Placement Therapy
● DIR/Floortime
● Trauma and Attachment
● Trust and Relationship-Based Interventions
Amanda Dreier
MS,SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amanda is a seasoned Speech Language Pathologist with over 17 years of experience working with children with communication needs. A Connecticut native, Amanda earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University before pursuing a dramatic career shift. She obtained her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Emerson College, driven by a passion to make a meaningful difference in children's lives.
Amanda has extensive experience and specializes in working with children with speech sound disorders. She does not believe in a single method for therapy. Instead, she individualizes her therapy, tailoring approaches that work best with your child and family. She strives for connection first because the best learning is done when a child feels comfortable and valued. She continues to work on becoming a more neurodiversity-affirming therapist who values a child's strengths, self-advocacy, and brain differences. You will find most of her therapy to be play based related to the child's interests, especially for younger children. She values individual autonomy and family participation in each and every session.
Outside the clinic, Amanda is often schlepping her children to various activities. She also enjoys painting and illustrating; creating artworks for fun and on commission.