Heather Houskeeper Executive Director

Heather has worked in business operations and medical billing over the past 15 years, and as an owner of a small business focused on services for kids. A life-long resident of Washington, Heather currently lives and works in the Lacey area where she lives with her family - including four children.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys anything outdoors - skiing and wake surfing - reading, and ice cream. Her favorite color is blue, and enjoys listening to anything by Kenny Chesney.

Lauren Vilga M.A. CCC-SLP, Clinic Director

Lauren is an ASHA and Washington state certified speech language pathologist who has worked in the pediatric private practice field throughout her career. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in 2016 and master’s degree from The University of Akron in 2018. Her areas of focus include speech sound disorders and literacy development. She hopes to bring a holistic approach to your child’s therapy by offering parent coaching, multi-sensory approaches and play based services.

When she is not in the office you can find Lauren climbing, exploring new trails and paddleboarding on the Puget Sound.

Abby Hartjes M.S. CCC-SLP, Lead SLP

Abby is the Lead SLP at DESL and has experience in both private practice and schools working as a Speech Language Pathologist. She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 2017 and master's degree at Emerson College in 2020. Her therapy interests include Gestalt Language Processings, articulation, AAC, early language skills, and pragmatics language skills. Abby is NLA trained through Meaningful Speech LLC (meaningfulspeechregistry.com)) demonstrating knowledge on working with patients with echolalia and Autism. She enjoys bringing a team-based approach to all of her sessions by including the thoughts and opinions of the patients, their families, and their other therapists on all decisions for the patient's plan of care.

Abby's favorite activities outside of work include travel, walking her dogs, trying out new restaurants, and watching the Packers with her husband.

Ginger Christensen C-SLPA

Ginger is thrilled to be a part of Discovering Expression Speech and Language. She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors of Science in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education. She is originally from Salt Lake City Utah, but has lived in the Olympia area for over 10 years. She has an extensive background in music and has spent over 20 years teaching children to play the violin. She likes to incorporate music and singing into speech therapy when possible.

In her spare time, Ginger enjoys spending time with her family, especially at the beach. She also enjoys playing in the SPSCC Symphony Orchestra.

Riley Scott M.S. CCC-SLP

Riley is a speech-language pathologist clinical fellow with a passion for working with the pediatric population. She received her bachelor and master's degrees in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Washington State University. Riley's areas of interest include childhood apraxia of speech, early language intervention and articulation disorders. Riley creates individualized treatment plans and implements them in a fun and play-based environment. Riley enjoys listening to audiobooks, playing with her dog and going on weekend trips in her free time. She is looking forward to meeting your child and helping them reach their goals.

Jade Roberts M.S. CCC-SLP

Jade is an ASHA and Washington state certified speech language pathologist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of La Verne and her graduate degree from The California State University of Northridge in 2019. She has since worked in pediatric private practice. Jade is NLA trained through Meaningful Speech LLC (meaningfulspeechregistry.com) demonstrating knowledge on working with patients with echolalia and Autism. She especially enjoys working in the areas of pragmatics and early language intervention and is passionate about providing individualized and holistic services to each client.

Outside of work, Jade spends her time exploring the outdoors, trying new restaurants, and engaging in all things music-related. She also loves to incorporate music in her sessions! 

Sawyer Patton MS, CCC-SLP

Sawyer is a Washington state certified clinical fellow of speech language pathology who has worked in Early Childhood Development home health and pediatric private practice. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas State University in 2020 and master’s degree from University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2022. Her areas of focus include feeding and early language intervention. She strives to offer child-led and play based sessions as well as open communication between clinician and parents to allow for success within the clinic and at home.

You can find Sawyer exploring new coffee shops, reading, or out looking for gorgeous scenery!

Payton Thompson M.S. CCC-SLP

Payton is a speech-language pathologist who received her bachelor's degree from Western Washington University and her master’s of science degree in speech language pathology from Fontbonne University in Saint Louis, MO. Her areas of professional interest include early intervention, speech sound disorders, and AAC (alternative and augmentative communication). Payton provides individualized intervention which includes collaborating with families and using play-based therapy. In her free time she enjoys exploring parks and local restaurants, watching documentaries and playing with her cat at home. She is excited to meet and work with you and your child!

Brooke Marshall M.A. CCC-SLP

Brooke is an ASHA and Washington state certified speech language pathologist who has worked in the pediatric private practice field throughout her career. She is originally from Northern New York where she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from The State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Following graduation, she moved to Fountain, Colorado where she began her career before moving to Washington and joining our team. Her areas of professional interest include speech sound disorders and early language development. She enjoys working with children and is beyond excited to be a part of the team here at Discovering Expression. 

Outside of work, Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs, and visiting with family.

Emma Jallo M.S. CCC-SLP

Emma is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist that has been working with adults and children with communication and swallowing disorders in the Thurston County area since 2021. Emma received her bachelor's degree at The University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master's degree at Concordia University Wisconsin. Being the oldest in her family, Emma has always loved being around kids. She decided to become a speech therapist because of her love of supporting others and building relationships with children and their families. Recently, she completed the Feed the Peds course which provided further training on feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. She is passionate about early speech and language intervention, swallowing treatment, fluency treatment and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new coffee shops and restaurants, being outdoors and spending time with friends, family and her dogs! 

Courtney Keen SLPA

Courtney is a Speech Language Pathology Assistant and graduated with her Bachelors in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University. She has worked with the pediatric population within the schools and her areas of interest include early language intervention and articulation disorders. Courtney enjoys engaging in a play based environment while tending to a child’s individual goals and treatment plans. 

Courtney is a PNW native and loves exploring with her husband and children, reading, and cultivating exciting memories.

Ellen Geary M.S. CF-SLP

Ellen is a speech language pathologist clinical fellow who received her Bachelors in Linguistics from Boise State University and her Masters from University of Montana. Ellen’s interests include speech sound disorders and early intervention and she is passionate about facilitating a holistic learning environment for the kids and families she works with. Ellen loves to learn new things. When she is not in the clinic, you can find her reading, exploring outdoors, or visiting family in Montana. 

Mallory Adkins SLPA

Mallory Adkins is an SLPA with a Bachelors in Communication Disorders from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. I have worked as an SLPA in the school system with ages ranging from preschool to high school. I first wanted to become a speech therapist when my brother was in speech therapy after his ASD diagnosis. In my free time I love to spend time with my husband, child, and 3 pets, reading, and crocheting.

Emma Flottemesch M.S. CCC-SLP

Emma is a ASHA and Washington state certified speech language pathologist who received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and her master’s degree at Concordia University Wisconsin. She has experience with the pediatric population in the outpatient setting. Emma’s areas of interest include AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) and early language development, using child-led therapy and building relationships with families. She decided to become an SLP after watching her mom work in the field, following her footsteps. 

In Emma’s free time she enjoys finding new hikes in the area, biking, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.