Staff

Stefanie is a certified Pediatric Occupational Therapist with more than 25 years of experience in early intervention and pediatric therapies. Stefanie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1992. She has worked in a hospital setting treating acute, rehab, and outpatient programs, as well as outpatient facilities. She has experience working with infants & children ages birth through 3 in the early intervention programs in Tennessee, Indiana, and Georgia areas. Most recently, Stefanie has worked with children primarily between the ages of 2 and 14 years, in the clinic setting, with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Delays, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Sensory Processing Disorder, Learning Disabled, Cognitive Deficits, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, and Coordination Disorder. Stefanie has taken several post graduate courses on Sensory Integration, Neuro-developmental Treatment, Vision Therapy, Oral-motor and Feeding Issues in Pediatrics, Executive Functioning, and is trained in the Handwriting Without Tears Program, Interactive Metronome, as well as Therapeutic Listening and the Astronaut Training Program. Stefanie started Helping Hands Pediatric Therapy, Inc. in 2001 after moving to Georgia, primarily employing therapists to treat in early intervention. Her company has grown from this to providing both early intervention and clinic based therapy with over 10 therapists. Stefanie is the sole owner and director. She and her daughter live in Buford, GA.

Shamara received her  Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Columbia University in 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from William Paterson University. Shamara has been an active speech therapist for over 19 years, treating children and adults from infants to over 90 years old. Shamara’s areas of special interest include articulation, AAC, fluency or stuttering, language and learning disorders, literacy based treatment approaches, and incorporating a universal approach to language development into therapeutic activities. She has a range of experience with many pediatric and adult disorders across various settings including hospitals, schools, rehab centers, home care, nursing facilities, and private clinics. Shamara enjoys spending time with her family and their 2 dogs. Her other interests include traveling, cooking, dancing, attending festivals and live sport events

Pam was born in Georgia. She Graduated in 1992 with Diploma in Practical Nursing from Gwinnett Technical. She then graduated in 2012 from Brenau
University with Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Pam has volunteered work with adults and children with special needs in the community
for past 17 years. Her experience includes pediatrics & early Intervention. She is certified in the following therapies/programs:

• Interactive Metronome™
• Handwriting Without Tears Program™
• The Print Tool™
• Beckman Oral Motor™
• S.O.S. (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) Feeding Program™
• Completed level one mentor program with the Star Institute
Therapeutic Listening Program
Astronaut Training
Integrated Listening Systems (iLs)

Cindy has been an occupational therapist for 23 years. She earned her BS degree in Exceptional Education from the University of South Florida and her MSOT in Occupational Therapy at Florida International University. In 2011, Cindy completed her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at St. Augustine University. She has worked for 23 years for the Dekalb County School System and began working at Helping Hands Pediatric Therapy clinic in May 2012. Cindy has experience working with children and young adults ages 3 years through 22 with ASD, Developmental Delays, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Sensory Processing Disorder, Learning Disabled, Cognitive Deficits, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, and Coordination Disorder.

She and her husband, Steve, live in Suwanee. She has two children; her daughter Callie Jo is a student at GGC and her son Colin attend North Gwinnett High School. Cindy is originally from Florida and is an avid Florida Gators, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Rays fan.

Natalia Montalvo Ayala, M.S. CF-SLP, is a state-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist working towards national certification through ASHA. Natalia attended The University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Science and Albizu University—Miami Campus for her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Georgia, she is fully
bilingual and proficient in both Spanish and English. Natalia has experience working with children of all ages from toddlers to adolescents, adults, and geriatrics with a variety of disorders and special needs. Her clinical experience includes treating expressive and receptive language disorders, social-pragmatic language disorders, articulation, phonological disorders, and voice. During her free time, she loves
traveling, watching and attending sporting events, and spending time with her family!

Natalia moved back to Georgia to fulfill a need in the community as a bilingual speech pathologist. She is happy to be back in the Buford/Sugar Hill area and excited to be a part of the Helping Hands family!

Christina is a Speech-Language Pathologist who received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia (Gooo Dawgs!) and her Master’s in Communication Disorders from Auburn University. She’s had the pleasure of working with both children and adults in various settings, including the school system, private practice, outpatient rehab, and skilled nursing facilities. While she loves working with all populations, pediatrics is her favorite! When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, and traveling.

Tierra was born in Chicago Illinois and raised in Milwaukee WI. She received her Masters in Occupation Therapy from Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 2011. She started her career in geriatrics working in a SNF then pursued working in a mental health hospital before finding her passion for working primarily with the pediatric population. She has provided pediatric services in a variety of settings such as mental health, home health, schools and outpatient clinic-based settings. She practiced in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Colorado before becoming a licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Georgia. Tierra has experience working with a variety of conditions including ASD, ADHD, Developmental Delay, sensory processing disorder, mental illnesses and oppositional defiant disorder.

Graciela Garza, M.Ed. CF-SLP, is a GA state-licensed SLP working toward national certification. Graciela recently graduated from Valdosta State University with a Master of Education in Communication Disorders. Her clinical experience includes articulation, phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, and fluency. She is currently working full time as a speech therapist in the Gwinnett County Public School system. Graciela enjoys making pottery, painting, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.

Carmen was born and raised in GA. She graduated from Duluth High School in 2010 and went to the University of Phoenix for business management. She got engaged to her high school sweetheart December of 2019 and got married November 4th of 2021. She owns a small business called Precious Milestones where she personalizes most items. She has two fur babies one is a Shih Tzu named Manchester and the other is mixed (Shih Tzu, Maltese and chihuahua.) her name is Ashe. Carmen is very excited to be a part of a sweet and helpful team that changes children’s lives every day! Carmen joined Helping Hands to assist with translation needs and assisting the authorization department.

My name is Tracy Frazier and I am one of the speech-language pathologists at Helping Hands! I earned my Bachelor's degree from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and Master's degree from the University of Virginia. I've had the pleasure of working with both children and adults in a variety of settings including schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health, private practice, hospitals, and daycares. When I'm not working, I enjoy reading, volunteering, spending time with my friends and family, and trying out new recipes. I am very excited to be part of the Helping Hands family!

Jackie is a nationally certified and Georgia-licensed Speech-language pathologist with 8+ years of experience in the field.  Jackie graduated from The University of Georgia in 2015 with her Master’s of Education (M.Ed.). in Speech-Language Pathology.  Prior to attending UGA, she also earned a Master’s of Science (M.S.) in Biology from California State University Northridge in 2010, emphasizing her studies on the neurological control of feeding.  Jackie is trained in PROMPT (Bridging), Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, and Wilson Reading System (WRS).  Jackie has extensive experience with:  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), childhood apraxia of speech, general articulation delays/disorders, language delays/disorders, dyslexia, cognitive communication disorders, and oral motor/feeding skills.  Jackie has worked with speech therapy patients from infancy up through adults.  She has worked in the school setting (elementary and middle school ages) and private practice.  She has also worked with adults in inpatient neurological rehab and assisted living places.  Prior to working as a speech therapist, Jackie was a classroom teacher for five years, teaching middle and high school science and math.  Jackie is also a certified kids yoga teacher.  Jackie lives in Alpharetta, Georgia with her three dogs (June, Herschel, and Barney), and she is an avid Braves fan!

Courtney is a recent graduate from the University at Buffalo Occupational therapy MS/BS program. She has pediatric clinical experience in both schools as well as dance studios, through the development of a dance movement therapy program. In her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time her friends, family and dog Mac! Courtney is excited to join Helping Hands and start her career as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.

I am originally from Illinois and have just moved here to Georgia in 2022! I got engaged last August to my fiancé on the Chicago lakefront and now I am living happily with my fiancé in Gwinnett County. I love spending time with my family, fiancé and pet cat, Ninja! I also enjoy baking, writing, reading and yoga. I have 10 years of experience working as a volunteer at my church, Saint Damian’s, religious education program as an office aide, catechist aide, and a catechist myself! I worked with grades mainly 1st through 5th, but also helped out with the 6th-8th graders from time to time! I enjoyed teaching greatly, and having fun with the kiddos while they learned. I am super excited to be working with everyone at Helping Hands! 

Keri is a native of New York and earned her graduate degree in Physical Therapy from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY and her transitional doctorate degree from Arcadia University. Keri has provided physical therapy services for children in a multitude of settings over the last 25 years including schools, camps, homes and in outpatient clinics.  Keri especially enjoys interacting with the children and families she works with and strives to enhance their lives by empowering them to gain functional skills and increased independence. In her free time, Keri enjoys the outdoors with her family and tries to give back to her community both as a PT and private individual.

Jennifer was born and raised in Bradenton Fl, she moved to Georgia in 2005. Jennifer has worked several different jobs over the years, from customer service manager to CNA. She is a wife and mother of 4. Her youngest is 2 and currently receives occupational and speech therapy at Helping Hands, she has seen a huge difference in Braelyn since beginning therapy at Helping Hands  in 2020. She is very excited for her position at Helping Hands and absolutely loves seeing all the kiddos and their families coming in each day for therapy. It is such a rewarding experience seeing  the difference in each child since beginning their treatment.

Erin Burge is a pediatric speech language pathologist who enjoys working with children of all ages. She has over 15 years experience working with toddlers, school aged children and young adults. Her speciality is in pragmatic/social language disorders and building vocabulary in young children. A mom of six, Erin gets daily experience with a variety of ages! She enjoys being part of the Buford  community and is thrilled to be a part of the HHPT team.

Lynette was born and raised in Belzoni Mississippi where she lived until 2005, when she got married and moved to the Georgia area. She has 2 two sweet girls. She graduated high school in 2000, and graduated from Medical Assistant in 2012 . She has been mostly a stay home mom. Lynette is a people person & easy going, and enjoys the interaction that she has with parents and clients at Helping Hands.