Meet Our Therapists
Colorado Springs
Open since 1984 in Colorado Springs, Straka Pediatric Therapies provides private speech, language and social communication therapy by skilled, certified Speech-Language Pathologists, as well as developmental occupational therapy. Our therapists address articulation, verbal language, augmentative communication, social/pragmatic language, autism communication needs, fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing disorder, and more in children and adults.
With a desire to be able to meet the needs of as many families as we can, we are proud to have a team of skilled and certified therapists with a wide variety of specialties and deep passions for what they do.
Betsy Straka, MS CCC-SLP
Having been born and raised in Colorado, Betsy naturally went to the University of Colorado in Boulder where she received bachelor’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Speech Science and in Psychology. She then went to Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma where she earned a Master’s of Science degree in Communication Disorders. Betsy established Straka Speech in 1984 and has watched it grow and grow. When not working or tending to the office she enjoys reading, traveling, skiing and spending time with family.
To contact Betsy directly, email betsy@strakatherapies.com.
Andrea Glen, MS CCC-SLP
Andrea grew up as an “Army Brat,” living in Germany, Kansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, New York, and finally, landing in Colorado. She attended SUNY Geneseo, obtaining her Bachelor’s of Art degree in Psychology and Human Development. She received her post baccalaureate degree and Master’s of Science in Communicative Disorders through SUNY New Paltz. Andrea’s areas of interest in the speech realm include assistive technology, pragmatic language, and overall speech and language acquisition. Andrea recently received her initial certification in PROMPT therapy and looks forward to working towards her final certification over the next few years! Outside of the speech room, she enjoys crafting, baking, belting songs from Broadway musicals, discovering new hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.
To contact Andrea directly, email andrea@strakatherapies.com.
Lori C. Genrich, MA CCC-SLP
Lori attended Colorado State University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and then went on to University of Colorado-Boulder where she earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Lori’s areas of interest include articulation/phonological development, receptive and expressive language development, stuttering and social communication. She loves working with all ages, but has a particular heart for early intervention. Some of the things she enjoys when Lori is not at work include spending time with her husband and three growing children, visiting family and friends, hiking, skiing, walking her pup, and cheering her kids on at their volleyball and baseball games.
To contact Lori directly, email lori@strakatherapies.com.
Holly Estabrook, MS CCC-SLP
Holly attended Worcester State College in Massachusetts where she received a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences/Disorders in 2004 and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2006. She has been at Straka Speech since 2008. Holly’s areas of interest include autism spectrum disorder, cochlear implants, hearing loss, and various challenging diagnosis. In her free time, she enjoys staying busy with her two boys.
To contact Holly directly, email holly@strakatherapies.com.
Nicole Metzendorf, MS CCC-SLP
Nicole grew up on the east coast for most of her life starting out in New Jersey then moving to New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, until recently moving to Colorado! She Received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Ithaca College and her Master’s from SUNY Cortland. Nicole enjoys working with the Early Intervention age group as well as receptive/expressive language disorders, motor speech disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, and social pragmatic language. Outside of the office, Nicole enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, reading and watching funny dog videos! She loves hanging out with family and friends and cheering her husband on behind the Air Force men’s basketball bench! Go Falcons!
To contact Nicole directly, email nmetzendorf@strakatherapies.com
Katie Isbell, MS CCC-SLP
Katie was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana. She pursued both her degrees at Purdue University earning a Bachelor of Science in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences and a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. After graduation, Katie gained experience working with the pediatric populations in both the educational and medical outpatient settings here in Colorado. Her clinical interests include early intervention, phonological disorders, motor speech disorders, fluency disorders, receptive/expressive language impairments, augmentative and alternative communication, and selective mutism. Outside of the office, Katie enjoys cooking, supporting local restaurants, listening to music, watching TV, spending time outdoors, and quality time with her friends and family.
To contact Katie directly, email Katie@strakatherapies.com
Jenn McKenney MS Ed., CCC-SLP
Jenn was born and raised in New York. She attended the University at Buffalo earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and earned her Master of Science in Education Degree from Buffalo State College. Jenn's clinical interests include pediatric feeding disorders, executive functions and social/pragmatic language. Other clinical interests include articulation/phonological disorders, motor speech disorders, expressive/receptive language disorders. Outside of the office, Jenn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crafting, spending time outdoors, and traveling.
To contact Jenn directly, email jmckenney@strakatherapies.com
Michelle Batts, MS CCC-SLP
Michelle moved to Colorado in 2017 and earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Hope College and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University in Michigan. She has experience working with children and adults across various settings including preschool-middle school, outpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facilities. She has a passion working with the pediatric population and primarily treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, apraxia of speech, developmental delays, social communication delays, as well as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In her free time, you can find Michelle hiking, skiing, reading, or hanging with her rescue pup named Mabel.
To contact Michelle, email michelle@strakatherapies.com
Jennifer Cupples, MS CCC-SLP
Jennifer enjoys assisting parents in learning strategies to support their young child’s communication development at home. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Utah and her master’s degree from California State University, Sacramento in 2006. Jennifer has worked with children from birth to high school in inpatient and outpatient settings and home health, working with issues such as feeding and swallowing, language disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, voice and resonance disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, and cleft palate.
Jennifer is a member of the American and Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Associations and is certified in the Hanen It Takes Two to Talk® program. She and her husband, Ken, have two children, volunteer with preschool-aged children at her local church, and enjoys hiking and bowling in the local and state community.
Brook Robinson, MA CCC-SLP
Brook has a passion for working with children and their families in reaching their communication goals. She is committed to tailoring therapy to meet the unique needs and interests of each child in a warm and encouraging environment. Brook earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences at University of Colorado-Boulder, and her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Mississippi University for Women. She is certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and licensed in Colorado. Brook has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of pediatric populations with a variety of needs including early language delays, speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency (stuttering) and pragmatic deficits.
Brook has traveled the world being raised in an Air Force family and married to an Air Force Pilot. They have recently relocated to Colorado with their 3 children, Eli, Luke and Evie, and their beloved golden retriever, Hank.
She stays busy with her kids’ activities and enjoys being outdoors, reading, traveling, watercolor painting, and cheering for her favorite sports teams (Go Broncos!).
Emily Whiting, MS CCC-SLP
Emily’s work is dedicated towards helping children and their families meet their speech, reading, and language goals starting from early childhood. She has a passion for providing fun, play-based speech therapy activities that will help children reach their unique and individualized communication goals. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.
Emily has had the wonderful opportunity to work with children of all ages (2+) in a variety of settings including elementary schools, clinics, reading camps, and private practices. She has extensive experience providing speech-language evaluations and direct therapy services related to expressive/receptive language skills, articulation, AAC, social skills, fluency (stuttering), and more. Emily recently moved from Boston, MA to Colorado Springs, CO with her husband. She enjoys spending time reading books, hiking, walking her English bulldog, and visiting new ski towns around Colorado!
Sarah Holtsclaw, PT DPT
Sarah attended Western Michigan University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science in 2019. She continued on to Regis University where she earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree in 2024. She has always had a passion for working with children, dating back to her first job at a summer campground where she coordinated family events. This experience, coupled with many others throughout undergraduate and graduate schooling, has fostered her passion for working in pediatric therapy. Her special interests include working with and helping families with children and infants experiencing gross motor delays, torticollis, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and traumatic brain injuries. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time hiking, camping, and Nordic skiing with her husband, Gabe, and Siberian Husky, Tikaani. She also enjoys reading, crocheting, weightlifting, and playing pickleball when she's not exploring the mountains.
Sierra Hall, MS OTR/L
Sierra has a passion for working with children of all abilities to have a good quality of life and be as independent as possible. She believes all children deserve to learn through play and should have fun while working on their goals to be their best self. She believes in leading with compassion and meeting people where they are at to foster a safe and inviting therapy experience. She earned her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Utica University with a passion in sensory and emotional regulation. Sierra has experience working in a variety of settings including nursing homes, schools, and pediatric home health.
Sierra has recently relocated from upstate New York to Colorado and enjoys hiking, pottery, art, reading, spending time with her friends and family, and exploring beautiful Colorado.
Alison Beddoes, COTA/L
Alison spent the majority of her life in northern Virginia. Always inspired to have a career in pediatrics, she obtained an Associates of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant through Northern Virginia Community College in 2020. After graduation she gained experience working in a medical outpatient setting here in Colorado. Alison likes to spend her free time traveling, seeing live music, painting, and hanging out with friends and family.
To contact Alison directly, email
Marcy Crane, COTA/L
Marcy has a passion for working with children, alongside their families to become more independent in their daily activities. She earned an associates degree from Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. Marcy has experience working in multiple settings including skilled nursing facilities, school-based therapy, and pediatric outpatient therapy. Prior to joining Talk and Play, Marcy worked in school-based therapy.
Marcy is from rural east-central Illinois and relocated to Colorado with her husband who is in the military. She enjoys spending quality time with family, being outdoors, and reading. When she has time, she especially loves to travel to new places and to visit friends.
Mary Perkins, MS Healthcare Administration
As a military brat, Mary grew up moving frequently and traveling throughout the country. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Phoenix and her Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. In her free time, Mary enjoys exploring new places and trying new recipes with her children. Mary loves seeing all your smiling faces each day at Straka Speech!
To contact Mary directly, email clientservices@strakatherapies.com
Think this is a team you want to be a part of?
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic, certified licensed speech pathologists, and occupational or physical therapists. Pediatric experience is required. Availability for after schools hours is a must. Strong CFY candidates will be considered.