Speech Therapists
We are often asked for referrals to speech therapists (also called speech/language pathologists, or SLPs) knowledgeable about Parkinson's Disease (PD) in our geographic area. Here's a list of some we have heard about or know. We always suggest people ask members of their local Parkinson's support group to get recommendations.
Of course the details below may change from time to time, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors. You must re-confirm all details with the professionals listed. All locations require a referral unless indicated.
If you are looking for recommendations beyond the Stanford area, please contact us.
Amedisys Home Health: Reuma Etkin, SLP
Location of Services: People's homes (Palo Alto to Gilroy)
Main Phone: 408-370-3927
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Medicare's Home Health benefit
Notes: Medicare Home Health patients only
Balanced Speech Therapy: Megan DePuy, SLP
Location of Services: Remote (video); Clinic in San Mateo, CA
Main Phone: 650-766-4511; Email
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Private Pay
Clarity Speech Therapy: Christina Semonick, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in Mountain View, CA
Main Phone: 650-980-4080; Email
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Private Pay
Notes: 9-month waitlist. Specializes in complex issues (swallowing disorders with sleep apnea).
El Camino Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation: Hallie Mass, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in Mountain View, CA
Main Phone: 650-940-7285
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Medicare, MediCal, Private Insurance
Grace Community Home Health: Isabella Firpo, SLP
Location of Services: People's homes (San Carlos to Santa Clara)
Main Phone: 650-784-0082; Main Email
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Medicare' home health benefit
Note: Home health patients only
Kapila Voice and Speech Services: Ruchi Kapila, SLP
Location of Services: Remote (video)
Main Phone: 510-470-1724
PD-Specific Credentials: SPEAK OUT
Payment: Private Pay, Out-of-network Kaiser
Living Louder Speech Therapy: Karen Vang, SLP
Location of Services: Remote (video); People's homes (Cupertino, Mountain View, North San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale)
Main Phone: 408-644-2202
PD-Specific Credentials: SPEAK OUT
Payment: Private Pay
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Mountain View: Betsy Stickels, SLP; Michelle Tapalla, SLP
Location of Services: Remote (video); Clinic in Mountain View, CA
Audiology/Speech Therapy Clinic Phone: 650-934-7900
PD-Specific Credentials:
Betsy Stickels - LSVT LOUD, SPEAK OUT
Payment: Medicare; MediCal; Private Insurance
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Palo Alto: Michelle Tapalla, SLP
Location of Services: Remote (video); Clinic in Palo Alto, CA
Audiology/Speech Therapy Clinic Phone: 650-853-4947
PD-Specific Credentials: none
Payment: Medicare; MediCal; Private Insurance
Palo Alto Speech: Randy Hoffman, SLP
Location of Services: Remote (video)
PD-Related Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Private Pay
Physical Performance Institute (El Camino Hospital/Los Gatos): Colette Piccioni, SLP; Chantha Sun, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in Los Gatos, CA
Outpatient Therapy Appointment Phone: 408-866-4059
PD-Related Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Medicare; MediCal; Private Insurance
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center: Holly Hamilton, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in San Jose, CA
Outpatient Therapy Service Referral Center: 408-885-7106
PD-Specific Credentials: SPEAK OUT
Payment: Medicare, MediCal, Private Insurance
San Jose State University, Kay Armstead Center for Communication Disorders: Marcella McCollum, SLP; Pei-Tzu Tsai, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in San Jose, CA
Main Phone: 408-924-3679; Email
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD, SPEAK OUT
Payment: Donations (Insurance not accepted)
Notes: The clinic is a Parkinson Voice Project Grant recipient, and offers SPEAK OUT(R) services with fully trained student clinicians and supervisors.
No referral needed, but assessment is required, and medical records are helpful. Assessment clinics available at SJSU, if none has been done.
The clinic runs on an academic calendar so patients may have to wait until the following semester to be seen. PD trained SLPs don't teach every semester.
Sequoia Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation: Elizabeth Byrne, SLP
Location: Clinic in Redwood City, CA
Main Phone: 650-367-5517; Email
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: Medicare, MediCal, Private Insurance
Notes: Works Mondays and Wednesdays
Stanford Outpatient Neurologic Rehabilitation Program: Julie Hicks, SLP; Sarah Stranberg, SLP; Kei Worry, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in Palo Alto, CA
Main Phone: 650-725-5106
PD-Specific Credentials: All are LSVT LOUD; Julie Hicks and Sarah Stranberg are also SPEAK OUT
Payment: Medicare, MediCal, Private Insurance
Notes: Referral from Stanford neurologist required
Tackle Talk Speech Therapy: Joanne Lacson-Seiferle, SLP
Location of Services: People's homes; Clinic in San Francisco
Main Phone: 415-823-2246, Email
PD-Specific Credentials: SPEAK OUT
Payment: Medicare; Private Insurance; Private Pay
VA Palo Alto Medical Center - Livermore: Charina Non, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in Livermore, CA
Main Phone: 925-373-4700, extension 36449
PD-Specific Credentials: SPEAK OUT
Payment: VA Health Care
Note: Only available to those covered by VA Health Care
VA Palo Alto Medical Center - Menlo Park: Lucy Yang, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in Menlo Park, CA
Main Phone: 650-614-9997, extension 22066
PD-Specific Credentials: SPEAK OUT
Payment: VA Health Care
Note: Only available to those covered by VA Health Care
VA Palo Alto: Stephanie Martinson, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in Palo Alto, CA
Main Phone: 650-493-5000, extension 65597
PD-Specific Credentials: LSVT LOUD
Payment: VA Health Care
Note: Only available to those covered by VA Health Care
VA Clinic - San Jose: Jeri Frakes, SLP
Location of Services: Clinic in San Jose, CA
Main Phone: 408-574-9100, extension 79219
PD-Specific Credentials: SPEAK OUT
Payment: VA Health Care
Note: Only available to those covered by VA Health Care
Last updated June 2023 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.
