Our Valuable Team

Our Valuable Team

The people make the place. Meet
the Dymond Speech & Rehab Team.

Our incredible team is passionate, experienced, talented and friendly. We truly have the best of the best. Get to know the people behind the business, who are dedicated to making sure your needs are not only met, but exceeded.

 
 

Barbara Dymond

Founder/Speech-Language Pathologist

Barbara has experience and training in reading intervention, expressive and receptive language disorders, and a specific passion for literacy.

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Marcy Martin

Clinical Manager/Occupational Therapist

Marcy has experience and training in therapeutic handling for facilitating motor development, sensory processing disorder, sensory-based pediatric feeding disorders, and lactation.

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Alexa Thayer

Occupational Therapist

Alexa has experience working in early intervention and with children with a variety of neurological and developmental disorders including ASD, ADHD, and Down Syndrome.

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Jordyn Eberly

Speech-Language Pathologist
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Erin Kraus

Speech-Language Pathologist

Erin has experience in pediatrics, with a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She uses individualized, play-based approaches to support each child’s unique needs.

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Haley Poythress

Occupational Therapist

Haley has experience with a wide variety of diagnoses including Autism, ADHD, ODD, traumatic brain injuries, and many other neurological and developmental disorders.

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Candace Gillford

Occupational Therapist Assistant

Candace has dedicated most of her 26 years of practice to pediatrics.She has worked in a variety of settings, including psychiatry,home-based care,

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Lexi Olauson

Occupational Therapist

Lexi has experience in treating children with a variety of diagnoses including Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, and birth injuries.

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Hallie Piehler

Speech-Language Pathologist

Hallie has experiences serving people across the lifespan with various communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.

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Kalindi Vaswani

Speech-Language Pathologist

Kalindi has experience with early intervention, autism, language delays, articulation, fluency, and cognitive communication disorders.

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Alex Woolverton

Occupational Therapist

Alex has experience working with kiddos that have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, rare genetic conditions, and many others. 

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Joanna Maier

Speech-Language Pathologist

Joanna has experience with early intervention, autism, language delays, articulation, fluency, and cognitive communication disorders.

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Rachael McWilliams

Occupational Therapist

Rachael brings experience working with clients across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and diagnoses.

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Erin Reed

Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

Erin Reed is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-Assistant) who brings 4 plus years of experience working with children across a variety of settings,

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Kylee DeRocha

Physical Therapist 

Kylee DeRocha, brings 2.5 years of clinical experience to her role as a pediatric physical therapist. Kylee has a special interest in working with children with developmental delays,

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Zoe Longo

Speech-Language Pathologist

Zoe has experience supporting individuals across the lifespan and holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from West Chester University.

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Diana Longwell

Occupational Therapist

Diana is an experienced occupational therapist with a background in inpatient and outpatient neuro-rehabilitation. She earned her Bachelor of Science

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Annie McKay

Occupational Therapist Assistant

Annie specializes in play-based interventions and neurodevelopmental treatment with a focus on using a holistic approach and neurodiverse-affirming interventions.

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Alexis Danley

Occupational Therapist Assistant

Alexis is gaining experience in pediatric occupational therapy, working with children with a variety of neurological and developmental needs. She previously completed

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Rylei Smith

Speech-Language Pathologist
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Annie McKay

Occupational Therapist Assistant
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Chris D

Practice Manager
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Candace D

Clinic Operations Manager
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Rylan S

Care Coordinator
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Ashley N

Care Coordinator
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Ruby J

Care Coordinator
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Kayla J

Care Coordinator
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Join Our Team

Barbara Dymond MS, CCC-SLP
Founder/Speech Therapist

Barbara has experience and training in reading intervention, expressive and receptive language disorders, and a specific passion for literacy.

Marcy Martin OTR/L, CLC
Clinical Manager/Occupational Therapist

Marcy graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University and has been working in pediatrics and early intervention for over 20 years. Marcy has specialized training and experience in therapeutic handling for facilitating motor development, sensory processing disorder, and sensory-based pediatric feeding disorders. She enjoys providing family-centered care to ensure positive experiences for both parents and children. She recently became a Certified Lactation Consultant in order to further address early feeding difficulties.

Alexa Thayer MS, OTR
Occupational Therapist

Alexa was born and raised in New Gloucester, Maine. She attended Husson University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and Public Health and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Alexa relocated to North Carolina in 2024 to begin her career as a pediatric occupational therapist. She has experience working in early intervention and with children with a variety of neurological and developmental disorders, including ASD, ADHD, and Down Syndrome. Alexa is passionate about providing meaningful services and support to both her clients and families to promote independence for a successful future. When Alexa is not in the office, she enjoys exploring her new town of Apex, spending time outdoors, golfing, and hanging out with her cats, Luna and Sunny.

Jordyn Eberly MS, CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Savannah attended Appalachian State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Reading Education. She later obtained a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Carolina. Savannah is passionate about working with children of all ages, with a particular interest in early intervention, language disorders, and reading intervention. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her dog, friends, and family.

Erin Kraus MA, CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

Erin is originally from Pennsylvania and recently moved to North Carolina to begin her career as a Speech Language Pathologist. She earned her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology at Kent State University where she also minored in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Erin utilizes individualized, play-based, child-centered approaches while working with her clients. She was inspired to be an SLP by her sister who was a non-verbal communicator. In her free time, Erin enjoys going on walks, going to the beach, painting, and being with her two cats.

Haley Poythress MS, OTR
Occupational Therapist

Haley is an occupational therapist born and raised in North Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Appalachian State in 2020 and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University in 2022. She has training in DIR Floortime, and is particularly passionate about providing child and family centered care to help patients to achieve their maximum potential. When Haley is not in the office she is most likely riding horses, making music/playing the flute, or spending time with her dog Hazel.

Candace Gifford OTA/L
Occupational Therapist Assistant

Candace was born and raised in North Carolina. She graduated from Durham Technical Community College in 1999 and has dedicated most of her 26 years of practice to pediatrics. She has worked in a variety of settings, including psychiatry, home-based care, school-based services, in/out patient rehab and private clinics.This varied experience has allowed her to work with children from many backgrounds with a wide variety of diagnosis. She is a true believer in client-center and play based therapy to foster self awareness and increase independence in their daily occupations.When Candace is not treating, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends to include her two grandchildren. She enjoys traveling to new exotic locations as well as taking weekend trips to familiar places!

Lexi Olauson, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Lexi Olauson received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Methodist University. Lexi’s approach to therapy is client-centered, and she loves helping families create schedules, add structure, build community connections, and promote healthy lifestyles for their children. She prioritizes parent education as an invaluable part of the treatment process, ensuring that children benefit and successfully carry over learned strategies into their daily environments. On weekends, Lexi enjoys walking in her neighborhood with family, painting on canvas, and traveling.

Hallie Piehler MS, SLP-CCC
Speech-Language Pathologist

Hallie was born and raised in Morehead City, NC. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Appalachian State University and her master’s degree in Speech Pathology from East Carolina University. Hallie has experience serving people across the lifespan with various communication, cognitive, and/or swallowing disorders. When Hallie is not working in the clinic, she is often walking her cocker spaniel, Ginny, painting, or reading a good book!

Kalindi Vaswani MS, CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

Kalindi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and completed her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Kalindi brings five years of experience working with children and has supported clients with articulation and phonological disorders, language disorders, autism, and craniofacial differences. After graduation, she remained in North Carolina and joined the Dymond team. In her free time, Kalindi enjoys hiking, reading, and walking her dog.

Alex Woolverton MS, OTR
Occupational Therapist

Alex, a North Carolina native, earned her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill in 2021 and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University in 2024. She joined DSR in 2025 and has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and rare genetic conditions. Alex has a special interest in helping adolescents with autism build independence in driving and community mobility. She uses a play-based, child-centered approach and values strong collaboration with families. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting, reading, and spending time with her husband and dog.

Joanna Maier MS, CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

Joanna is a licensed speech-language pathologist with a passion for supporting communication and language development across various populations. They bring experience from multiple clinical settings and are committed to providing individualized, evidence-based care. Their approach emphasizes collaboration, functional goals, and helping clients reach their full potential. Outside of work, Joanna enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends.

Rachael McWilliams, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Rachael is a passionate occupational therapist who joined the DSR team in June 2025 after earning her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Duke University. She has experience working with individuals of various ages and backgrounds, and her approach is child- and family-centered, focusing on functional participation through fun, engaging activities. During graduate school, she partnered with the Autism Society of North Carolina to create a puberty education program for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sparking her passion for neurodiversity-affirming care and accessible education. Rachael is also a proud hearing aid user and the author of The Little Computers Behind My Ears, a children’s book about hearing impairments. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, trying new restaurants, and listening to country music.

Erin Reed C-SLPA
Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

Erin Reed is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-Assistant) who earned her Bachelor’s degree from Radford University. She has spent the past four years working with children across a variety of settings, supporting those with diverse communication needs and disabilities. Erin has experience and training in early intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), language delays, and articulation disorders. Erin is passionate about helping children develop confidence in their communication skills and has a special interest in play-based therapy. She is dedicated to creating engaging, supportive experiences that help children find and strengthen their unique voices. Outside of work, Erin enjoys staying active through fitness, hiking, and biking, exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and making memories with her two dogs, Koda and Asher.

Kylee DeRocha PT, DPT
Physical Therapist

Kylee DeRocha, brings 2.5 years of clinical experience to her role as a pediatric physical therapist. Kylee has a special interest in working with children with developmental delays, Autism spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome, Genetic conditions, and Torticollis. She believes that meaningful progress emerges when children feel motivated, supported, and confident, and she prioritizes family collaboration to help carry therapeutic strategies into daily routines. In addition to her clinical work, Kylee serves as a clinical instructor, mentoring physical therapy students and helping them develop strong, practical skills as they advance in their education. Outside the clinic, Kylee enjoys kayaking, baking, and watching women’s basketball.

Zoe Longo M.A., CFY-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist

Zoe has experience supporting individuals across the lifespan and holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from West Chester University. Her clinical interests include AAC, autism, geriatric swallowing disorders, and language disorders, and she utilizes a patient-centered, family-focused approach to provide compassionate, functional, evidence-based care. Outside of work, Zoe enjoys spending time with her cat, traveling, and connecting with friends and family.

Diana Longwell. OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Diana Longwell is an experienced occupational therapist with a background in inpatient and outpatient neuro-rehabilitation. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 2011 and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 2017. Her clinical interests include sensory processing and executive functioning. Diana provides neurodiversity-affirming, play-based therapy grounded in the belief that all children have the potential to thrive when given the right support. She values authentic connection and takes a holistic approach to empowering children and their families. Outside of work, Diana enjoys hiking, traveling, homeschooling, and spending time with her kids.

Annie McKay COTA/L
Occupational Therapy Assistant

Annie is thrilled to join the Dymond team in October 2025 and loves working with families to attain the just-right tools that make every day more doable. Annie specializes in play-based interventions and neurodevelopmental treatment with a focus on using a holistic approach and neurodiverse-affirming interventions.  Annie especially values the warm connections built with patients and their families, recognizing them to be crucial for achieving therapeutic goals. In her free time, Annie enjoys cooking, reading, dancing, sewing, swimming and playing tennis, and is working on her gardening skills. 

Alexis Danley OTA/L
Occupational Therapist Assistant

Alexis completed both her Level I and Level II fieldwork at Dymond Speech & Rehab, gaining experience working with children with a variety of neurological and developmental needs. She graduated from Durham Technical Community College in May 2026 and uses a play-based, client-centered approach focused on building relationships, confidence, and independence. Originally from Iowa, Alexis moved to North Carolina in 2023. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and being with her husband and two cats, Duke and Macy. .

Chris Dymond
Practice Manager

Chris joined Dymond Speech & Rehab in 2023 and currently serves as Practice Manager. Chris has a unique mix of experience, from business strategy to leading cross-functional teams. Most recently, Chris served as a product manager on the Communications Team at Walgreens, where he was responsible for creating the strategy around their transactional email communications. Chris was drawn to working in the clinic as he reflected on his experience growing up in the clinic, seeing the life-changing services provided, and wanting to contribute to the clinic’s mission.

Candace Donathan
Clinical Operations Manager

Originally from Delaware, Candace moved to North Carolina in 2020. Her career started in veterinary medicine where she found a passion for developing the people she worked with and curating a team culture within her practices that puts patient care first. With this, she decided to go back to school and received her Bachelor’s in Business Management in 2019 from Wilmington University and has been working in hospital operations for the last 4 years. 

Quinn Roderick PT, DPT
Physical Therapist

Quinn received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Utica University in New York after completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Health Studies. She has three years of pediatric experience within preschool and outpatient settings across New York and Arizona. Quinn is passionate about making therapy fun and using play-based methods to help children improve their confidence and independence. In her free time, Quinn enjoys reading, building legos, going on walks, and playing board games with her family.