Because inspiring self-expression gives your child confidence to build connections and
explore their dreams.
Our Mission
Together, we raise children’s voices up in the world through inspiring self-expression.
Our Vision
Together, we connect 1 Million children to their true voice.
Why we’re called Valued Voices
Your voice is your most valuable tool in life. It allows you to connect,express, be heard, and love. We’re called Valued Voices because we know that your child’s communication isn’t limited to their words. It’s also how they connect with their eyes, their hand gestures, and their body movements. We value every child’s voice and every family’s unique situation as they look to strengthen their bonds with each other.
Meet the Team
SHOLEH SHAHINFAR
Founder, Owner, M.A. CCC-SLP, RYT
Speech Language Pathologist
Child Communication Specialist
Certified Oral Motor Therapist
A speech-language pathologist and certified oral motor therapist, Sholeh founded Valued Voices in 2014, shortly after a leap of faith landed her in a sought-after post- secondary teaching position in California. Within months she knew her highest calling was actually to make a significant positive impact on children’s lives.
As Founder and CEO of Valued Voices, Sholeh uses her gift in holistic Child Communication Development to empower children to connect to their authentic voice – helping them grow mentally and physically and form stronger relationships through self-expression. She works closely with entire families to ease the stress of the unknown and find and implement solutions to any communication challenges a child is experiencing.
Her desire to give children the tools to express their most authentic self was born out of her own childhood experiences with self-expression. While part of a close- knit, loving family, Sholeh still had difficulty speaking up and sharing her thoughts and feelings.
She learned through her studies and life experiences that you can express your “voice” through whatever modality fits your needs, whether that be speaking, gestures, a device, writing, art, or dance.
Sholeh has always prioritized family, and shortly before starting her speech and language therapy practice, she supported her cousin by attending her son’s speech therapy appointment with him. Through her participation at that one session, Sholeh realized that she longed to help children — and instantly decided to focus her expertise and ability to nurture on giving families the tools to grow together through connection.
Sholeh holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.
Her practice is deeply rooted in the belief that we’re all connected. And that only through our connectedness can we reach and impact children to uplift their voices in the world.
“Helping children connect to their true voice brings a level
of joy that can’t be expressed with words; it’s so grand.”
BAYLEE BROWN
M.A. CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Social Skills Specialist
Child Communication Specialist
ASHLEY TAYLOR
MSEd, CF-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Child Communication Specialist
Ashley has always had a love and passion for supporting others to reach their goals. Being given the opportunity to help others every day brings Ashley a tremendous amount of joy and excitement. Ashley received her Master’s degree in science from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. There she was able to work with a wide range of clients in helping them reach their goals. Ashley has a deep love for helping give others a voice. Ashley is a new mom and enjoys going to the beach, reading, and cooking.
KAELYN GREEN
M.A. OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Certified Sensory Integration Therapist
Kaelyn is a licensed occupational therapist who is passionate about working with children and their families in order to best address their needs and work towards their goals. She believes that occupational therapy is best conducted when the therapist is a partner who works with the child and family and looks to carryover that approach into her practice. She received her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton. She is certified by the University of Southern California in Sensory Integration and is an advocate for addressing underlying sensory functioning in order to improve occupational performance. She has extensive training working in pediatric outpatient clinics and in Her goal is to create a fun atmosphere that makes working towards a child’s goals and improving their occupational performance seem like playing games. When she is not working, you will find Kaelyn taking care of her two goldendoodles, working in her garden, or taking trips to the Central Coast.
TAYLOR LASKY
M.S. CF-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Early Intervention Specialist
Child Communication Specialist
As a speech-language pathologist, Taylor finds purpose in empowering her clients and their families. Taylor’s priority is to create an upbeat, welcoming, family-focused environment for clients to build confidence as they grow. Taylor holds a Master of Science degree from Chapman University and feels grateful to use the knowledge gained through her educational, clinical, and personal experiences to touch the lives of others daily.
With a passion for early intervention, Taylor loves to utilize the power of play to maximize communication and social development! She blends fun with functionality to design dynamic and purposeful sessions for each of her clients. Taylor believes that there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” approach to speech therapy, so she always strives to harness each client’s unique set of strengths and areas of interest.
On the weekends, you can find Taylor at the beach reading a book, on a long walk with her dog Sadie, at the gym trying a new workout, or in a coffee shop planning her next road trip.
KATHY TIEN
B.A. SLPA
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Child Communication Specialist
Kathy is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. She attended California State University Long Beach, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders in 2014. After graduating, she worked as an SLPA within the clinical setting throughout most of her career, and has recently gained experience in the school district.
Her passion is early intervention and facilitating functional communication through play-based therapy. She focuses on building a language rich environment that supports each individual and their families. She loves seeing her clients make progress and thrive in therapy!
During her spare time, Kathy enjoys riding her bike, going to the beach, game nights, and traveling to new places.
GENNA HENDERSON
Administrative Director
Genna has always been passionate about helping give opportunities to others and believes all children have a joyous light inside them that deserves to be shown to the world. Her bachelor’s degree in sociology and minor in communication sciences and disorders from Pacific University in Oregon led her to Valued Voices. She knows that giving kids the chance to express themselves allows them to reach new heights internally and in their communities. A former collegiate volleyball player, Genna stays active with regular exercise and she loves to cook at home.
At Valued Voices, we work with conscious parents to empower self-expression in their late bloomers through holistic therapies.
We work with your whole family to help your child reach their communication & motor milestones. Our holistic therapies empower children to find their voice and self-express through whatever modality suits their needs, whether that be speaking, gestures, writing, art, dance, or a device.
