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, MA-CCC-SLP, RYT
Speech Language Pathologist
Child Communication Specialist
Certified Oral Motor Therapist
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 SHAHINFAR
Founder, Owner, MA-CCC-SLP, RYT
Speech Language Pathologist
Child Communication Specialist
Certified Oral Motor Therapist
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.”
KELLIE LA ZARR
M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Child Communication Specialist
Oral Motor Trained
KATIE BILLINGS
B.A., SLPA
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Child Communication & Speech Sound Specialist
KATIE BILLINGS
B.A., SLPA
Senior Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Child Communication & Speech Sound Specialist
JANAY JACOBS
B.A., SLPA
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
Child Communication Specialist
AAC Trained
SHANNON SCALERA
M.S., SLP-CF
Speech Language Pathologist – Clinical Fellow
Child Communication Specialist
Feeding & Dysphagia Trained
Shannon has always found passion in helping others and putting a smile on peoples’ faces ever since she was a young child. As a Speech Language Pathologist with a Master’s degree from Chapman University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles. Shannon specializes in speech, language, pediatric feeding, and dysphagia. Her clinical experience includes working at private practices, CHOC Children’s Hospital, and outpatient rehabilitation units. Shannon loves creating relationships with her clients and their families, in order for them to grow inside and outside her therapy room. In her free time, Shannon enjoys going to the beach, hiking, eating yummy food, and spending time with her friends and family!
GENNA HENDERSON
Executive Assistant
SHANNON SCALERA
M.S., SLP-CF
Speech Language Pathologist – Clinical Fellow
Child Communication Specialist
Feeding & Dysphagia Trained
KAELYN GREEN
MA, 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.
GENNA HENDERSON
Executive Assistant
Client Services Coordinator
Genna’s studies in Sociology and Communication Sciences and Disorders led her to Valued Voices because she believes all children have a joyous light inside them that they need to show to the world. 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. Ask her for a jar of her homemade pickles.
At Valued Voices, we work with conscious parents to empower self-expression in their late talkers through holistic therapies.
We work with your whole family to help your late-talker reach their communication milestones. Our holistic therapies empower children to find their voice through whatever modality suits their needs, whether that be speaking, gestures, writing, art, dance, or a device.
