About Us

Kausar H. Zafar, M.A., CCC-SLP

Houston speech therapist Kausar H. Zafar received her Masters in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Wichita State University in 1986. She also holds a Masters degree in Psychology. She is board certified from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech pathology in the state of Texas.

Ms. Zafar has lived in Katy since 1987 and has practiced in Houston as a speech-language pathologist with Houston ISD, The Briarwood School, Katy ISD, and area nursing homes. She has also worked at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital and Christus St. Catherine Hospital. She held the position of Director of Rehabilitation at Mariner Post Acute Network. There she provided speech therapy, and supervised physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy services.

She is the recipient of three awards of Continuing Education from ASHA. She has held the position of Placement Coordinator for Houston Area Association for Communication Disorders (HACD) for more than ten years. She is the recipient of the HACD Tina Bangs Service Award for devoting her time to meeting the needs of the profession. She also volunteers for several other organizations in Houston.

Ms. Zafar has extensive experience in working with young children who present speech and language delay, oral-motor problems, articulation/phonological disorders, stuttering, and voice problems associated with vocal nodules, etc. She is experienced in working with language and learning deficits associated with attention deficit, auditory processing, and reading disorders. She has also had experience with pediatric and adolescent cognitive disorders resulting from head trauma or neurogenic disorders.

Ms. Zafar also has extensive experience working with adults who have neurogenic problems, for example, stroke, head injury, cancer of the mouth, swallowing disorders, and Parkinson's Disease. She is trained in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Method (LSVT). She also enjoys working with voice problems associated with vocal nodules and vocal fold paralysis, etc. Her treatment philosophy encompasses compassion, motivation, and dedication to her clients in providing them the best possible therapy to maximize their potential.

Anita Paryl, M.A., CCC-SLP

Houston speech therapist Anita Paryl received her Bachelor's of Science degree from Purdue University and Master of Arts degree from Ball State University. She is board certified from the American Speech and Hearing Association and holds licensure from the state of Texas.

Ms. Paryl's professional career has covered a variety of work settings, including public schools, residential facilities for children and adults with severe-profound handicaps, long-term care facilities, and private practice. Ms. Paryl is experienced with the treatment of articulation, language, fluency, and swallowing disorders. She is also trained in the use of augmentative communication disorders. Her extensive background in the academic setting has prepared her to be sensitive to both educational and cognitive-related language deficits.

Ms. Paryl has obtained specialized training in language learning disorders with concomitant compensatory remediation strategies. She feels that it is essential to assist in the development or rehabilitation of foundational language/phonological skills to facilitate maximized communication competencies. She enjoys the private clinical setting because it allows for close collaboration with family, and early identification of problematic communication deficits with early intervention strategies.

Carolyn Kniss, M.A., CCC-SLP

Houston speech therapist Carolyn Kniss earned her Bachelor of Science degree from
Stephen F. Austin State University and her Master of Arts Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from The American Speech Language Hearing Association and is licensed to work in the state of Texas.

Ms. Kniss has worked in the public school setting for more than 15 years and she also works at The Speech Clinic in the evenings. She has many years of experience providing therapy to children who have articulation, language, and/or fluency disorders. Ms. Kniss' background in the educational setting allows her to understand the impact language has in the classroom and the struggles children with communication disorders face every day.

Ms. Kniss enjoys the private practice setting as it allows her to get to know that families of her clients.

Noelle R. Gearring, M.A., CCC-SLP

Noelle Gearring received her Masters of Art degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University in 2004. She is board certified from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice Speech-Language Pathology in the state of Texas.

Ms. Gearring has worked in the medical setting with patients in the intensive care and acute care units. She has worked in the school setting for five years. She also provided in-home therapy for children enrolled in an early intervention setting.

Ms. Gearring also has experience providing treatment for children who have difficulty in the areas of language and fluency. She has worked with children who have speech disorders, learning disabilities, and mild to severe mental handicaps. Her experience includes working with children from pre-kindergarten through high school.

Ms. Gearring finds working with children rewarding. She feels that one of the greatest gifts that you can give a family is communication. It is wonderful to see a child who had difficulty communicating, being able to express his or her thoughts and feelings, and to be able to fully participate in the family interaction. She believes that making the families an active participant in the treatment process by practicing newly acquired skills in the home setting helps to maximize the success that a child has with the growth in communication.

Mary O’Truk, M.S., CCC-SLP

Mary O’Truk received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Purdue University and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Lamar University. She also earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. Ms. O’Truk is licensed to practice speech pathology in the state of Texas and is certified from the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Ms. O’Truk has 20+ years experience in various clinical settings including schools, long-term acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She is experienced with the evaluation and treatment of voice, articulation, language, and swallowing disorders in both pediatric and adult populations. Ms. O’Truk is the recipient of three awards of Continuing Education from ASHA. She belongs to ASHA’s Voice, Swallowing, and School-Based special interest groups.

Mary is an employee of Medrec, Inc. who provides contract services at The Speech Clinic. She enjoys the private practice setting because of the unique opportunity it provides to work closely with the clients and their families.

Dee Bartolini, Office Manager

Houston Speech Clinic - Office Manager Dee Bartolini moved to Katy, Texas from Eugene, Oregon in 2002. In Oregon, she was employed as a bookkeeper and customer service representative with the Safeway Corporation. Ms. Bartolini is the recipient of two customer service excellence awards. In Texas, she has worked as a medical biller for a billing company. Currently, Ms. Bartolini works at The Speech Clinic and is responsible for scheduling, insurance verification, and billing.