About us
Our Staff
Christy Ibarra, Owner/Director & Speech Therapist
Christy is the owner and director of Total Communication. Christy received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Master’s of Science in Communication Disorders from Texas State University in 1991 and 1993. She has practiced speech pathology for 15 years, specializing in pediatrics for more than 10 years. She has practiced in a variety of settings including public and private schools, home health, hospitals, and private practice settings. She has clinical expertise in the treatment and evaluation of children with a variety of communication disorders, including: articulation, language, apraxia, autism, feeding disorders and fluency. She specializes in oral-motor therapy. Christy enjoys anything outside, traveling, being with her family, and leading and participating in a transformational training and development program.
Ashley La Motte, Speech Therapist
Ashley attended Louisiana State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders and a Master’s of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. She joined our team in June 2009. Ashley has had a variety of clinical experience in diagnosing and treating communication disorders including articulation, language, fluency, oral-motor, aphasia, dysarthria, and dysphasia. She previously worked in a home health setting diagnosing and treating adults and children of all ages and disorders. Ashley is originally from Welsh, Louisiana. She has lived in Austin for a year and enjoys the live music and entertainment it has to offer.
Shelley Bernis, Speech Therapist
Shelley graduated with a bachelor of arts in Communication Disorders from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and obtained a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Louisiana Tech University. Shelley has a special interest in early childhood intervention and oral-motor and feeding therapy. She has practical experience in all areas of speech and language including articulation and language deficits, apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, and executive dysfunction. She is also certified in the Hanen Program. Shelley is a native of Sulphur, Louisiana and is married to her high school sweetheart, Warren. They have 2 beagles named Sadie and Rosco. Shelley enjoys taking her dogs on hikes around the city, cooking, and gardening.
Kimber Sepeda, Aquatics Therapist/Administrative Assistant
Kimber is currently attending Texas State University and is studying to major in Exercise Sports Science with a minor in Psychology in May of 2010. Upon graduation, she plans to obtain a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Kimber is our Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Instructor as well as our Water Safety Instructor here at Total Communication. She joined our team back in October of 2008. When Kimber is not doing aquatics, she also helps out as our Clinical Technician. She is originally from small town Rosenberg, Texas just outside of Houston. She most enjoys being outdoors, playing sports, and spending time with her white Labrador, Kayden.
Cathleen Madden, Account Manager
Cathleen graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She worked at the Capitol School of Austin for 5 years before joining Total Communication in 2002. She has been our Insurance Coordinator/Accounts Manager for the past 7 years. Cathleen is the mother of 3 beautiful girls and 1 wonderful boy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking with her children and summer cookouts with family and friends.