WHO WE ARE

MEET OUR TEAM

our goal is to provide a feeling of trust and connection with our families

Natalie Neal M.A. CCC-SLP

owner & clinical director

Natalie began Small Talk OC in 2007 with the intent of creating a warm and caring environment specializing in individualized and family-centered therapy.  Natalie loves working with children because it gives her an excuse to play well beyond her childhood years! She is passionate about her work, and thrives on creating a fun and nurturing environment to enhance children’s confidence and communication skills.  She is inspired and receives so much joy from the families she works with.

Natalie has specific training in PROMPT and Oral Placement Therapy for treating motor speech disorders and sensory-motor feeding challenges. She also has training in DIR/Floortime Method which promotes child development through respectful, playful, and joyful engagement.

Natalie is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Professional Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Natalie lives with her talented musician hubby and lil pup, Peter, in beautiful Laguna Beach.  

Allison Formica M.S. CCC-SLP

Feeding, AAC & Early Intervention Specialist

Allison is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Allison has specific training in PROMPT, Comprehensive Assessment and Intervention using the DIR/Floortime Method, and SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Feeding Therapy. She has AAC Experience using Proloquo2Go, TouchChat HD, and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

When she’s not working with clients, you’ll find Allison enjoying time with her baby boy and hubby in Huntington Beach.

Heather Kipp, SLPA

board certified speech-language pathology assistant

Heather is Small Talk OC’s dynamic speech therapy assistant. She is currently pursuing her degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with an emphasis in speech-language pathology. Combining her therapeutic experience in the public schools with her experience in corporate management, Heather brings a unique skill set to the Small Talk OC Team. Her passion for working with children is contagious and her clients can’t wait to see “Miss Heather” each week!

Heather has special training in DIR/Floortime Method. She loves using this method with children, because it capitalizes on the power of building relationships and connections to promote engagement, communication, positive behaviors, and thinking.

When Heather is not connecting with kids she is super auntie to her adorable nieces. She loves spending time with her family and friends.

REBEkah martin, music therapist

board certified music therapist

We are excited to welcome Rebekah, Board Certified Music Therapist, as the newest member of our Small Talk OC family. Rebekah is dedicated to using an eclectic and creative approach to meet your child where they are through music. Music therapy is a multimodal experience that naturally encourages engagement through play in a success oriented environment. Research shows that music encourages socialization, facilitates self expression, enhances speech/language and motor development, and so much more. Rebekah is passionate about using music to enrich the lives of others and is excited to begin working with your child!