Our Team
Our team at Rooted is extremely special. We are a hand-selected group of passionate, highly trained therapists dedicated to empowering every child we serve. Each member of our team brings a highly specialized expertise in providing neurodiversity-affirming, child-led, and play-based approaches, ensuring therapy is both effective and joy-filled. Our team consists of speech-language pathologists and an occupational therapist; every therapist is chosen not only for their clinical skill, but also for their warmth, creativity, and commitment to building genuine connections with children and families. Together, we work collaboratively to create an environment where your child feels safe, understood, and supported in every step of their growth.
Rooted Team
Rachel Terrell, Owner & SLP
Austin Ward, SLP
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Ms. Austin is a sensory-certified, licensed speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist.
Austin graduated with her Bachelor’s in Communicative Disorders from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2020. She went on to graduate from Abilene Christian University with a Masters of Speech Language Pathology in May 2022. She also earned additional certifications in the sequential oral sensory (SOS) feeding approach, natural language acquisition approach, AAC, and a sensory speech therapy.
The inspiration to pursue speech therapy arose from Austin’s passion for supporting, celebrating, and growing children’s unique ways of communicating. She’s here to help them create more opportunities for connection with the world and the people around them.
Austin deeply values collaboration with both therapy providers and caregivers. She also emphasizes a child-led approach to therapy, placing connection and relationship-building at the center of every session.
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Rachel is the founder and owner of Rooted Therapies and a pediatric speech-language pathologist dedicated to helping neurodivergent children communicate in ways that honor who they are. Rachel discovered the importance of movement, sensory integration, and child-led strategies early in her career working with neurodivergent children and toddlers. She became very passionate about providing holistic therapy to support the whole child. Rachel utilizes a play-based approach in order to connect with your child, learn their interests, draw on their strengths, and provide language stimulation that is relevant and motivating to them.
Rachel has autistic family members who are the driving force behind her neurodiversity affirming practices. She first trialed gestalt language development approach with her nephew, and when his language use exponentially increased, she knew this was something that would change speech therapy forever.
Rachel has advanced training in Gestalt Language Processing, the SOS Approach to Feeding®, sensory processing, and DIRFloortime®, allowing her to provide individualized, neurodiversity-affirming care that supports the whole child.
When she's not in the office, Rachel enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, camping, golfing, and exploring nature.
Mikayla Nairn, OT
Liz Balettie, SLP
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Ms. Mikayla is a licensed occupational therapist, specializing in GLPs.
Mikayla graduated from Texas Woman’s University where she received both her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (Pre-Occupational Therapy) in 2018 and Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2021.
She is passionate about creating a fun, engaging, and neurodiversity-affirming therapeutic environment that empowers individuals to strengthen their overall independence and participation in meaningful activities of daily living. During each session, Mikayla strives to incorporate play-based interventions thoughtfully designed to support each child’s strengths, therapeutic skill development, sensory processing, and language acquisition.
Mikayla has had the privilege of working alongside children and young adults with diverse needs; however, her professional focus has grown to center on supporting the autistic community and gestalt language processors. She has gained extensive knowledge and training in Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), and recognizes the importance of honoring and incorporating the unique ways that gestalt language processors learn and think within her occupational therapy sessions.
Outside of the clinic, Mikayla enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring the outdoors with her beloved dog, and taking time to slow down and appreciate the small moments that bring meaning to everyday life.
Jaclyn McPeters, SLP
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Ms. Jaclyn is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a NLA/GLP trained clinician.
Jaclyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University in 2023 and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Abilene Christian University–Dallas in 2025. She has experience supporting clients across a variety of ages and communication abilities, with clinical experience in feeding therapy, gestalt language processing, and AAC.
Jaclyn values building genuine connections with her clients and their families and creating a supportive environment where each individual feels understood, respected, and empowered to communicate. She incorporates play-based, child-led, and individualized strategies to support communication development while celebrating each client’s progress and successes along the way.
She believes that meaningful progress happens through collaboration and strong relationships. Jaclyn enjoys partnering with families and team members to create individualized, functional approaches that support communication, independence, and confidence across everyday environments. She is excited to support her clients in reaching their goals in ways that are meaningful to them and their families.
When she’s not in the clinic, Jaclyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking, taking her dog on walks, and indulging in a sweet treat!
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Ms. Liz is a licensed speech-language pathologist, NLA/GLP trained clinician, and mom to two GLPs.
Liz graduated from the University of North Texas in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music, then went on to earn a Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology in 2014.
Having worked with neurodivergent children throughout the entirety of her career thus far, Liz has become very passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming care. She loves see the creative ways gestalt language processors express themselves, and especially finds joy in helping families understand and celebrate their communication styles.
Liz believes in the power of play. She has seen firsthand how a child-led, play-based approach helps children regulate, build connections, and grow their language skills. Sessions with her not only incorporate play, but also music/singing, a focus on regulation, and each child’s specific interests.
When she’s not in the clinic, Liz loves spending time with her husband and two children, who keep her inspired with their creativity, curiosity, and love of play.
Chloe Castro, SLPA
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Mrs. Chloe is a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A), graduate student, and NLA/GLP-trained speech therapist.
Chloe graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has worked as a school-based Speech-Language Pathology Assistant for the past three years, primarily serving elementary-aged students.
Chloe is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Abilene Christian University in Addison, Texas, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2027. She is enrolled in a working-professional program that allows her to continue working full-time as an SLP-A while attending in-person evening classes.
Chloe first discovered her passion for speech-language pathology during college because it perfectly combines helping others with building meaningful relationships with children and their families. During one of her graduate clinical rotations at Rooted Therapies, she discovered a passion for child-led, neurodiversity-affirming therapy. She experienced firsthand how meaningful play, connection, and family collaboration can support functional communication and language development. Throughout graduate school, Chloe has also gained experience working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, further expanding her knowledge of functional communication across the lifespan.
When she’s not at the clinic or school, Chloe enjoys practicing yoga, painting, and spending time with her husband and their dog. She loves building meaningful relationships with others and believes that every child learns best when they feel safe, connected, and celebrated.
Join our team
Pediatric Occupational Therapist Job in Lewisville, TX | Rooted Therapies
We're Hiring a Pediatric Occupational Therapist!
We're looking for a passionate, creative, and relationship-centered Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) who loves child-led play, sensory processing, and supporting autistic and neurodivergent children.
Rooted Therapies is a specialized pediatric therapy practice where connection comes first, differences are celebrated, and therapy is individualized to each child's unique strengths and needs.
What we're offering:
Part-time position with the opportunity to build your caseload into a full-time role
Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
Competitive compensation
A niche pediatric practice specializing in autism, sensory processing, and neurodiversity-affirming care
A collaborative, supportive team of speech and occupational therapists
Opportunities to grow your clinical skills and specialize in the areas you're passionate about
If you believe therapy should be child-led, play-based, and rooted in meaningful relationships, we'd love to meet you!
Location: Lewisville, Texas
