Meet Our Team
Certifications:
ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence
PROMPT trained
Certified Autism Specialist
Jessica Peller, M.S., CCC-SLP
Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica Peller is a board-certified speech-language pathologist, holding her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She is licensed to practice in the state of New Jersey. Jessica has over a decade of clinical experience. Since graduating with her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Towson University in Maryland, Jessica has gained experience working in schools, outpatient rehab, and private practices.
After working in various areas of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, Jessica and her family came back home to Atlantic County. Upon her return, she discovered the need for a private practice offering high-quality services, based on evidence-based practice; hence, Speech by the Beach was created.
Jessica has advanced training in speech sound disorders, with a particular interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech. She is trained in PROMPT, PECS, LindaMood Bell programs, iLS, and the teachings of Michelle Garcia Winner. Jessica is also a Certified Autism Specialist.
Jessica has a passion for working with the pediatric population. It is her core philosophy to “treat the child, not the diagnosis.” It is essential that her treatment focus on the child as an individual. While diagnoses allow for guidelines in effective and appropriate treatment methods; every child is different and unique and deserves to be prioritized. Jessica enjoys working closely with families to help generalize learned skills outside of the therapy setting. Helping a child develop new skills and get one step closer to reaching their potential is extremely rewarding. It is a wonderful feeling to get out of bed each morning and not only love what you do, but who you do it with each day!
Jessica is married with two young daughters and two furry family members. When she is not working with clients you will likely find Jessica walking the beach, reading or playing a game with her girls. She also loves to cook and craft.
Elizabeth (Beth) Weesner, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Beth Weesner brings over 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist to Speech by the Beach. Beth has extensive experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, fine motor deficits, visual-motor deficits, perceptual deficits, developmental delays, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. She has always loved working with children to support their development and celebrate their strengths.
Beth believes strongly in creating an environment that allows her clients to gain confidence in exploring and trying new things and always encourages a child to maximize their skills. With an understanding that children learn best when they are engaged, Beth gives special care to incorporate activities of interest for each child, from crafts to sensory experiments. Beth's therapy is always fun!
As a mother herself, Beth knows how challenging it can be to foster independence in children within the business of everyday life. She works with families to identify simple ways to incorporate practice within daily routines at home. Beth understands the importance of including families in her clients' therapy, which leads to greater progress and allows children and their families to share in the experience of success.
When Beth is not supporting the development of new skills in the many families she works with, she is busy spending time with her husband and two furry friends, visiting her children, knitting, doing puzzles, and supporting local charity organizations.
Certifications:
ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment
Michelle Swartz, M.A/M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Michelle received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA and a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Barry University and a master's degree in communication sciences and disorders from Montclair State University. Michelle is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders at Montclair State University.
Michelle has practiced as a speech-language pathologist in a variety of settings, including subacute/long-term care facilities and home health with adult patients, and in a pediatric outpatient clinic. Her research and teaching interests are focused on voice disorders across the life span and pediatric motor speech disorders. Michelle is certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®) speech therapy program.
Michelle currently works with children, teens, and adults in the areas of voice, motor speech, speech sound disorders, language, and cognitive disorders. She also offers telepractice services for adult transgendered clients and those undergoing gender reassignment in the areas of voice and accent modification.
Michelle believes in a whole-team approach - the client, family, and her as their provider - and working together to individualize goals and treatment plans. She sees each client as a person, not a disorder, and takes care to celebrate neurodiversity and individuality.
In her free time, Michelle spends her time with her husband and their two boys, baking and exploring the outdoors.