Meet Our Team
Kate Besonen, M.A. CCC-SLP, founder, CEO
Kate is a licensed pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in treating young children with communication delays and disorders. Kate is the sole owner of Speak Easy and works primarily managing the day-to-day adventures of running a small business. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The Ohio State University, with a specialty in school-aged children. Kate spent the first few years of her career working in the school system and a home health private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was this invaluable experience in which she discovered her passion for working with children in their natural environments.
Shortly after moving to Florida in 2016, Kate founded Speak Easy Pediatrics. Her desire to establish a community based early intervention private practice manifested with one end goal in mind: to provide the best possible treatment, and therapeutic support system for each child and family that is served. Kate now resides in Nashville, Tennessee where she continues to manage both branches of the business in between chasing around her three sons and two fur babies, Charlotte and Dolly.
Outside of therapy, Kate enjoys cooking, hiking, reading, and spending time with her husband, Will and their sons, Colton, Jake and Brecken.
Mary Kathleen Ducote, M.A., CCC-SLP
Mary Kathleen is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is licensed in Florida and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Originally from Louisiana, she graduated with her Bachelors in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2020 and her Masters in Speech Pathology from Louisiana State University in 2022. Mary Kathleen has experience working with children between the ages of 1 and 20 years old in pediatric private practices and in home health settings. She has experience working with articulation/phonological disorders, expressive/receptive language disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, fluency disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), pragmatic disorders, Down Syndrome, feeding issues, and Apraxia. She looks forward to collaborating closely with families and caregivers to support meaningful progress and help each child reach their fullest potential.
Mary Kathleen believes therapy should be fun, engaging, and comfortable, allowing each child to feel safe and confident as they learn and grow. By following each child’s lead and incorporating their unique interests and strengths, she strives to create meaningful and individualized therapy experiences. Her goal is to create a supportive and fun environment where children feel confident while developing their speech, language, social communication, and overall communication skills.
Outside of therapy, Mary Kathleen enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She loves trying new coffee shops or restaurants and shopping in St. Petersburg, FL. She also likes to read and go to the beach.
Brittany Carey, M.A. CCC-SLP
Brittany received her masters degree in speech-language pathology from the University of South Florida in 2016. She is licensed in the state of Florida and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Her experience as an SLP includes multiple school, home health, and private clinic settings. Brittany has worked with children from 1-18 years old. She has had the pleasure of working with many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive and/or receptive language disorders, fluency disorder, apraxia, and developmental delays.
Brittany believes in educating, learning from, and collaborating with families and other therapy professionals to help facilitate effective communication.
When not working, Brittany enjoys spending time with her two dogs, traveling to new places, reading, and going to the beach. She also enjoys finding ways to serve her community and take part in new volunteer opportunities.
Ashley Tuttle, M.S., OTR/L
Ashley received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2015 and her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2018. She is licensed in the State of Florida and certified by the National Board of Occupational Therapy. She is also a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Ashley has worked in pediatrics since 2019 and has experience with a variety of populations, including but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorders, ODD, ADHD, and Developmental Delays. She especially enjoys taking continued education courses on the topics of sensory integration, self-regulation, visual perceptual skills, and motor planning. She is also trained in the Handwriting Without Tears protocol.
Her training in both mental and physical health has led her to value taking a holistic, whole-person approach when assessing client’s strengths and areas of opportunity. Evaluation and intervention objectives focus on maximizing the child’s independence in their daily occupations utilizing a play-based approach. Ashley believes strongly in working side by side with parents to meet their child’s goals and provide education to ensure parents feel confident carrying over skills learned in therapy sessions.
Ashley grew up in the Tampa Bay area, going to Rays baseball games and the beach. She is proud to be a part of the Tampa Bay community. When not working with kiddos, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two dogs, as well as trying new restaurants around town, practicing yoga, and watching documentaries.
Milvia Miseroy, M.A. CCC-SLP
Milvia Miseroy is a bilingual (Spanish) Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated from the University of South Florida in 2016. Mily is licensed by the state of Florida, and is certified through the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She has experience working with both the pediatric and geriatric populations.
In the pediatric setting, Ms. Mily has experience with treatment of autism, articulation/ phonological disorders, auditory processing disorders, and receptive/expressive language disorders. In addition, Mily also has experience in inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, private practice, and skilled nursing facilities.
Mily enjoys coffee, spending time with her family and friends, volunteering at church, all things natural living, and has a green thumb for plants.
Miranda Sibert, M.S., CCC-SLP
Miranda Sibert is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is licensed in Florida and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Originally from Indiana, she received her bachelor's degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences from Purdue University and her master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. Miranda has experience working with children aged 1-18 years old in public schools and home health. She has had the pleasure of working with many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive and/or receptive language disorders, fluency disorders, and developmental delay. Miranda believes in play-based therapy and collaboration with the parents and caregivers to help facilitate motivation and progress towards all communication goals.
Miranda enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, family, and her two dogs, Berkley and Finley. Miranda will never turn down a good coffee or the chance to try out a new restaurant in St. Pete.
Courtney English, M.A. CCC-SLP
Courtney English is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who is licensed in Florida and certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Courtney is a Chicago native and traveled to the Quad Cities where she earned her undergraduate degree from Augustana College. During her Bachelor's, Courtney completed oral-motor research at the University of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia and completed an internship at the Florida School of the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Florida. Courtney earned her Master's degree at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where she was awarded a research assistantship to work in a genetics lab studying Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). In addition to research, Courtney gained clinical experience working home health in Early Intervention for two Ohio counties, leading parent-toddler early language groups, and accepting a graduate position at the Cleveland Clinic in acute care. After returning to Chicago and working at a pediatric private practice, Courtney relocated to Riverview, Florida.
She comes to Speak Easy Pediatrics with strong experience working with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), CAS, expressive and receptive language delays and disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, fluency disorders, feeding/swallowing disorders, Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC), pragmatic disorders, and developmental delays. Courtney is motivated to make intervention engaging and fun for your child while incorporating evidence-based approaches to ensure progress.
In her free-time, Courtney enjoys reading, playing rec league softball and volleyball, and attending a weekly pottery class. Coming from Chicago, she has been excited to visit the beaches in St. Pete, Clearwater, Sarasota, Siesta Key and more!
Alexa Marcaccio, M.S., CCC-SLP
Alexa Marcaccio is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who is licensed in Florida and certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Alexa has experience in early intervention, elementary and middle school, and out-patient pediatric clinic. Alexa comes to Speak Easy Pediatrics with strong experience working with both articulation & phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), expressive and receptive language delays and disorders, fluency disorders, Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC), pragmatic disorders, and developmental delays. Alexa’s has taken a special interest in continuing educational trainings on using research-based phonological approaches to speech sound disorders. Receiving an Early Intervention certificate through her master’s program, Alexa emphasizes the benefit of incorporating the family and what’s inside the home to help meet your child’s needs in their natural environments.
Every child is unique, and Alexa believes in a personalized approach to therapy that addresses each child's specific strengths, challenges, and individual learning styles. By incorporating play-based activities, interactive games, and innovative techniques, she loves to create a fun and engaging therapy environment where children can thrive and make meaningful progress.
Originally a New York native and after receiving her master’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston, Alexa was ready to move back to Florida to enjoy the sunshine and be close to family. In her free time, Alexa enjoys boat days, a good cup of coffee, reading, hikes with her husband and dog, game nights and traveling to new places.
Coleen Rinard, M.S., CCC-SLP
Coleen Rinard is a pediatric speech-language pathologist licensed in Florida and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). A Colorado native, she earned her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Coleen has a wealth of experience with pediatrics and developmental early intervention. She worked at All Children's Hospital for 15 years and has worked at a number of home health SLP agencies. She has a passion for helping children and providing families with effective speech solutions unique to each child.
Coleen enjoys spending time with her family including her one year old Golden Retriever, Kalua. She also enjoys long walks on the beach with her husband, Pat and cheering on Auburn University sports teams, where her daughter, Carissa will swim beginning in 2023.