OUR TEAM

Lindsey Turner M.S., CCC-SLP
Lindsey completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Illinois State University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence by the American Speech and Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of California… She has experience working in a variety of settings including private practice, rehabilitation hospital, and public schools. Her areas of interest and expertise include early intervention, autism spectrum disorder, language development, and family focused therapy. Lindsey is trained in PECS, The SCERTS® Model, and Introduction to PROMPT: Technique. She is certified to provide It Takes Two to Talk® — The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children with Language Delays and More Than Words® — The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties. She holds a Professional DIR-FCD certificate in emotional, social, and cognitive development, Level 1 (CL1) Course. Lindsey is dedicated to a holistic and comprehensive approach; she is committed to providing compassionate and engaging play-based, therapeutic intervention. Lindsey is the owner and Clinical Director at Optimize Speech-Language Therapy Services.

Sarah Sharit M.A., CCC-SLP

Brianna Peterson M.S., CCC-SLP
Brianna completed her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Fort Hays State University, which is an accredited school located in the heart of the US. Brianna holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence by the American Speech and Hearing Association and is licensed by the state of California… She spent many years working in the school system; but now, in addition to her work in the clinic, she provides in-home early intervention services for toddlers. She is very passionate about working with children at such a significant time during development and love to teach them through play. She enjoys empowering parents to have meaningful connections with their children and help them provide language-rich environments in their home, as well. She has served hundreds of families and obtained a wide variety of experiences with children who have mild to severe delays and disorders. Brianna has received training in AEIOU: An Integrated Approach to Pediatric Feeding and is certified to provide More Than Words® — The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties and TalkAbility™ — The Hanen Program® for Parents of Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum. Outside of work, she enjoys playing volleyball and exploring San Diego, even after 5+ years of living here. She looks forward to meeting you and creating a comprehensive therapy program specifically designed for you and your family.

Julia Lamb M.S., CCC-SLP
Julia has a bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She received a master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University in 2017… and holds both a California speech pathology license as well as a Certificate of Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association. She specializes in early language learning and development and has received training from the Hanen Program: It Takes Two to Talk. She has also received training from the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding Program and has provided feeding therapy for infants through school-age children. Julia is passionate about providing a holistic approach to therapy, involving families in each child’s plan of care and creating fun, motivating, and functional activities to improve communication at home. Outside of work, she enjoys running, yoga, and going to the beach!

Kayla M.S., CCC-SLP
Kayla earned her bachelor’s at California State University, Chico where she also volunteered at the campus’s Autism Clinic. She went on to complete her speech-language pathology assistant fieldwork experience and then her master’s in communicative disorders at California State University, Northridge… Kayla has experience working with individuals presenting with a variety of diagnoses including but not limited to autism spectrum disorder, Rett syndrome, cerebral Palsy, Fragile X syndrome, and CHARGE syndrome. She has a clinical interest in working with individuals with complex communication needs and supporting communication through assistive technology. Kayla works closely with families and professionals in order to train and support the implementation of AAC. She is passionate about fostering authentic connections and learning through intrinsic motivation and naturalistic play-based approach. During her free time, Kayla enjoys scuba diving, yoga, reading, and spending time outside.
“I was looking for a positive caring environment for my son to receive therapy—Optimize blew me away. We went for OT, PT, and speech for about 4 and a half years. His therapist took the time to get to know him and weaved his interests into his therapy. Every visit they had a plan with activities that targeted his goals but also created solid building blocks for his self-esteem. His therapists communicated his goals to me and always had suggestions on how to continue the work at home. He loved going to therapy. Over our time at Optimize my son grew in so many areas. Yes, he continued to meet goals and yes strangers started to understand him a little better but he also grew to love and trust his three therapists. They became part of our family. Optimize creates a phenomenal atmosphere where the focus is on the whole child. To them my son wasn’t just another patient he was unique and special, and they took the time to get to know him for him…and for that I will forever be grateful…”