Speech-Language Therapists
Emma Wermuth, M.S., CCC-SLP
Emma our speech therapist officially joined our team in January 2021! She is also our Director of Therapy Services. Emma is nationally certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Texas-state licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). She has been working as an SLP since 2013 in Texas. Emma has served clients in various sized and inter-disciplinary private practices.
During her professional career she has gained experience in the treatment and evaluation of children with a variety of communication disorders. Emma found her passion for speech and language therapy through learning American Sign Language (ASL) at Purdue University and working with the Deaf/hard of hearing community. Emma has experience supporting Deaf/hard of hearing clients and clients that are kids of deaf adults (KODAs). Additionally, she has worked with clients who utilize hearing aids, bone anchored hearing aids (BAHAs), and cochlear implants.
Emma completed her undergraduate degree in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University and received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a minor in Audiology from the University of North Texas in 2013. She became a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in 2014.
Emma sees clients in the Buda office. She accepts BCBS, Anthem, and United insurance plans.
Primary populations:
- Receptive-expressive language disorders
- Articulation and phonological disorders
- Mild swallowing/feeding disorders
- Oral motor deficits
- Deaf/hard of hearing community
- KODAs
- Autism
Secondary populations:
- Learning disabilities
- Dyslexia
- Sensory processing difficulties
- ADHD
- Intellectual disabilities
- Other health impairments
Common topics:
- Managing behavior while encouraging communication to minimize meltdowns/frustrations
- Developmental language progression
- Social communication
- Parent support
- Functional communication training
Melissa Dunbar, CCC-SLP
Mel joined PBT in February 2025! Mel is nationally certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Texas-state licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). She has been working as an SLP since 2013 in Texas.
Mel is a dedicated and experienced Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) based in Central Texas. She is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and proficient American Sign Language (ASL) user. This background allows her to bring a unique, inclusive approach to communication therapy, specializing in multimodal communication (spoken, signed, and augmented alternative communication [AAC] language development.)
Her primary areas of interest and specialty include: parent support or coaching, Autism, and augmented/alternative communication. Mel provides high-quality assessment and intervention services for children and adolescents (ages 3-18). She delivers individualized speech therapy solutions tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Melissa has a strong background in both educational and medical settings, working in multiple schools, private practice, and a hospital setting. These experiences enable her to support diverse communication needs effectively.
She holds a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Science from Texas State University.
Mel sees clients in the Buda office. She currently accepts BCBS and is in the process of accepting, Anthem, and United insurance plans.
Primary populations:
- Autism
- Deaf/hard of hearing community
- Early childhood
- AAC users
Common topics:
- Parent support/coaching
- Non-vocal language and limited language
- Multimodal Communication/Total Communication Approach
- Language development
- Challenging behaviors induced from limited language abilities
