About Propel
Previously Meredith White Speech Pathology, Propel has been serving the Brookhaven and Decatur communities since 2010.
We are dedicated to providing evidenced-based and personalized/family-centered speech-language therapy to children. We consider behaviors as children trying to communicate. Our job is to propel those voices to be heard. We also provide some adult services such as orofacial myofunctional therapy and fluency therapy.
Meet the Friendly Faces of Propel
Cettina Chiarelli
Co-Owner of Propel Pediatric Therapy
MS CCC-SLP
Cettina received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Linguistics from New York University and her Master’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a Bilingual Extension (in Spanish and Italian) from Teachers College at Columbia University. She has attended various advanced seminars such as the 28-Hour IAOM Orofacial Myofunctional Course (taught by Mary Billings), PROMPT Levels 1&2, Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) Nancy Kaufman, SOS Feeding Approach, PECS, Lea Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT- Level 1), and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing. She has also undergone more coursework in the areas of pediatric feeding disorders, reading/dyslexia, and sensory regulation. Cettina has been working in private practice since obtaining her license and her experience includes: Apraxia of Speech, articulation disorders, early language delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, genetic abnormalities, language learning delays, hearing impairment, feeding difficulties, Cortical Visual Impairment, and AAC. Cettina enjoys spending time hiking with her husband and visiting her family in New York.
Alexandra “Alex” Johst (nee Harpole)
Co-Owner of Propel Pediatric Therapy
MS CCC-SLP
Alex received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia and her Master’s in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University. She is a co-author of published research in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research for the article topic: Taking Language Samples Home: Feasibility, Reliability, and Validity of Child Language Samples Conducted Remotely with Video Chat Versus In-Person (2020). Alex has extensive experience with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, pediatric and adult fluency disorders, pediatric feeding disorders, language disorders, pediatric speech disorders, and autism spectrum disorder. She has been recognized as a member of the Apraxia Kids Directory as well as been the co-chair of the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Atlanta Apraxia Kids Walk. She has been trained in the following evidenced based therapy strategies for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Dynamic Tactile and Temporal Cueing, the Nancy Kaufman approach, ReST, as well as multi-sensory cueing and principles of motor learning. She’s taken additional trainings for pediatric feeding, pediatric fluency, adult fluency, Lindamood Bell’s Visual and Verbalizing, Floortime, and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA). Alex enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and cat, Noodle.
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Celeste Benes
MA CCC-SLP
Celeste graduated from the University of Akron where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degree. Her experience draws from a wide variety of clinical settings including private practice, early intervention, public schools, and private schools serving a wide range of pediatric ages. Celeste has advanced clinical training in evidence based techniques that include Visualizing and Verbalizing, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), SATPAC articulation, Wilson, Orton-Gillingham, and Social Thinking. Celeste also draws from experience from working with young children providing early intervention services, articulation disorders, language disorders, dyslexia, hearing loss, Autism Spectrum Disorders, language learning difficulties, and apraxia of speech. Celeste is able to provide unique insight into how speech and language deficits impact functioning in academic school settings especially in how it impacts reading comprehension and written expression abilities. In her off time, she enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, finding unique spots on Buford Highway, and spending time with her family.
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Kaitlin "Katie" George
MA CCC-SLP
Katie graduated from the University of Akron where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees. Her experience comes from the private practice and school settings across a variety of ages. She has developed a special interest in early intervention, autism spectrum disorders, and childhood apraxia of speech. She has undergone advanced training in apraxia of speech that includes PROMPT Level 1, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), and Nancy Kaufman. Additional trainings include Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing, Floortime, Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) , and the Son -Rise Program. She is undergoing extensive mentorship in orofacial myofunctional therapy. Katie enjoys playing soccer and spending time with family and friends.
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Emma Lewis
MS CCC-SLP
Emma graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Her experience comes from the private practice setting where she has worked on interdisciplinary teams to ensure consistency of care across therapeutic disciplines. She has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, early intervention, feeding impairments, hearing impairments, and PTSD. She has completed advanced training in the areas of Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Gestalt language processing (GLP), Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), and trauma informed care. In her free time, Emma enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her dog and friends.
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Myieka Forbes
Office Coordinator
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Kristina Sherrill
Special Projects Coordinator
Kristina received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University in Linguistics. She has been with the clinic since 2017 and previously served as both Intake Coordinator and Front Office Manager. She is now pursuing her Master's degree and serves as our Project Coordinator.
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Laura Wilson
Billing
Our biller, Laura, is a part-time employee who works remotely. If you have any billing questions, she can be contacted via email: billing@meredithwhite.com
Testimonials
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Everyone has been so kind to us! Our therapist, Alex, is always professional and patient with my daughter. Thank you Dawson, with the front desk, and Meredith for creating such as warm environment for learning.
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Our son had a moderate disfluency when he first started working with Alex. I was skeptical about how much could really be achieved with a half hour session once a week. Well, within 2 months his teachers were telling us he was making huge improvements with communication in class, and by 6 months you wouldn't even know that he had a disfluency! He loved 'visiting' with Alex once a week and we are so grateful for her caring, support and encouragement.