About Us

All in 1 SPOT with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC is a pediatric and adult rehabilitation center servicing Queens and Nassau counties. All in 1 SPOT with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC originated from Dr. Irene Christoforou-Gioules’ speech therapy private practice in Whitestone, Queens, called TheraTalk. TheraTalk expanded by adding physical and occupational therapy to provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, all in one location: All in 1 SPOT with TheraTalk. This facility includes a state of the art sensory gym that enhances all therapeutic services provided at the location.

Directors

Dr. Irene Christoforou-Gioules, the founder of Theratalk Speech-Language Pathology, P.C., has been in practice since 1999. Dr. Gioules received her bachelor's and master's degrees from St. John's University and her doctoral/Ph.D. degree from Columbia University. Her initial training was in an acute care setting in which she worked with infants in the neonatal care unit, adults with neurological problems, and children with speech and language problems. Dr. Gioules then focused her work in the pediatric population by working in the early intervention setting, and finally opened a private clinic that grew instantly. The population in the private clinic, Theratalk Speech Language Pathology, consisted primarily of children and adolescents (0-18 years) with various speech/articulation deficits, and language delays/disorders, and some adults with neurological disorders.
Dr. Gioules began her doctoral work at Columbia immediately after receiving her master's degree, during her clinical fellowship. Her doctoral work focused on swallowing/feeding and motor development in children. Dr. Gioules' dissertation was titled "The Developmental Coordination of Breathing Movements and Swallowing." She is currently publishing her most recent research. Given that Dr. Gioules' education surpasses the requirements for becoming a speech language pathologist, she has enlightened her staff with the most effective treatment programs for various speech/language disabilities. Dr. Gioules has treated over hundreds of children and has trained over 10 speech therapists. Dr. Gioules guides her therapists to offer many of the innovative treatments and new technology that are endorsed by research. Dr. Gioules has substantial experience with dysphagia (swallowing disorder), feeding deficits, motor speech disorders (apraxia, dysarthria) and speech/language delays/disorders.

Maria Panayiotou-Mamounas, co-director of All in 1 S.P.O.T. with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC received her bachelor's degree from New York University, and her master's degree from St. John's University. Maria completed a Master's thesis titled "Temporal Patterns in the Speech of Persons with Parkinson's Disease: Compensatory Shortening and Final Lengthening." Her research was conducted at Columbia University's Motor Speech Disorders clinic, where she worked closely with neurologists specializing in movement disorders.
At the present time Maria is co-director of All in 1 S.P.O.T. with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC and has supervised over 10 clinical fellows. Maria is an active member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. She works closely with pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists to provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Maria is a PROMPT trained therapist with experience in behavioral feeding, apraxia, speech/language delays, developmental/neurological disorders and autism. Maria frequently provides training to her staff and medical colleagues on augmentative/alternative communication devices, behavioral feeding and other various speech and language disabilities. Maria programs augmentative/alternative communication devices and aides parents in obtaining funding for these devices. She is the supervisor of speech at various affiliated schools.

Speech Therapists

Nikole Arnitsis, M.S., SLP, received her Master of Science degree from Columbia University, Teachers College and her Bachelor of Art degree from St. John's University. She successfully completed 3 internships during her course of study. During her first internship at All in 1 S.P.O.T. with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC she gained experience treating children with autism spectrum disorder, articulation disorders, and gained knowledge about the utilization of Augmentative Alternative Communication devices. At the Bank Street School of Education, Nikole's second internship, she treated children with selective mutism, language deficits, and feeding issues. Nikole has also performed Modified Barium Swallow studies, treated adults with dysphagia secondary to laryngeal cancer, and provided voice therapy during her internship at Long Island Jewish Hospital. Her interest in bilingualism and dual language acquisition led her to pursue her bilingual certification in Greek. Nikole is currently working towards receiving her Certificate of Clinical Competence as she completes her Clinical Fellowship Year at All in 1 S.P.O.T. with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC.

Melissa E. Schwartz, MA, SLP, has been with All in 1 S.P.O.T. with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC since October of 2007. Melissa graduated from St. John's University with a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Hofstra University in the field of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Melissa is well suited for her role at Theratalk having completed internships at both North Shore-LIJ's Center for Autism and North Shore University Hospital. Thus, Melissa has been exposed to and has experience in a multitude of communication disorders across the lifespan. Recently, Melissa completed her Clinical Fellowship Year at Theratalk under the supervision of clinic directors, Irene Gioules, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Maria Panayiotou-Mamounas, M.A., CCC-SLP, and is eager to begin her career as a newly certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Melissa has also received training in PROMPT at the PROMPT Institute for treatment of apraxia/dyspraxia of speech, articulation and phonological disorders, as well as to facilitate verbalizations for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Melissa hopes her knowledge, experience, passion, and dedication to the field will serve to enhance quality of life for her clients at Theratalk.

Officer Manager

Sima Mobasheri is currently the executive office manager at All in 1 S.P.O.T. with TheraTalk,SLP, PT, OT, PLLC holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business. Sima has experience as office manager and obtains expertise in billing, insurance, and invoices for the Board of Education. She has been working full-time at TheraTalk for the past three years and takes on various secretarial responsibilities. She is an important part of the Theratalk staff and is dedicated in obtaining customer satisfaction.

TheraTalk Speech-Language Pathology, P.C. All in 1 S.P.O.T. with TheraTalk, SLP, PT, OT, PLLC 150-50 14th Road Whitestone, NY 11357 Tel: (718) 767-0091/0071 Fax: (718) 767-0086 www.spotwiththeratalk.com Driving Direction

Expertise in the following:

• Speech/Language Delays/Disorders
• Apraxia and Dysarthria
• Sensory Processing Disorders
• Dyspraxia
• Swallowing & Feeding Disorders
• Articulation/Phonology
• Developmental Coordination Disorders
• Autism
• Voice and Fluency Disorders
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Cerebral Palsy
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Mental Retardation
• Sensory Integrative Dysfunction
• Down’s Syndrome
• Augmentative/Assistive Communication Devices
• Genetic Syndromes
• Cognitive Disorders/Learning Disabilities (ADD/CAPD)
• Adult Language Disorders (Aphasia secondary to Stroke)
• Adult Neurological Disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, MS, ALS)