Speech Therapy

Kids Therapy Spot Speech Therapy Team

Starkville Kids Therapy Spot Speech Therapy Team

Columbus Kids Therapy Spot Speech Therapy Team

MELISSA DAVIS, M.S., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPY DEPARTMENT OWNER
Melissa is a co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot and the sole owner of the Speech Therapy Department (Speech Therapy for Kids, LLC). She is a treating SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic, Columbus clinic and Starkville Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Middle Tennessee State University in May of 2000. She then moved to Mississippi and obtained her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2002. Since this time, she has been treating children between the ages of birth-15 with a variety of complex disorders in both the home and clinic setting. Over the years, Melissa discovered her passion for treating children with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and has and continues to obtain a large amount of continuing education in this area. She now primarily focuses on treating children with this need in addition to training other SLPs to provide the best care for children with PFD. Melissa speaks to SLP graduate students about treating children with PFD in addition to volunteering with the national organization Feeding Matters. Melissa was on the ASHA 2023 and 2024 Pediatric Feeding Disorders topic committee and received the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) in May 2020 and March 2023. She currently lives in Starkville with her husband and their two children.

SUSIE UTZ, M.S., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPY DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR – STARKVILLE CLINIC and STARKVILLE PPEC

Susie joined the team at Kids Therapy Spot in July 2014 and was promoted to Speech Therapy Director of the Starkville clinic in 2023. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic and Starkville Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) location. Susie received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi. Susie has been an SLP since 2002 and has worked in a variety of settings providing speech therapy services to children with speech/language delays, along with autism and dyslexia. Susie served as the supervisor and co-developer of the LEAP program, an after-school initiative designed for students ages 5-10 with challenges in reading, spelling and written language. Susie currently lives in Starkville with her two sons.

BRITTANI MOREHEAD, M.S., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPY DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR – COLUMBUS CLINIC 

Brittani joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in September 2023 and was promoted to Speech Therapy Director of the Columbus clinic in 2025. In addition to serving as the ST clinic director, she is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Columbus. Brittani received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences from Murray State University in May of 2011. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Murray State University in August of 2014. Brittani lives in Columbus with her husband.

RACHEL TRUESDALE, M.S., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPY DIRECTOR – COLUMBUS PPEC

Rachel joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in November 2021 and was promoted to Speech Therapy Director of the Columbus Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) facility in 2025. In addition to serving as the PPEC director, she is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Columbus clinic and Columbus PPEC location. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Mississippi University for Women in 2012. Rachel went on to receive her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Alabama A & M University in 2016. Rachel lives in Columbus with her husband and two children.

LESLEY NORRIS, M.S., CCC-SLP

Lesley joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in February 2017 and she is the primary SLP at the Meridian Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) location. Lesley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2006. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2007. Lesley currently lives in Meridian, MS with her two children.

 

ERIN SMITH, M.A., CCC-SLP

KIDS THERAPY SPOT SOCIAL CHAIR

Erin joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in August 2018 and she is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic, Starkville private schools and Starkville Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care location. Erin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Mississippi State University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Delta State University in 2012. She went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Louisiana Tech University in 2015. She currently lives in Starkville with her husband and two sons.

ANNA CLAIRE PHILLIPS, M.S., CCC-SLP

Anna Claire joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in June 2023. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Columbus clinic and Columbus PPEC location. Anna Claire received a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi State University in May 2020. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May 2023. Anna Claire lives in Columbus, MS with her husband and son.

SARAH COSBY, M.S., CCC-SLP

Sarah joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in August 2023 and is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic. Sarah received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2020. She went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2022. Sarah lives in Starkville, MS with her husband.

MALLORY BARBER, M.S., CCC-SLP

Mallory joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in June 2024. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic and the Starkville private schools. Mallory received a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi State University in May of 2022. She went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2024. Mallory enjoys reading, fishing and playing Pickleball.

EMILY CHRISTEIN, M.S., CF-SLP

Emily joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in May 2025 and is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Starkville. Emily received a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Mississippi State University in May of 2023. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2025. Emily lives in Starkville with her husband.

ELIZABETH COLLUMS, M.S., CF-SLP

Elizabeth joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in June 2025 and is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Columbus. Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2023. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Mississippi in May of 2025.

 

JESSE RILEY, M.S., CCC-SLP

Jesse joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in August 2025 and is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Columbus. Jesse received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2022. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Carolina University in May of 2024. She lives in Columbus with her husband.

ALYKA WILLIAMS, M.S., CCC-SLP

Alyka joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in August 2024. She serves as a PRN SLP at the Starkville and Columbus clinics, in addition to serving as a part-time SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Columbus clinic. Alyka received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2017. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the Mississippi University for Women in May of 2020. Alyka previously worked at the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Columbus, MS before staying home with her third child for a year. She lives in Columbus with her husband and three children.

JENNIFER KRUTZ, M.S., CCC-SLP

Jennifer joined the Kids Therapy Spot team as a PRN SLP in April 2024 serving the Starkville and Columbus clinics. Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Arkansas in May of 1996. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Memphis in May of 1999.