About Us
We will strive to provide the most effective clinical services possible. We will gain current information on the latest techniques and research available that will enhance the communication skills of our clients.
We will work collaboratively with all professionals involved in the care of our clients.
We will serve as a resource to the families that we serve.
We must enjoy working with children and their parents. We will provide an environment that is nurturing as well as stimulating. We will respond to the needs of each client and their parents.
We must practice excellent communication skills to better interact and relate with the parents and other professionals involved with our clients. We will be compassionate and kind.
We must love what we do in order to remain enthusiastic and passionate about our work.
Meet the Team
Dr. Deborah Ross-Swain, CCC-SLP
Clinical Director, Owner
Deborah Ross-Swain, Ed.D., CCC-SLP is the clinical director and CEO of The Swain Center for Listening, Communicating and learning. Currently, Dr. Swain is ASHA Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy. She is the immediate past president of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA) and has served on the CSHA Board of Directors for 10 years.
Dr. Swain is a former Chief of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of California, Davis Medical Center and held a clinical staff appointment to the School of Medicine. Dr. Swain has received awards from CSHA including Honors and Fellow of the Association, Outstanding Service and Outstanding Achievement and was awarded Outstanding Alumnus in 2016 from California State University, Sacramento. Dr. Swain was honored with the Nancy McKinley Leadership award from the Council of State Association Presidents (CSAP) presented at the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s annual convention in Boston, MA. Dr. Swain is Fellow of ASHA and currently serves as Editor of ASHA SIG 17 Perspectives Journal. She is a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Swain currently serves as chair for CSHA’s Early Intervention and International Committees.
She also served as the project coordinator for a tri-state ASHA grant which produced five videos on Interprofessional Practice and Interprofessional Education for assessment and treatment of ASD, Literacy and Early Intervention as well as SLP Scope of Practice and Audiology Scope of Practice. She was the producer of 200 by 2, and information video for physicians on communication development in 2-year-olds. Dr. Swain has served on ASHA’s Legislative Council, Advisory Committee and is former chair of the Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Board and Perspectives Editorial Review. She is Fellow of the Association for ASHA and Editor of SIG 17’s Perspectives Journal.
Her most recent publication, Confidence and Joy: Success Strategies for Kids with Learning Differences is an Amazon bestselling books. She is the author of numerous books and standardized test batteries: Auditory Processing Disorders-Third Edition: Assessment, Treatment and Management; The Receptive-Expressive Social Communication Assessment-Elementary; The Auditory Phoneme Sequencing Test; The RIPA series of tests; The Listening Inventory; The Swallowing Ability and Function Test; Aphasia Rehabilitation: An Auditory and Verbal Treatment Hierarchy and The Cognitive-Linguistic Improvement Program. Dr. Swain is an internationally and nationally recognized speaker and author.
Lindsay Lerro, PhD
Program Director and Outreach Coordinator
Dr. Lindsay Lerro is the Special Programs and Outreach Coordinator at The Swain Center. Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 2001 from San Diego State University. After completion of her bachelors degree, Lindsay began providing a variety of complimentary therapies to children with Autism and learning disabilities. During this time, Lindsay became "addicted" to helping neurodiverse populations and wanted to see that all children had access and opportunities for post secondary education. As a result of this passion, Lindsay received her Masters degree from UC Davis in Educational Psychology on 2013 followed by her doctoral degree in 2017 in Learning and Mind Sciences, also from UC Davis. Lindsay wears many hats at The Swain Center which include supporting group classes, implementing The Tomatis Method®, Interactive Metronome® and planning our Community Integration Programs. In addition to working at The Swain Center, Lindsay also works in the Disability Resources Department at the Santa Rosa Junior College, where she the coordinator of the College to Career Program. This program supports students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism in their quest to obtain a postsecondary education. When not at work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and sons, Rex and Cal.
Michelle Chastain, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Social Skill / Let’s Adapt! Director
Michelle Chastain earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology in 1994 and Master of Arts degree in Speech Pathology in 1997 from California State University, Fresno. Michelle is licensed by the state of California and is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has attended training courses in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT®)–Rehabilitative Therapy for People with Parkinson’s, Interactive Metronome®–Improves Motor Planning & Sequencing, Lindmood Bell-Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech, and Kimochis®-Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program designed to give children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to recognize and manage their emotions. Michelle has experience working with individuals of all ages addressing the following areas of communication: receptive, expressive, and social pragmatic language, articulation and phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, fluency, voice disorders, and providing relationship-based therapy for neurodiverse individuals. Michelle loves to spend time with her son and four dogs.
Nicole Rieger, MS, CCC-SLP
Clinic Director and Early Intervention Supervisor
Nicole Rieger earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2019 from California State University, Chico and Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology in 2021 from Abilene Christian University-Dallas. Nicole is licensed by the state of California and is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Nicole Serves as our Early Intervention Supervisor, overseeing pediatric group services including but not limited to: TinyTalkersTM, Little Language Builders, Speech Bridge, and TARPSing. Nicole additionally services as The Swain Centers Clinic Director. She has attended training courses in Lindamood Bell-Phoneme Sequencing Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech (LIPS). Nicole has experience working with individuals of all ages addressing the following areas of communication: receptive, expressive, and social pragmatic language, articulation and phonological disorders, cognitive disorders, literacy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In addition, Nicole has experience with the adult population in the following areas: speech and language disorders, aphasia, and cognitive-linguistic impairments. Nicole is passionate about supporting her clients and their families with their functional communication goals and providing a personalized therapy experience.
Nina Chera, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Nina Chera earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2021 from California Baptist University and Master of Science degree in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences in 2023 from San Francisco State University. Nina is licensed by the state of California and is certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has a graduate certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Practices from SFSU and is passionate about providing family centered approaches to underserved populations in the therapy room. Nina is licensed by the state of California as a School Audiometrist and has a passion for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations. Nina has experience working with individuals of all ages addressing the following areas of communication: receptive, expressive, and social pragmatic language, articulation and phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, voice disorders, hearing impairment and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In addition, Nina has experience with the adult population in the following areas: aphasia, and cognitive-linguistic impairments. Nina loves to spend time with her church family, eating good food and enjoying the outdoors.
Isabella Fontana, MS, CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Isabella Fontana earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University in 2022 and Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2024 from Northern Arizona University. As a CF-SLP, Isabella is in her clinical fellowship year, passionately cultivating her expertise in the field. Isabella has experience working with individuals of all ages addressing the following areas of communication: phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language delay, literacy, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In addition Isabella has experience working with adults in the following areas: aphasia and cognitive-communication disorders. Isabella is passionate about providing access to communication and working with families to create individualized speech therapy outcomes.
Briana Dolcini
Social Skills Aide
Briana Dolcini grew up in Petaluma on a ranch with two brothers and many animals. At the SRJC she received her AA in Humanities and an AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She enjoys aiding in the social skills classes here at The Swain Center where she can positively impact the students to build confidence and grow. Outside of work, Briana’s hobbies are trying new cuisines, horseback riding, hot pilates, hiking, traveling and SUP paddling. She absolutely loves animals and she feels that animals and nature are very healing.
Melissa Myers
Early Intervention Aide
Melissa grew up in Santa Rosa. After graduating High School she moved to Oakland where she pursued a few different careers but fell in love with childcare while working as a nanny. After 10 years she decided to move back home to be closer to family and nature. She joined The Swain Center mid 2024 as the Early Intervention Aide and co-CIP Aide. Melissa has been working with children for the last 15+ years and loves it. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends and family, floating on the Russian River, trying out different restaurants and hanging with her two cats Finn and Min.
Marie Estrada Comb
Office Manager
Marie manages the front office. Her duties include scheduling all clients, assisting Dr. Swain, and handling all client interaction. She is the go to girl! Marie lives in Santa Rosa, with her husband. They have a son and a daughter, who are now all grown up and living on their own. Marie joined the Swain Center in November of 2016. Marie and her family are HUGE SF giants, 49er and Warrior fans, and always enjoy watching the games together. Marie has lived in beautiful Sonoma County for over 30 years. Marie adores her grandson Luka and enjoys being an Auntie to all her nieces and nephews, wine tasting, cooking, outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.
Cassidy Rodriguez
Finance Coordinator
With a background in billing and receiving, Cassidy supports all clients and staff with their billing needs. With local roots, Cassidy grew up in Rohnert Park and has spent majority of her life here in Sonoma County. Cassidy started bookkeeping right out of High school and has excelled in finance ever since! She feels passionate about supporting a business that supports the community. In her free time she spends time with her pets, writes, sight sees and enjoys exploring culinary treasures.
ShiAnn Bauer
Social Media/Website Coordinator
ShiAnn Bauer grew up in Santa Rosa, California with her three sisters. She is a mom of a little boy who keeps her on her toes. ShiAnn is currently studying Childhood and Adolescence Disorders in hopes to get her Bachelor’s Degree soon! The Swain Center has allowed her creative mind to flow. She creates Instagram and Facebook posts that come out daily. She loves being in an environment where children are being positively impacted. Outside of work, ShiAnn loves spending time with family and watching movies with her mother-in-law. She also enjoys baking, reading, going to the library with her son, and short strolls in the park every once in a while.