Meet The Team

I am Ariella Kaplan, a CCC-SLP and Certified Brain Injury Specialist, and the co-owner of Atlanta Speech & Wellness. I provide integrated, person-centered speech therapy to support clients in reaching their full potential after a brain injury. With nearly 15 years of clinical experience, my passion for working with brain injury patients deepened during my time at the Shepherd Center, where I was inspired daily by my clients and the resilience of the human brain. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and my master’s degree from the University of Georgia. My journey has led me to become a licensed SpeakOut for Parkinson’s provider, a certified Ampcare provider for swallowing, and to earn a certificate in the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA) through Aphasia Access. I currently serve as the Vice Chair on the Georgia Aphasia Project board and as the president-elect for the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association. My commitment to collaboration is at the heart of my work. I prioritize understanding my clients' values and goals, ensuring that therapy aligns with what is most important to them. I believe in instilling hope and the possibility of progress at any stage of recovery. When I'm not working, you can find me at home with my husband and two children, often taking our two very energetic Australian Shepherds on walks. We love exploring our neighborhood parks and farmers markets together.

Julie Witten received her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from San Jose State University and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Georgia. Julie has over 20 years of experience working in the field, specializing in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation in a variety of settings including outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, assisted living, and home healthcare. Julie spent the majority of her career working at Emory Rehabilitation Center where she specialized in treatment of aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive disorders, and dysphagia. Julie enjoys working with her clients through patient-centered therapy to gain greater independence and confidence to achieve their goals.

I am a Physical Therapist and Certified Yoga Teacher with over 18 years of experience working in neurological rehabilitation, and more recent experience working with orthopedic and memory-impaired populations. I began my career at the Shepherd Center in 2007, where I spent 6 years in the Outpatient SCI Program and 9 years in the MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program. I integrate training in PNF, Yoga, Pilates, mindfulness, and manual techniques in a client-centered, collaborative approach. The core of my treatment philosophy is based on respect for the physical body and its natural inclination towards health and function. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz and my master’s degree from Georgia State University. During my career, I have functioned as a Clinical Supervisor for the Dana and Christopher Reeve NeuroRecovery Network, a Consultant for CanDo MS, and a Clinical Supervisor for PT students in their final internships. My interest in mindful movement led me to become a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2014. Since that time, I have developed community-based programs providing instruction in adapted Yoga for those living with injury and disability, including current classes at Atlanta Speech and Wellness, Shepherd Spine and Pain Institute, and the Shepherd MS Rehabilitation and Wellness Program. I teach the course Yoga and Mindfulness for the Physical Therapist at Emory University, applying the principles of mindfulness and Yoga to a Bio-Psycho-Social model of healthcare and as a modality for neuro-muscular re-education. When not working, I can be found writing, biking, and travelling with my loyal companions (canine and human).

I have been a practicing Occupational Therapist since 2011. I started with Atlanta Speech and Wellness in 2023 and have enjoyed being able to provide specialized services to clients in need. I graduated from Boston University's Occupational Therapy program with honors and began my career working with adults with neurological conditions. I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings with clients ranging from age 14-109! I have experience with a variety of neurological conditions including spinal cord injury, brain injury, CVA, MS, ALS, and Parkinson’s. I enjoy providing my clients with education about their injury/illness and providing them with tools to navigate these changes in their lives. I feel that knowledge is power so I take my time to ensure that each client fully understands what is happening in their bodies and what they can do to manage it more effectively and resume their valued daily activities. My special interests include visual rehabilitation, sensory processing education, ergonomics education, home safety assessments, adapting ADL tasks, postural awareness, and bowel and bladder management. Throughout my career I have enjoyed pursuing additional training and education regarding visual functions following neurological complications. I am a mother of 2 and enjoy spending time with my family outside of work. We have one dog and enjoy spending time outdoors enjoying nature. I grew up in Ohio but have lived in Atlanta since 2011 and have enjoyed exploring all the wonderful things Georgia has to offer.

I am a Georgia native with a passion for helping others. My interest in neuroscience started in high school and my passion only grew as I entered college. I completed my undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Two years later I completed her master’s degree in speech and language pathology at the University of West Georgia. Shortly after graduating, I moved to Boulder, Colorado where I worked in a pediatric clinic as well as an elementary school. After two years, Georgia was calling so my husband and I moved back to pursue new career opportunities. In 2015, I joined the team at Shepherd Center in the acquired brain injury post-acute setting as a speech therapist on the outpatient day program team. While at Shepherd Center I have gained experience and knowledge in not only working with individuals with acquired brain injuries, but also those with multiple sclerosis.  I have a deep rooted passion for making therapy functional and increasing independence.  I thrive on creativity and thinking outside the box of traditional therapy. It is important to me that clients and care partners are at the center of every treatment plan and part of the rehabilitation process and decision making. We will work together to create goals that are important to you and that will continue to be motivating to you. I am always humbled to be given the opportunity to be invited along someone’s rehabilitation journey and to be a trusted person in this healing process. The best  part of my job is helping others to navigate life and challenges in a new way while taking charge of their lives! In my free time I love spending time with my two daughters and husband. We love going on bike rides, to the park, and spending time with friends and family. My husband and I love exploring new places and watching our daughters’ imaginations run wild with each new adventure!

I completed my Bachelors of Science degree in Neuroscience at Brigham Young University and obtained my Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Akron. I trained in a variety of settings including preschool, private pediatric, acute care, in-patient rehabilitation, and outpatient rehabilitation clinics. I’ve always been passionate about the brain, but after my own father’s battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), I developed a deep desire to serve clients with neurological injuries and neurodegenerative conditions. I have witnessed the profound impact that communication has on quality of life. My approach focuses on understanding each client’s unique needs, tailoring strategies that empower them to express themselves and connect with loved ones. I combine evidence-based practices with compassionate support, helping clients navigate the challenges of their conditions while fostering independence and enhancing their overall well-being. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the resilience and progress of my clients as we work together on their journey. I’m a native of the Pacific Northwest but have lived in the Atlanta area for 15 years and am proudly raising my 3 children in the South. In my free time I love to read, eat, travel, and adventure in the outdoors with my husband. I’ve backpacked 90 miles of the Appalachian Trail so far, and have my sights set on a trek to Base Camp at Mount Everest.

I was born and raised in South Carolina by parents who migrated south from Michigan. I developed a strong desire to work in healthcare during my tenure in high school and found my passion in undergraduate school. My calling as a physical therapist (PT) has rewarded me with the gratification of helping individuals recover from injuries or debilities. My fascination with physical therapy has grown into a fervent passion to help individuals who often are experiencing the most challenging days in their life. The challenging nature of the job as a physical therapist drives the need for continuous learning. When it comes to mobility and function, every individual is a snowflake, and thus, the spectrum of variability makes every single day as a PT unique. Over the past decade, I have sharpened the ability to apply knowledge, skills, and experience to perform detailed and thorough evaluations that are the foundation of an individualized plan of care. Relying on keen observation, assertive communication, Intuitive and thoughtful problem-solving, and wide scope of treatment interventions has fostered an environment that facilitates my ability to guide patients and deliver outcomes. When not at work, I enjoy time with my family of four humans and three canines. We love outdoor activities, sports, festivals, live music, and meeting new people.