Heather Houskeeper Executive Director

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Heather has worked in business operations and medical billing over the past 15 years, and as an owner of a small business focused on services for kids. A life-long resident of Washington, Heather currently lives and works in the Lacey area where she lives with her family - including four children.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys anything outdoors - skiing and wake surfing - reading, and ice cream. Her favorite color is blue, and enjoys listening to anything by Kenny Chesney.

Lauren Rose M.A. CCC-SLP, Clinic Director

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Lauren is an ASHA and Washington state certified speech language pathologist who has worked in the pediatric private practice field throughout her career. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in 2016 and master’s degree from The University of Akron in 2018. Her areas of focus include speech sound disorders and literacy development. She hopes to bring a holistic approach to your child’s therapy by offering parent coaching, multi-sensory approaches and play based services.

When she is not in the office you can find Lauren climbing, exploring new trails and paddleboarding on the Puget Sound.

Abby Hartjes M.S. CCC-SLP, Clinic Director

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Abby is the Lead SLP at DESL and has experience in both private practice and schools working as a Speech Language Pathologist. She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 2017 and master's degree at Emerson College in 2020. Her therapy interests include Gestalt Language Processings, articulation, AAC, early language skills, and pragmatics language skills. Abby is NLA trained through Meaningful Speech LLC (meaningfulspeechregistry.com)) demonstrating knowledge on working with patients with echolalia and Autism. She enjoys bringing a team-based approach to all of her sessions by including the thoughts and opinions of the patients, their families, and their other therapists on all decisions for the patient's plan of care.

Abby's favorite activities outside of work include travel, walking her dogs, trying out new restaurants, and watching the Packers with her husband.