248.760.2121
248.686.2498
50 Kirts Blvd, Suite G, Troy, MI 48084
Our Practice
Our Philosophy
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Start Bright therapists want you to have a say in your child's therapy. It is important to us that our schedule leaves time for your questions, and that you do not feel rushed. We offer therapy in a natural setting and family is encouraged to observe and at times participate. We believe that the best practice is to integrate therapy skills with family life. Nearly all of the speech and language therapy and ABA therapy we do is play-based, since play is the occupation of childhood. We also will work in collaboration with other professionals that may be involved in your child's development.
Our Team
Lindsey Halpin, MS, CCC-SLP
Lindsey is a Clinic Co-Owner and Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) with professional specialties in oral motor skills and Autism. She holds a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. What she loves most about her job is working with kids and their families. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and playing with her children.
Nicole Martin, MA, CCC-SLP
Nicole is a Clinic Co-Owner and Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) with a Master of Arts in speech and certified CCC-SLP. She loves getting to know the kids and their families, helping kids find their voice so they can grow into their role of brother/sister, son/daughter, friend – it is so fun to watch and be a part of. Nicole enjoys reading, sewing, boating, and swimming. She is more coordinated in the water than on land, and she loves The Wizard of Oz.
Cynthia Castro-Lopez, MA, RBT
Cynthia is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at Start Bright. She has a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with an emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. She enjoys seeing clients master new skills and behaviors as they progress through their sessions. She has worked in the home and clinic settings with clients who range from the ages of 2 to 6 years old. Cynthia enjoys spending time with her husband and puppy, cooking, traveling, and going on adventures. 
Alyssa Drost, MS, CCC-SLP
Alyssa is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) with a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University. She has professional experience in both school and private practice settings, and she loves being cheerleader throughout a child’s progress. Alyssa enjoys reading and playing tennis. She has two cats, Luna and Nova.
Rileigh Freeman, MA, CCC-SLP
Riley is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who received her Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Eastern Michigan University. She has worked both in school and private practice settings, serving children with a wide variety of communication needs and disorders. She has two small dogs named Finley and Trixie, and she enjoys playing video games and kayaking.
Rebecca Kennedy, MLS
Becka is Start Bright’s Administrative Assistant. She holds a Master of Library Science from Indiana University. In her previous life, she worked for the U.S. State Department and over a decade as a librarian, mostly in Chicago and Seattle. What she loves most about her role at Start Bright is the opportunity to do a wide range of tasks that collectively support the life-changing work of the therapists. Becka enjoys cross-stitching, reading, being in nature, and spending time with her family.
Dayna Liske
Dayna is a Behavior Technician at Start Bright. She is a graduate of L’Anse Creuse High School. Dayna has a professional interest in working with children with Autism. She enjoys being outdoors and crafting, and she has three cats and a dog.
Monica Marciniak, MA, CCC-SLP
Monica is a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) with professional specialties in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Autism. She holds a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University. What she enjoys most about her work is having parents share stories of their child using the skills they learned at speech in their everyday lives. In her spare time, Monica enjoys cooking and reading.
Candace McDonald
Candace is a Behavior Technician at Start Bright. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Oakland University and is currently pursuing her Master in Social Work there. What she loves most about her job is seeing the joy and excitement on a kiddo’s face when they figure out how to do something. Candace enjoys video games, coloring, and spending time with her family, including her two puppies and her fiancée. She can play three instruments—the saxophone, guitar, and piano.
Tiera Moultrie, RBT
Tiera is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) practicum student at Start Bright. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree at Wayne State University, majoring in psychology with an ABA minor. Tiera leads the Detroit nonprofit Autism in the D and has professional interests in working with children with Autism, nonprofit leadership, graphic and web design. She loves spending time with her three children, two of whom are diagnosed with Autism, and her dog and cat.
Kayte Nickel, M.Ed, BCBA
Kayte is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Start Bright’s lead ABA therapist. She holds a Master of Education in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Penn State University. She specializes in early-intervention potty training, feeding, school readiness, and play-based therapy. Kayte has been a practicing clinician since 2020 and has worked with clients ranging from age 2 to 18. One thing she loves most about her work is hearing a client speak for the very first time. She has three dogs and her hobbies include camping, hiking, golf, gardening, and fishing.
Molly Pylar
Molly is a Behavior Technician at Start Bright. She has a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue Global University. She has been working in the ABA field for two years as a behavior technician in the home and clinic setting for clients ranging from 2 to 18 years old. She has experience working with a wide range of behaviors and skills. She absolutely loves working with children and finding ways to promote independence. In her free time, Molly loves to knit, sew, crochet, and do other crafts to keep her hands busy.
Jahnice Ratcliff
Jahnice is a Behavior Technician at Start Bright. What she loves most about her role is seeing her clients evolve and progress over time. She likes to spend her time playing video games, cooking, and reading. Jahnice has a cat named Mona, but since she gives her so many nicknames, the cat doesn’t know her real name.
Taylor Tyle
Taylor is a Behavior Technician at Start Bright. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She specializes in working with children aged 2–16 and enjoys implementing play-based therapy and school-readiness programs. What she loves most about her job is helping a child grow and witness their breakthroughs. Taylor likes reading, shopping, spending time with family and friends, and going up North.