Melissa Philippsen, M.A., CCC-SLP is the owner of Empowering Kids
Pediatric Therapy located in Columbus, Indiana. Melissa noticed a need
for pediatric speech therapy services in the community and opened her
private practice in 2020. She continues to practice as a speech
therapist, finding fulfillment in supporting parents while working
with their child to best meet their speech-language needs.

She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Ball State
University, graduating with Suma Cum Laude distinction. Melissa is a
licensed member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA),
holding her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language
Pathology since 2009. She is accredited by Indiana Public Licensing
Board.

Melissa has been recognized by the American Speech-Language and
Hearing Association (ASHA) as an ACE recipient. ASHA recognizes those
who have the equivalent of 70 continuing education contact hours
within three years. Note from ASHA: “Mrs. Melissa Philippsen joins a
select group of individuals who have made a concerted, personal effort
to continue professional learning beyond an academic degree. We hope
you share our pride in this accomplishment.”

Melissa has also been accepted as a member of the Apraxia Kids SLP
Directory. She is one of a handful of speech therapists in Indiana who
have been accepted to the directory.

When Melissa is not practicing, she enjoys spending time with her
husband and three children.  She enjoys being outdoors, reading,
traveling, volunteering and participating in activities in her church
and children’s school.

Taylor Brittain, M.A., CCC-SLP earned her Bachelor’s degree at Miami University, graduating with Magna Cum Laude distinction and her Master’s Degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She joined the Empowering Kids Pediatric Therapy team in August of 2022. She loves being able to help children in the community to meet their speech and language goals. Working alongside parents and caregivers, she has a passion for ensuring that children can interact with their family, friends, and community. She has worked in two local school corporations and has experience with AAC, Autism, Expressive/Receptive Language, Stuttering, Social Skills, and Articulation/Phonology.

Taylor is passionate about assisting her clients and participates in continuing education courses to ensure that she uses evidenced based practices to best serve her clients.

Taylor is a licensed member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), holding her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology since 2013. She is accredited by Indiana Public Licensing Board and holds her teaching license in Communication Disorders from the Indiana Department of Education.

When Taylor is not practicing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, especially outdoors.  She enjoys baking, reading, traveling, volunteering and participating in activities in her church.

Alison Biegert, MOT, OTR earned her Bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech in 2012 and her Master’s Degree at James Madison University in 2014, graduating with Magna Cum Laude distinction. She joined the Empowering Kids Pediatric Therapy team in March of 2023. She loves being creative in play to engage her clients.  Alison values working with children so that they are able to participate in life in ways that they need and want.  Witnessing and celebrating a child’s progress is her favorite part of the job. She has worked in pediatrics since graduating and has experience with early intervention, developmental delays and disorders, feeding, sensory, and fine motor skills.

Alison is passionate about assisting her clients and participates in continuing education courses to ensure that she uses evidenced based practices to best serve her clients.

Alison is a licensed member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is accredited by Indiana Public Licensing Board.

When Alison is not practicing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children outdoors, trying new recipes, reading, cheering on her Virginia Tech Hokies, and strolling the aisles of Target with a Starbucks in hand.

Patia Hunt, OTR earned her Bachelor’s degree at Ball State University in Exercise
Science with a minor in Interpersonal Relations (counseling
psychology) in 2019. She went on to obtain her Doctorate degree in
Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2022. She
joined the Empowering Kids Pediatric Therapy team in September of
2023.

Patia is passionate about assisting her clients to live their best
life. She especially enjoys working with Sensory Regulation. She
continues to participate in continuing education in order to best
serve her clients and use best practice methods.

Patia is a licensed member of the NBCOT and accredited by Indiana
Public Licensing Board.

When Patia is not practicing, she enjoys music, singing, dancing,
reading books and playing nerdy games. She is new to Columbus and is
excited to continue to explore our unique city!