At Launch, we are a team of speech/feeding, occupational, and physical therapists ready to tackle all your therapy kiddo’s needs. Our therapists are experienced in a wide range of techniques and up to date practices.
Our admin team is also here to help your family navigate the intricacies of insurance and billing.
Scroll down to read their bios!
Meet the Team
Michelle Mitcham, M.S. CCC-SLP
FOUNDER, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST, FEEDING SPECIALIST
I have been practicing Speech Pathology since 2005. I went to the University of Texas for undergrad and University of Houston for graduate school. Pediatrics has always been my favorite setting. I have worked in schools, hospitals, private practices, and home health. Working in a clinic has always been my favorite place to be! Along my career, leading became a strength and a love of mine. The areas of treating that I have always been drawn to are feeding and early language development, specifically limited verbal or non verbal kiddos on the Autism spectrum. Food School (feeding therapy) is another area that feeds MY soul. I get to use creativity and craziness as I teach the kiddos to be a Food Scientist. I teach children to try proteins for the first time, expanding diets beyond their 5 “safe foods”, and help them eat and drink without aspirating. I find the most success when I teach through play and work at their level (both cognitively and physically—I am often on the floor) to attain connection and success. It's more than just teaching a skill, it's creating the intrinsic motivation for them to want to learn the skill while they feel like they are "playing." I cant wait to meet you! I hope you love Launch!
Kendall Wellauer, M.A. CCC-SLP
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST, FEEDING SPECIALIST
I recently completed my Clinical Fellowship in Speech-Language Pathology. Before coming to Texas, I grew up in New Jersey. I spent my whole life on the east coast. I am learning so much about the south. During my time on the east coast, I enjoyed going to the beach, hanging out with my friends, and babysitting. I received my bachelor's degree from Ithaca College in upstate New York where the weather is way different than it is down here! Then I completed my master's degree at the University of Delaware. I had the opportunity for some awesome clinical placements while getting my degrees. I have experience providing speech therapy in a headstart preschool classroom, an inpatient rehab center, an outpatient hospital clinic, and lots of telehealth experience. When completing telehealth appointments, I found great interest in childhood apraxia of speech and early childhood language. As things progressed, I had the opportunity to complete these therapies face to face. This helped me not only become more flexible but increase my parent education skills as they became teachers over telehealth. I have a special interest in child language and believe that children learn through two outlets; play and movement. I strive to incorporate both of these in all of my treatment sessions. I am so excited to begin my journey here at Launch HTX and help kids and families reach their goals, shoot for the stars!
Alyah Williams, M.S. CCC-SLP
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST, FEEDING SPECIALIST
Hey y'all! My name is Alyah Williams M.S. CCC-SLP! I went to Abilene Christian University for both my undergraduate and graduate program. I am the newest SLP at Launch and so excited to work with all of the little astronauts. Outside of work, I enjoy thrift shopping, reading, and hanging out with my dogs and husband. My husband and I love to cook so you can find me in the kitchen whipping up a new recipe on the daily! In terms of my professional background, I have recently completed my clinical fellowship year where I tailored my skills in preschool language development and dipped my toes into the world of feeding. I have experience working with speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, sensory feeding disorders, fluency disorders, and alternative language modalities. Augmentative and alternative communication is my jam, so feel free to ask me any questions about alternative ways to communicate! I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to communicate, whether verbally or nonverbally, and I love working alongside families to help support little astronauts find their voice. I look forward to meeting you!
Shoneia Jones, OTR/L
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
I attended the University of Missouri where I received my Master's of Occupational Therapy degree in 2021. I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Where I met my best friend and now husband of almost a year, Brandon. We moved to the Houston area about 2 years ago and have loved everything (almost- still getting used to the heat) about it so far! When I am not working, I love spending time with my husband and dog, Onyx. You can also catch me at the swimming pool most days too! Before entering into the field of OT, I worked in preschools as an instructional aide and I've worked in ABA clinics as a registered behavior technician. These experiences made me realize my passion for working with kids, but OT has taught me how valuable it is to help kiddos reach their full potential! I have extensive experience working with children on the spectrum in addition to kiddos with ADHD, Down syndrome, and emotional regulation disorders. I believe all kiddos can reach their greatest potential if they have a supportive team cheering them on! Thank you for letting me be a part of your team!
Hannah Henry, OTR/L
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
You might hear my friends around the clinic calling me Hannah Montana, Hannah Banana, or Miss Hannah... I love all the nicknames and will answer to anything! Before you ask... my southern accent is unique to southwest Virginia, where I have lived my whole life until this year! I am new to Texas, but I am loving building my life here with my fiancé Josh, and our backyard zoo including the cutest doggie, 27 chickens, a Sulcata tortoise, leopard gecko, and Brazilian rainbow boa. I enjoy exploring Houston's many hidden gems, trying new restaurants (especially if dessert is included), shopping, and doing puzzles. I studied Exercise Science at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and loved it so much I decided to stay to complete my Masters. I graduated from OT school in December 2021, and have been working with the pediatric population ever since. I truly find so much joy in my job, and love getting to be a part of your child's journey to independence. Our team at Launch is unique and special. We like to be silly, and make therapy fun. All of our staff are extremely knowledgable, kind, and work together to provide the best care for your kiddos. I can't wait to meet you!
Darlene Ruben, OTD, OTR/L
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Hello everyone my name is Darlene Ruben OTD, OTR/L. I attended the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio where I received my Doctorate's of Occupational Therapy degree in 2024. I had one of my clinical rotations working with all the therapists at Launch as a student, and now it's a full circle I get to be a part of this amazing team! Outside of work I enjoy dancing, working out, being outdoors, spending time with my family and friends, and traveling. I have experience working with the pediatric population throughout my life in settings such as: schools, clinics, hospitals and volunteer sites. I enjoy interacting with children and watching them develop new skills to utilize in their everyday lives. As an OT, it is both an honor and privilege to be working with your kiddos reach their full potential within themselves and their community. This profession is extremely rewarding and I am grateful to be apart of each and every child's unique journey to independence. Here at Launch, we are a family! The staff here are truly the best and have built an environment where all are accepted. I can't wait to meet all your kiddos and take off on an adventure filled with fun and meaningful activities!
Maddy Brama, OTR
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Hey there! My name is Madeline, Maddy, Brama and I am an Occupational Therapist here at Launch. I completed my undergraduate degree at Milligan College in TN with a double major in both exercise science and psychology. I then graduated with my masters degree in Occupational Therapy at TWU (Texas Woman's Universty) right here in Houston. I completed my clinical rotations with adults in skilled nursing facilities, inpatient, acute care, and with children in ECI (early childhood intervention) home health, and outpatient. Although I learned a lot from those settings, my heart is (and always will be) in pediatrics! I have experience working with children with ASD, down syndrome, ADHD, genetic disorders, visual impairments, and emotional regulation disorders. Outside of working, I love to read books, drink absurd amounts of coffee, exercise, cuddle with my 2 dogs, play board games, and live life with my husband. I am grateful to work alongside an amazing group of people here at Launch and I can't wait to meet you all!
Vi Pham, PT, DPT
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
I’m a north Houston native and picked up a love for burnt orange attending the University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate degree. Hook em \m/ I graduated with my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Austin, TX in 2018 and have been working in pediatrics since. I completed clinical internships at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston Methodist, and Encompass Health gaining invaluable experiences from life long mentors. My clinical experiences include working with a large range of diagnoses and impairments in children with cardiovascular conditions, orthopedic and nerve injuries and rehab, neurodevelopmental disabilities, gait abnormalities, developmental delays, autism, and genetic disorders. I have a background in manual and myofascial techniques and have taken continuing education in various specialties such as torticollis/plagiocephaly, dyspraxia, and neurodevelopmental treatment approaches to continuously better serve your children’s needs. Whatever the diagnoses, I genuinely seek to build connections with your child and work on their level to achieve their success. Outside of work, you can catch me spending time with my family and friends exploring Houston, eating way too much sushi and tacos, and finding things to do with my toddler at 8a on the weekends.
Courtney Lewis
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
When I'm not at work, you can find me hanging out with my husband, James, and our two German Shepherds, Sammy and Nala. I love margaritas, reading, Crossfit, traveling, puzzles, and Harry Potter (in no particular order). I graduated from the University of Houston with a BS in Kinesiology-Exercise Science and a Minor in Nutrition. I also hold a certificate in Bookkeeping from the NACPB. I have worked in office administration for over 10 years and have been exclusively working in the pediatric therapy world since January of 2020. I am very lucky to walk into work everyday and love what I do and the people I work with. While I am normally handling things behind the scenes, I am here to assist you and your astronaut with whatever you may need, or just to chat. My hope is for Launch to be the highlight of you and your kiddo’s week.
Lalo Maldonado
CLINIC MANAGER
Hello! My name is Lalo! I was born and raised here in Houston, Texas. In my free time I enjoy singing, dancing, painting, and playing volleyball. I graduated from the University of Houston in Spring 2021 as a first generation college graduate with my Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and plan on pursuing a career in Physical Therapy. I strive to make Launch Pediatric Therapy a safe space where kiddos can be themselves while developing the skills needed for their future. I look forward to assisting and ensuring a smooth work dynamic here at the clinic. Go for Launch!
