Alicia White, MS, CCC-SLP, CMT®, QOM
Founder and Owner
Speech-Language Pathologist
Certified Myofunctional Therapist
Qualified Orofacial Myologist
Alicia White, M.S., CCC-SLP, CMT, QOM is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Myofunctional Therapist, Qualified Orofacial Myologist, and the founder and owner of Lifespan Therapy. She leads a comprehensive private practice dedicated to providing evidence-based speech, language, feeding, swallowing, cognitive, and myofunctional therapy services to individuals across the lifespan.
Alicia is a two-time recipient of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Award for Continuing Education (ACE), an honor recognizing her exceptional commitment to lifelong learning and clinical excellence. She is licensed to practice in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Florida.
She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Services and her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University. Since beginning her career in 2016, Alicia has provided services in skilled nursing facilities, public schools, outpatient clinics, and private practice before founding Lifespan Therapy in 2021.
Throughout her career, Alicia has treated individuals from infancy through late adulthood—including patients more than 100 years of age. Her clinical expertise includes the evaluation and treatment of a wide range of developmental, neurological, and medically complex conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Cerebral Palsy, dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), cognitive-communication disorders, dysphagia, pediatric feeding disorders, and speech and language impairments. She is also a certified Lingraphica Technology Specialist, helping individuals with complex communication needs achieve greater independence through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Driven by a passion for advancing the profession, Alicia continually pursues advanced education to ensure her clients receive the highest standard of care. Her specialized training includes cognitive rehabilitation, pediatric language development, feeding and swallowing disorders, and more than 70 hours of advanced education in orofacial myofunctional therapy. She has completed specialized coursework through The Myo Method, the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, and TOTS (Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty), and is certified in the Simon Says® Oral Motor Therapy (OMT) programs, including Tongue Tips, Tiny Tongue Tips, and Thumbs Up!. This advanced training allows her to provide specialized evaluation and treatment for tongue-ties, lip-ties, oral dysfunction, and other orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Her advanced clinical training includes cognitive rehabilitation, pediatric language development, feeding and swallowing disorders, and more than 70 hours of specialized education in orofacial myofunctional therapy. Her myofunctional training includes coursework through The Myo Method, the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, and TOTS (Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty). She is also certified in the Simon Says® Oral Motor Therapy (OMT) programs, including Tongue Tips, Tiny Tongue Tips, and Thumbs Up!, providing specialized expertise in the assessment and treatment of tongue-ties, lip-ties, and other orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Committed to advancing the profession, Alicia has served as a guest lecturer for graduate students at A.T. Still University, sharing her expertise with future speech-language pathologists. She is also the author of Little Mouths, Big Impact: How Oral Function Shapes Feeding, Sleep, & Speech, a resource designed to educate families and professionals on the critical role oral function plays in overall health and development.
Alicia resides in Fletcher, North Carolina, with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, visiting wineries and breweries, crafting, and spending quality time with her family.
Stacey Trantham, MS, CCC-SLP
Lead Speech-Language Pathologist
Myofunctional Therapist
Stacey, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She is licensed to practice in North Carolina and Florida and has been a valued member of the Lifespan Therapy team since 2022, providing compassionate, evidence-based care to both pediatric and adult clients.
Stacey earned her bachelor's degree in 2011 before completing her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Carolina University in 2015. Throughout her career, she has practiced in long-term care, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, schools, and private practice, giving her a well-rounded clinical perspective and extensive experience treating individuals across the lifespan.
Her clinical expertise includes the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognitive-communication, feeding, and swallowing disorders associated with a variety of medical and developmental diagnoses, including Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Cerebral Palsy, dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has a special interest in language development, literacy, cognitive rehabilitation, and feeding and swallowing disorders.
Committed to lifelong learning, Stacey has completed advanced coursework in orofacial myofunctional therapy, providing specialized knowledge in the assessment and treatment of tongue-ties, lip-ties, and other orofacial myofunctional disorders. She is also VitalStim® certified for the treatment of dysphagia, further expanding her expertise in evidence-based swallowing rehabilitation.
Outside of the clinic, Stacey enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter in Hendersonville, North Carolina. She loves staying active by working out, hiking to local waterfalls, and traveling to Destin, Florida, to enjoy the beautiful white-sand beaches and emerald waters.
Gaylyn Short, MCD, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Gaylyn is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed to practice in North Carolina and Florida. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Montevallo in 2011 and completed her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Auburn University in 2014. Gaylyn joined the Lifespan Therapy team in 2023 and brings extensive experience across a wide range of clinical settings.
Her professional background includes work in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living, Independent Living, Outpatient Clinics, and Home Health, providing her with a broad and versatile clinical skill set. Gaylyn has served adult populations with diverse medical and neurological conditions, including Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Primary Progressive Aphasia, and Cerebral Palsy (CP). She has delivered skilled intervention targeting cognitive-communication abilities, speech and voice, expressive and receptive language, and swallowing/feeding function.
She is passionate about serving individuals across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and is dedicated to providing patient-centered, evidence-based care.
Gaylyn resides in Fairview with her husband, daughter, and their Chihuahua mix, Chickpea. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, swimming in the beautiful landscapes of Western North Carolina, participating in trivia nights at local breweries, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Sydney Zafran, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Syd
Sydney, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed to practice in North Carolina and Florida. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Kansas State University and has been practicing since 2022. Sydney joined the Lifespan Therapy team in 2024.
Sydney has experience across outpatient rehabilitation, hospital-based rehabilitation, home health, skilled nursing facilities, and private practice. She provides evaluation and treatment for children and adults with speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, feeding, and swallowing disorders. She has a special interest in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), helping individuals with complex communication needs develop effective and meaningful ways to communicate.
Committed to lifelong learning, Sydney has completed Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention training and has pursued advanced coursework in orofacial myofunctional therapy to support treatment of oral-motor dysfunction, tongue thrust, speech sound disorders, and oral-phase dysphagia.
Outside of work, Sydney enjoys reading, exploring local breweries, hiking, and discovering all that Western North Carolina has to offer with her fiancé and their two dogs.
Jessica Herbert, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed to practice in North Carolina. A graduate of Western Carolina University, she joined the Lifespan Therapy team in 2025.
Jessica has gained diverse clinical experience in preschools, elementary schools, outpatient clinics, and private practice, providing evaluation and treatment for both pediatric and adult clients. Her areas of experience include speech and language disorders, articulation, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), voice, fluency, cognition, swallowing, hearing, and social communication. During her clinical fellowship, she also completed specialized training in orofacial myofunctional therapy, expanding her ability to support clients with oral function and speech-related concerns.
Jessica is passionate about helping individuals build the communication skills they need to succeed in everyday life. She values creating meaningful relationships with her clients and families while providing individualized, evidence-based care.
Originally from Waynesville, North Carolina, Jessica recently married and enjoys spending time with her husband. Outside of work, she loves taking walks, reading, and visiting Lake Chatuge.
Brett Morgan, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Brett Morgan, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 11 years of experience serving individuals with a wide range of speech and communication disorders. He earned his Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Appalachian State University in 2015 and is passionate about helping children and adults achieve meaningful improvements in their communication and overall quality of life.
Before becoming a speech-language pathologist, Brett worked as a paramedic in Asheville, North Carolina. His experience in emergency medicine strengthened his dedication to helping others and ultimately led him to pursue a career focused on communication sciences. He finds great fulfillment in partnering with clients and their families as they work toward functional, life-changing communication goals.
Outside of the clinic, Brett enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, canoeing, and biking throughout the scenic parks of Brevard, North Carolina, where he resides. He also has a passion for science and enjoys reading about quantum physics and astronomy. When he's not exploring the outdoors or learning about the universe, you'll likely find him watching science fiction films or comedies. One of his lifelong dreams is to one day visit the moon and look back at Earth from space—a reflection of his curiosity, appreciation for science, and sense of wonder.
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K.A. Yeager, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
K. A. Yeager, M.S., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed to practice in North Carolina. Yeager has experience providing speech and language services across school, daycare, and outpatient settings and values a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to patient care. They have worked alongside occupational therapists, physical therapists, and mental health professionals and are experienced in identifying when referrals to related services may be beneficial in supporting a child’s overall development.
Yeager has experience conducting augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluations and navigating the funding process for speech-generating devices. Their clinical background also includes assisting psychologists during the assessment and diagnostic process for autism spectrum disorder. Yeager has specialized training in the assessment and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech and is trained in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), an evidence-based treatment approach for children with motor speech disorders.
Yeager particularly enjoys the problem-solving aspect of speech-language pathology and working through clinically challenging cases. Whether researching new treatment approaches or developing creative ways to engage children who may be hesitant to participate, they strive to individualize therapy to each patient’s needs, interests, and communication goals.
Outside of speech therapy, Yeager enjoys weightlifting, attending live music events, and exploring the natural beauty of Western North Carolina and the Southern Appalachian region.
Hannah Gilbert
Speech-Language Pathologist
Teletherapist
Hannah is a Greensboro, North Carolina native and a graduate of East Carolina University, where she earned both her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Inspired by her own experience receiving speech therapy as a child, Hannah knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist and help others find confidence in their communication.
Hannah has experience providing diagnostic and therapeutic services to individuals across the lifespan. Her clinical interests and experience include language delays, childhood apraxia of speech, articulation and phonological disorders, and fluency disorders. She utilizes a neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy and values collaboration with patients, families, and other professionals to create meaningful, individualized treatment. Hannah is passionate about helping each patient strengthen their communication skills, advocate for themselves, and achieve goals that make a meaningful difference in their everyday lives.
Outside of the clinic, Hannah enjoys running, taking walks with her dog, reading, spending time at the beach, and relaxing with family and friends.
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Carlee Robinson
Client Care Coordinator
A Western North Carolina native, Carlee grew up in Swannanoa and now calls Hendersonville home. As Lifespan Therapy’s Client Care Coordinator, she enjoys being part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of patients and their families. Carlee values creating a welcoming and supportive experience for everyone who walks through the door and helping families feel comfortable and connected throughout their time at Lifespan Therapy.
Outside of work, Carlee enjoys getting lost in a good book, spending time outdoors, taking beach trips whenever she can, and, most importantly, spoiling her four cats.