theratrio TEAM

Rachel Cavaliere serves as the Co-Owner and Co-Director of TheraTrio. Her professional journey commenced in 2015 as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD). Before embarking on her career as a speech-language pathologist, Rachel pursued her undergraduate studies at SUNY Albany, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2011. Shortly thereafter, she returned to academia to obtain both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in communication disorders. Rachel drew significant influence and inspiration from her grandfather, Louis, who was diagnosed with Coogan's Syndrome at the age of twenty-three, resulting in the loss of his vision and hearing. 

Rachel's career in speech pathology gained momentum in 2015 when she began working with adults who had suffered traumatic brain injuries during her clinical fellowship year. In 2016, she took on the role of SLP at the School for Adaptive and Integrative Learning (SAIL) in Yonkers, NY, where she specialized in Autism and behavioral issues. She continues to serve at SAIL as the Director of Related Services, overseeing Speech, Occupational Therapy (OT), and Physical Therapy (PT). 

Recently, Rachel achieved her Assistive Technology Professional Certification through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Rachel focuses on Assistive and Augmentative Communication for non-verbal individuals, as well as addressing feeding and swallowing disorders within the special needs community.  

Rachel co-founded the company alongside her colleague and fellow speech-language pathologist, Debbie Chai. Over the past nine years, the two female entrepreneurs have identified significant service gaps in various areas, motivating them to establish a company that offers customized private care across all aspects of rehabilitation.  

Rachel is a dedicated member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).

Deborah Chai serves as the Co-Owner and Co-Director of TheraTrio. She began her professional career as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) since 2010, graduating from Herbert H. Lehman College with a masters degree in Speech and Language Hearing Sciences as well as her certification in Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD).

Deborah Chai has 15 years of experience in the field and has worked for Early Intervention (ages 0-3) and the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE- ages 3-5) in the beginning of her professional career. She has expertise in speech therapy focusing on various areas of speech therapy in feeding, oral motor, AAC, receptive/expressive disorders, CAS (children with apraxia), fluency, articulation, selective mutism and ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

Deborah grew interest in the field as her own mother received rehabilitative services after undergoing traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a severe car accident during her college years. Deborah received her bachelor's degree in Linguistics at SUNY Binghamton University.

As co-founders of TheraTrio, Rachel and Deborah have collaborated as a team with professional rehabilitative therapists (SLPs, OTs, and PTs) and continue to work to support each other as we service those in need, according to age and population. 

It is a great passion to work alongside each other for the last 9 years in a specialized residential school for students with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rachel and Deborah are excited to embark on this incredible journey together.

Deborah is also a dedicated member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).