Meet Our Team

Rachael Harrelson, MS CCC-SLP

Clinical Director, Therapist, & Owner

Exceeding Expectations One Patient at a Time

Rachael Harrelson, M.S. CCC-SLP, Vet. USN is the owner, clinical director, and supervising therapist of Southern Star Pediatric Speech Therapy. She is a believer in Christ and has strong Christian values. She is a Texas State licensed and nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Prior to starting her practice, Rachael has worked in various settings including in-patient rehabilitation, home health, and public schools.

Rachael received a Bachelor’s Degree with a minor in Psychology at Baylor University, and a Master’s Degree in Communication Science and Disorders also from, Baylor University. She maintains certification in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed in Texas and Washington. Rachael is also a highly decorated veteran of the United States Navy, where she served 8-years as a Hospital Corpsman in the medical field.

Rachael has had extensive experience assessing and treating clients with autism, articulation, phonological and fluency disorders and receptive/expressive language impairments. She also has extensive experience in literacy, as literacy skills go hand-in-hand with language development. Rachael has also worked with clients diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Dysarthria, Emotionally Disturbed and Selective Mutism.

Rachael enjoys spending time with her three kids, three dogs, and cat. She especially loves training her Great Pyrenees/German Shepherd, Baylor, to talk using push buttons. Outdoor activities such as golfing, camping, and hiking are some of her favorite things to do with her family. She loves to paint, draw, and read up on new medical findings and discoveries. Her guilty obsession is binging on reality TV.

As a parent of a child with Autism & ADHD, Rachael understands and believes in a team approach to therapy and therefore encourages collaboration with parents, teachers and other therapists, when applicable, to provide the most encouraging and successful environment for her clients. Her practice is based on providing the highest quality of service to her clients and their families while working to achieve their speech and language goals.

Holly Grace, M.S. SLPCF

holly@southernstarspeech.com

Clinical Therapy Provider

Hi, my name is Holly Grace,

I recently graduated from Texas State University with my Master's Degree in Communication Science and Disorders, I also received my Bachelor's Degree in Communication Science and Disorders from Texas State University. I am in the process of completing my clinical fellowship year, and I am so excited to start my speech language pathologist journey at Southern Star Pediatrics under Rachael's supervision.

Through my graduate training I have gained experience with assessing and treating clients with autism, articulation, receptive/expressive language impairments, phonological and fluency disorders. I have also worked with clients who have dysarthria, aphasia, and dysphagia. Lastly, I have also worked with many clients who use augmentative alternative communication (AAC) and I have trained caregivers on how to use and model language using AAC devices.

I am a believer in Christ and have strong Christian values. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, as well as my cat, Zeke, who loves to play fetch! I love outdoor activities such as golf, frisbee golf, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. I also love to crochet, read books, and binge shows like Gilmore Girls, Psych, or Grey's Anatomy.

Through my graduate training I have learned the importance of using a team approach when it comes to therapy. This may look like collaborating with parents/caregivers, teachers, and other therapists. By using this approach, it fosters an encouraging, supporting, and successful environment. My goal when working with each client is to provide the highest quality of individual care and to work with the client and their families to reach their speech and language goals.

Hayven Drinnon B.S. SLPA
Speech Therapist Assistant
hayven@southernstarspeech.com

Clinical Therapy Assistant

Hayven recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Abilene Christian University. She is excited to begin her career as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and continue growing her skills while supporting children and their families.

During her academic training, Hayven completed a clinical externship at an elementary school, where she gained hands-on experience working with pediatric clients. She has supported children with articulation and phonological disorders, fluency, expressive and receptive language needs, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Through these experiences, Hayven developed a strong appreciation for individualized, engaging, and evidence-based intervention.

Hayven is passionate about working with children to help them find their voice, build confidence, and communicate effectively in their everyday lives. She values collaboration with families, educators, and other professionals to ensure each child receives the support they need to thrive and live life to the fullest.

Outside of work, Hayven enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two younger siblings and her two dogs. She loves reading books, watching movies, and making meaningful memories while trying new things with the people closest to her.

Catherine Schaaf M.S. CCC-SLP

catherine@southernstarspeech.com

Clinical Therapy Provider

Catherine has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2021 and currently holds her Texas state licensure and a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She graduated from Texas State University with a B.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, and from Texas Tech University with a M.S., Speech Language Pathology.

Catherine has experience working with adults with speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders in short-term rehabilitation settings, and has additional experience working with children in the public school system to address a variety of skills such as articulation, expressive/receptive language, pragmatic language, fluency, and use of augmentative and alternative communication.

Catherine is passionate about supporting clients in finding their voice to improve overall life participation and promote self-empowered communication. Through her experience in working with clients across the lifespan, Catherine most values collaborative teamwork with families and related service professionals. She believes that working together as a unified team is most essential to successfully improving communication skills and promoting confidence in communication within a client’s daily environment.

In her free time, Catherine enjoys walking on the Fort Worth Trinity trail, baking, spending time with friends and family, traveling, reading her monthly book club book, and relaxing at home watching The Office (for the millionth time). She also enjoys cheering on her favorite team, the Houston Astros!

Cory Currier USN, Ret.

Executive Assistant

Cory is a highly experienced Administrative Professional and Clinic Support Specialist at Southern Star Pediatric Speech. He joined the team in October 2025, where he manages all essential administrative functions and provides direct, executive-level support to the Clinic Director/Owner.

Cory's professional foundation was forged over a distinguished 30-year career as an administrative professional in the U.S. Navy, from which he retired in 2022. During his service, he developed exceptional organizational and leadership skills, serving as the personal administrative executive to several Admirals and Generals, and leading administrative departments across various commands. His deep expertise in executive support, operational management, and organizational leadership ensures the clinic runs smoothly and efficiently.

A native of Vermont who was raised in Houston, Cory remains a passionate Houston sports fan. He is known to be in a grumpy mood when his teams lose. When not ensuring the smooth flow of the clinic, he cherishes time spent with family, including his three grown children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include watching movies, playing board games, and working outside.