Who We Are
About True North Speech
True North Speech is a women-owned online speech therapy practice based in British Columbia, offering compassionate and evidence-based therapy to children, teens, and adults. With a focus on client connection and meaningful progress, our certified speech-language pathologists work remotely across BC – helping families access care without waitlists or travel.
Shira Meltzer, R-SLP is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She is the founder of True North Speech and has provided speech & language therapy services to children of all ages for over 20 years.
Shira graduated from Queens College with a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology. She then earned a master’s degree in speech/language pathology from Lehman College (NYC). After working in a preschool setting for several years, Shira entered private practice.
In 2010 she opened City Speech Centre in Vancouver, BC, which grew into a thriving practice. In 2020, Shira founded True North Speech.
Shira speaks English and some Spanish. Her specialties include speech sound therapy, tongue/lip/jaw strengthening, and language therapy for children who have autism or other challenges.
Samantha Teters is a registered Speech-Language pathologist living in Langley, BC. She graduated from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA in 2015 with a Master of Arts. She enjoys working with preschool and school-age children and has experience in supporting children with difficulties in their speech, language, fluency, early literacy, and social communication skills. She also enjoys continuing education opportunities and is alwayswanting to learn more in order to provide the best care possible for each child and their family.
Danya Hiob, RSLP
Danya graduated in 2015 from McGill University with a Master’s of Science (Applied) in Speech-Language Pathology. She is registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHBC) and College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), and is also a member of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC). She has experience with a wide range of ages and communication issues, and strives to tailor her speech therapy sessions to each client’s individual interests and needs. Danya is passionate about helping others improve their communication skills in ways that will have a meaningful, practical impact on their daily lives.
Her areas of professional interest and focus are: stuttering, social communication, articulation and speech clarity, professional communication, accent modification, voice, and aphasia. Danya has completed training for stuttering in the ISTAR Comprehensive Stuttering Program, as well as training in the Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA) approach.
In her free time, Danya enjoys playing guitar, going for walks in nature, and reading. She is currently located in Langley, BC.
Saba Rizvi, RSLP
Saba holds a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from McGill University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Honours) from York University. She is registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
As a compassionate and adaptable practitioner, she is dedicated to evidence-based practice and personalized client care. Saba has experience working with clients with various speech and language needs and is bilingual, speaking both Urdu/Hindi and English.
She is committed to helping clients and families achieve their goals and empowering them to take an active role in their treatment.
Grace Chan, RSLP
Grace is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist in BC. She received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York.
For over a decade, Grace has enjoyed working with children and adults in a variety of settings, including schools (K-12), hospitals, public health units, and clients’ homes.
She is a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) and has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and youth, individuals with complex communication needs, multilingual speakers, and adults with acquired brain injuries.
Grace’s areas of practice include speech sounds, language, stuttering, AAC, social communication, literacy, aphasia, dysarthria, and swallowing. Her approach to therapy is family-centred, culturally-sensitive, and strengths-based. She values collaborating with her clients and their support network to develop personalized and meaningful goals. In addition to English, Grace speaks Cantonese and Mandarin.
Melissa Wang, RSLP
Melissa enjoys working with a diversity of clients. Her clinical passions revolve around stuttering/fluency therapy, motor speech disorders, DLD and apraxia. Emphasizing a client-led and evidence-based therapy approach, she prioritizes understanding what is important to each client (& their families) and tailoring her sessions to their unique goals and needs.
Melissa believes that every individual, regardless of their age or diagnosis, has the capability to communicate and connect with those around them. This belief drives her commitment to equipping clients with tools and personalized strategies for communication.
Fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English, Melissa is dedicated to serving clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. She believes in services highlighting individual strengths and hopes to create a positive, engaging, and functional therapeutic environment for all.
Janice Tessmann, RSLP
Janice is from Penticton. She completed her undergraduate
degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in
Psychology at Minot State University and earned her Master’s degree in
Speech-Language Pathology from Western Washington University.
Janice has been a Speech-Language Pathologist in the South Okanagan
for 16 years, primarily working in healthcare settings.
She has
extensive experience in feeding and swallowing across the
lifespan—from the NICU to end-of-life care—and is passionate about
supporting individuals and families throughout their feeding journeys.
Outside of work, Janice enjoys spending time with her husband and
their three daughters. You’ll often find her cheering at the pool or
on the ski hill—embracing her other full-time role as family
chauffeur!
FAQs About Our Team
Yes. All of our SLPs are licensed and registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHBC).
We work with both! While many of our clients are children, we also support teens and adults with communication and speech goals.
We focus on connection, collaboration, and functional outcomes. Our therapy is designed to support confidence, independence, and everyday communication.
We’ll match you with the best therapist based on your needs and preferences. You can always request a change if needed.
We are based in Vancouver, BC, and serve families across the province through secure virtual therapy.