Our Therapy dogs, Miss Daisy born in 2/20/2019, and Anakin Skywalker, born 1/9/2014, work hard to make therapy more therapeutic !

Nadereh Nabai, M.S., CCC-SLP Speech/Language Pathologist, holds a master of science degree, is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and holds an Arizona License. She received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology in 1983 at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs then received her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University in 1997. 

Nadereh has been practicing as a speech-language pathologist in the Phoenix area since March of 1997. She is the owner and president of Excel Care Therapy.

In her free time, Nadereh enjoys hiking and practices Tai Chi and the modern Japanese martial arts of Aikido and Shintō Musō-ryū. 

Natalie Rahbar, MOTR/L has been an Occupational Therapist since January 2017. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Arizona State University and her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University. Natalie joined Excel Care Therapy in October 2019. In her spare time she enjoys playing with her cats, spending time with her family, finding tasty restaurants, and staying active!

Jillian Moorehead-Naini, M.S., CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist, received her Masters degree in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University in May 2019. There, she received the “Clinical Achievement” award and graduated top of her class. She graduated suma cum laude from Arizona State University in May of 2015 with a Bachelors of Science in speech and hearing science. Jillian previously worked as a SLP at Banner University Medical Center in the inpatient rehabilitation institute working with patients with neurological deficits.  Prior to her role at Banner, Jillian spent three years working as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant at a Pediatric Speech and Language Specialists in Scottsdale, and ten years as a Senior Behavior Therapist at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders. Jillian has a passion for astronomy and loves hiking, cooking, and traveling in her spare time.

Hope Aldaco is currently attending Arizona State University, majoring in Social Work! Hope joined the Excel Care Therapy in September 2020. In her free time she loves to spend time with her 2 dogs and is always looking for new places to travel!

Caroline Tsai, M.S., CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist, received her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Arizona State University in May 2019. She graduated cum laude from Tufts University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in child development and philosophy. Caroline earned her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Tufts University in 2011 and then taught preschool for five years in the Boston area. After relocating to Arizona, Caroline worked as a speech language pathologist assistant for two years in the Tempe Public School District while attending the master’s program at ASU. In her free time she likes going on long runs, spending time with her daughter and husband, and traveling.

Cara Wagen, M.S., CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and holds an Arizona Speech and Hearing License.

She received her Master of Science Applied in Speech-Language Pathology and Bachelors of Science in Honors Psychology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Cara has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2002 in the Phoenix area serving the schools, private practice and hospitals.

In her free time, Cara enjoys yoga, art, biking, writing and water sports. 

Emma Clark, OTR/L, has been an occupational therapist since January 2017. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from University of Wisconsin-River Falls and her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in Glendale. Emma joined Excel Care Therapy in January 2022. In her spare time she enjoys kayaking, rock climbing, and card games.

Linda Sadiki Materu, OTD, OTR/L received her clinical doctorates degree in Occupational Therapy from A.T Still University in June 2021. While completing her studies, she was inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon-Xi, a specialized honor society for occupational therapy students and alumni. She received the “Leadership” award for assuming several leadership positions including Pi Theta Epsilon Xi- chapter president and Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD)-chapter co-founder. Linda completed her doctoral capstone project on using sensory-based approaches to manage the effects of adverse childhood experiences in children at St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management) degree. She loves attending church, traveling, listening to music, and visiting different restaurants outside her professional life.

Nick Eskandari is the operations manager for Excel Care Therapy. He has a background in the high tech industry with a long career at Intel corporation.  He is married to Nadereh Nabai and together they have a son, Cameron, and a daughter, Nicole. In his free time, he volunteers, practices yoga, and hikes mountains.