The People Behind the Progress
At Forward Therapy, our team is our greatest asset. Every clinician we bring on shares the same commitment to clinical excellence, genuine care, and the belief that the best outcomes happen when children feel known and families feel like true partners. We are so proud to introduce the people who make Forward Therapy what it is.
Sydney Kellas
MS, CCC-SLP, CTP
Founder & Speech Language Pathologist
Masters of Speech-Language Pathology
Certified Trauma ProfessionalSydney earned her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Dallas, following her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2025 she became a Certified Trauma Professional, and in 2026 she completed her Pediatric Feeding Therapist certification through Feed The Peds®.Sydney brings extensive experience across articulation, language, fluency, feeding, pragmatics, developmental delays, and AAC, and approaches every case with a deep commitment to evidence-based, family-centered care.Originally from Key West, Florida, Sydney spent many years in Texas before putting down roots in Oklahoma. Outside the clinic she loves reading, staying active, and spending time with her husband Zach and their two dogs, Houston and Mango.
Zach Kellas
MS
Co-Founder & Director of Operations
Zach earned his Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2020, followed by his Masters in Engineering Leadership and Management from the University of Oklahoma in 2025. His background in engineering has shaped the way he approaches problems: with precision, attention to detail, and a focus on building systems that work well for everyone involved.
As Co-Founder and Director of Operations, Zach brings that same mindset to the business side of Forward Therapy, working to ensure that every family's experience is organized, transparent, and as stress-free as possible from the very first phone call.
When he is not at Forward Therapy, Zach works as an engineer for Boeing. Originally from Texas, he and Sydney married in 2022 and now call Oklahoma home. Outside of work he enjoys reading and powerlifting.Masters of Engineering Leadership & Management
Christina Torres
MS, CCC-SLP, CTP
Speech Language Pathologist
Masters of Speech-Language Pathology
Certified Trauma ProfessionalChristina earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Oklahoma. She brings extensive experience working with children across articulation, language, fluency, and developmental delays. She has a particular passion for supporting children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and those who have experienced trauma related to family separation. She is also experienced working with AAC users, bringing patience and creativity to every aspect of her practice.
Christina is passionate about working alongside children and their families to improve communication and quality of life. She believes that building confidence and creating a fun, engaging environment in therapy is not just nice to have but is essential for real learning to take place.
Christina was born in Fort Lewis, Washington and now calls Oklahoma home. Outside the clinic she loves hiking adventures with her husband, Richard, tending to her ever-growing plant collection, and spending time with her daughter and family.
Angela Paynter
MS, OTR/L, CTP
Occupational Therapist
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Certified Trauma ProfessionalAngela earned her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2006, with a specialization in early intervention. In the twenty years since, she has built a career working with children across schools, homes, community settings, and pediatric clinics, bringing a breadth of experience that is rare and genuinely invaluable to the families she serves.
Angela is especially passionate about working with children who have experienced trauma. She has completed over 100 hours of training in trauma, attachment, and Trust-Based Relational Intervention, and in 2025 became a Certified Trauma Professional. She is an active member of the Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children, the Oklahoma Association of Neonatal and Pediatric Therapists, and the Oklahoma Occupational Therapy Association — a reflection of her deep commitment to staying at the forefront of her field.
Angela and her husband Brad have called Oklahoma home since 2012. Outside the clinic she loves reading and spending time with her four children.
Angelica Butanda
COTA/L
Associate in Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant
Associate in Arts in Diversified StudiesOccupational Therapy Assistant
Angelica earned her Associate in Arts in Diversified Studies from Oklahoma City Community College in 2018, followed by her Associate in Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2019. She brings hands-on experience working with children across a wide range of needs, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and developmental delays, and approaches every session with the kind of warmth and attentiveness that makes children feel genuinely at ease.
Angelica is certified in the Alert Program® and brings a trauma-informed lens to everything she does, supporting not just a child's sensory and behavioral needs but the emotional experience underneath them. She is also bilingual in English and Spanish, and is deeply committed to creating a welcoming, supportive environment where children and families from all backgrounds feel comfortable, understood, and truly at home.
Angelica has been married for nearly 18 years and is deeply involved in the lives of her children, from school events to activities and everything in between. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, and car karaoke with her kids.