About Brilla
At BRILLA, we believe that every child has a unique light within them—a natural authenticity that shines through their words, gestures, and actions. Inspired by the pure and organic way children express themselves, BRILLA was founded with the mission to nurture and guide their individual communication journeys.
With years of experience working with children, we understand that communication is not one-size-fits-all. Whether through verbal speech, sign language, or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), our goal is to provide the resources, support, and encouragement each child needs to find their voice in a way that feels most natural to them.
BRILLA, which means to shine, is more than just a name—it’s our philosophy. We are dedicated to helping children embrace their strengths, express themselves with confidence, and illuminate the world around them. Through compassionate guidance and evidence-based strategies, we strive to create a space where every child can truly shine.
Meet the Founder
Brilla Bilingual Speech Therapy, PLLC was founded by Paula Castro, a bilingual speech-language pathologist licensed in North Carolina and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). With a passion for helping children communicate effectively, Paula brings both personal experience and professional expertise to her work.
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Paula is a person who stutters in both Spanish and English. She received speech therapy as a child in Colombia and later in North Carolina after moving to the United States. These experiences shaped her deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs that come with speech and language differences.
Her journey into speech-language pathology began in high school when she met a peer who introduced her to the field. Determined to make a difference, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from UNC Greensboro in 2018 and her Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology from North Carolina Central University in 2020. She also holds a Bilingual Certification from NCCU, allowing her to provide specialized support for Spanish-speaking families.
During her studies at UNC Greensboro, Paula received bilingual speech therapy, which profoundly impacted her life and reaffirmed her belief in treating the whole person—not just the “disorder.” Now, as a therapist, she applies this holistic approach to every child she works with, ensuring they feel supported, empowered, and understood.
Beyond the Clinic
Outside of her work at Brilla, Paula enjoys teaching Zumba classes, traveling, reading books/listening to audiobooks and spending time with family and friends.
