One of the hardest things for people to understand is exactly what a Speech-Language Pathologist does. Well, more specifically, what I do as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
People understand the role of the SLP with individuals who have articulation (i.e., difficulty pronouncing r or l sounds), language (i.e., grammar) and/or voice disorders, particularly in children, or in adults who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury. What can be much harder for people to understand is the role of the SLP in working with many adolescents and adults. There are SLPs who practice in the corporate world focusing on corporate communication and interactions, who work with singers and actors to best use their voices, and those who work with individuals who may want to modify their accents. The scope of practice (please see my page on this for more information) for an SLP is actually quite large, and includes work with individuals with cognitive and executive functioning challenges and needs, social communication and competency challenges and needs, as well as aspects of self-regulation needs (particularly as they impact on the individual’s ability to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with others). These three areas (cognition/executive functioning, social competency/communication, and self-regulation) make up the majority of my practice. I have specific training in each of these areas, and work to continue to develop both my understanding, as well as my practical skills and tools, in them. When appropriate, I will recommend to clients that they see other therapists (i.e., occupational therapists, mental health therapists) when their needs in these, and other, areas warrant a different practitioner’s skills and training.
A few facts about me include:
One of the hardest things for people to understand is exactly what a Speech-Language Pathologist does. Well, more specifically, what I do as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
People understand the role of the SLP with individuals who have articulation (i.e., difficulty pronouncing r or l sounds), language (i.e., grammar) and/or voice disorders, particularly in children, or in adults who have had a stroke or traumatic brain injury. What can be much harder for people to understand is the role of the SLP in working with many adolescents and adults. There are SLPs who practice in the corporate world focusing on corporate communication and interactions, who work with singers and actors to best use their voices, and those who work with individuals who may want to modify their accents. The scope of practice (please see my page on this for more information) for an SLP is actually quite large, and includes work with individuals with cognitive and executive functioning challenges and needs, social communication and competency challenges and needs, as well as aspects of self-regulation needs (particularly as they impact on the individual’s ability to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with others). These three areas (cognition/executive functioning, social competency/communication, and self-regulation) make up the majority of my practice. I have specific training in each of these areas, and work to continue to develop both my understanding, as well as my practical skills and tools, in them. When appropriate, I will recommend to clients that they see other therapists (i.e., occupational therapists, mental health therapists) when their needs in these, and other, areas warrant a different practitioner’s skills and training.
A few facts about me include:
- I received my Masters in Science in Teaching (MST) in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1991.
- I maintain my Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as well as my Minnesota licenses as a Speech-Language Pathologist from both the Department of Health and the Department of Education.
- I have worked in a variety of environments, including: schools, hospitals, transitional care and skilled nursing facilities, day training and habilitation settings, day treatment, outpatient, home health care, and private practice.
- I am a Certified Instructor in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens program.
- I am an Associate Integrated Listening System Provider
- I am a certified provider of the Safe and Sound Protocol (http://integratedlistening.com/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/) developed by Dr. Stephen Porges.
- I completed the Rhythm of Regulation Level 1 training with Deb Dana.
- I completed my certificate in The Mindsight Approach to Wellbeing: A Comprehensive Course in Interpersonal Neurobiology
- I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults with Neurodivergent Brains.
- In addition to comprehensive evaluation and treatment options for clients, I also provide consultative and training services.
- I am trained in both Conventional Approaches (Evidence-Based Practices) and Complementary Approaches (practices that fall outside of mainstream medicine) for addressing the needs of clients.