Frequently Asked Questions

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) — sometimes called a speech therapist — is a licensed, credentialed healthcare professional who evaluates and treats disorders related to speech, language, voice, fluency, feeding, and swallowing. SLPs hold at least a master's degree and are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Laura holds her MS and the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), the gold standard credential in the field.

In most cases, you do not need a referral from a doctor to schedule a private evaluation or therapy with an SLP. However, some insurance plans do require a referral for coverage purposes. If you're unsure, reach out and we can help clarify. For school-based services, the school's IEP team process typically governs how students are evaluated.

Trust your instincts — if something doesn't feel right, it's worth getting an evaluation. Common signs that someone may benefit from an SLP evaluation include: difficulty being understood by others, limited vocabulary or short sentences for their age, trouble following directions or processing spoken language, stuttering or disfluent speech, challenges with reading or spelling, difficulty with social conversations, or a voice that sounds strained, hoarse, or doesn't feel like their own. Adults may also seek therapy after a stroke or neurological event, for accent modification, or for gender-affirming voice work. When in doubt, an evaluation can identify a need or provide reassurance.

A comprehensive evaluation typically includes a review of developmental, medical, or personal history relevant to the concern, standardized and informal assessments across areas such as speech sounds, language, voice, or fluency, observation of communication in natural interaction, and an interview with the client and/or their support people. Following the evaluation, Laura will share a detailed report with findings, a diagnosis if applicable, and recommendations. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions and understand next steps together.

A speech delay means that speech or language is developing in the typical pattern, but more slowly than expected. A speech disorder means that communication is developing in an atypical way — not just slower, but differently. Both delays and disorders can benefit from speech-language therapy at any age. An evaluation by an SLP is the best way to determine which is occurring and what support is most appropriate.

Sessions are individualized to each client's age, goals, and learning style. For younger children, therapy is often play-based and interactive. For older children, adolescents, and adults, sessions may include structured activities, conversation practice, literacy work, or voice exercises — all tailored to real-life communication needs. Each session includes time for coaching and home strategies, which is one of the most important parts of the process. Sessions typically last 30–60 minutes depending on goals and age.

The length of therapy varies widely depending on the nature and severity of the concern, age, and how consistently strategies are practiced outside of sessions. Some clients make rapid progress in a few months; others benefit from ongoing support over a longer period. Laura discusses prognosis openly during the evaluation and reviews goals regularly. The aim is always to help each client reach their full potential as efficiently as possible.

Frequency depends on individual needs and goals. Many clients attend therapy once or twice a week. Laura will provide a recommendation following the evaluation, taking scheduling flexibility into account. Consistent attendance and practice between sessions are both important factors in achieving the best outcomes.

For children, parents and caregivers are essential partners in the therapy process — Laura actively includes them in sessions and provides daily home strategies, since research consistently shows faster and more lasting progress when families are engaged. For adult clients, the level of caregiver involvement is tailored to what the individual finds helpful and comfortable. Either way, Laura keeps everyone on the same team and communicates openly about goals and progress.

No — bilingualism does not cause speech or language disorders. This is a common myth, but research clearly shows that raising a child with two languages is beneficial for cognitive development and does not cause delays. Bilingual children may have slightly different patterns of language development (such as mixing languages, which is normal), but when their total vocabulary across both languages is counted, it is comparable to monolingual children. If a bilingual child has a true language disorder, it will appear in both languages. Laura is trained to distinguish typical bilingual development from a genuine disorder.

Absolutely not. Maintaining your home language is important for your child's identity, family connection, and cognitive development. SLPs do not recommend that families stop speaking their native language. Strong foundations in a child's first language actually support second-language learning. Laura will never ask families to abandon their home language — rather, she will work with you in a way that honors and supports your child's bilingual development.

Yes. Laura has full professional proficiency in Spanish and provides therapy in both English and Spanish. She currently works at a bilingual English-Spanish school and has extensive experience serving bilingual families. Families are welcome to communicate with Laura in the language they're most comfortable in. Servicios disponibles en español.

Please contact Laura directly to discuss insurance and payment options. Insurance coverage for speech-language therapy varies by plan, and Laura is happy to help you understand what may be covered and how to navigate the process. She is committed to working with families to find an accessible path forward.

Please contact Laura to discuss scheduling and cancellation policies, which will be outlined in your intake paperwork. Consistent attendance is an important part of making progress, and Laura appreciates as much advance notice as possible if an appointment needs to be rescheduled.

School-based SLPs provide excellent services, but they are focused on goals related to how a child's communication affects their education. They often have large caseloads and may not be able to provide the frequency or individualization that some children need. Private therapy can complement school services by addressing a broader range of goals, providing more intensive support, or filling gaps that fall outside the school's mandate. Laura is experienced working alongside school teams and is happy to coordinate care.

Please reach out to discuss available service formats. Telehealth can be an effective option for certain types of therapy and for clients with scheduling or transportation challenges. Laura will discuss what format makes the most sense for your specific needs during the consultation.