Approximately 89% of people living with Parkinson’s will experience slurred speech, low voice volume, monotone voice, and a breathy or hoarse voice quality. In speech therapy, I use the SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program to help clients speak with intent and purpose, emphasizing each word to improve speech clarity.

Speech therapy for Parkinson’s will help you or your loved one:

• Speak louder and more clearly in everyday conversations

• Improve speech clarity and articulation

• Use a stronger, more natural voice with better expression

• Feel more confident communicating with family and friends

• Maintain communication skills long term despite disease progression

Sessions include structured practice and daily home exercises, so clients always know what to work on. While Parkinson’s is considered progressive and degenerative, it responds very well to therapy, and consistent practice is key to progress!

Voice Disorders • Vocal Nodules • Vocal Fold Paralysis • Parkinson’s Disease

If your voice doesn’t sound like it used to, gets tired easily, or gives out on you when you talk, voice therapy can help. Depending on the cause of your voice disorder, voice therapy sessions may include exercises to strengthen the vocal cords, enhance breath support, or optimize resonance. You’ll also learn about how to use your voice properly to prevent strain and vocal injury.

Voice therapy will help you or your loved one:

• Speak longer without pain or fatigue

• Reduce hoarseness

• Sing without difficulty controlling pitch

• Speak with a more full and engaging voice quality

Clients must see an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to properly diagnose the cause of their voice disorder prior to beginning voice therapy.

Head & Neck Cancer • Neurological Disorders • Progressive Diseases

Swallowing challenges can result from a stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, MS, PSP, MSA, dementia, or head and neck cancer. In swallowing therapy, I focus on identifying the underlying reason why swallowing feels hard and then create a clear plan to improve safety and function. Treatment may include exercises, practical strategies, food modifications when needed, and gentle manual techniques.

Swallowing therapy will help you or your loved one:

• Eat meals with less coughing or choking

• Decrease discomfort or food sticking in the throat

• Swallow pills safely and comfortably

• Enjoy favorite foods again

• Confidently eat meals in social settings and restaurants

Sessions combine principles of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP) and Myofascial Release (Walt Fritz, PT) to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Motor Speech Disorders • Apraxia of Speech • Dysarthria

Do you struggle with speech that is slurred, mumbled, quiet, monotone, or unclear? I specialize in supporting motor speech disorders where the mouth struggles to coordinate the movements to say words, or where the speech muscles are weak or difficult to control. Sessions include evidence-based techniques to improve muscle strength and coordination, along with practical strategies to support effective communication.

Speech therapy will help you or your loved one:

• Pronounce sounds and words

• Plan and produce clear speech

• Speak with confidence that others will understand

• Use a more expressive voice

Confusion • Mild Cognitive Impairment • Dementia • Difficulty with Everyday Tasks

Communication involves memory, attention, problem solving, and the ability to organize and share thoughts effectively. When neurological conditions affect these areas, therapy focuses on strengthening the thinking skills that are the foundation of communication. My goal is to support both clients and their caregivers through daily, real-life activities— allowing them to participate more fully in life.

Cognitive-communication therapy will help you or your loved one:

• Follow conversations, communicate clearly, and stay on topic

• Use strategies and visual aids to improve safety, memory, and organization

• Improve independence and problem solving in real life situations

• Manage frustration and adapt to cognitive changes

• Successfully re-enter the workplace

Aphasia • Word Finding • Language Comprehension • Reading • Writing

Communication disorders can vary from person to person after experiencing a stroke, brain injury, or other neurological condition.  Some people may struggle to find words, while others experience difficulties with speech clarity, comprehension, reading, or writing. Speech therapy sessions will focus on retraining the brain and teaching functional strategies for communication in daily life.

Speech therapy will help you or your loved one:

• Understand what others are saying

• Find the right words

• Use words in the right order

• Recover the ability to read and write

• Feel more connected with family and friends

Sessions focus on helping clients communicate in ways that work best for them. Progress is possible, even with chronic neurological conditions!