M.S., CCC-SLP
Laguna Hills, CA
To get started, schedule a free, 15-minute consultation with one of our speech therapists. We'll use this time to discuss your communication needs and treatment goals.
Schedule a free consultationHello! I'm Nicole. I became a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in 2012 becauseI wanted to help children express themselves. My own happiest childhood memories are of drawing, dancing, singing, and writing. As a young adult, I studied in Madrid for a year. Learning Spanish unlocked a door to new expression and communication opportunities. It was life changing. Flash forward to Brooklyn, New York, many years later where I worked as a paraprofessional in a self-contained preschool classroom. I watched SLPs, OTs, PTs, and counselors lead group lessons. They seemed to possess a super power that could unlock, or break down doors, inhibiting the success of my students. Seeing the breakthroughs they were able to achieve made me want to pursue education and training to “level up” from para to professional. I have worked in settings such as public schools, charter schools, and remote telehealth. I have received certifications, trainings, and taken courses in the following: Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Intensive Training (in progress); How to Implement the Complexity Approach Therapy (11/2022); Evidence Based Practices for Early /R/ Therapy (7/2022). I would describe my clinical style as client-centered and individualized/personalized.
California
English
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
M.S., New York University
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Early Language Development
Literacy
Pediatric Articulation/Phonological Disorder
Pediatric Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder
I love dance, musical theater, creative writing, long walks, painting rocks with my nephews, and listening to podcasts.
At Expressable, all individuals and families are matched with a licensed speech therapist that's experienced to their specific area of need. You'll receive expert help from a talented, caring, and compassionate speech therapist invested in you or your child's communication success.
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Private payHSA/FSA Major insurance plansCommunication is one of our most vital, life-long skills. Speech therapy can help children reach communication milestones appropriate for their age; clearly articulate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas; comprehend the language of others; and develop socially. It also contributes to their academic success and emotional well-being. Plus so much more!
The first step is to schedule an evaluation with a speech therapist. They’ll assess your child’s communication development and make a professional recommendation as to whether your child could benefit from speech therapy.
There is no minimum age. Communication skills begin developing in infancy. Building strong language skills in very young children can set the foundation for strong communication and literacy skills later on. Speech therapy is particularly important for children who aren’t reaching age-appropriate communication milestones, or who are experiencing difficulties such as stuttering or a lisp. Because speech and language patterns become more ingrained over time, the earlier speech errors can be corrected, the better the outcomes are likely to be.
The duration of speech therapy is different for everyone, and it depends on several factors. This includes the type of speech disorder or communication challenge, the frequency of speech therapy sessions, how often you and your child practice the skills taught in speech therapy at home, your child’s age, any underlying medical conditions, and more.
Most children love online speech therapy! Many become more attentive with online learning, and they prefer the interactivity of online exercises and communication. Plus, there are many effective strategies that speech therapists use to engage children online. Expressable’s model of care also focuses on the most important component of improving children’s speech and language skills: the involvement of their parent or caregiver. When parents are actively involved in their child’s care, that leads to faster progress. Our therapists work directly with caregivers to teach them techniques and strategies they can use in their child’s everyday life.
Speech therapy sessions are focused on each client’s care plan, and the activities done during sessions always relate to those goals. So, if a person is in speech therapy to better pronounce the /s/ sound, they’ll begin by learning how to make the sound by itself and work up to practicing it in conversation. Or if someone wants to improve the quality of their voice, their speech therapist will teach them appropriate breathing and vocal exercises. The therapist will aim to do as many trials of each exercise as possible, in order to make the most of each session.
Your speech therapist will constantly be measuring and assessing your response to these exercises. When needed, they’ll make changes to your treatment plan to help you make progress as quickly as possible. Regardless of your goals, your speech therapist will always provide practice activities to complete at home between sessions.
Expressable currently accepts many of the largest insurance companies, and we’re actively working on contracting with new plans across the country. We also offer affordable private pay options and accept HSAs/FSAs for those who do not have insurance coverage or prefer to pay out-of-pocket.
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