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Fluency Disorders Treatment & Therapy

Helping children and adults achieve smoother, more confident speech through personalized therapy

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Engaging in speech therapy to address fluency issues—such as stuttering—can greatly enhance individuals' communication abilities and confidence, regardless of their age. Through targeted speech therapy sessions, you will deepen your understanding of fluency disorders and develop the necessary skills to boost your confidence and communication effectiveness, ultimately working towards more fluent speech.

For children, speech therapy becomes an invaluable tool in promoting speech fluency. These sessions focus on equipping your child with the skills they need to communicate effectively and confidently, laying a strong foundation for them to become adept speakers as they grow.

Adolescents and teens grappling with fluency disorders frequently experience anxiety or apprehension about speaking in social situations due to the fear of stuttering. During speech therapy, teens will explore various techniques designed to improve fluent speech, empowering them to engage more freely in conversations and social interactions.

As an adult, you may have previously sought speech therapy to manage your fluency disorder. Over time, you might find that some skills have faded or that you could benefit from a “refresher” course. At Verse, our dedicated clinicians will guide you through tailored strategies and exercises aimed at revitalizing your speech fluency. By doing so, you can work towards achieving both your professional and personal communication goals!

Explore Fluency Disorder Treatment Options

At Verse, our dedicated clinicians truly recognize and appreciate the unique differences among our clients. This understanding shapes our approach as we tailor treatment plans to address your concerns. Through comprehensive clinical assessments, we develop a personalized strategy to enhance your communication skills while also actively encouraging you to identify and express your personal communication goals. If you're unsure where to begin, there's no need to worry; our skilled Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are here to guide and support you every step of the way.

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Stuttering Modification Therapy

Stuttering modification therapy is designed to target the specific disfluencies that you experience. This process involves implementing a variety of strategic techniques and exercises that help you gain a deeper understanding of your unique disfluency components. With this increased awareness, you can navigate your speech challenges more effectively.

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Fluency Shaping Therapy

During your sessions, your clinician will explore several strategies with you, ensuring that you find one that resonates with you and can be realistically applied in your daily life. For instance, your SLP might introduce compensatory techniques, such as reducing your speech rate or incorporating specialized breathing exercises, aimed at promoting more fluent speech.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Integration

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) plays a vital role in our fluency therapy approach. This aspect of treatment focuses on addressing the anxiety and negative associations that often accompany stuttering or the anticipation of a disfluency. Throughout your therapy sessions, you will engage in meaningful conversations and participate in various exercises designed to boost your confidence, which in turn, helps enhance your overall speech fluency.

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Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (For Children)

For younger clients, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is a widely utilized method that emphasizes education and active involvement of parents. This intervention aims to foster positive speech habits in children and significantly reduce the likelihood of developing avoidance behaviors or fear-related reactions to their disfluencies. By working together, parents can create a supportive environment that promotes healthy communication.

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Technology-Assisted Therapy Tools

Our telehealth platform allows our SLPs to utilize a wide range of therapeutic tools, allowing for an engaging and dynamic therapy experience. The convenience of virtual sessions facilitates accessibility and ensures that you remain motivated during your time with us. Additionally, our SLPs will encourage you to practice the skills you've learned in your sessions independently. Don't hesitate to ask your SLP about any home practice opportunities that can further enrich your therapeutic journey.

Understanding Fluency Disorders

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) defines a fluency disorder as any disruption in the natural flow of speech. This includes irregularities in rate and rhythm, as well as noticeable disfluencies such as repetitions of sounds, syllables, words, or phrases; prolonged sounds; and occasional blocks where speech is interrupted completely.

These speech disruptions can often be accompanied by physical symptoms, including excessive tension, avoidance of speaking situations, struggle behaviors, and secondary mannerisms like facial grimaces or hand movements (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA], 1993).

Fluency disorders can affect individuals of all ages and may lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and embarrassment. Fortunately, speech therapy serves as an effective avenue to help individuals overcome these negative emotions and transform into confident communicators.

Benefits of Fluency Disorder Treatment

Engaging in speech therapy specifically tailored to address fluency concerns can lead to a significant boost in self-esteem and pride, ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life. Through dedicated practice, individuals can work towards achieving smoother, more fluent speech and cultivate a more positive mindset regarding their fluency challenges.

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Improved Speech Fluency

Therapy provides a supportive environment for individuals to explore and understand their disfluencies. Through personalized care, clients can engage in various strategies and exercises designed to enhance their fluency. These sessions not only focus on improving speech patterns but also aim to cultivate a sense of self-assurance that empowers individuals to navigate everyday situations with confidence and ease.

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Reduced Anxiety Around Speaking

The skills you acquire in therapy can empower you to engage more comfortably and confidently in conversations, presentations, and public speaking! Imagine stepping into any speaking situation with a newfound sense of assurance and ease!

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Enhanced Social and Professional Confidence

Therapy sessions provide the opportunity to learn and apply practical strategies that foster confidence during a variety of social interactions, be it delivering presentations or navigating the nervousness of first dates. When you feel assured in your communication skills, the benefits radiate throughout your life, positively influencing personal relationships, professional performance, and social engagements.

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Enhanced Social and Professional Confidence

Therapy sessions provide the opportunity to learn and apply practical strategies that foster confidence during a variety of social interactions, be it delivering presentations or navigating the nervousness of first dates. When you feel assured in your communication skills, the benefits radiate throughout your life, positively influencing personal relationships, professional performance, and social engagements.

Why Choose Verse Therapy for Fluency Disorder Treatment?

At Verse, we believe that everyone is unique, and we value your input! We consider your medical history, both formal and informal, and your goals to create a personalized treatment plan. If you ever have questions or concerns, our clinicians are here to listen and help.

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Virtual Convenience

At Verse, you can work with speech therapists right from your own home! No more long commutes or noisy waiting rooms. All you need is a computer or tablet and a good internet connection.

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Flexibility

We’re dedicated to making speech therapy accessible for you and your family! That's why our therapists offer a flexible schedule, ensuring we can meet with you at a time that works best for your needs. Let's find a time that fits your life!

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Accessibility

Experience the power of virtual therapy! Regardless of your location, you can connect with highly qualified therapists who are dedicated to helping you thrive. Your journey to better communication is just a click away!

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Personalized Care

Our speech therapists prioritize evidence-based therapeutic practices while tailoring speech therapy to meet your personal goals, making therapy engaging and functional.

What to Expect from Fluency Disorder Therapy

01Initial Consultation

At Verse, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) take the time to review your history before developing an assessment plan. During your evaluation, you will discuss your past medical history and speech therapy goals. You will also participate in a variety of assessments (both formal and informal). If time permits, your SLP will review the findings and discuss your speech therapy goals.

02Personalized Treatment Plan

Fluency treatment plans are generated based on your specific objectives, the areas tested during the assessment, and the goals established by your SLP's observations. These treatment plans are customized for each individual and their unique goals.

03Ongoing Sessions and Monitoring

Once a schedule for your recurring sessions is established, your speech-language pathologist will monitor your progress. This involves documenting daily notes and collecting data to track improvements and areas that may require further attention. Through this process, the SLP can ensure that the therapy is effective and tailored to your evolving needs.

04Transition to Maintenance

Practice is essential for achieving fluency goals. Your SLP will regularly suggest strategies and methods for practicing outside of your speech therapy sessions.

Meet Our Fluency Specialists

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Erica Thomas
Erica Thomas is an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist with a B.S. and M.S. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and over 10 years of diverse clinical experience. She has successfully treated patients ranging from 6 months to 108 years old in various settings such as school systems, private practice, hospitals/acute care, and long-term and skilled nursing facilities. Erica’s expertise extends to treating a wide range of speech and language disorders and diseases, and she is also certified in LSVT to address voice concerns in Parkinson’s patients. In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks with her dog, traveling, reading, and trying new restaurants. **My Approach To Therapy** When you come to work with me, I create a speech therapy program just for you, focusing on your personal goals. We’ll make sure that everything we do is practical and relevant to your everyday life. I want our sessions to be a fun and relaxing experience for you, so don’t be surprised if you hear a few jokes along the way! **What A Speech Therapy Session Looks Like With Erica** During our speech therapy sessions, we start with a brief introduction on what we will be targeting and how. After completing our specific target, I will review your home exercise program and schedule your next session. **Fun Facts About Erica** When I'm not working, I spend my time doing Pilates, reading, walking my dog, playing video games, traveling, and trying new restaurants!
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Paul McGill
Paul McGill is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 5 years of experience in outpatient settings, schools, and telehealth. His areas of expertise include social communication (pragmatics), school-related language disorders, executive functioning skills, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and cognitive communication disorders. Paul is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a certified trainer of the PEERS Program. He holds a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Utah and a MA in Speech-Language Pathology from New Mexico State University. Paul enjoys his free time hiking, gaming with friends, reading, and finding new boba tea shops to try. **My Approach to Therapy** My approach to therapy includes a collaborative effort between you, your support team, and myself! I will work within your interests to create goals and sessions that are engaging, individualized to your needs, and easy to generalize skills taught in therapy to other settings! **What A Typical Session Looks Like With Me** Sessions will typically begin with a check in or a mindfulness activity. Our headspace going into therapy can make or break the mood so its vital we tailor activities to where you are in the moment. Activities take a multimodal approach: some days we will do video models, games, reading passages, interviews, or roleplay scenarios! Finally, we address your communication needs, your attitude towards communication, and more topics at the end. **Fun Facts About Paul** I am a huge gamer! From board games to video games to table top RPGs, I love how engaging and easy it is to see the importance of speech and language skills outside of therapy. I am also trying new cooking recipes, places to hike, and books to read!
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Lisa Ceballo
As a seasoned speech-language pathologist with a decade of experience, Lisa has had the privilege of working in diverse settings such as public schools, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. Her work has allowed her to service a wide range of individuals, from school-aged children to adults and the geriatric population, each with their unique communication needs. Her journey in this field began in 2013 when she completed her B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in Psychology at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, New York. This foundation led her to further her studies, and in 2016, she graduated with her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Touro College in Brooklyn, New York. She is licensed to practice speech and language therapy in Florida and California. Additionally, she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a testament to her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and clinical practice. When she is not working, you can find her trying out new restaurants with her husband, spending time with family and friends, reading her Bible, or relaxing at the beach. **My Approach To Speech Therapy** In my practice as a speech-language pathologist, I employ a holistic and evidence-based approach that prioritizes establishing a strong rapport with my clients. I believe that a good quality relationship is essential for effective therapy, creating a safe and supportive environment for open communication. Utilizing multimodal techniques, I adapt my strategies to accommodate various learning styles, incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements tailored to each individual's unique needs. This dynamic methodology not only enhances engagement but also ensures that each session is productive and enjoyable, promoting meaningful progress in speech and language development. **What A Therapy Session Looks Like With Lisa** During our therapy sessions, I create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages strong rapport building and a positive clinician-client relationship. We typically begin with a brief check-in to celebrate successes and discuss any challenges, reinforcing a supportive environment. Each session is filled with interactive activities designed to enhance communication skills. For example, role-playing, incorporating music or songs, using sensory materials, taking part in art tasks, playing interactive games, and utilizing technology. I like to focus on practicing important life skills, such as cooking, gardening, making doctor’s appointments, and managing medications. All activities are tailored to the client’s interests and aimed at fostering specific language skills. To ensure each client receives the best support, I incorporate modifications and prompts based on their unique needs. I use a variety of evidence-based techniques to target specific goals while keeping the experience enjoyable and engaging. As we progress, I provide real-time feedback and encouragement, helping clients explore their potential and build their confidence in communication. Together, we’ll explore your communication skills in a way that feels natural and enjoyable, working hand-in-hand to boost your language skills and let your true potential shine! **Fun Facts About Lisa** - My husband and I love exploring new restaurants and tasting a variety of cuisines. - Cooking and hosting family gatherings is one of my favorite hobbies. - I enjoy reading and journaling with scripture to deepen my faith. - I run a faith-based practice, aligning my work with my values. - Running is a passion of mine! I was involved in track during high school and have completed both a marathon, half marathon, and other 5K and 10K races. - I love hiking and being outdoors. - I’ve been to 30+ different Caribbean islands, soaking in the beauty and culture of each one! - I prioritize working out to keep myself active and healthy.

Take the First Step Toward Smoother Speech

Treating a fluency disorder can be intimidating and sensitive and may cause uncertainty. At Verse, we can assist you in eliminating your communication fluency concerns. Schedule a complimentary intake consultation with one of our intake specialists to start on your journey today!