YOU'RE DOING PLENTY OF HARD WORK ...
I'm here to help bridge the gap between
your child's current level of performance
& what you know they are capable of.
Hi there, I'm Emily.
I'm a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist with a specialty many people don't realize exists: cognitive-based speech therapy for older students.
My rehabilitation background taught me that lasting change happens when you identify and treat root causes — not just manage symptoms. That experience cemented my interest in cognition and neurorehabilitation.
Working in schools, I noticed a pattern. Bright students were falling through the cracks. They often didn't fit typical intervention profiles. They were given workarounds instead of real support. They were told to "try harder" — even though no one had taught them how.
Founder | Speech-Language Pathologist | Mom of 2
THE PIVOT
In 2020, I committed to doing things differently for the population I’ve always felt called to support: upper elementary through college-age students who are capable but still struggling to translate ability into performance.
What the Research Revealed
(& WHAT I BUILT MY PRACTICE AROUND)
01| Learning challenges aren't isolated problems—they're signs of system breakdowns.
Some interventions treat reading, writing, language development, etc., as separate issues. But the brain doesn't work that way.
Learning is the product of connected cognitive processes. To make actual change, we need to know where in the overlapping system the breakdown is occurring. This is why I use The Seeds of Learning Cognitive Processing Model by Tera Sumpter, MA CCC-SLP.*
02| Executive functioning is the integrator that makes everything else work.
It plays a pivotal role in how students learn, access, and apply what they know—it's often the crux of performance-level deficits.
As I learned just how essential executive functioning is to developing and using academic skills, my services naturally expanded to meet those interconnected needs.
03| "Speech & language" needs can look different in older students.
Many of the students I work with have subtle but significant gaps in their learning foundation—gaps that have gone unrecognized or unsupported for years.
The good news? There are proven, effective ways to address those gaps. Not just compensate or manage—but actually strengthen the underlying skills.
04| Some factors are outside any single practitioner's scope—and that's okay.
This is why I maintain a carefully chosen referral network. Sometimes the most important thing I can do is connect families with the right additional support for their student's complete picture.
Cognitive-based speech, language, literacy therapy & executive function support:
Direct + consultative services for upper elementary through
college-age students struggling inside and outside of school.
We’re not just talking about “good” grades–because there is much more to life than grades, like confidence and overall well-being.
Drawing on my background in rehabilitative and developmental speech therapy, I focus on strengthening the cognitive skills that underlie learning and independence.
Not just hacks. Not just accommodations.
But real change at the root level.
If this resonates with you, I’m glad you’re here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to work with you?
Evaluations start at $997. Individual sessions run $127 for 45 minutes. Coaching call package starts at $380.
If you're not sure what would fit your family's budget right now, that's exactly what the discovery call is for — no pressure, just an honest conversation about what would actually help.
Why do sessions need to happen twice a week? Can we start with once?
Building a skill — whether it's following multi-step instructions, organizing a long assignment, or reading with real comprehension — takes repetition spaced close enough together that it actually sticks, not just repetition over time.
Once a week usually isn't enough of a dose for the change to occur. That doesn't mean less-frequent sessions don't help at all — it means they're often not potent enough to move the needle on something this entrenched, and I'd rather tell you that directly than have you invest time and money in a plan I'm not confident will work.
If twice a week isn't realistic for your family right now, that's useful to know too — it might mean a different kind of support, like coaching, is actually the right starting point, not a lesser one.
Are your services covered by insurance?
I'm a private-pay practice and don't bill insurance directly.
Does my child need an IEP or official diagnosis to work with you?
No. If you’ve noticed your child struggling or suspect they need additional support — with or without an IEP or diagnosis — you’re in the right place.
Where are you located?
Sessions are held in person at a professional location in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh — details provided upon scheduling.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Virtual sessions are possible for some students, and we'll decide after the evaluation. Coaching services are conducted via video conferencing.
Do you offer summer sessions?
Summer can be a great time to start — fewer competing demands mean more time and bandwidth for the work.
With that said, three months is a short window. Cognitive change takes time. Summer is best used as a runway — completing an evaluation, building foundational skills, and creating momentum heading into the school year.
The families who benefit most are those who come prepared to continue the work after summer break has ended.