OWNER/SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Hi, I’m Renee! I’m a licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist and the founder of Encouraging Words Speech Therapy Services. I created this practice to offer personalized, high-quality speech therapy in a warm, welcoming, and family-centered environment where every client feels heard, valued, and encouraged.

With a Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology, I work with clients across the lifespan and have experience treating a wide variety of speech and language needs. My pediatric specialties include articulation and phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, early language delays, and stuttering. I also provide services for adults with voice disorders and communication and swallowing difficulties related to stroke, brain injury, or other neurological conditions; and I’m passionate about helping each person meet their unique communication goals.

I am certified in neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for dysphagia treatment through both VitalStim® and Ampcare’s E-Stim/ESwallow protocols, and I integrate these evidence-based techniques into therapy for clients with swallowing difficulties when appropriate.

I’m always seeking to grow professionally, and I’m currently exploring the world of animal-assisted therapy. I'm excited to begin training my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels so they can one day join me in the therapy room to provide comfort, motivation, and joy to the children and adults I serve.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, playing games, coloring, and relaxing with a good show, book, or video game. I feel incredibly lucky to do what I love every day—and I’m honored to be part of each client’s communication journey.

THERAPY DOGS IN TRAINING

🐾 Teddy and Happy are our adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and beloved members of the Encouraging Words family. These gentle, loving pups are currently in training as therapy dogs, with the long-term goal of potentially joining sessions in a supportive role.

Teddy is calm, cuddly, and always up for a snuggle, while Happy lives up to her name with a cheerful personality and a constantly wagging tail. Both pups enjoy meeting new friends, listening during story time, and being part of the Encouraging Words environment behind the scenes.

At this time, Teddy and Happy are not part of regular therapy sessions. We are thoughtfully exploring what their role may look like in the future and prioritizing what best supports our clients, families, and clinical environment. Whether or not they ultimately join sessions, they remain an important and well-loved part of our journey.