The Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) is a post–Master’s clinical doctorate designed for practicing SLPs who want to advance their clinical skills, leadership, teaching, and evidence-based practice. Unlike a PhD, which focuses on research, the SLPD emphasizes real-world application in clinical settings.

Jess earned her SLPD to enhance her expertise in areas she’s most passionate about—mild cognitive impairment (MCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), stuttering, and speech sound disorders. Her capstone research focused specifically on improving working memory in adults with MCI, reflecting her deep commitment to supporting brain health and aging.

Yes! Jess provides summer therapy for children and teens, including compensatory services for those with IEPs or missed sessions during the school year. Sessions are personalized and can target speech sounds, language, social communication, or fluency.

Yes! Remote therapy (also called telepractice) is not only convenient—it’s been proven just as effective as in-person therapy for both children and adults.

Telepractice offers many benefits:

• Reduces transportation and scheduling hassles

• Improves attendance and consistency

• Supports generalization of goals in real-life settings

• Allows for flexible, home-based participation

Sessions are live, interactive, and fully personalized to each client’s needs. Jess has extensive experience providing high-quality teletherapy and has found it to be a great fit for most clients. In the rare cases where it’s not ideal, she works with families to find the best approach—without adding stress to your side.

Still unsure? Book a free consultation—or even a mock session—to see if it’s a good fit for you or your child.

Therapy for adults is highly individualized and based on specific goals identified during the speech-language evaluation. Jess works closely with each client—and their care team when appropriate—to promote communication, safety, independence, and quality of life.

Here’s what that might look like:

• Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia:
  Therapy often focuses on maximizing independence and reducing frustration. This may include caregiver training, communication strategies, addressing repetitive questioning, creating memory aids or memory books, and identifying safety concerns in the home environment.

• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI):
  For adults with MCI, therapy may include evidence-based cognitive exercises, education about the condition, and training in memory strategies. Jess partners with each client to identify strengths and challenges, supporting greater independence and helping to maintain cognitive functioning for as long as possible.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):
  For individuals with high-functioning TBI, therapy may target attention, memory, word finding, organization, and communication in real-world settings. Treatment often includes strategy training, return-to-work support, and tools for managing fatigue, distraction, and cognitive overload in daily life. 

• Parkinson’s Disease:
  For individuals with Parkinson’s, Jess offers LSVT LOUD®—an evidence-based voice therapy program designed to improve vocal loudness, clarity, and confidence in daily communication.

A screening is a brief process used to identify whether a problem may be present. It does not provide a diagnosis—it simply helps determine if further evaluation is needed. The result is typically a “yes” or “no” regarding the need for a full assessment.

An assessment is a comprehensive process used to understand the nature and extent of a communication, cognitive, or swallowing issue. It may lead to a diagnosis and includes detailed recommendations for treatment, based on standardized testing, observation, and clinical expertise.

Speaktacular offers free 15-minute screenings to help determine whether a full speech-language evaluation is appropriate. Screenings are a great first step if you’re unsure whether therapy is needed.

We offer in-person services at our clinic in NW Portland.

Services are available online from the comfort of your home anywhere in Washington, Oregon, and California.

 Anacortes, Bellingham, Burlington, Ellensburg, Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Woodland, Yakima, and more in Washington!

Astoria, Beaverton, Bend, Coos Bay, Eugene, Hood River, La Grande, Milwaukie, Medford, Portland, Roseburg, Salem, and more in Oregon!

Now available in California!

The SLP may calculate the percentage of consonants correct in a speech sample. The resulting percentage reflects how accurately the child produced the consonant phonemes of his or her language.

The SLP may record a speech sample and analyze how well the child is understood (known as intelligibility) by unfamiliar listeners.

The SLP may also use formal tests. For example, the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation, which takes about 30 minutes to complete, is used to measure speech sound abilities in the area of articulation. It provides information about an individual’s speech sound ability by sampling both spontaneous and imitative sound production in single words and connected speech.

The results of standardized tests are given in normative scores and percentiles. This indicates what range your child is in: above average, average, or below average (as compared to your child’s peers taking the same test). Errors will be calculated and patterns will be identified. Following the initial assessment, expect a written report from the SLP.

Developmental milestones vary. Please refer to ASHA’s developmental milestones for specific information. If there are concerns, it’s recommended to schedule an evaluation to learn more.

Yes. It is important for parents to participate in their child’s therapy for success over time. Parent participation may include: in-room /online therapy participation, parent coaching, and completion of home activities.

Therapy is very individualized. Your child will work on specific goals that are defined during his/her speech-language evaluation.

For example, if your 3-year-old child demonstrates difficulty producing the ends of words, the SLP will select an engaging activity that focuses on the progressive production of this error pattern. Continued repetition will be practiced over the course of many sessions, and parents will be provided home activities for practice.

SLPs have extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating speech sound disorders, developmental language disorders, stuttering, voice disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, and cognitive-linguistic disorders.