Neurodiversity- Affirming Speech Therapy for Children of all ages

Speech SOUNDS β€’ Language DELAYS & DISORDERS β€’ Echolalia & GESTALT LANGUAGE PROCESSING β€’ Stuttering FOR ALL AGES

Meeting families in-home & online throughout Williamson County, TN

Child receiving neurodiversity-affirming speech therapy in Spring Hill, TN
Child receiving in-home speech therapy for kids in Spring Hill, TN

Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy

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Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy ~

Helping your child communicate and learn in their own way, to reach their full potential

Welcome to Empower YOU Speech & Language Therapy! We take a family-centered approach to speech therapy for children which means that we meet you in your home where we work on the skills that matter most to you. Parents are included every step of the way, with dedicated time for questions and parent education. Our goal is to help your child become a confident communicator at home, at school, and in the community.

Empower YOU provides speech, language, and stuttering therapy in Spring Hill, TN, and surrounding areas. Reach out today to get started!

OUR SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES

Empower YOU Speech & Language Therapy provides in-home speech therapy in Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, Franklin, Brentwood, Columbia, College Grove, Arrington, Nolensville, Fairview, and surrounding areas. We also offer online speech therapy services to residents of Tennessee and Illinois.

Autistic child receiving speech therapy for gestalt language processors in Tennessee

DELAYED ECHOLALIA & gestalt language processors

Does your child echo or script to communicate? Do they repeat questions, books or movies, but have a hard time producing spontaneous sentences? We have advanced training in the area of gestalt language processing. Using play, movement, and music, we help your child increase their spontaneous language.

Child receiving online speech therapy for kids in Tennessee.

STUTTERING THERAPY FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, & ADULTS

Stuttering therapy for children is focused on building confidence, decreasing tension, and making speech feel easier. For our youngest clients, parent coaching is central to our approach.

We also provide stuttering therapy for adults. It’s never too late to learn new fluency strategies!

Child receiving in-home speech therapy to address language skills

SPEECH, Language, & Social Skills THERAPY

Whether your child struggles with their speech, has difficulty understanding what they hear, or has challenges using language to express themselves, we can help! Through a combination of play, games, books, and evidence-based strategies, we will target your child’s specific communication or social goals.

Online parent coaching for gestalt language processing

coaching for parents & professionals

Do you have questions about your child's communication or how to support your child’s language development?

Or are you an SLP or related professional looking for support on working with gestalt language processing? 

A one-on-one consultation is the answer!

Let's schedule your free, 15-minute consultation!

Click here to book a free call to discuss your child's speech and language needs.

Meet Your Speech Therapist

Kimberly Willard, MA., CCC-SLP/L, owner and speech therapist at Empower YOU in Spring Hill, TN

Kimberly Willard, MA., CCC-SLP/L

Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist

Hi, I’m Kim! I am so glad that you’re here. As a speech therapist with over 18 years of experience and a graduate of stuttering therapy myself, I believe that we can all become confident communicators– regardless of our differences.

Empower YOU is centered around making speech and language therapy a meaningful and joyful experience for all types of learners. I take a child-centered approach to therapy sessions, supporting connection over compliance. It is my greatest pleasure to see a child fall in love with learning, share their unique thoughts with the world, and feel as special as they are. Let's work together to help your child reach their full communication potential!

Advanced Education & Trainings:

  • Trained in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) for Gestalt Language Processors

  • Trained in AAC Approaches for Gestalt Language Processors

  • Advanced Training in Stuttering Therapy for Children and Adults

  • Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking Curriculum Training

  • M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  • B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Bowling Green, Ohio

Introducing Empower You’s Canine Assisted Therapy Dog!

Meet Goose!

Goose is a Golden Retriever puppy, working on his Canine Good Citizen Training and will become Empower YOU’s certified Canine Assisted Therapy Dog!

An assisted therapy dog can be a valuable asset during speech therapy sessions, offering numerous benefits that can enhance the therapeutic process:

1. Emotional Support and Comfort:

  • The presence of a therapy dog can create a calming and supportive environment, helping reduce anxiety and stress in patients. This relaxed state can make it easier for individuals, especially children, to engage in speech therapy without feeling pressured or nervous.

2. Motivation and Engagement:

  • A therapy dog can serve as a motivator, encouraging patients to participate more actively in their sessions. For example, a child might be more willing to practice speech exercises if they know they’ll get to interact with the dog afterward. The dog’s presence can also make therapy sessions more enjoyable, increasing patient engagement.

3. Social Interaction:

  • Interacting with a therapy dog can encourage social behaviors, such as initiating conversation, asking questions, or giving commands. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with social anxiety or those who struggle with initiating speech.

4. Non-Judgmental Listener:

  • For individuals who are self-conscious about their speech, a therapy dog provides a non-judgmental audience. Speaking to the dog can help build confidence, as the patient can practice without fear of criticism.

5. Reinforcement of Therapy Goals:

  • A therapist can incorporate the dog into specific speech therapy exercises. For example, a patient might be asked to give verbal commands to the dog or describe the dog’s actions. This can help reinforce speech goals in a natural and interactive way.

6. Building Rapport and Trust:

  • The presence of a therapy dog can help build a stronger rapport between the therapist and the patient. The dog acts as a bridge, making the patient feel more at ease, which can lead to a more effective therapeutic relationship.

7. Focus and Attention:

  • For some patients, especially children with attention difficulties, a therapy dog can help maintain focus. The dog’s presence can serve as a gentle reminder to stay engaged in the activity or conversation. Incorporating an assisted therapy dog into speech therapy sessions can create a more positive, calming engaging, and effective therapeutic environment.

    Stay Tuned for updates and information!

Kind Words From Clients

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Kind Words From Clients ~

  • Kim had the perfect balance of lessons and fun.

    β€œWe found Kim had the perfect balance of lessons and fun - our son didn’t realize he was learning and looked forward to his sessions. Kim worked with us to better understand where he was and how we could supplement Kim’s lessons at home in simple but impactful ways. His progress was noticeable in just weeks. Kim was both professional and warm. We are so glad our son had the opportunity to work with Kim.”

    ~ Stacia R.

  • Kim's ability to establish a strong connection with my son was truly commendable.

    "Kim is a remarkable speech therapist who has made an incredible impact on my son's speech. Kim's expertise, patience, and genuine passion for her work were evident in every session. She crafted engaging and effective exercises tailored to my son's needs, creating an enjoyable learning environment that motivated him to excel…he not only achieved remarkable progress but also developed a newfound confidence in his speech.

    Kim's ability to establish a connection with my son and build trust was truly commendable. Their rapport played a crucial role in making the therapy a positive experience for him.

    I wholeheartedly recommend Kim to any parent seeking a highly skilled and caring speech therapist for their child. She is truly exceptional!"

    ~ Brandon K.

  • After every visit, Kim would touch base and describe his progress.

    β€œKim worked with my 6th grader in our home. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Kim was so kind and walked me through the process. After every visit, she would touch base and describe his progress. She was also flexible and worked with our sometimes hectic schedule.

    My son would get so excited when it was the day of her visit. Their rapport was awesome! So much better than I have experienced before. It was very helpful for me to have home visits so I could keep working. 10 out of 10 recommend!"

    ~ Erin

for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

- Fred Rogers

Empower YOU Speech & Language Therapy graphic

Are You Ready to START SPEECH THERAPY WITH Empower YOU?

Empower YOU Speech & Language Therapy provides in-home speech therapy for children and adults in Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, Franklin, Brentwood, Columbia, College Grove, Arrington, Nolensville, and Fairview, TN. Online speech therapy is available in both TN & IL.

Step 1: Free Consultation

Connect with us to discuss your child's needs, share concerns, and learn more about our services. You will speak directly to Kim, the owner and speech therapist at Empower YOU, who will answer your questions and recommend the next steps.

Step 2: Schedule an EVALUATION

An evaluation will help me get to know your child, identify their strengths and challenges, and work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan. We can schedule weekly therapy sessions at this time.

Step 3: Start therapy and watch your child grow!

Begin in-home or online individualized speech, language, or stuttering therapy sessions. We typically meet 1-3 times/week. During each session we will play and work together to reach your child's goals!

Ready to Book a Coaching Session?

Coaching services are for parents and speech-language pathologists and will provide you with answers to questions you may have regarding your child's language skills as well as ways to support your child's language development at school or home.

Click here to book your one-on-one Zoom call!

Insurance & Billing

Empower YOU Speech & Language Therapy provides private pay services in order to meet each individual’s needs without limitation. Although we do not directly bill any insurance companies, we provide a detailed Superbill if you wish to seek reimbursement from your insurance company. Click here for Superbill FAQ, or reach out to learn more!

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