Empowering Tweens to Teens through enhanced communication Skills
Working with tweens and teens ages 9-18 to build confidence in communication skills so they can thrive in life
Meet Taria
Hello! I am a licensed Speech Language Pathologist located in the West Metro Suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia College, Moorhead and my master’s degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. My educational background and work related experience in psychology has given me a unique perspective and knowledge base to apply to my work with kids with communication challenges. I have had the opportunity to use both degrees as a youth counselor and Speech Language Pathologist in a variety of settings including: schools, teletherapy services, residential treatment facilities, residential group homes, and autism centers. Although I have experience serving preschool to high school age kids with a variety of special needs, I specifically have a heart for adolescents. I believe adolescence is a crucial time for kids to receive support, be connected with others and form relationships with positive adults. I currently live in Chaska, MN with my husband, three daughters and two dogs. Outside of being an SLP, I enjoy coaching high school cross-country and track and have belonged to a book club for over 20 years. I look forward to meeting you!
EMPOWERED BY SPEECH
My Philosophy
Empowered by Speech is set up to be convenient, accessible and affordable with an emphasis on providing personal, wholistic and specialized services. I believe we are all uniquely and wonderfully created and each of us has incredible worth as humans. My goal as an SLP is to empower young people to live their best lives by leveraging their strengths, celebrating their uniqueness, and fostering growth in key areas. I prioritize relationship-building and incorporate fun in everything I do. I focus on the use of evidence-based practices to make the biggest impact. I help kids understand why they are working on specific skills, how it will help them in life and how they can take ownership of their learning and growth.
My approach
Whole-person Focused
Relational
Fun and Engaging
Evidence-based
My Experiences
BA in Psychology Concordia College, Moorhead
MA in Communication Disorders U of M, Twin Cities
Speech Language Pathology Experience
- Private and public school settings including center-based programs working with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment and a variety of diagnoses (K-12)
- Teletherapy including experience with AAC and autism (Pre-K through 12)
- Private practice including contracting with small private practices and current experience
Related Experience
- St. Cloud children’s Home (youth counselor for adolescents with emotional behavioral disorders and various mental health needs in a residential treatment setting)
- Northwood Children’s Home (youth counselor for adolescents with emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities)
- Alternatives for People with Autism (Direct Support Professional for adolescent residents with autism)
- West Metro Learning Connections (Early Intensive Developmental Intervention (EIDIBI) Coordinator, social skills facilitator and direct support staff to kids and teens with autism)
- Westwood Community Church Volunteer in Special Families Ministry (1:1 support with children and teens with autism)
Areas of Focus
- Tweens/Teens (ages 9-18)
- Social Communication, Social Thinking, Perspective-taking and Social Skills
- Articulation/Speech Sound Disorders
- Language Disorders including: reading comprehension, oral and written expression, vocabulary skills and executive functioning
- Emerging communicators and minimally verbal communicators
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome
