EF Speech Therapy
Providing individualized and functional speech therapy with a mindful and holistic approach.
Speech Therapy
Why speech therapy?
Speech therapy is for anyone hoping to improve their communication skills and overall quality of life. I understand that a new diagnosis of any speech, language, and/or cognitive-communication disorder/delay can be overwhelming. I am here to answer questions, offer support, and provide speech therapy sessions in-person or via HIPAA-compliant video platforms. I see individuals of all ages with a variety of communication needs.
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Speech therapy goes beyond just speech. "Speech therapy" includes, but is not limited to:
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Supporting speech and language development for toddlers with delayed speech and language skills
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Coaching caregivers of individuals with Autism and providing supports (including AAC/communication visual supports) to facilitate functional communication.
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Providing the consistent and evidence-based practice needed to improve articulation, voice, fluency and/or social communication skills.
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Helping adults of all ages improve quality of life by recovering lost skills, or using strengths to overcome weaknesses, after a stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or any other neurological impairment.
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Speech therapy goals should aim to facilitate functional communication and access to social, academic, and vocational (workplace) success as well as achieve personal goals.
About Me...
My name is Ellie Farias and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist living in the mountains of Aspen, CO. I offer private speech, language, and cognitive therapy to individuals of all ages throughout the valley. I also offer teletherapy services to individuals in Colorado, Utah, Florida, Connecticut, and soon California. I understand that many people recovering from TBIs, strokes, etc., do not receive the amount of service time needed to make real lasting change. The same is unfortunately true for children in schools. I prioritize treating the client like a person first, not just a diagnosis, to facilitate good rapport and functional outcomes for daily living.
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I genuinely enjoy getting to know a client's individual strengths, weaknesses, interests, social life, and personal goals to facilitate meaningful change. During our first session, I gather a thorough personal and medical history to plan personalized treatment. I utilize functional strategies and therapy activities for the client to generalize learned skills across all environments.
Approach
​I incorporate an evidence-based, holistic approach to meet the client where they are, use their strengths to overcome challenges, and implement mindfulness techniques to support cognition needed for communication. Neurological connections, stress, anxiety, breath support and overall quality of life directly impact communication. Mindfulness in the form of breathing, meditation, and self-awareness is proven to improve cognitive function and overall communication skills. We know that a calm, strong mind is the foundation needed to support positive neurological change (e.g., improved language expression/comprehension, voice, articulation, social skills, attention and memory, etc.).
Experience
I am nationally certified by ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association) and currently licensed in the state of Colorado, Utah, Florida and Connecticut. I earned my Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of New Hampshire and my Masters of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Rhode Island in 2018. I have completed hours of continuing education courses on a variety of topics ranging from ethics, cultural competence, and mindfulness, to voice disorders, Aphasia, Autism, and neurodegenerative diseases. I have studied in New Zealand and New Hampshire, love to travel, enjoy the outdoors, and study the role of mindfulness in cognitive functioning.
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I have experience working at a Center for Adults with Acquired Brain Injuries, long-term care facilities, and adult clinic settings servicing clients with highly specialized needs (e.g., strokes, TBIs, Neurodegenerative diseases, etc.). I have also spent the past few years providing teletherapy to high-school students in a specialized program with a variety of developmental and neurological needs (e.g., Autism, Auditory processing disorder, Executive Functioning disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Noonan's Syndrome, Down Syndrome, etc.). This work includes the training and implementation of AAC devices, coaching parents and staff, and providing personalized therapy to facilitate access to social, vocational, and academic success. I have worked in preschools as an SLP and on the diagnostic team, as well as with students grades K-12 in schools and clinical settings.
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I look forward to helping individuals in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond with any speech, language, and cognitive-communication needs. Please reach out with any questions or inquiries about services!
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- Ellie Farias, M.S. CCC-SLP