Breakthrough Speech, LLC

Hello and welcome! I am Libby Lewis, Speech-Language Pathologist and founder of Breakthrough Speech, LLC. Breakthrough Speech provides services to adults who have experienced changes in communication, cognition, voice, and swallow safety. Whether from injury, disease, effects of medication or surgery, life transitions, pandemic isolation, or the normal aging process, I am here to help you overcome these obstacles to live life to the fullest. (Ph): 360.230.8010 (Fax): 866.418.0247 ___________________________________ SUPPORT GROUPS: Stroke Support Group: 1:00 - 2:30 on the 3rd Thursday of every month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 9th St, Anacortes Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group: 6:30-8:00 pm on the 3rd Thursday of every month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 9th St, Anacortes ___________________________________ SERVICES: SPEECH THERAPY targets improving communication, cognitive function, swallow safety, and vocal quality (due to a medical condition). Therapy addresses a variety of needs, typically resulting from neurological disorders such as stroke, dementia, or Parkinson's disease; traumatic injury; head and neck cancer; or simply the natural aging process. Based on thorough assessment, individual treatment plans are designed to meet the specific needs of each person. VOICE COACHING helps singers and speakers improve vocal quality, stability, and endurance to participate in hobbies and professions requiring voice use. Isolation due to COVID-19 can take a toll on vocal fitness. As singers rejoin choirs, teachers return to classrooms, public speakers rediscover their live audiences, and friends and families gather together again, many people are having difficulty finding their voices, literally. Voice Coaching targets understanding the basics of the voice mechanism (anatomy and physiology) and how to produce and support optimal vocal usage, improving quality, stability, and endurance. I am also available for workshops and speaking engagements, including sharing with Support Groups. Speech Therapy services are available to individuals in Washington and Colorado states, where I hold licenses. Voice Coaching, workshops, and speaking events are available to all, regardless of location. ___________________________________ ABOUT ME I earned my undergraduate degree in English from the University of Iowa and a Master of Education degree from Seattle University (2003) with a focus on adult education and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). After a career of teaching, I earned my Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Washington University (2013). I have taught English in five countries and have worked as a Speech Pathologist in skilled nursing, memory care, home health, acute hospital and outpatient clinic settings. As a Voice Coach, I work individually with singers/speakers and collaboratively with Choir Directors and Public Speaking Instructors to establish the foundation of voice to support individual pursuits. I hold specialty certifications in LSVT-Loud voice therapy for individuals with Parkinson's disease; MBSImp swallow evaluation and VitalStim electrical stimulation swallow therapy; Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); PESL Accent Modification training, and Buteyko Breathing Method. When not working, I enjoy traveling with my husband, running with my dog, and curling up with a good book and my cat. _____________________________________________________ AREAS OF SPEECH THERAPY ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT: ➤Speech Articulation: Speech fluency and intelligibility (ability for others to understand the speaker) ➤Expressive & Receptive Language Skills: Formulating and comprehending language, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing ➤Cognitive Communication: Cognitive skills such as orientation, memory, attention, executive functions, problem solving, reasoning, abstract thinking, etc. ➤Voice: Vocal quality, loudness, pitch range, endurance, stability (related to a medical condition) ➤Swallowing: Coughing, choking, pain, sticking sensation, or other difficulty when eating/drinking _____________________________________________________ TARGETS FOR VOICE COACHING: ➤Understand the anatomy and physiology of the voice ➤Use breath optimally to power the voice for stability, endurance, and projection ➤Practice exercises and techniques to improve ease and quality of vocal cord vibration with a broader pitch range ➤Apply strategies to achieve your desired resonance _____________________________________________________ If you’d like to schedule a consultation with me, please send an appointment request. I look forward to hearing from you!