Helping Children Improve Their Speech and Language
Helping Children Improve Their Speech and Language
Who We Are
Who We Are
At Emerald Coast Speech Services in Niceville, Florida, we provide personal, friendly speech therapy services in a fun and caring environment for children of all ages. All of our Speech Language Pathologists are certified through the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) and are licensed through the state of Florida.
Our services include evaluation and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing disorders.
Company Background
A Message From Kristen, Company Owner
Company Background
A Message From Kristen, Company Owner
“We opened Emerald Coast Speech Services in 2010 in order to serve the pediatric population in my hometown—Niceville. This is a large military town, and we serve many military families. I grew up here and love this area.
"We evaluate and treat children with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. I have two children of my own who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and one of my children had difficulty learning to read. He came here to ECSS and worked with one of our SLPs and learned to read and write here.
"We work on all areas of communication, including these areas. Once a child is evaluated, we develop an individual plan to meet their specific needs. We involve families as we carry out the child’s individual plan of care. The children we serve range in age from as young as infants who have dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) up to high school aged students.”
Biographies of the Owner and Staff
Biographies of the Owner and Staff
Kristen
Kristen
Kristen is the owner and director of Emerald Coast Speech Services. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida State University where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in communication sciences and disorders.
Kristen has more than a decade of experience in the areas of language, speech, articulation, voice, fluency, cognition, and swallowing. She has practiced in several settings, including private practice, school, hospital, and inpatient and outpatient care facilities working with pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics.
Kristen enjoys helping people improve their communication skills and quality of life. In 2010, she followed her dream of opening Emerald Coast Speech Services to serve the pediatric population of her hometown!
Kristen has two sons both born on St. Patrick's Day 5 years apart. It is completely unplanned as they were preemies, a special kind of luck!
Kelsey
Kelsey
Kelsey graduated from the University of Florida with her bachelor’s and master’s degree in speech-language pathology. During her time in college, Kelsey focused her studies on pediatric populations gaining experience with language development, speech articulation, feeding, and swallowing. She has also worked with children who have hearing loss and cochlear implants.
Kelsey returned to the Gulf Coast and began her career helping children at Emerald Coast Speech Services in 2014!
Kelsey was born and raised on the Gulf Coast in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. During her free time, she loves to cheer on the Gators and paddle board at the beach!
Courtney
Courtney graduated with her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She graduated with her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.
Courtney has practicum experience in a variety of settings including the public school system, outpatient clinics, and a rehabilitation hospital. While serving in these diverse settings, she’s had the opportunity to work with complex caseloads, treating individuals diagnosed with Autism, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stuttering, Dysphagia and other neurological disorders.
She has spent the last few years working with adults at a rehabilitation hospital. While she enjoyed helping adults regain their independence, she greatly missed working with the pediatric population.
Courtney was originally inspired to go into the field of speech-language pathology because of her cousin, who was diagnosed with ASD at an early age. She witnessed the impact an SLP had on his life and will never forget the moment and the smile on his face when he was able to verbally communicate his wants and needs. She states there is no better feeling than helping someone gain confidence in their abilities and witnessing their joy when they are able to communicate effectively and think constructively. There is nothing greater in life than serving others.
Courtney is an active member in the church. She played and coached collegiate tennis. During her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, running, reading on the beach, and spending time with her family.
Karen
Karen
Karen is our friendly office coordinator. She will be the one answering your call, and she has knowledge of insurances as well as the processes that take place here at Emerald Coast Speech Services.
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide quality speech, language, and swallowing/feeding therapy services in order to improve communication and feeding skills to optimal functioning. We accomplish this by identifying impairments through specialized evaluations and development of individualized goals to meet the needs of the child and family.