Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Robertson
Hi Megan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been a speech therapist for over 10 years working in various settings between children and adults. I received my Bachelors degree in Communication Disorders and Graduate degree in Speech Language Pathology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Majority of my work experience is working with adults with varying diagnoses, from stroke to TBI. I have a passion for working with adults with aphasia. I will be participating in an aphasia conversation group Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now (MnCAN) come January 2025. I have recently started working with kids again, which has led me to opening my own private practice, Clear Path Speech Therapy LLC. I provide in-home and virtual services to all populations. I specialize in pediatric feeding and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. Other services I provide include, language, articulation, AAC, and cognition. I love learning new things and I strive to find a solution to patients problems in order for them to achieve their goals. I have undergone several continuing education courses in the area of Myofunctional Therapy. Myofunctional Therapy has been evolving for years and is often overlooked by providers. This specified therapy tool can help prevent sleep apnea, sleep disordered breathing, articulation issues and even prevent likelihood of a child needing braces. This concept take a look at the tongue posture and how it supports airway health, a patient may need a palate expander or clear aligners to widen the palate making more room for the tongue on the roof of the mouth. This promotes better breathing and sleep. Myo therapy targets tongue strength and posture to also aid in articulation disorders for children and adults. Helps strengthen the tongue, lips, cheeks and jaw to improve speech intelligibility and improve confidence. I have spoken with many pediatricians, dentists, and orthodontists about Myofunctional Therapy, and how myo is essential to reduce orthodonic relapse and help with a host of issues children and adults are facing. I have so much passion for this field and I cant wait to change more lives everyday!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. I have made several cold calls, letters, and appearances in person to spread the word about myofunctional therapy with little success. Most of my referrals have been from former collegues, which is amazing, but I think I have only scratched the surface of potential providers and clients that need my services. I have spoken with several mentors and other private practice therapists about their private practice journey, and it is not an easy one. But I am not the type of person to give up. This space is such an underutilized service. I am also only cash pay and I plan to keep it that way. A lot of leads end up in a phone call only because I do not take insurance. Insurance has so many barriers to hoops to jump through to provide the best care. They also can complete a retrospectic audit post payment resulting in a therapist having to pay back services that have already been paid due to one small missing detail in documentation. I want to support the client and not their insurance.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most proud of taking the leap to acutally owning my own business and providing the best care for my patients, my way. Private practice is a challenge, but I enjoy a challange! I am not your typical therapist, I will find every way possible for a patient to continue to make progress, change plan of care, introduce different exercises, use other resources, whatever I need to do to allow people to succeed.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Just my attempt to made Myofunctional therapy more of an alert to people. If you have sleep apnea or you are snoring constantly there is a solution! Not a CPAP! I wish providers would read the research and be more open to exploring myofunctional therapy.
Pricing:
- $12.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clearpathspeechtherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearpathspeechtherapy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganrobertson
