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Beyond Words | Adult Speech Therapy CT

@beyondwordslc

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Melissa Katz, MS, CCC-SLP 🧠🗣️
Adult speech, language & cognitive therapy + wellness
📍CT teletherapy + mobile in Westport
👇 Services & getting started

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Hi, I’m Melissa—founder of Beyond Words Language & Cognition and a speech-language pathologist.

I work with adults and their families navigating changes caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, concussion, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions. My goal is to help adults regain confidence in their communication, language (aphasia), cognition, voice, swallowing, and everyday life after neurological illness or injury.

I provide teletherapy throughout Connecticut, along with mobile services in select towns across Fairfield County.

Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, a loved one, or a patient, I’d love to connect and see how I can help.

📧 melissa@beyondwordslc.com
📞 (203) 807-8386
🌐 www.beyondwordslc.com by @beyondwordslc

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2 months ago

When I lived in Philadelphia for 8 years, I was immersed in healthcare as a speech therapist and knew who to turn to for different medical needs for adults. Since moving to Connecticut, I’ve realized how much harder it can be to navigate related resources in the community.

I’m looking for recommendations for professionals and organizations who support adults (including teenagers) with language (like aphasia), cognition, voice, and swallowing disorders resulting from acquired neurological conditions - stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, concussion, etc.

Think of physicians, PTs, OTs, art & music therapists, psychotherapists, support groups, community programs. For example, organizations and professionals like @braininjuryalliancect, @wheelitforward, @wheels2uwestport, @lifecare_concierge & @msmom_therapist.

If you know someone you’d confidently refer to a client or family, please leave a comment below or send me a message. You can also share your own practice or organization. I’d love to build a local resource list that I can share with clients and families when they need support.

Thank you!
-Melissa taken in Jennings Beach by @beyondwordslc

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21 days ago

Check out our recent Instagram live with Melissa from @beyondwordslc where we discuss functional use of Constant Therapy, transitions from inpatient to outpatient, and various aspects of neurorehab! by @beyondwordslc

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3 days ago

After a brain injury or neurological diagnosis, life can look different.

You can grieve the way things used to be AND discover new ways to communicate, think, connect, and participate in the things that matter most to you.

I believe speech therapy is about recognizing what has changed and building on the strengths that remain.

-Melissa taken in Compo Beach, Westport - CT by @beyondwordslc

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4 days ago

What if “getting back to normal” isn’t the goal?

In our latest BrainStorm collaboration, Melissa Katz, MS, CCC-SLP of @beyondwordslc shares her perspective on aphasia, communication, and the pressure young stroke survivors face to “get back to normal.”

Because recovery isn’t always about going back. Sometimes, it’s about figuring out what you want life to look like now.

Link in Bio:
The Pressure to Get “Back to Normal” After Stroke.
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#BrainStorm #YoungStrokeSurvivors #Aphasia #StrokeRecovery #SpeechTherapy by @beyondwordslc

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8 days ago

Some of the cognitive skills include:

• Attention (like focusing & multitasking)
• Memory
• Problem-solving
• Planning & organization
• Overall executive functioning

These skills can be affected by concussions, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, and other neurological conditions across all ages. And can make going back to school, work, or everyday life hard.

I’ve always loved the connection between language, cognition, and learning. Before graduate school, I worked at a @lindamoodbellofficial center (there is one in Darien!), where I was trained in the Visualizing and Verbalizing® and Seeing Stars® programs. I supported children and adults with reading comprehension related to dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or simply to strengthen underlying skills. Patricia Lindamood, one of the founders of Lindamood-Bell, was an SLP herself!

Have questions about the role of speech therapy in cognition? Please reach out :)

-Melissa taken in West Village, NYC by @beyondwordslc

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15 days ago

Thank you Dan Woog from @06880danwoog for featuring me in your newsletter and blog highlighting Westport, CT happenings!

It means so much to have my new practice Beyond Words Language & Cognition LLC welcomed and shared with the Westport community.

As always, please reach out if you’d like to learn more about the adult speech therapy services I provide for communication, language (aphasia), cognition (attention, memory, problem-solving), voice and swallowing. 🧠 🗣️ 💭 ✍🏼 📖

-Melissa by @beyondwordslc

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19 days ago

After a brain injury or neurological illness, your brain may have to work much harder than it used to for everyday tasks like:

*Thinking of the right words
*Processing what others are saying
*Organizing thoughts
*Staying focused & multitasking

In therapy, I keep cognitive fatigue in mind when planning activities. The goal isn’t to simply do more, it’s to find ways to make communication and thinking tasks more manageable.

One strategy? Do mentally demanding activities when you tend to feel your best. For some people, that may mean in the morning rather than at the end of a long day.

What strategies do you use to manage cognitive fatigue? ⬇️ taken in Post Road by @beyondwordslc

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a month ago

The final part of my conversation with @kstew_28, author of My Brainstorm, about navigating brain surgery and cancer when she was only 27.

Kristen’s story is a powerful example of finding new ways to adapt, move forward, and continue living a meaningful life. by @beyondwordslc

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a month ago

When I say I’m a speech therapist, most people assume I work with kids…

But my specialty is actually adults (including young adults!) 🧠 taken in Southampton, New York by @beyondwordslc

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a month ago

Some messages mean more than a Google review, like this email from my client’s daughter.

When you work closely with someone through their challenges and progress, you truly become a part of their journey.

The goal is always to work toward greater independence. But as she mentioned, discharge can be bittersweet…not just for the client and their family, but for me as their speech therapist, too. 🫶🏼 by @beyondwordslc

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a month ago

The good news? Our brains can continue to change throughout life. The fancy term for this is: neuroplasticity. Some simple ways to be proactive and promote healthy aging and cognitive wellness:
-socializing
-learning new things
-prioritize nutrition
-physical exercise
-good sleep hygiene
-managing medical issues (like blood pressure)
-support hearing health

So, where’s a great place to work on several of these things? Your local library, YMCA or senior center!

Towns throughout Fairfield County have amazing libraries (I have personally been to many of them) and local recreation and senior centers like in Weston and Westport where you can attend lectures, learn new hobbies, meet new people and, of course, read.

As always, please reach out to me if you want to learn more ways to keep your mind engaged and challenged. 🏃🏻‍♀️📖 🧠 taken in Weston Public Library by @beyondwordslc

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a month ago