
About Marla
Marla's speech therapy journey began with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from Biola University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the department's Award for Excellence. She furthered her education at Northern Arizona University, graduating with Highest Honors and earning a Master's of Science degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Marla is licensed in California and holds a national Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She consistently stays up to date with current therapy practices through her continuing education classes. Marla has worked in public schools (elementary, middle, and high schools), private practice and outpatient settings.
With a passion for helping clients develop essential communication skills, Marla offers mobile therapy services that cater to a range of needs including articulation, phonology, receptive and expressive language, fluency, and social communication skills. Her unique approach involves nature-based and child-led sessions conducted in various outdoor settings such as playgrounds, preschools, parks, zoo, botanic gardens, and even the beach. By incorporating a child's interests into therapy sessions, Marla ensures engaging and effective learning experiences.

In addition to traditional therapy, Marla hosts 'Preschool Play Dates' where children receive social support and interact with peers in a fun and supportive environment. These sessions often feature Marla's preschool-aged son, Sebastian, creating a dynamic and peer-model experience for young clients.
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Embracing creativity and play, Marla's therapeutic methods focus on making learning enjoyable and relatable for children. Whether it's pretending to be elephants at the zoo, racing around the park as the Three Little Pigs, or role playing social scenarios with teens, Marla's commitment to personalized care shines through in every session.
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Join Marla on this exciting journey of growth and development as she empowers children to find their voice and thrive in their communication skills.​