When you make an appointment to see Gayle, you see Gayle, not an associate.  Improving Speech and Communication has been Gayle's passion and purpose for almost 30 years.  She is dedicated to her client's reaching their goals by providing the highest quality of therapy. Gayle believes that Communication Confidence is the key to success in life.  When one feels secure and happy with how they present themselves, they are open to all opportunities and even create opportunities for themselves.  The process of therapy is as important as the result because the obstacles that are overcome in therapy are transferred to overcoming challenges in life. 

 

 

 

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My Story...Why I became a Speech Therapist?

 

"People are always surprised to hear that I was a shy, yes a shy, and fearful child.  My mother has told the story of how my Kindergarten teacher was worried because I didn't speak or eat.  The teacher said that one day she came into the classroom and there was this foul smell permeating the room.  The horrific odor led her to my desk where she discovered many rotten sandwiches wedged into my desk.  "Just leave her alone and she'll grow out of it," was the common theme for the day.  So I slowly developed, had friends both in and out of school,  did well in grade school but flew under the radar and wouldn't raise my hand or speak in class.  Like most kids, I had my private dreams and fantasies.  My best friend and I would perform small performances for our 6th grade class.  I was somehow able to put aside my fear, especially if I had a partner. This love for theatrics gnawed at me. I wanted to be "on stage!" I wanted to sing.  I wanted to feel the spotlight on me.  How was a scared little girl who was afraid to talk going to do this?  One day, I heard of this variety show and decided to try out.  The worst thing that could happen was that I wouldn't make it. I was so afraid of the rejection, that I didn't even tell my parents that I was trying out.  I waited for opportunites to be alone to practice.  The day came for the tryout and I could barely utter my name.  I took a few deep breaths and after the first few bars, I forgot to be afraid.  The Director gave me the praise that I wished and waited to hear.  I made it into the variety show and had my first singing solo.  At 13 years old, that day was a turning point in my life. As Oprah would say...it was my "Ah-Ha" moment.  I would never hide in the shadows again.  

 

Fast forward to Sophomore year of high school.  Even though I had been in many choirs and in the chorus for different shows, I wanted to take the spotlight again.  I wanted to have a Principal role in a show.  Unfortunately for me, lower class men were not allowed to be Principals in the plays. I decided to tryout anyway.  To my surprise, I was called back.  Before my next audition, my choir teacher and I had a private lesson.  She asked me if I had a cold because I sounded hoarse.  She strongly advised me to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor.  The ENT told me, "you're not sick, you have nodules." He explained to me that nodules were little calluses, not dangerous, on my vocal cords.  He said that I had to go on vocal rest and could not sing.  I was beyond disappointed.  How could I not sing?  It was like telling me not to breathe? This would mean that I wouldn't be able to compete for any lead roles and couldn't sing in the chorus until the day of the show.  He told me that I needed Speech therapy.  'What's that?', I thought.  Well I soon found out and enjoyed every second of it.  My hoarse and breathy voice vanished, the nodules disappeared and my voice was better than it ever had been.  All of a sudden I was able to hit notes that were never in my range.  I was able to compete in Vocal competitions. That opened the door to many Principal roles and a Vocal Performance Scholarship to College.  I spent years honing my performance skills and communication skills.  I eventually came back to a place where I wanted to help people use their voice.  It was not about performing anymore, but speaking and communicating their thoughts, needs and desires."