Are you looking for a speech therapist in Westwood? Whether your toddler isn’t talking yet, your school-age child struggles to be understood, or you’re an adult dealing with communication changes after a stroke or injury, finding the right therapist matters. You want someone who listens first and plans second. Someone who understands that early action leads to better outcomes.
Dolce Therapies works with individuals and families throughout Westwood and neighboring communities—Bel Air, Brentwood, Century City, Holmby Hills, and beyond. Our licensed speech-language pathologists don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. We take time to understand what’s happening, what you’re hoping for, and how we can realistically get there together. Ready to talk? We’re here when you are.
Why Families in Westwood Choose Dolce Therapies
Finding the right speech therapist means finding someone who fits—not just professionally, but personally. Therapy works better when there’s genuine connection.
- Licensed, experienced clinicians. Our speech-language pathologists hold California licensure and maintain credentials through ASHA. They bring years of hands-on experience across pediatric and adult populations.
- Therapy shaped around your life. Sessions happen on your schedule. We offer flexible appointment times and both in-home and clinic-based options because real life doesn’t pause for therapy.
- Clear communication throughout. No jargon-heavy reports you need a dictionary to decode. We explain what we’re seeing, what we’re doing, and why—in plain language.
- A focus on functional progress. We care about real-world results. Can your child ask for what they need? Can you order coffee without frustration? Those moments matter more than any score on a test.
“We tried two other therapists before finding Dolce. The difference was immediate—our daughter actually wanted to go to her sessions. A year later, she’s having full conversations.” — Westwood parent
Speech Therapy Services We Provide
Every client arrives with a different story. Our job is to figure out what kind of support will actually help.
Pediatric Speech Therapy Children develop language on their own timeline, but sometimes that timeline needs a nudge. We work with kids on articulation, language comprehension, expressive language, and social communication skills. Therapy is play-based for younger children because that’s how they learn best. For children still developing speech sounds, we give parents strategies they can use at home between sessions.
Adult Speech Therapy Adults seek speech therapy for many reasons—stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, or voice changes that make communication difficult. We focus on rebuilding skills that matter for daily life: speaking clearly, swallowing safely, finding words when they seem just out of reach.
Autism and Social Communication For individuals on the autism spectrum, communication challenges often extend beyond words. We address pragmatic language skills—turn-taking, reading social cues, understanding nonverbal communication—through structured practice and real-world application.
Feeding and Swallowing Therapy Mealtime shouldn’t be stressful. Whether it’s a picky eater who refuses most foods or an adult with dysphagia concerns, we help clients develop safer, more comfortable relationships with eating.
In-Home Speech Therapy Sometimes the best place for therapy is your living room. In-home sessions let us work in familiar environments, which can be especially helpful for young children or adults recovering from medical events.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
Getting Started Your first session is about understanding—not testing. We’ll talk about what brought you here, what concerns you most, and what your goals look like. For children, we observe how they play and communicate naturally. For adults, we discuss daily challenges and priorities. From there, we build a therapy plan that makes sense for your situation.
Ongoing Therapy Sessions typically run 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the client and their needs. We adjust our approach as progress happens—what works in month one might need refinement by month three. Parents and caregivers stay involved throughout. You’ll know what we’re working on and how you can reinforce skills at home.
Signs That Speech Therapy Might Help
Sometimes the signs are obvious. Other times, it’s more of a gut feeling that something isn’t quite right. Both are worth paying attention to.
In children, you might notice: Your 18-month-old isn’t using any words yet. Your 3-year-old talks constantly but strangers can’t understand them. Your kindergartener struggles to follow directions or answer questions. Your older child avoids reading aloud or gets frustrated when they can’t express ideas. These patterns often signal that early intervention could make a difference.
In adults, concerns might include: Words that used to come easily now get stuck. Swallowing feels different—maybe there’s coughing during meals or a sensation of food getting caught. Your voice sounds hoarse or strained more often than not. Conversations feel exhausting in ways they never did before.
In-Home vs. Clinic-Based Therapy: Which Makes Sense?
Both options work. The right choice depends on your circumstances.
In-home therapy brings the therapist to you. This eliminates travel time, keeps routines intact, and allows us to work in the environment where communication happens naturally. It’s often ideal for toddlers who do better on their own turf, or for adults with mobility limitations.
Clinic-based therapy offers a dedicated space designed for focused work. Some clients—especially older children—benefit from the structure of a therapy room. It also creates clear separation between “therapy time” and “home time,” which can help with attention and engagement.
We’re happy to discuss which approach might work best during your initial consultation.
Westwood Speech Therapy Resources
Families in Westwood have access to several community resources that complement private therapy:
Westside Regional Center 5901 Green Valley Circle, Culver City, CA 90230 | (310) 258-4000 Provides early intervention services for children under 3 with developmental concerns, as well as ongoing support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Westwood falls within their service area.
LAUSD Division of Special Education 333 South Beaudry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90017 | (213) 241-6701 Offers speech and language services through the public school system for eligible students. Contact your child’s school or the district directly to request an evaluation.
UCLA Health Speech Pathology 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 | (310) 825-5721 Provides comprehensive speech-language pathology services for patients of all ages, located right in Westwood.
California Early Start Program California Department of Developmental Services Statewide early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Services are provided at no cost to families who qualify.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) www.asha.org National organization offering information on communication disorders, treatment approaches, and how to find qualified speech-language pathologists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child’s speech is actually delayed or just developing slowly? There’s a range of normal, and every child develops differently. That said, certain benchmarks matter. If your 2-year-old uses fewer than 50 words, or your 3-year-old isn’t combining words into short phrases, it’s worth having a conversation. An evaluation can tell you whether your child is within typical range or would benefit from support.
What happens during a speech therapy evaluation? We spend time getting to know the client—how they communicate, what their strengths are, where they struggle. For children, this often looks like play. For adults, it involves conversation and specific tasks. We don’t just hand you a score; we explain what we observed and what it means in practical terms.
Do you accept insurance? We can provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement. Many families find that their insurance covers a portion of speech therapy costs. We recommend checking your specific plan’s benefits for speech-language pathology services.
How long does speech therapy typically take? It depends entirely on the individual. Some clients see significant progress in a few months. Others benefit from longer-term support. We set clear goals from the start and reassess regularly so you always know where things stand.
Can I attend my child’s therapy sessions? Absolutely. We encourage parent involvement. Watching sessions helps you understand what we’re working on, and it gives you tools to practice at home. That said, some children do better when parents observe from a distance—we’ll figure out what works best for your family.
Start the Conversation
You’ve done the research. You’ve read this far. If you’re wondering whether speech therapy could help you or your child, the next step is simple: reach out. We’ll listen to what’s going on, answer your questions, and help you figure out whether Dolce Therapies is the right fit. No pressure, no obligation—just a conversation about what’s possible.
Contact Dolce Therapies to schedule a consultation.
