Watching your child struggle to communicate can be heartbreaking. You might notice they’re not talking like other kids their age, or maybe words come out garbled and other people can’t understand them. For adults, losing the ability to speak clearly after a stroke or injury is frustrating in ways that are hard to describe.
At Dolce Therapies, we’ve worked with families facing all kinds of communication challenges. Our founder, Marie A. Dolce, M.A., CCC-SLP, has spent years helping children, adults, and seniors find their voice throughout Brentwood and the Westside. We know that every person’s journey is different, and that’s exactly how we approach your care.
Why Choose Dolce Therapies
Real Expertise You Can Count On
Marie holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. That’s the highest professional credential in our field. She’s treated everything from simple articulation issues to complex apraxia, and she brings that depth of experience to every single session. You’re not working with someone fresh out of grad school or rotating through different therapists each week.
Treatment Plans Built Around You
We don’t hand you a cookie-cutter program and call it personalized. At Dolce Therapies, we actually build therapy around how you or your child learns best. Our methods are grounded in research, but we deliver them in ways that feel engaging rather than clinical. Early intervention makes a tremendous difference, particularly with young children, and we design treatment that fits into your life instead of taking it over.
We Work With All Ages
Maybe you’re bringing in a baby who won’t eat. Or a kindergartener who can’t be understood at school. Or an adult working to regain speech after a medical event. We welcome everyone. Our practice runs on four core values: kindness, creativity, inclusivity, and innovation. Those aren’t just nice-sounding words for the website. They shape how we interact with every client who walks through the door.
Modern Methods With Personal Touch
We use current technology and evidence-based techniques, but we never forget that therapy is fundamentally about human connection. You won’t feel like you’re just another appointment on the schedule. Therapy should feel supportive, and we work hard to create that environment from your very first visit.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Marie is extremely caring and very helpful. She realized what the patient’s condition was and saw things that were not readily apparent. She also took the time and interest to advocate for the patient with the staff at the nursing facility. She is a God send, I feel so blessed that we found her.” – Frank H.
Understanding Speech Challenges in Brentwood
Brentwood sits in the heart of LA’s Westside, surrounded by excellent schools and healthcare resources. Families here have access to top-tier education at places like Brentwood School and strong LAUSD programs. But good schools don’t prevent speech and language disorders. These challenges show up in every neighborhood, across all income levels and backgrounds.
Private therapy offers something different from what schools provide. More intensive attention focused on your specific needs. Flexible scheduling that doesn’t revolve around the school calendar. Specialized expertise for diagnoses that need someone with advanced training.
Where Brentwood Families Find Support:
- Brentwood School – Independent K-12 with comprehensive special education services
- UCLA Medical Center – Major healthcare facility just minutes away in Westwood
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – Hospital system with extensive rehabilitation programs
- Local pediatric practices – Often the first professionals to spot developmental concerns
- California Early Start Program – State services for infants and toddlers showing delays
If you’re concerned about your baby’s development, don’t wait. California’s Early Start Program provides services from birth to age three, and early intervention really does change outcomes.
Speech Therapy Services We Provide
Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Your child leaves out sounds or substitutes the wrong ones. Other kids can’t understand them at school. Teachers ask them to repeat themselves constantly. We use evidence-based techniques to teach correct sound production, working systematically through the sounds they need. The goal is clear speech that doesn’t hold them back socially or academically.
Language Delays and Disorders
Language is more complex than just saying words. It’s understanding what others say and expressing your own thoughts clearly. We work on vocabulary, grammar, following directions, and putting ideas into sentences that make sense. These skills matter for everything. Reading comprehension depends on strong language skills. So do friendships.
Stuttering and Fluency Disorders
Stuttering affects more than just speech. It impacts confidence, self-image, whether someone speaks up in meetings or stays quiet in social situations. Our fluency therapy addresses both the physical aspects of smooth speech and the emotional weight that comes with stuttering. We want you to communicate freely, not just speak more smoothly.
Voice Disorders
Maybe you’ve developed vocal nodules from years of teaching. Your voice gives out by afternoon and you can barely talk by evening. Or you’re hoarse all the time and it hurts to speak. Voice problems are painful, literally and professionally. We provide vocal rehabilitation to restore healthy voice quality and teach you techniques to prevent future damage.
Swallowing and Feeding Difficulties
Some babies who spent time in the NICU won’t eat without a fight. Adults after strokes sometimes have trouble swallowing safely. Feeding therapy addresses both the physical mechanics and the emotional side of eating and drinking. We understand how stressful feeding issues can be for families.
Social Communication
Not everyone naturally picks up on social cues. Some people struggle with turn-taking in conversations, reading body language, or knowing what’s appropriate to say in different situations. We teach practical strategies that actually help in real-world interactions at school, work, and social settings.
Common Conditions We Treat
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
This motor speech disorder makes it incredibly difficult for children to coordinate the movements needed for speech. It’s not that they don’t know what they want to say. Their brain has trouble planning and executing the precise movements required. This condition requires intensive, specialized therapy with specific techniques. With consistent treatment using evidence-based approaches, children make real progress developing clear, consistent speech.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Marie Dolce is incredible! I came to her struggling with apraxia of speech, and she helped me regain confidence and clarity. Thanks to her amazing expertise and support, I recently gave a public presentation—a huge milestone for me.” – Elisabeth D.
Autism Spectrum Communication Challenges
Many individuals on the autism spectrum benefit tremendously from speech therapy. We target expressive language, social communication, and pragmatic skills. Our programs are structured but flexible enough to adapt to each person’s specific needs and learning style. Better communication opens doors to stronger relationships and greater independence.
Post-Stroke Communication Recovery
Stroke can affect speech production, language processing, or cognitive-communication skills. Sometimes all three. Rehabilitation focuses on regaining abilities where possible and developing compensatory strategies where needed. We want to help adults get back to work, maintain important relationships, and live as independently as possible.
Oral Motor and Feeding Issues in Premature Infants
Babies who spend weeks or months in the NICU often develop serious oral aversions. All those tubes and medical interventions create negative associations with the mouth. Our patient, empathetic approach helps these tiny fighters overcome challenges and develop positive feeding experiences. We know how scary feeding difficulties can be for parents.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My daughter was a preemie with serious oral issues due to the many ‘tubes’ while she was in the NICU and on an NG tube for 8 months. Marie was able to work with total empathy and patience and help my daughter overcome her oral phobias.” – Tim A.
Tongue Thrust and Oral Myofunctional Disorders
When the tongue pushes forward against or between teeth during swallowing, it can affect speech clarity and dental development. Therapy retrains oral muscles for proper function. We often coordinate with orthodontists and dentists to ensure comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of the problem.
Social Communication Difficulties
Understanding conversational rules doesn’t come naturally to everyone. We work on interpreting body language, recognizing when someone’s bored or interested, taking appropriate turns in conversation, and adjusting language for different social contexts. These are concrete skills that can be taught and practiced.
What to Expect From Therapy
We start with a comprehensive evaluation. You’ll tell us about your concerns, what you’re noticing in daily life, and what you hope to achieve. We assess current abilities and identify specific areas that need work. This isn’t a checklist we rush through. It’s a conversation, and your input shapes everything that follows.
Based on the evaluation, we create a customized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. Sessions typically happen once or twice weekly. That varies based on individual needs and how quickly you’re progressing. Every session is designed to be both engaging and productive, which is easier said than done but we work at it.
Family involvement makes a massive difference. We’ll give you home practice activities and strategies to use between sessions. Consistent practice in natural settings accelerates improvement significantly. You’ll get regular progress updates, and we’ll adjust the plan as you achieve goals and new priorities come up.
Want to learn more about what speech-language pathologists actually do? Visit ASHA’s consumer information page for detailed information about our profession and scope of practice.
California Licensing and Professional Standards
California requires speech-language pathologists to hold state licensure through the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. That’s a mouthful, but it matters. This requirement ensures practitioners meet rigorous education and clinical training standards before working independently with patients.
Marie holds both California state licensure and the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA. The CCC-SLP is the gold standard in our profession. Getting it requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, extensive supervised clinical experience, and passing a comprehensive national examination. It’s not easy to earn, and it’s not just a piece of paper.
What does this mean for you? You’re working with a professional who has demonstrated expertise through formal education, supervised practice, and proven competency. For complex diagnoses like childhood apraxia or post-stroke aphasia, that level of training and experience makes a real difference in outcomes.
You can verify any practitioner’s licensing status at the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board website. It’s public information, and you should feel comfortable checking credentials before starting therapy.
Steps to Get Started
First Contact:
- Call us for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll discuss your concerns and answer questions.
- Gather any medical records, school reports, or previous evaluations you might have.
- Schedule your comprehensive initial evaluation at a time that works for you.
After Your Evaluation:
- We’ll sit down and review the assessment results together.
- Talk through your personalized treatment plan, specific goals, and realistic timeline.
- Schedule regular therapy sessions that fit with your other commitments.
- Learn about home practice activities that support progress between sessions.
The Speech Therapy Process
- Free Consultation
We begin with a phone conversation. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest discussion about your concerns and whether therapy might help. - Comprehensive Evaluation
Thorough assessment using standardized testing and functional observation. This gives us baseline data and helps us understand your unique needs. - Treatment Planning
We create specific, measurable goals based on your evaluation results and what matters most to you. Your input guides the direction because you know what challenges you’re facing in daily life. - Therapy Sessions
Evidence-based interventions delivered in ways that match your learning style. Sessions typically occur one or two times weekly. We tailor everything to maintain motivation and maximize progress. - Progress Reviews
Regular reassessment keeps us on track. We adjust strategies and set new objectives as you achieve success. Therapy stays dynamic and responsive to your changing needs.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I can’t say enough good things about my family’s experience working with Marie. She is patient, kind, and phenomenal at her job. Her attention to detail and expertise is unmatched. She worked wonders for our son and I recommend her any chance I get.” – Christie M.
When to Seek Speech Therapy
For Children:
- Not meeting expected speech milestones. First words should come by 15 months, simple phrases by age 2.
- Difficult to understand compared to other kids their age.
- Stuttering that persists beyond age 3 or causes obvious frustration.
- Limited vocabulary or trouble expressing thoughts and needs.
- Difficulty following directions or understanding age-appropriate language.
- Struggling with social communication or making friends.
- Feeding difficulties, oral aversions, or picky eating that goes beyond normal toddler behavior.
For Adults:
- Communication changes after stroke, brain injury, or neurological diagnosis.
- Voice problems affecting your work, social life, or causing physical discomfort.
- Chronic hoarseness, vocal strain, or losing your vocal range.
- Swallowing difficulties or worries about choking.
- Stuttering that impacts your professional or social life.
- Interest in accent modification or improving professional communication skills.
Why Early Intervention Matters
California’s Early Start program serves children from birth to age three showing developmental delays. Research consistently shows that earlier intervention produces better long-term outcomes. Young children’s brains are particularly responsive to therapeutic intervention during critical developmental periods. Waiting to see if they’ll grow out of it often means missing that window.
For developmental milestone information and guidance on what’s typical at each age, visit the CDC’s developmental milestones tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does therapy typically take?
It varies tremendously based on the condition, severity, and how quickly you progress. Some clients reach their goals in a few months. Others need longer-term support. We’ll give you realistic expectations during your initial evaluation based on current research and what we’ve seen clinically with similar cases.
What’s the difference between speech and language?
Speech is the physical production of sounds and words. The actual mechanics of talking. Language is how we understand and use words to communicate ideas, including vocabulary, grammar, and meaning. Many people need help with both areas, not just one.
Do you provide teletherapy sessions?
Yes. We offer both in-person and teletherapy depending on your needs and preferences. Some clients love the convenience of online sessions. Research shows teletherapy can be highly effective for many types of speech and language treatment, though some conditions respond better to in-person work.
Can adults benefit from speech therapy?
Absolutely. We work with many adults recovering from stroke, managing voice disorders, addressing fluency concerns, or improving professional communication skills. Speech therapy isn’t just for children. It’s valuable at any age when communication challenges arise.
What should I bring to the first appointment?
Please bring any previous evaluations, relevant medical records, and school reports if you have them. For young children, a favorite toy or comfort item can help them feel more at ease during the evaluation. Also bring a list of your specific concerns so we don’t forget to address something important.
How can I practice speech skills at home?
We’ll give you specific activities tailored to your goals and current skill level. Consistent home practice significantly speeds progress. We design activities to fit naturally into your daily routine rather than feeling like additional homework that nobody has time for.
Do you coordinate with schools for IEP support?
Yes, we can coordinate with school therapists when appropriate and provide documentation for IEP meetings upon request. Private therapy often complements school-based services by offering more intensive, specialized attention in ways that schools can’t always provide.
What ages do you work with?
We provide services for clients of all ages. Infants through seniors. Our therapeutic approaches are tailored to be developmentally appropriate and effective for each life stage.
How do I know if my child really needs therapy?
If you’re concerned about your child’s communication development, that concern is worth exploring. Signs of speech delays vary by age, but a screening or evaluation can determine whether therapy is warranted. It’s always better to evaluate concerns early rather than adopting a wait-and-see approach that might delay needed intervention.
What makes Dolce Therapies different from other practices?
You’re not one of many clients rotating through a large clinic with different therapists each week. Marie personally provides your therapy, bringing her extensive experience and commitment to each session. We focus on building meaningful relationships with clients and families, not just delivering treatment protocols and checking boxes.
About Dolce Therapies
Dolce Therapies was founded on the belief that everyone deserves to find their voice and communicate with confidence. Our founder, Marie A. Dolce, M.A., CCC-SLP, brings not only professional expertise but genuine passion to every client relationship. She didn’t go into this field for the money, that’s for sure. She went into it because helping people communicate matters.
Marie earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, the highest credential in the field. She maintains California state licensure and engages in ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest research, techniques, and best practices. The field evolves, and so does our knowledge.
What distinguishes our practice is our commitment to our core values: kindness, creativity, inclusivity, and innovation. We believe therapy should feel supportive and encouraging, never stressful or discouraging. Our sessions are thoughtfully designed around each individual’s interests, strengths, and learning style. That makes the therapeutic process more engaging and more effective.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Marie is amazing! She truly has a special gift to connect with children and you can tell this isn’t just a job to her, but a calling. She truly takes time to not only help the kiddos with their speech, but you can tell she really cares about them.” – Chevy H.
Whether you’re in Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, or anywhere across the Westside, we’re here to support your communication journey with expertise, empathy, and encouragement.
Important Local Resources for Brentwood
UCLA Health Speech Pathology and Audiology Clinic
Comprehensive evaluation and treatment services
(310) 825-5213
200 Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
Cedars-Sinai Rehabilitation Services
Hospital-based speech therapy and rehabilitation
(310) 423-5831
8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
California Early Start Program (Harbor Regional Center)
Early intervention services for children birth to 3
(310) 540-1711
harborrc.org
Los Angeles Unified School District Special Education
School-based speech and language services
(213) 241-6701
achieve.lausd.net
Westside Regional Center
Developmental disability services and resources
(310) 258-4000
westsiderc.org
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Speech-Language Pathology
Pediatric specialty services
(323) 361-2121
4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
UCLA Autism Evaluation Clinic
Comprehensive autism assessment and resources
(310) 825-0217
760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you’re ready to take the first step toward clearer communication and greater confidence, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you have concerns about your child’s speech development, you’re working through recovery after a medical event, or you’re facing any communication challenge, we’re here to help.
At Dolce Therapies, we combine expert knowledge with genuine compassion. Every person’s communication journey is unique, and we’re committed to supporting you with personalized care and evidence-based treatment that makes a real difference in your daily life.
Call us today for your free 15-minute phone consultation.
We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about the therapy process, our approach, or whether speech therapy might be right for you or your loved one. No question is too small or too basic.
Don’t wait to get the support you deserve. Communication is fundamental to learning, relationships, and quality of life. Let’s work together to help you find your voice.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Marie Dolce is incredibly helpful. She’s knowledgeable, patient, and truly cares about her clients. Her expertise in speech and language pathology made a huge difference for me, and I can’t recommend her highly enough.” – Heather Ireland
