Los Angeles is home to nearly 5,000 speech-language pathologists, yet finding the right one for your family can still feel overwhelming. Maybe your pediatrician mentioned your toddler’s speech is delayed. Or perhaps you’re recovering from a stroke and struggling to find words that used to come easily.
At Dolce Therapies, we understand that communication challenges affect every aspect of daily life. Our founder, Marie A. Dolce, M.A., CCC-SLP, has built a practice centered on compassionate, evidence-based therapy for clients throughout Los Angeles and the Westside. We work with children, adults, and seniors who need support finding their voice and communicating with confidence.
Why Choose Dolce Therapies
Proven Expertise and Credentials
Marie holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which represents the highest professional credential available in our field. She’s treated everything from straightforward articulation issues to complex apraxia, bringing years of specialized experience to every session. You’re working with someone who has both the training and the practical experience to guide your progress effectively.
Individualized Treatment Approaches
We don’t hand out generic worksheets and call it therapy. At Dolce Therapies, we build treatment plans around your specific needs, learning style, and goals. Our methods are grounded in current research, but we deliver them in ways that feel engaging rather than clinical or boring. Early intervention produces the best outcomes, particularly for young children, and we design programs that families can actually maintain over time.
Compassionate Care Across the Lifespan
Whether you’re seeking help for an infant with feeding difficulties, a school-age child who stutters, or an adult working to regain communication skills after a medical event, we’re here for you. Our practice is built on four core values: kindness, creativity, inclusivity, and innovation. These aren’t just marketing terms. They guide how we interact with every client and family who comes through our door.
Modern Methods With Personal Connection
We integrate current technology and evidence-based techniques, but we never lose sight of the human element. Therapy works best when you feel supported and understood, not like you’re just another appointment slot in a busy clinic. We work to create that supportive environment from your very first contact with us.
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“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 Los Angeles
Los Angeles is incredibly diverse, with families speaking over 200 languages and representing countless cultural backgrounds. That diversity is one of the city’s greatest strengths. It also means speech and language challenges show up differently across communities, and effective therapy needs to respect cultural contexts and family values.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is the second-largest in the nation, serving over 600,000 students. While LAUSD provides speech services, school-based therapists often carry enormous caseloads. Private therapy offers something different: more intensive attention, flexible scheduling that doesn’t revolve around the school calendar, and specialized expertise for complex diagnoses that need focused intervention.
Where LA Families Find Support:
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – Leading pediatric facility with comprehensive speech services
- UCLA Medical Center – Major academic medical center with specialized programs
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – Hospital system with extensive rehabilitation services
- Los Angeles Unified School District – School-based speech and language programs
- California Early Start Program – State services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays
California’s Early Start Program provides critical early intervention services from birth to age three. If you’re worried about your baby’s development, don’t adopt a wait-and-see approach. Early support makes a real difference.
Speech Therapy Services We Provide
Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Your child substitutes sounds, leaves them out, or can’t be understood by teachers and classmates. Other kids might tease them about how they talk. We use evidence-based techniques to teach correct sound production, working systematically through the sounds they need to master. Clear speech is essential for social connections, academic success, and self-confidence.
Language Delays and Disorders
Language involves both understanding what others say and expressing your own thoughts clearly. We address vocabulary development, grammar skills, following directions, and formulating complete thoughts. These abilities form the foundation for reading success, academic achievement, and meaningful relationships throughout life.
Stuttering and Fluency Disorders
Stuttering affects more than just how smoothly someone speaks. It impacts confidence, willingness to participate in class or meetings, and how people see themselves. Our fluency therapy uses proven techniques to increase smooth speech while also addressing the emotional aspects that come with stuttering. We want you to communicate freely, not just follow a set of mechanical rules.
Voice Disorders
Maybe you’re a teacher whose voice gives out by afternoon. Or you’ve developed nodules from years of vocal strain. Voice problems can be painful and affect your ability to work and socialize comfortably. We provide vocal rehabilitation to restore healthy voice quality, teach proper vocal techniques, and help prevent future damage through education and consistent practice.
Swallowing and Feeding Difficulties
From premature infants with severe oral aversions to adults with dysphagia following strokes, we offer specialized feeding therapy. Our approach addresses both the physical mechanics of safe eating and drinking, as well as the emotional and behavioral aspects that often accompany feeding difficulties. These challenges can be incredibly stressful for families.
Social Communication Skills
Not everyone naturally picks up on social cues and conversational rules. Some people struggle with turn-taking, reading body language, or knowing what’s appropriate to say in different settings. We teach practical strategies that actually help in real-world situations at school, work, and social gatherings.
Common Conditions We Treat
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
This motor speech disorder makes it extremely difficult for children to coordinate the precise movements needed for speech. It’s not that they don’t understand language or know what they want to say. Their brain struggles to plan and execute the complex motor sequences required for clear speech. This condition demands intensive, specialized therapy using specific techniques. With consistent treatment and evidence-based approaches, children make meaningful progress developing clearer, more consistent speech.
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“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 significantly from speech therapy targeting expressive language, social communication, and pragmatic skills. We create structured yet flexible programs that address each person’s unique needs and learning style. Better communication skills open doors to stronger relationships, greater independence, and improved quality of life.
Post-Stroke Communication Recovery
Stroke can affect speech production, language processing, or cognitive-communication skills, sometimes all three simultaneously. Rehabilitation focuses on regaining abilities where possible and developing compensatory strategies where needed. We work to help adults return to meaningful activities, maintain important relationships, and preserve as much independence as possible during recovery.
Oral Motor and Feeding Issues in Premature Infants
Babies who spend weeks or months in the NICU often develop significant oral aversions. All those tubes and necessary medical interventions create negative associations with anything near or in the mouth. Our patient, empathetic approach helps these vulnerable infants overcome feeding challenges and develop positive associations with eating. We understand how frightening feeding difficulties can be for parents.
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“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, swallowing patterns, and dental development over time. Therapy retrains oral muscles for proper function. We often coordinate care with orthodontists and dentists to ensure comprehensive treatment that addresses all aspects of the condition rather than working in isolation.
Social Communication Difficulties
Understanding conversational rules, interpreting body language, recognizing when someone’s genuinely interested or just being polite. These are concrete skills that can be taught and practiced, even though they don’t come naturally to everyone. We provide practical strategies that translate into improved interactions at school, work, and in personal relationships.
What to Expect From Speech Therapy
We start with a comprehensive evaluation where you 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 needing work. This isn’t a checklist we rush through to satisfy documentation requirements. It’s a real conversation, and your input directly shapes everything that follows.
Based on the evaluation results, we create a customized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. Sessions typically happen once or twice weekly, though that varies based on individual needs and how quickly you’re progressing. Every session is designed to be both engaging and productive, which requires more thought and preparation than many people realize.
Family involvement accelerates progress significantly. We’ll provide home practice activities and strategies to use between sessions. Consistent practice in natural settings makes a massive difference in how quickly skills develop and generalize. You’ll receive regular progress updates, and we’ll adjust the plan as you achieve goals and new priorities emerge.
For more information about what speech-language pathologists do and our scope of practice, visit ASHA’s consumer information page.
California Licensing and Professional Standards
California requires all speech-language pathologists to hold state licensure through the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. 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 represents the gold standard in our profession, requiring a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, extensive supervised clinical experience across diverse settings and age groups, and passing a comprehensive national examination. These aren’t just bureaucratic hoops to jump through.
What does this mean for you as a client? You’re working with a professional who has demonstrated expertise through formal education, supervised practice, and proven competency in both theoretical knowledge and clinical skills. For complex diagnoses like childhood apraxia, post-stroke aphasia, or feeding disorders, that level of training and experience significantly impacts outcomes.
Steps to Get Started
Initial Contact:
- Call us for a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns and questions
- Gather any medical records, school reports, or previous evaluations you might have
- Schedule your comprehensive initial evaluation at a time that works for your schedule
Following Your Evaluation:
- We’ll sit down and review the assessment results together in detail
- Talk through your personalized treatment plan, specific goals, and realistic timeline
- Schedule regular therapy sessions that fit with your other commitments and obligations
- Learn about home practice activities that reinforce skills between sessions
The Speech Therapy Process
- Free Consultation
We begin with a phone conversation where we discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and help you understand whether therapy might be appropriate for your situation. No pressure or sales pitch. Just an honest discussion. - Comprehensive Evaluation
Thorough assessment using standardized testing and functional observation. This provides baseline data and helps us understand your unique needs, strengths, and challenges. - Treatment Planning
We create specific, measurable goals based on evaluation results and what matters most to you. Your input guides the direction because you understand the daily challenges you’re facing better than anyone. - Therapy Sessions
Evidence-based interventions delivered in ways that match your learning style and maintain motivation. Sessions typically occur one or two times weekly, tailored to maximize progress while fitting into your life. - Progress Reviews
Regular reassessment ensures we’re making meaningful progress toward goals that actually matter. We adjust strategies and set new objectives as you achieve success, keeping therapy dynamic and responsive to changing needs.
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“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 by 15 months, simple phrases by age 2)
- Difficult to understand compared to other children their age
- Stuttering that persists beyond age 3 or causes visible frustration or avoidance
- Limited vocabulary or persistent difficulty expressing thoughts and needs
- Trouble following directions or understanding age-appropriate language
- Struggling with social communication, making friends, or engaging in conversations
- Feeding difficulties, oral aversions, or extremely picky eating beyond typical toddler preferences
For Adults:
- Communication changes following stroke, brain injury, or neurological diagnosis
- Voice problems affecting your work performance, social life, or causing physical discomfort
- Chronic hoarseness, vocal strain, or progressive loss of vocal range
- Swallowing difficulties or increasing concerns about choking during meals
- Stuttering that impacts your professional advancement or social situations
- Interest in accent modification or enhancing professional communication skills
Why Early Intervention Makes a Difference
California’s Early Start program serves children from birth to age three who show developmental delays. Research consistently demonstrates that earlier intervention produces significantly better long-term outcomes. Young children’s brains are particularly responsive to therapeutic intervention during critical developmental periods, making this window of time incredibly valuable. Waiting to see if they’ll outgrow it often means missing that optimal 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?
Duration varies tremendously based on the specific condition, severity level, and how quickly you progress with treatment. Some clients reach their goals within a few months. Others need longer-term support spanning a year or more. We’ll provide realistic expectations during your initial evaluation based on current research and what we’ve observed clinically with similar cases.
What’s the difference between speech and language?
Speech refers to 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 support with both areas, not just one or the other.
Do you provide teletherapy sessions?
Yes, we offer both in-person and teletherapy options depending on your needs, preferences, and what will be most effective for your specific situation. Some clients appreciate the convenience of online sessions and the elimination of commute time. Research demonstrates that teletherapy can be highly effective for many types of speech and language treatment, though certain conditions respond better to in-person work.
Can adults benefit from speech therapy?
Absolutely. We work with many adults recovering from strokes, managing voice disorders, addressing fluency concerns, or working to improve professional communication skills. Speech therapy isn’t exclusively for children. It’s valuable at any age when communication challenges arise and impact quality of life.
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, bringing a favorite toy or comfort item can help them feel more at ease during the evaluation process. Also bring a written list of your specific concerns so we don’t forget to address something important during the appointment.
How can I practice speech skills at home?
We’ll provide specific activities tailored to your individual goals and current skill level. Consistent home practice significantly speeds progress and helps skills generalize to real-world situations. We design activities to fit naturally into your daily routine rather than feeling like burdensome 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 with large caseloads simply can’t provide consistently.
What ages do you work with?
We provide services for clients of all ages, from infants through seniors. Our therapeutic approaches are tailored to be developmentally appropriate and effective for each life stage, with different techniques and materials suited to different age groups.
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 rather than dismissing. 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 during critical developmental windows.
What makes Dolce Therapies different from larger clinics?
You’re not one of many clients rotating through a large clinic with different therapists each week or being passed between graduate students. Marie personally provides your therapy, bringing her extensive experience and genuine commitment to each session. We focus on building meaningful relationships with clients and families, not just delivering standardized treatment protocols and checking documentation 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 chose this field because helping people communicate effectively truly matters, and that commitment shows in how she approaches every session.
Marie earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, the highest credential available 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 continuously, and so does our knowledge and approach.
What distinguishes our practice is our unwavering commitment to core values: kindness, creativity, inclusivity, and innovation. We believe therapy should feel supportive and encouraging, never stressful, punitive, or discouraging. Our sessions are thoughtfully designed around each individual’s interests, strengths, and learning style, making the therapeutic process more engaging and ultimately more effective.
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“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, Culver City, or anywhere across the greater Los Angeles area, we’re here to support your communication journey with expertise, empathy, and genuine encouragement every step of the way.
Important Local Resources for Los Angeles
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Speech-Language Pathology
Comprehensive pediatric speech services
4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
UCLA Health Speech Pathology and Audiology Clinic
Evaluation and treatment for all ages
200 Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Cedars-Sinai Rehabilitation Services
Hospital-based therapy and rehabilitation
8700 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Los Angeles Unified School District Special Education
School-based speech and language programs
333 S. Beaudry Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Harbor Regional Center
California Early Start Program services
21231 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Westside Regional Center
Developmental disability services and resources
5901 Green Valley Circle, Culver City, CA 90230
LA County Department of Public Health – Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Programs
Community health resources and referrals
600 S. Commonwealth Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
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 that’s affecting your quality of life, we’re here to help.
At Dolce Therapies, we combine expert knowledge with genuine compassion and personalized attention. Every person’s communication journey is unique, and we’re committed to supporting you with individualized care and evidence-based treatment that makes a real, measurable difference in your daily life.
Contact us today for your free 15-minute phone consultation.
We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs and are 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, too basic, or too complicated.
Don’t wait to get the support you deserve. Communication is fundamental to learning, building relationships, and maintaining quality of life at every age. Let’s work together to help you find your voice and communicate with confidence.
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“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
