Jessica Burchiel,
M.A., CCC-SLP she/her
Welcome to the labs!
Liberation Language Labs is a private speech therapy practice based in Whatcom County, Washington, offering in-person services within the county and telehealth services across the state. Therapy centers the lived experiences, needs, and context of children, adults, and families who find themselves needing specialized speech therapy support.
Jessica, aka Ms. Jess, has been a practicing SLP since 2017, and has worked with people throughout the lifespan, in hospitals, daycare centers, nursing homes, and in pediatric/adult outpatient. She specializes in articulation/phonology disorders, executive function disorders, and teaching self-advocacy skills for children and adults. She views all communication as an ongoing experiment, and deeply enjoys supporting clients as they discover who they are, and become who they want to be. Her therapy services are a dynamic blend of structured intervention and child-led play, with a heavy emphasis on family education and involvement, and are grounded in the 10 principles of Disability Justice.
A settler on unceded Lummi, Nooksack, and Semiahmoo lands (Bellingham) since 2002, she lives with her partner and two cats. When not at work, she reads, gardens, mountainbikes, and skis, as well as contributing to local and statewide campaigns for justice in Palestine and prison abolition. Learn about the history of Bellingham here.
What is speech therapy?
Assessments
Therapy services begin with a detailed evaluation, formally and informally assessing areas of concern and areas of strength. Assessments are collaborative and holistic, centered on the client's wants, needs, and frustrations. Evaluations also serve to determine if there is a good client-therapist relational fit. A referral to another specialist, such as an audiologist, occupational therapist, mental health counselor, or ENT, may be recommended prior to initiating a therapy program.
Goal Setting
Therapy goals are designed to be SMART: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. Therapy goals are determined collaboratively, and chosen so that they have the greatest positive impact on communication, growth, and personal agency.
Therapy programming
Full understanding of the therapy plan and goals is fundamental to client motivation and consent. Clients should understand what is being targeted, why goals were chosen, and the overall prognosis for improvement. Therapy sessions are 40 minutes long, scheduled once weekly or up to three times per week, depending on scheduling availability.
Home Practice
So as to move through therapy process as efficiently as possible, daily home practice is an expected component of every therapy plan. Home practice is designed to be easy, fast, and to maintain the progress made in individual therapy sessions over the course of the week.
Services
Therapy uses a combination of structured and child-led treatment approaches, working in the comfort of your home, via telehealth, or in your child's daycares, preschools, and private programs, when appropriate.
Therapy services include:
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Standardized Evaluations
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Programming
- Speech/Language/Fluency Screenings
- School-Based Speech and Language Services
- Social/emotional communication coaching
Diagnosis and treatment provided for:
- Expressive and/or receptive language delay/disorders
- Articulation and/or phonological delay/disorders
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Executive function disorders
- Cognitive-communication disorders
- Voice disorders
- Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (PVFM)
Insurance and Service Pricing
Jessica Burchiel is a licensed out-of-network provider with all insurance plans. Liberation Language Labs is in the process of credentialing with major insurance providers, however at this time does not take insurance.
Families are encouraged to request a superbill, which they can submit to insurance for reimbursement.
Many families are able to be reimbursed partially or fully for services, though this will depend on their specific insurance plan.
Payment is due at the time of service and can be made via credit card, cash, or check.
Contact Info
Phone
- (564) 243-3504
Fax
- (360) 854-4339
- info@liberationlanguagelabs.org
Address
- In person in western Whatcom County, telehealth across WA