Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Timothy.
Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was first introduced to the field of speech therapy when my nephew was diagnosed with epilepsy at a very young age. This diagnosis resulted in a delay in his speech and therefore a need for speech therapy. I attended one of his outpatient sessions and immediately fell in love with the occupation. I loved seeing the therapist connect with him and use play as the basis of the therapy. I always knew I wanted to work with children but now I knew exactly what that would look like for me. I went on to complete my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Utah. My first job as a Speech-language Pathologist (SLP) was for Alpine School District where I worked in multiple elementary schools with grades PreK-6th. After my first year of working I had my first daughter and decided to move to part-time work. This is when I found my niche in a specialty preschool classroom for children who have transitioned out of early intervention and still need extra support but who aren’t old enough to participate in a typical preschool classroom. I loved so much about this setting. I loved giving these kids a place when they typically would have fallen through the cracks. I built a great relationship with the preschool teacher and we worked seamlessly to support the families in our class. Parents were encouraged to attend the class with their child so it meant we could give education and training that could be used at home. And most of my work in this setting focused on early language which is my favorite area to provide therapy services in. A couple years later my second daughter was born, and I knew I needed more flexibility in my work. I loved my work as an SLP but I also wanted more time with my daughters during those precious first years of their lives. In March of 2025, I officially started my private practice Say It’s So Speech & Language Therapy. My practice provides in-home therapy to children and focuses on following the child’s lead and including the whole family in the approach. This year I started offering Happy Talk Song & Sign classes to the Salt Lake County area. They are baby/toddler and caregiver music and language classes focused on helping you support your little one’s language development. They include songs, signs, movement, sensory play and connection with other parents. These classes have combined all the things I loved about working in the specialty preschool and allow me to bring them to families in my community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I actually started getting things together to start my private practice before I had my second daughter. There was so much to do and I was working and doing my best to be a mom. This resulted in things literally taking years until I officially opened my practice. Once I did open, it took some time to find clients. I feel very fortunate to be part of a group of other private practice SLPs. It can be easy to see each other as competition but instead we meet regularly to support and learn from one another. We even send referrals within the group because we each have different niches and locations. Thanks to this group, I got my first couple of clients. Teaching Happy Talk has resulted in similar challenges of finding families to fill my classes. But I have some exciting collaborations this summer that will bring some more awareness in the community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is a speech therapy private practice providing in-home therapy to children. My services are child-led and play-based. I really enjoy including the family in my approach to therapy.
I also provide baby/toddler and caregiver music and language classes called Happy Talk. These are fun, educational classes for children ages 5 months – 3 years, they do not need to have a delay or disorder. The class teaches signs, songs and language tips that can be used in everyday routines. One of my favorite parts of the class is the community and connection it gives families.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is going back to the small town in Idaho where my parents grew up every 4th of July. We would pitch our tent in the mountains and camp for a few days. On the morning of the 4th we would get up early and head into town for the Chuck Wagon breakfast, they would serve you everything you could want – eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, sausage and chocolate milk. There were tables set up on the grass where the whole town sat and ate together. Then we would set up our chairs along the main street to wait for the parade. My siblings, cousins and I would bring a grocery sack to collect all the candy being thrown from the parade floats. And to end the day we would head to the beach to swim and play. Although we don’t celebrate the 4th of July this way every year anymore, it will always be my favorite way to spend the holiday.
Pricing:
- Happy Talk 8-week session: $215
- Happy Talk Pop-up Class: $25
- 15-minute Therapy Consultation: Free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saysospeech.com/happy-talk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happytalk.withsarah/
Image Credits
Honey Rogers Photography
