TCB's FAQs

The Communication Bridge is a speech and language consultation/coaching service offered to:

• motivated individuals of any age and ability seeking strategies to help navigate the social world around them,

• parents/caregivers of children infancy-elementary age seeking strategies to support their child's functional or pragmatic communication skills in the home setting,

• community institutions seeking strategies to better support their neurodiverse employees, students or clientele.

The Communication Bridge is not your traditional speech and language therapy practice. In the traditional form, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) works directly with the child/adult with a language impairment to improve their deficits. While there is great value to this approach, it focuses more on the client needing to do most of the work to improve, meanwhile the environment may not be set up to accommodate their needs in the process. 

The philosophy at TCB is to collaborate, educate, and improve the environment in order to meet the individual(s) where they're at. Within the family and community coaching offered, I work with you, the support system, to make practical shifts to your language and the environment in order to help the neurodiverse or language impaired individuals in your life thrive in your care. The difference for those accessing the individual coaching through TCB, is that you are the one directing your support plan. Goals are not set from a deficit-base, but from your curiosity and interest in learning more about navigating the social world around you. 

The Communication Bridge accepts individuals and families whether there is a formal diagnosis or not. A label provides some valuable information about a person and opportunities for additional services, but is only a piece of one's overall profile. There are so many facets that make up who we are and what our strengths and needs might be. Because of this, TCB offers collaborative coaching to anyone who feels they would benefit from this type of support. While TCB does not offer evaluations or diagnose clients, I'm happy to help you navigate the process for receiving an evaluation elsewhere if that's something you feel would be beneficial to you. 

The Communication Bridge offers flexible service locations in-person within the MetroWest and virtually throughout Massachusetts to meet your needs.

• Individuals: a mutually agreed upon location within the community, such as a library, or online video conference. 

• Families: in your home (don't worry, you don't need to clean before, I'm a parent too!) or online video conference.

• Community Institutions: in your place of business or online video conference.

While sessions may vary in length depending on your individual needs, sessions generally run for 60 minutes each. 

Generally speaking, meaningful change takes perseverance and does not come in a quick fix. Because there is no cookie cutter approach with communication coaching, we will create a growth plan tailored to your specific intentions. For some clients this could mean achieving your desired growth in a couple of sessions, while other clients might benefit from more long-term coaching. Rest assured, we will work together to find a frequency and timeline that's just right for you.

Yes, taking time to observe the baseline, without judgment, is crucial to knowing where to begin in making positive growth! Observations come in many forms, and may include intake questionnaires and interviews, observing the natural environment of the home, school, work, or other setting, as well as real-time observations or video recordings of interactions to analyze.

Yes! Aside from that being the law for speech-language pathologists, confidentiality is a deeply rooted part of The Communication Bridge's practice. You as the client are choosing to be vulnerable in order to make growth in your own life and/or the lives of those you care about. This takes immense bravery and I honor that bravery by protecting your privacy within my practice. 

The Communication Bridge is a private pay only service and does not accept insurance or Medicaid/MassHealth. This allows the flexibility to create a support plan that's just right for you and your needs without needing to rely on pre-authorizations or other insurance restrictions. A superbill can be provided for those with a medical diagnosis, upon request, for you to submit for potential reimbursement through your insurance. 

• The Communication Bridge's pricing is as tailored and individualized as our work together. Please reach out to learn more and receive a personalized quote for the services you need.

• TCB strives to be accessible to all who need this support regardless of economic status. If you need financial assistance, please reach out to learn about eligibility for reduced rates.

•  Pricing is subject to change with advance notice to TCB clients.

Attendance and participation in services, along with practice of strategies outside of sessions, are essential for communication growth. While The Communication Bridge understands that illnesses and emergencies occur, I respectfully request that you avoid frequent cancellations, late arrivals or “no shows”.

• Aside from extenuating circumstances, The Communication Bridge requires 8 hours notice for a cancellation or your credit card on file will be charged for the entirety of the session. 

• Shifting to a virtual appointment is available with at least 3 hours notice for those who can no longer meet in person but would like to keep their scheduled appointment time. 

• Sessions are expected to run in full at mutually agreed upon times. Session rates and end times remain the same regardless of start time.

The Communication Bridge has answers! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have: 978-623-4022 or erica@tcbslp.com