Speech Therapy in London

Over 2.5 million people in the UK have difficulty speaking and communicating. From stammers to stutters, difficulty eating to problems swallowing, these problems can have a serious effect on sufferers enjoyment of life and overall wellbeing. 

A speech therapist is a medically-trained therapist who assesses, diagnoses and treats communication difficulties, using a variety of techniques and tools.

Browse our range of speech therapists near you and find out how they can help you to overcome your speech and language issues.

Not the holistic therapist you're looking for? Back to Holistic Therapies.

What Are the Benefits of Speech Therapy?

We often underestimate the importance of communicating. But communication plays a key role in educational, intellectual and social development — not to mention the role it plays in forging new relationships. Those who struggle with communication and speech can find it a truly limiting and frustrating experience. 

A speech therapist can help to ease the effects of communicational problems, such as: 

• Difficulty speaking 
• Difficulty understanding language 
• Issues swallowing and eating 
• Stammers and stutters 
• Vocal problems 

What to Expect from Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is a highly personalised holistic treatment. Your session could take place in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis. It could also occur in a hospital or from the comfort of your own home. Each speech therapist will have a particular specialism. So it’s worth taking your time to browse all of our speech therapists and discussing your specific needs with them before you book an appointment. 

Although no two speech therapy sessions are the same, most speech therapies will follow the same structure: assessment, diagnosis and treatment. In this section, we’ll break down what to expect from each stage of your sessions. 

The Assessment

Your treatment will begin with an initial consultation — whether you’re attending speech therapy to address a communication or swallowing problem. During this time, your therapist will undertake a thorough physical examination to identify the nature of your problem and to decide upon your personalised treatment plan. Your therapist will also use the time to get to know you, your medical history and your current circumstances a little better. After all, the fuller the picture they have of you, the more detailed and effective your treatment plan. 

If you’re taking your child to a speech therapist, your therapist will use toys and games to examine their communication abilities. 

The Diagnosis

After the initial assessment, your therapist will make their diagnosis. At this stage, they will discuss their findings with you and explain their strategies for curing your problem. If your issue is cognitive, they may use a series of techniques to identify the root causes. If you have problems swallowing or eating, they may arrange for an x-ray to get a more detailed insight into the matter. 

It isn’t uncommon at this stage for a speech therapist to refer you to another medical practitioner. For example, if you present vocal problems such as hoarseness, they may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist to ensure there are no underlying issues that require treatment.

The Treatment

The exact treatment you will receive will depend on the nature of your problem. Generally, it will involve a series of exercises to help you to understand the mechanics of speaking and communicating. 

Your therapist will guide you through new techniques and tools for mastering speech. The number and length of your sessions will depend on your needs, but in general, treatment will run over several months. 

Discover how a speech therapist can help you to communicate better today.