Christy is a speech-language pathologist providing in-home and school-based services to children in San Francisco.
Welcome
While working with new clients, I often remind parents that kids are complicated, and they don’t come with instruction manuals. It’s unreasonable that parents are expected to learn milestones, pediatric care, and child development on their own. The number of books, blogs, and advice thrown at parents adds up to more than a college degree’s worth of reading. And if a child starts to fall behind, the pressure only grows.
In my career, I’ve worked with families from many different cultures and backgrounds, and I’ve seen parents experience a wide range of emotions when their child misses a milestone: worry, guilt, frustration, sadness, even defeat. I empathize with these parents, and I have seen the relief that finding the right support can bring.
At Outreach Speech Therapy, I don’t sugar-coat the truth or promise unrealistic results. I can’t guarantee overnight success, but I am committed to providing strategies, coaching, knowledge, and reassurance when the weight of the situation becomes too much. Using play-based therapy, parent coaching, and honest feedback, I’ve seen children gain not only stronger communication skills but also confidence while their families gain peace of mind.
If you’re worried about your child’s speech or language, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Together, we’ll create an effective treatment plan that works for both you and your child. Click here to book a free introductory call.
Testimonials
“Christy has quickly become one of the most important people in our 3 year old's life. Every morning when he wakes up he asks if today is the day he will be visiting Christy to practice his speaking. He has gone from saying only enough words to count on 1 hand, to speaking full, complex, and hilarious sentences within just 6 months. We could not be more grateful for Christy's focus, creativity and consistent dedication she has brought to our son's improvement.”
Services
Screenings
Not sure if your child needs speech services? A screening is a quick and easy way to detect a possible delay or disorder. It doesn’t give a definite diagnosis, but it helps to determine if more testing is needed. Screenings typically take 10-20 minutes, yield a result of either “pass” or “fail,” and indicate when a full assessment may be necessary.
Assessments
An assessment is used to determine the presence of a speech or language delay or disorder. Typically, standardized tests, speech samples, child observations, and/or parent interviews are used in speech and language assessments. These take about one to two hours and result in a formal diagnosis, recommendations, and treatment goals. An assessment is recommended if your child has failed a screening, is not meeting developmental milestones, or if a parent, teacher, or doctor has suggested an evaluation.
Treatment
Once a child has undergone an assessment and received a formal diagnosis, then treatment is designed to address their specific speech or language challenges. Sessions are tailored to the child's age, interests, personality, attention span, and speech and language goals. For younger children, therapy is play-based and incorporates toys, games, books, imaginative play, songs, and movement. For older children, therapy may involve more structured tasks, like storytelling, reading, or conversational practice. Regardless of the child's age, therapy sessions will always include positive reinforcement such as praise, rewards, stickers, favorite toys and games to ensure that every child remains engaged and excited throughout their speech therapy journey!
About
Hello, I’m Christy Hack, M.S., CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Outreach Speech Therapy. Ever since my brother was diagnosed with a speech sound disorder as a child, I have loved speech therapy. I fondly remember going to my brother's speech therapist, Ms. Rebecca. She allowed me to participate in sessions, play games, and practice speech with my brother. Gradually I watched as my brother's intelligibility and confidence improved and as my parents' relief grew. My brother is now an adult man with a great job, perfect articulation, and excellent communication skills. In fact, Rebecca might have done too well as it's hard to get him to stop talking... It's been decades since my brother received speech therapy, but my family still remembers Rebecca and the incredible impact she had on all of our lives. Now, as the owner of my own practice, it's my goal to help children with speech and language impairments find their voices and to support their families the way that Rebecca supported mine.
Certifications and Special Training
I love working with all children, but I especially enjoy working on speech sound disorders, Natural Language Acquisition and Gestalt Language Processing, school-age language disorders, and early language intervention for children ages 0-3. I have special training or certifications in the following areas:
PROMPTs for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT)
Lidcombe Program for Stuttering
Hanen - More Than Words
Meaningful Speech - NLA/GLP Trained Clinician
If you’d like to learn more about me, my services, and whether or not I am the right fit for you and your child, then please schedule a call with me. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pediatric speech therapy?
What are the signs that my child needs speech therapy?
What types of speech and language disorders do you treat?
How often will my child attend speech therapy?
How long will my child need speech therapy?
Will I be involved in the therapy sessions?
How can I support my child’s speech therapy progress at home?
Where do you provide services?
Do you take insurance?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Contact
If you’d like to learn more about me, my services, or whether I am the right fit for you and your child, then please email me or book a call. I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Christy Hack
Speech-Language Pathologist, M.S., CCC-SLP
christy@outreachspeech.com
415-255-5541
