Today we’d like to introduce you to Darla Greene.
Darla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story began in 2004 in Arkansas when I graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with my Masters of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I knew then that I wanted to work in an area that I would have the best opportunity to grow and expand my knowledge in the field. There were 3 objectives that I held dear: working with multicultural populations, earning enough to pay off student loans, and helping people communicate. What better place to go than Dallas, Texas, the metropolis of the south? Off I went down I-30 west, young and ambitious, ready to teach the mechanics of good communication skills. Today I laugh to myself reflecting back on how green I was. I think back to the times in the full length mirror preparing for work that I started off the day by speaking positive affirmations. True, I was credentialed to do my job but at the age of 24, I was often the youngest professional at the conference table presenting diagnostic information. My passion to see children with disordered speech and language have success in academics and in building relationships propelled me forward past my feelings of inadequacy.
Fifteen years later my motivation remains the same. I thrive on sitting across the table from a kiddo (child) and shaping a /r/ that transforms “wabbit” to rabbit! It’s quite joyful to build vocabulary all while playing with construction trucks under a table. It means a great deal to become a trusted friend of a child who struggles with speech and a parent who awaits one day to hear that child say “I love you”. There is great fulfillment in what I do. I teach individuals that understanding and being understood is something they should strive for every day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One struggle I encountered often was one that originated inwardly. I often wondered if I was ‘good enough’ or ‘qualified enough’ to do the work. It was self-doubt. Self-doubt would cause me to hear one criticism echoed over 10 praises. However, the same self-doubt would lend itself to my creativity with therapy strategies. While in bed waiting to fall asleep, I’d lie analyzing all the events of the day and ask myself, “Was I effective today?” “Did I achieve the level of growth in my clients that I expected?” If I did not see the results I expected, I explored root causes.
My second challenge came into play when I realized “textbook therapy” lacked innovation and passion. If it was lackluster for me then surely it was lackluster for a kid. Where’s the fun in that? My theory behind my therapy was to give the child language learning wrapped in play. I learned at an early age what I engaged in absolutely had to involve me being my authentic self or I would not find peace. I needed the ability to adapt and invent if necessary.
My third challenge subsequently was coming out of a “cookie cutter” work setting and becoming the independent clinician that I longed to be.
Please tell us about CoHearts Speech Therapy & Communication Services.
The name of my company is CoHearts Speech Therapy & Communication Services, PLLC. Its name is derived from the word “cohorts”; a group of people banded together and treated as a group. Ultimately CoHearts’ mission is to band people together through breaking down communication barriers that often frustrate relationships. This could be relationships between a child and parents, caregivers and students, parents and caregivers or individuals who serve the community at large such as law enforcement and marginalized communities like those considered in the disability community. People with intellectual disabilities (I/DD), Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, autism (ASD) and ADHD all belong within this community. While CoHearts is about traditional speech therapy service delivery, it also encompasses assistance to parents navigating the special education process within the schools, parent coaching, caregiver and law enforcement coaching, early educator training and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) groups that provide strategies to children in need of better coping mechanisms to deal with their emotions and the language to talk about them.
CoHearts is set apart in many ways. One of which is the way partnering with educators, community organizations and healthcare professionals is prioritized to provide a seamless approach to care for individuals with special needs starting at birth. CoHearts is not a brick and mortar building but exits in areas centralized in the communities that everyone might have access. We host Community Talks in public libraries and provide coaching to caregivers during Power Hour sessions. Social Skills groups are provided for those within the Disability Community that need more exposure to norms and nuances of building relationships and engaging with others within the community. Lastly, we are actively holding meetings with police departments across the metroplex to learn about their existing mental health and disability training. We want to provide cross-training to both the disability community and law enforcement through a program titled Project Breaking Down Communication Barriers. Project BDCB was birthed from studies such as the Ruderman Family Foundation White Papers & Research of March 2016 that reported people with disabilities are half to one third of people killed by law enforcement officers. I’m most proud of CoHearts’ ability to access the community in a practical way and provide services tailored to each client’s needs that improves their overall independence and quality of life.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over I would start earlier, surprisingly. I think confidence comes with experience so there’s no way to speedily gain confidence, but I would tell myself to not allow others to diminish zeal. Not everyone can conceptualize your vision and that’s okay. It takes audacity to take the road less traveled.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CoHeartsServices.com
- Phone: 5012563222
- Email: darlabdcb@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Darlabdcb/
- Instagram: @darlabdcb
- Twitter: CoHearts Services
Image Credit:
Destined For Greatness Chrisitan Academy https://www.
Grand Prairie Libraries www.gptx.org
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