Meet Kaitlyn Shrum | MA, CCC-SLP

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlyn Shrum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlyn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Southern Speech & Myo was started after taking my first orofacial myology course in 2016 and gaining some experience while still practicing more traditional speech and language therapy. That course was truly eye opening in terms of the structures and functions of the face and mouth that aren’t really discussed or taught about in graduate school. Orofacial myology or myofunctional therapy drives us to look at the whole client, instead of just parts. I saw what a systemic difference this therapy modality could make and the business was born out of wanting better therapy outcomes. The field is small and growing, but was significantly smaller several years ago. Shifting my focus to myofunctional therapy and starting the business took time, but was necessary to help my clients more effectively.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Southern Speech & Myo is a boutique clinic that focuses on a holistic approach to treating pediatrics and adults with myofunctional, speech and feeding disorders. We focus on treatment of pediatric feeding disorders, articulation disorders, and myofunctional disorders, including: tongue tie, tongue thrust, sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, mouth breathing, and orthodontic relapse. By having a specialized focus, we’ve been able to build an exceptional network of providers that are truly devoted to improving our clients’ overall health.

The business took time to grow to where it is today and I hope that we continue to grow as more people understand how beneficial this therapy can be. Starting the practice seemed like a necessity since no one in the Jacksonville area had the same therapy focus. I have an interesting skill set for a SLP, as my undergraduate degree is in finance. The skills I learned in business school were great to have while starting the practice.

What I’ve learned over the past few years is how important it is to give yourself time. Not just time for the business to grow, but time to decompress. I’m absolutely married to my practice and to the success of my clients. It has been a learning process to take time to rest and give myself time to relax. The first few years were so fast paced that I don’t think I ever came up for air. Luckily, I’m starting to take time for myself, which ultimately benefits the practice and my clients.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We live out by the beach so most of the time we go out to restaurants close by. Jacksonville is really big and there are a lot of really great spots by the beach and closer to the city. If we are feeling adventurous we usually head to riverside or five points.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A big thank you to Sandra Holtzman for teaching my introductory course. She’s one of the OG therapists in our field and is so willing to help others on their journey.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, I would never have gotten to where I am without the support of my husband. He has been my sounding board, handyman, spread sheet maker, and total support system. He never once doubted me starting the business and supported us financially as I took that leap.

Website: www.southernspeechandmyo.com

Instagram: Southern Speech & Myo

Image Credits
Jamie Borland Photography