Meet Rebeca Alvarez | Speech-Language Pathologist

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

Hi Rebeca, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of opening my own pediatric speech-language therapy practice. My passion for working with children started at a young age—I would pretend to be a teacher with my dolls, eagerly visit my aunt’s daycare to observe and assist, and naturally gravitate toward nurturing and supporting little ones.

After earning my master’s degree, I gained valuable experience working at various speech-language therapy clinics, supporting both neurodivergent and neurotypical children. However, as an employee, I often felt limited in the level of individualized support I could provide to the children and their families. I wanted to create a space where quality took precedence over quantity—where each child and family felt truly heard, valued, and supported.

In August 2023, I took a leap of faith and founded Chatter Up Therapy. Owning my own practice has given me the opportunity to provide personalized, high-quality care while fostering meaningful connections with families. Beyond supporting each child’s communication development, I am deeply committed to empowering parents and caregivers with the tools and guidance they need to continue fostering progress at home. Building Chatter Up Therapy has been one of the most fulfilling journeys of my life, and I am incredibly grateful to be making a difference in the lives of the children and families I support.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the proud founder of Chatter Up Therapy, a pediatric speech-language therapy practice dedicated to providing high-quality, individualized communication support for children. What sets us apart is our family-centered approach—we don’t just support children during therapy sessions; we also empower parents and caregivers with tools and strategies to continue progress at home. Every child’s journey is unique, and our focus is on connection, confidence, and communication.

I am incredibly proud of the impact Chatter Up Therapy has had on the children and families we support. Seeing a child find their voice—whether through verbal speech, AAC, or other communication methods—is the most rewarding part of what I do. I’m also proud of the strong relationships we build with families, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and valued every step of the way.

Getting to where I am today in business has been both rewarding and challenging. When I first started Chatter Up Therapy, I had to navigate the complexities of running a business while ensuring I provided the highest level of care to my clients. Balancing clinical work, administrative tasks, and business operations was overwhelming at times.

One of the biggest challenges was establishing a client base and growing the practice from the ground up. I overcame this by building strong relationships with families, networking with professionals in the community, and focusing on quality over quantity. Word-of-mouth referrals became a significant driver of growth, and I made it a priority to create a practice where families felt genuinely supported.

Some of the lessons I have learned along the way are that quality matters more than quantity. I chose to focus on providing meaningful, effective therapy rather than rushing to fill my schedule. Building relationships is key. The trust and connections I’ve formed with families and other professionals have been the foundation of my success. Challenges are opportunities for growth. Every obstacle has taught me something valuable about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to my mission.

Chatter Up Therapy is more than just a speech therapy practice—it’s a community where children feel empowered, parents feel supported, and communication is celebrated in all forms. My goal is to create a space where every child feels confident in their ability to express themselves, no matter their communication style.

I am deeply passionate about neurodiversity-affirming therapy, making sure every child feels understood and valued. My journey in starting Chatter Up Therapy has been filled with hard work, challenges, and incredible rewards, and I am excited to continue growing and making a difference in the lives of the families I support.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Welcome to Miami – Beach & Sunset Vibes

Morning: Start the trip with a classic breakfast at Greenstreet Café in Coconut Grove—think fluffy pancakes, eggs benedict, and their famous Nutella lattes.

Afternoon: Head straight to Key Biscayne to soak up the sun, take a dip in the ocean, and walk along Crandon Park.

Evening: Enjoy sunset drinks at Monty’s in Coconut Grove, a laid-back waterfront spot with fresh seafood and live music.

Day 2: Exploring Wynwood & Little Havana

Morning: Coffee at Panther Coffee in Wynwood, then a stroll through Wynwood Walls to admire the street art.

Afternoon: Head to Little Havana for an authentic Cuban experience—lunch at Versailles, walk down Calle Ocho, and watch the locals play dominoes at Domino Park.

Evening: End the night with salsa dancing at Ball & Chain, a historic and lively Cuban music venue.

Day 3: A Day in the Florida Keys

Morning: Take a scenic drive down to Key Largo and start the day with breakfast at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen.

Afternoon: Snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat tour at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Evening: Sunset dinner at Marker 88, a waterfront restaurant with the best seafood and tropical cocktails.

Day 4: Adventure & Thrills

Morning: Visit the Everglades National Park for an airboat tour—spot alligators and experience Florida’s wild side.

Afternoon: Grab lunch at Kush by Spillover, known for its amazing burgers and craft beer.

Evening: Catch a Miami Heat game at the Kaseya Center if it’s basketball season!

Day 5: Shopping & Luxury in Brickell

Morning: Brunch at B Bistro + Bakery—their croissants and chorizo scramble are a must-try.

Afternoon: Spend the day shopping at Brickell City Centre, then grab a drink at Sugar, a rooftop bar with stunning city views.

Evening: Dinner at Komodo, a trendy Asian fusion restaurant known for its Peking duck and lively atmosphere.

Day 6: Coconut Grove & Sunset Cruise

Morning: Take a relaxing morning walk through Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Afternoon: Have lunch at Jaguar Sun, then rent paddleboards at Matheson Hammock Park.

Evening: Book a sunset boat cruise along Biscayne Bay for breathtaking views of the skyline.

Day 7: Relax & Unwind Before Departure

Morning: Start the last day with a relaxing spa treatment at The Standard Miami Beach.

Afternoon: A final lunch at Joe’s Stone Crab—because no Miami trip is complete without it!

Evening: One last walk along the beach before heading to the airport.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As part of the Shoutout series, I would like to recognize Monica Ventura, an incredible pediatric speech-language pathologist in Miami. During my senior year of high school, Monica gave me the opportunity to observe her providing speech therapy to her clients on a weekly basis. From the very first day, she treated me with the utmost respect and truly included me in her sessions—whether it was inviting me to participate in a turn-taking game or thoughtfully explaining the techniques she used to help children regulate their bodies and develop their communication skills.

That experience solidified my passion for speech-language pathology. I knew from that moment that I wanted to pursue this career and support children in the same meaningful way she did. Later, when I obtained my speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) license, I had the privilege of having Monica as my supervisor. Once again, she provided unwavering support and truly believed in me as a clinician.

To this day, many of the strategies and techniques I use in my own speech therapy sessions are ones that Monica taught me. Her mentorship has had a lasting impact on my professional journey, and I am deeply grateful for her guidance, kindness, and encouragement.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatteruptherapy?igsh=cjFmN3Fib291YWN4&utm_source=qr