About Me

Anna Ray

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I'm a Houston speech therapist (MA, CCC-SLP) with past lives in the Middle East, California and Utah. I graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in Middle Eastern Studies: Arabic. Before moving to Houston, I managed international exchange programs at the American University of Sharjah (which is also where I started college before transferring to the U). I moved to Houston in 2013 and hopped around jobs in marketing, public health and education before meeting a professor who steered me into Speech Language Pathology, where I got my MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Houston. 

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During my time at UH, I worked in a number of settings. I spent a week in Belize with Therapy Abroad. I spent 6 months as a Beck Fellow, working with stroke survivors at Third Ward Multi-Service Center. And did semester rotations at TIRR Memorial Hermann and House of Tiny Treasures. I have been a pediatric home health speech therapist since 2020.

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Outside of work, my main hobby is spending time with my 2-yr old daughter, but I also love a good TV show, podcast or puzzle.

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My Philosophy

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My pronouns are she/her. 

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I take a neurodiversity-affirming approach. That means I work to support your child's communication with you (and vise versa) through supporting their strengths and not forcing them to do things or communicate in ways that are "appropriate" if those ways are also harmful to them. For example, eye contact isn't necessary for effective communication. I don't mind if your child likes to move a lot or flap their hands. If your child struggles to speak or chooses not to, I'll work with you to implement systems that don't rely on them speaking. All of this can be very difficult for parents as well and so I work with you to connect with your kid/s and be a lifelong advocate for them. 

I work in a number of areas but I specialize in age 0-4 and their families because this is where we can see the most profound improvements in communication, and it sets a lifelong foundation for both kids and their families.  

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I don't think there's been a more overwhelming time in history to be a parent. We don't have enough time or energy, not enough resources or support. And when our kids can't tell us what they need, when we can't understand what they're telling us, it feels like we're failing. 

But we're not!

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I always tell my parents that the magic isn't in the 30-60 minutes of speech therapy each week but in all the interactions--big and small--throughout the week. Diaper changes, getting in the car seat, bath time, meals, getting dressed, driving to and from daycare or school pickup. And yes, you overtaxed parents: screen time, too, is an opportunity for connection and communication.

7% of the population has communication disorders. Sometimes they're from a syndrome or genetic disease. Sometimes it has to do with pregnancy or birth. If you or someone in your family had speech therapy (or didn't but could have benefitted from it), it's more likely one or more of your kids will. And sometimes, it just happens. It's nothing you caused. But it is absolutely something you can help.

And it is my favorite thing to help you. I work with young kids (even newborns!) because the work we do now sets the foundation for the rest of your lives. Your wellbeing and your child's wellbeing are wrapped up in the way you communicate with one another. And as you prepare to send them off to school, I prepare them to communicate without you. 

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