Compassionate, individualized speech therapy for children and adults
Communication is not a privilege — it is a fundamental human right. Whether you're a child finding your first words, an adult navigating life after a stroke, or someone struggling with a voice disorder, you deserve the support, tools, and space to express yourself fully.
I'm Amanda Bernhard, a licensed speech-language pathologist from Western Massachusetts. My mission is to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds to communicate with clarity, confidence, and connection — because your voice matters, and the world is better when it can hear you.
My practice is built on personalized, compassionate care, with dedicated one-on-one therapy tailored to who you are and what you need. From articulation and language development to aphasia, cognition, and voice disorders, I'm here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Therapy that fits into your real life — personalized, collaborative, and built around you.
Your communication journey is unique, and your care should reflect that. We'll explore your strengths, your challenges, and your vision for recovery — then build a plan together that focuses on you, your goals, and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I provide telepractice appointments for both children (ages 5+) and adults, spanning the stages of development and improving communication skills across a wide spectrum of needs. You can find out more about the services provided on the Services and Pricing page.
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1) Fill out the Contact Form to set up a 15-minute consultation to determine you or your loved one’s communication needs, discuss background information, and find out how I can help you.
2) Typically, we will then schedule an in-depth evaluation to identify your areas of strength and areas of need, which provides a basis for your speech therapy. I will put together a comprehensive report on my findings and share it with you, and we will create individualized goals for your treatment together to make your plan functional and meaningful to you.
We determine a schedule that works for you and get to work! Sessions can run for 30, 45, or 60 minutes and clients are typically seen 1-2x/week (except for the intensive LSVT LOUD program, see “Services” for more details).
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One of the best things about telepractice is how simple it is to get going. You don't need to be tech-savvy or have a fancy setup — just a few basics and you're ready. Here's what to have in place before your first session.
Technology: A device with a camera and microphone. A laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone works well. A larger screen (laptop or tablet) is especially helpful for younger children, so they can clearly see materials shared during the session.
A reliable internet connection: A stable broadband or Wi-Fi connection is important for smooth, uninterrupted sessions. If possible, being close to your router — or using a wired connection — helps ensure the best audio and video quality.
Access to the session platform: Sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You'll receive a link before your appointment — no downloads or accounts are typically required, just click and connect.
A quiet, distraction-free space: Background noise can make it harder to hear clearly and focus during sessions. A calm, relatively quiet area of your home — with the TV off and siblings or pets settled — goes a long way.
Good lighting: Being able to see each other clearly matters — especially in speech therapy, where watching mouth movements can be part of the work. Try to sit facing a window or a lamp so your face is well lit.
A caregiver present (for children): For pediatric clients, a parent or caregiver should be nearby during sessions — both to support the child and to learn strategies they can carry into daily life at home.
Not sure if your setup will work? Reach out before your first appointment and we can do a quick tech check together — no one should miss out on therapy because of a technical concern.
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Yeah, let’s talk about the money stuff… I endeavour to be transparent about my therapy costs. As a small private practice, I am not currently paneled with any insurance providers and operate on a private-pay basis only. This means that payment is due at the time of each session, and I do not bill insurance companies directly.
What I can tell you is that not only do I try to keep my rates as affordable as possible, but you should know that working outside of insurance allows me to focus entirely on your care: setting session lengths that actually meet your needs, pursuing the approaches that work best for you, and giving you my full, undivided attention without the constraints that insurance billing often places on clinical decisions.
However, you may still be able to use your insurance benefits: If you have a PPO or out-of-network benefits through your insurance plan, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement for speech therapy services — even when seeing an out-of-network provider like me. I provide a superbill upon request, which you can submit directly to your insurance company to seek reimbursement on your own.
What is a superbill?
A superbill is a detailed receipt for the services you've received. It includes everything your insurance company needs to process a reimbursement claim — including the date of service, diagnosis codes, procedure codes, and provider information. Think of it as the paperwork bridge between a private-pay provider like me and your insurance plan. While I cannot guarantee what, if anything, your plan will reimburse, many clients are pleasantly surprised by what their out-of-network benefits cover.
I encourage you to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask about your out-of-network speech therapy benefits before your first session. I'm happy to help you understand what information to ask for. Finances should never stand in the way of getting the support you need — if you have questions or concerns about cost, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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Alas, not at this time. As a small private practice, I am not currently paneled with any insurance providers and operate on a private-pay basis only, but I am hoping to offer services through Medicare very soon (stay tuned!). This means that payment is due at the time of each session, and I do not bill insurance companies directly.
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Treatment sessions can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes in duration, depending on the client’s physical, developmental, cognitive, or scheduling needs.
LSVT sessions are all 60 minutes in duration, as are the Loud for Life group sessions.
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Absolutely! It is an unfortunate fact that many children who would benefit from speech therapy may not qualify for it at school, simply because their level of need is not “severe enough” to affect their academic performance. In a private practice like Art of Expression, I can treat clients with a more diverse range of needs and severity levels, no matter how they might qualify within a school.
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You can reach me anytime via the contact form on this site or my email. I will typically respond within one business day.