Whitney Docken and Kari Holden are passionate about communication.
That’s why the two women with master’s degrees in Communication Disorders decided to open Evergreen Therapy Solutions. Their Northfield-based speech and language therapy business offers children and adults personalized and comprehensive speech therapy services.
The partners, both Northfield natives, opened Evergreen Therapy Solutions last summer. In their downtown facility, currently at 305 Division St., they offer both structured and played-based approaches for the pediatric population.
Although seven years apart in age, the women call their partnership “a perfect pairing.”
”We’re both energetic, driven people,” said Holden.
Both are mothers of young children; Docken has two, and Holden has three. They can attest personally and professionally to how important early intervention in communication skills can be for children five and under. From late talkers to stuttering, and hearing loss to cognitive development, Holden said there are some excellent tools — such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices (AAC), also known as “Talkers” that can be used as a bridge to verbal communication.
The partners were ecstatic to discuss the progress of their clients.
”We have one client aged 2½, who started in August with five words,” said Docken. Now, after coming into the office for a weekly 45-minute appointment, that child can sign or say more than 100 words using some two-to-three-word phrases.
”It’s so cool to see each child’s progress,” said Docken.
Holden said something that might not seem like a big deal to most people can be a really big deal for their clients. For example, a middle schooler who works on social communication extended an invitation to a friend for the first time. Or a high schooler who stutters now feels he has the confidence and the tools he needs to communicate more effectively. Or an adult client with a voice disorder has reported in just a few sessions she has learned about how she can change simple vocal habits to improve her vocal quality.
”When we work with clients in a private setting, we can get more involved by getting to know the family and the client’s needs better,” explained Holden.
To build their client list from scratch, the pair sent letters to local pediatricians, dentists, ENTs and orthodontists. They contacted daycares and preschools. They’ve offered free speech language screenings at different locations around Northfield.
They’ve actively promoted their business on social media and have been visible at community events such as Crazy Daze and Winter Walk. Plus, being lifetime Northfielders, word of mouth is a strong tool.
This summer, the office will be moving and expanding into 301 Division St. Since July 2023, their business has operated out of 305 Division St. the previous location of Northside Boards.
”We knew we wanted to start small,” said Docken. “We have received feedback that it’s nice that we are downtown, close to Content Books, Cakewalk, Little Joy, and the library.”
Evergreen works with individuals from birth through adulthood who are struggling with a wide variety of communication disorders, reading support, and Orofacial Myofunctional concerns, said Docken.
Our speech therapy services include articulation, expressive, receptive, and social language, fluency, AAC, Apraxia, voice, cognitive communication, and accent modification, explained Holden.
She added that their orofacial myofunctional therapy services include mouth breathing/tongue thrust, digestive issues, snoring, TMJ disorders, as well as oral habit elimination such as thumb sucking, nailing biting and pacifier use, improper chewing/swallowing and orthodontic relapse.
Regarding reading support services, Holden said they offer private tutoring and coaching sessions, as well as group sessions and accelerated reading groups.
”Our vision is a world where every individual has the tools and support they need to communicate effectively and reach their full potential,” said Docken.
Holden nodded and added, “We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and live a fulfilling life, regardless of any communication difficulties they may face.”
Progress noted by families
”We are seeing lots of progress,” said Kristin Yahnke, mother of a four-year-old who has been with Evergreen since the very beginning. “My son loves to go, and the sessions are fun and engaging.”
Mother Emily Kimber credits Evergreen for helping guide her going above and beyond in every way. “My child is so happy after every appointment,” said Kimber.
The Evergreen Therapy team is expanding. Along with reading coach Diane Torbenson and Myofunctional therapist Betsy Jenkins, another speech-language pathologist is coming on board, as well as a psychologist.
”With the addition of Stephanie Snodgrass, who is particularly passionate about early language development, Apraxia, and literacy, we are bringing a Psychologist on our team — in partnership with Northfield Dynamic Therapy — to fill the need in the community for Autism, Dyslexia, and ADHD assessments for children,” said Docken.
And, as spring approaches and the end of the school term beckons, both women said they are excited to offer children’s summer book clubs, which provide a fun and enriching way to keep students engaged with reading during the summer months while fostering essential academic and social skills.
”Speech and language are closely related to reading comprehension because they share underlying cognitive processes,” explained Holden. “The ability to comprehend spoken language helps develop skills in understanding written language. Proficiency in speech and language, including vocabulary knowledge and understanding of grammar, supports reading comprehension by enabling individuals to decode words, grasp meaning from text, and make inferences based on context.”
Docken added that the summer book clubs are open to anyone, not just individuals who have communication difficulties. “Summer book clubs continue the growth of healthy reading habits, build the love for reading while participating with peers, expand vocabulary and knowledge by reading a book they may not have picked on their own, and encourage critical thinking by discussing and analyzing the text,” she said.
More Information To contact Whitney Docken or Kari Holden, receive more information or to sign up for Diane Toberson’s Summer Book Clubs at Evergreen Therapy Solutions, log onto www.egtherapysolutions.com or call 507-205-2020 or stop by the office at 305 Division St. South in Northfield. d02fdcd6-cbed-4b8c-a7a5-e2e84b81ceba
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