Meet Erika Wurz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Wurz.

Erika, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It’s been an exciting and winding journey, that’s for sure! Working as a Speech Language Pathologist, I have always honored the importance of connecting with the children I am serving. After working in large hospitals, and a number of schools, I found myself losing the opportunity to connect one-on-one with these kiddos, the exact reason I went into this field! Paperwork and meetings began to make up most of my days.

Upon moving to Southern California from Upstate New York, I saw a need for these services in my new community of Hermosa Beach. As I began to plant my roots, I also began to slowly and mindfully build my private practice. It’s been incredibly rewarding to help children make progress, work closely with families, and create those one-on-one connections with each client! I get the opportunity to work with children, teenagers and young adults with a multitude of diagnoses, which makes each day unique and fulfilling.

Has it been a smooth road?
I’ve had my fair share of rough bumps in the road indeed! I have also learned a great deal from each trial and tribulation along the way. It can be very challenging entering into a new and uncertain space you haven’t been in before. Initially, it can feel very overwhelming about what choice is the “right choice” when deciding to open a Private Practice and beginning to live a life outside of your typical “9-5” with a 401K and benefits. You begin to run into challenges along the way and question whether you made the right decision. You learn the importance of patience, and trusting that good things take time.

My struggles have helped shape me into the business woman and Speech Language Pathologist I am today.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is Erika Wurz, Speech Therapy and we are located in the heart of the South Bay, Hermosa Beach, CA. I service a wide range of clients, but traditionally, see children who are preschool to teenagers. The setting really depends on what parents and families are most comfortable with! I love seeing children both in their home or in my office. I love the flexibility and comfort this provides to both my clients and their families.

I am passionate about working with kids and young adults who have difficulties with Social Skills and Fluency/Stuttering.

I am a UCLA trained PEERS provider and have received other certifications and extensive training for working with children with social language disorders. I run small social skills groups which help children develop important skills for making and maintaining friendships.

I am currently working toward earning my Fluency Specialist title (BCS-F), which is very exciting! I utilize training in mindfulness meditation and music to enhance my treatment with these clients. One of my biggest accomplishments is working with young children and teens who stutter and watching the transformation and confidence they gain from coming to therapy.

As a company, I am most proud of having the opportunity to give back to my community. Watching families learn, children grow and progress is a treat, and I often don’t view it as “work”. The families I work with become a big part of me, and it is my biggest accomplishment to be able to help them “graduate” from speech therapy.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The South Bay has been welcoming and wonderfully supportive of my journey. With thoughtfully crafted goals and clear outcome measures, I believe the South Bay is a fantastic place to do what I do!

Contact Info:

• Website:  www.southbayspeechtherapy.com
• Phone: 315-335-8195
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @southbayspeechtherapy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socalspeechtherapy/

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