Holistic Approaches to Speech Therapy: Integrating Mind,Body and Communication by Heather Lynn Boerner, MA, CCC/SLP

I know you probably don’t hear the words “speech therapy” and “meditation” spoken too often together, but holistic practices like meditation and mindfulness practices can effectively connect to communication in surprising ways. By integrating the mind, body and ability to communicate, meditation can empower children to use their voices with improved confidence and overall well-being.   

How can meditation and mindfulness help with communication?

Using meditation and mindfulness in speech therapy is a novel concept. Let me explain how incorporating holistic treatments like meditation and mindfulness can also help improve your child’s communication abilities in surprising and exciting ways!  

Mindfulness of the Breath

We begin with mindfulness of the breath. 

As a crucial foundation to speaking, making sounds requires good breath support. It also requires coordinated, smooth movements of your lips, jaw, cheeks, and tongue.  

In fact, the act of speaking involves many, small acrobatic movements in your mouth. Perhaps think of your child - as a highly trained, skilled acrobatic - when they’re communicating with you.

Bravo! They deserve a round of applause when asking for that cup of water! 

When teaching children mindfulness I begin with attention to the breath. Encouraging awareness of the inhale and exhale, as they build awareness of the present moment. Maybe I invite them to notice the breath at the level of the nostrils. Bringing attention to the cool air coming in and the warm air traveling out. Perhaps bringing awareness to the rise and fall of the belly.  Or noticing the subtle space between the inhale and the exhale. 

Bringing awareness to the breath improves a child’s ability to use their diaphragm for effective vocal hygiene and teaches them the healthy foundations needed for successful speech productions. Strong breath support involves adequate inhalation and exhalation as you speak, along with breathing from the diaphragm Similarly, in meditation and mindfulness the foundation of any practice involves connecting with the breath.  

In meditation practices we first practice connecting to the breath; learning how to build curiosity around all the textures and sensations of just breathing.  

We are practicing remaining present within one singular moment; improving focus, attention and resilience; building a sense of comfort and ease with “the now moment.”      

Mindfulness of Thoughts and Emotions

We continue into mindfulness of thoughts and emotions.

Meditation teaches a child how to calm their mind and be in the present moment. 

The breath is a gateway into the present moment. Meditation naturally teaches a child how to calm their mind. I often use pictures, images and visualizations to demonstrate how feelings, thoughts and emotions are always being created and ever changing. Like a passing storm one’s thoughts and emotions will pass and change as well. 

I often invite children to notice their thoughts and emotions with non-judgment. Noticing them and allowing them to pass like clouds in the sky, ever so gently.  This awareness of the changing nature of thoughts and emotions can lead to greater emotional regulation and clarity.       

Importance of Empathy and Compassion 

One of the most important aspects of mindfulness is the teachings of compassion and empathy. 

In mindfulness teachings an emphasis on self-compassion and empathy for others is fostered. 

Metta meditations are mindfulness practices that foster love, joy, peace in oneself and others. 

I will often close each sit with a Metta meditation practice and an invitation to explore one’s feelings of love, peace and well-being. I invite each child to place a hand on their heart, while breathing in peace and love to themselves, breathing out peace and love to the world. 

As we learn to have greater compassion and love for ourselves; our capacity to demonstrate empathy for others grows too - like a tiny seed that has been planted in your garden. Your seeds of self-love and compassion for others will grow.  

We must tend to our seeds of self-love and compassion to grow our beautiful gardens. 

Perhaps, with the right conditions and care, your capacity for self-love and empathy can blossom into a glorious, beautiful garden - full of magnificent growing flowers!  

Ripple effects of Gratitude

Lastly, gratitude is a superpower. Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools in our toolboxes. 

Gratitude is a very powerful emotion that can have instant positive benefits to your life and your child’s life. 

Expressing and feeling gratitude can lead to increased feelings of happiness and well-being.

I often encourage a child to keep a gratitude journal, and to write down 5 things daily that they are grateful for. I invite them to think about the people, places or things (big and small) that bring them happiness, joy and peace. 

It could be as simple as a warm blanket, or as big as their entire family. This practice of gratitude has been shown (in countless research studies) to improve overall feelings of happiness, joy and well-being.  

In building our muscles of empathy, compassion and gratitude - we can build an understanding of ourselves and each other; creating inner and outer peace; becoming a shining beacon of light in this world. 

To book a meditation session with Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP please visit our website at: www.chattychild.com; email:  info@chattychild.com; or call:  347 491 4451. 

About the Author

Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP is now a 150-hour trained meditation and mindfulness teacher, completed by The Path‘s Meditation Teacher Training (MTT.) You can learn more about their teaching training program and their founder, Dina Kaplan at: www.thepath.com.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a therapeutic relationship.  Contents © 2025 Heather Lynn Boerner | All Rights Reserved.

www.chattychild.com email: info@chattychild.com telephone: 347 491 4451

Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP is a nationally certified and New York State licensed speech-language pathologist with over 20 years’ experience providing quality speech therapy to children within New York City. Heather is also a certified mindfulness & meditation teacher, trauma informed therapist, and neuro-diverse learner. She has lived with a lifelong disability herself, which guided her to create Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC over a decade ago. Her mission is to help other children and families gain support, understanding and share in a positive community.  Heather and her team of speech and occupational therapists at Chatty Child are here to help your child grow, learn, and create possibilities through creative, compassionate, empowering care; in-person at our clinic in Tribeca, Manhattan, New York and online throughout New York State.