Meet Jacqueline Klein | Speech and Language Pathologist specializing in Feeding, Oral Motor and Myofunctional Therapy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Klein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Well, funny enough- I was on my way out of the speech world. I was in virtual schools while distracted by social media and not giving my full potential. The passion was gone. I was 8 months pregnant with my son and sold all of my speech stuff and gave up my tenure and school based position. 17 years to say goodbye to.

I started studying real estate! Totally different world. I am really good at socializing and marketing and selling so figured its the perfect world for me. One course in and I realized it was so boring and technical and legal and not what I thought it was.

While trying to figure out my next move I was also dealing with my daughter who was a thumb sucker. As her mom I tried everything I thought I could. Four years of thumb sucking with efforts such as thumb guards, to threats, to nail polish to a cage (yes her pediatric dentist thought that was a great idea- and I did not know better.). I soon learned how much it changed it and her sensory nervous system and self esteem. I was back a few days later requesting to take it out. So, nothing worked until someone mentioned myofunctional therapy-and down the hole I went. My daughter is the reason I got into myofunctional therapy and was able to use the habit elimination training to get that thumb out myself!

It truly brought me back into the speech pathology world but with a new lens and now my passion is helping people with oral motor therapy, feeding therapy and myofunctional therapy. I am beyond passionate and it inspired me to become a private practice owner offering mobile services so that children and adults can feel comfortable in their safe space.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Being a mother of two children who benefited from therapy helps me better understand the specific needs my clients and thier families need. I can personally relate to them which I think gives them more comfort and ease. I also use my kids as my guinea pigs to come up with fun and creative ways to target goals in therapy without it feeling like therapy. In my recommendations I always include specific specialists in their area that I have had personal experiences with. As I said, my kids are my guinea pigs so I take them to different providers to find what will work for my clients before I make recommendations. As busy moms I know these families don’t have time to seek providers so I do the extra work for them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Malibu, because everyone who vists LA wants to see the beach! I would start a Sunday off with Malibu Farmers Market for some snacks and The Country Mart for some shopping before heading to the beach for a relaxing day. Finish the day off at Taverna Tony or Nobu watching the sun set before heading into traffic.

I would absolutely take them for some known Sushi Spots because we are known to have the freshest and best fish (Shu, Katsu Ya, Yuzu, Sushi Spot, Fumi, Scratch).

Calabasas Commons for some shopping and fun.

Beverly Hills for some bougies dinners and drinks and people watching at Catch Steak, Steak 48 or Craigs.

A little getaway to Santa Barbara for some wine and waterside nibbles. Ojai Valley Inn for a night to just enjoy the beauty and serenity,

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My children! My daughter Meilia who was a thumb sucker which inspired my journey to take course after course and become specialized in myofunctional therapy with an extra focus on habit elimination. My son, who was born with lip and tongue ties and oral defensiveness.

Website: jacqueline@minimouthz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minimouthz_myomouthz/

Yelp: https://www.minimouthz.com

Other: https://linktr.ee/minimouthz_myomouthz

Image Credits
Shawn Michelle Photography