Meet Roya Parsa | Speech-Language Pathologist & Private Practice Owner

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

Hi Roya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own private practice, Dreamy Speech Therapy, was both a personal and professional decision that came from a place of deep transformation. After becoming a mother and then losing my own mom shortly after, I felt a strong pull to realign my life with what mattered most—being present with my family as well as doing work that felt meaningful.

As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I’ve always believed in meeting children where they are, following their lead, and honoring their unique journey. I wanted to create a practice that allowed me to truly work in partnership with families, free from the constraints of insurance policies or limitations within the educational system. My past experiences working alongside other disciplines and receiving training in various therapy models have deeply influenced my approach which emphasizes the importance of positive relationships, social-emotional skills, and learning through play.

Starting Dreamy Speech Therapy has allowed me to offer flexible, individualized services that prioritize trust, creativity, and a child-led approach—whether I’m supporting a family in their home, out in the community, or through teletherapy. I wanted to build something that reflected my values, both as a clinician and as a mother, and to create a space where families feel seen, supported, and empowered every step of the way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dreamy Speech Therapy offers in-home and community-based speech and language services for young children and their families using a play-based approach. What sets my work apart is my commitment to meeting each child at their developmental level and helping them grow into confident communicators, while partnering closely with families every step of the way. I’m proud of the trust they place in me and the space I’ve created where therapy feels supportive and collaborative. What excites me most is the opportunity to build genuine connections and be part of a family’s journey—witnessing their child’s progress and sharing in the joy of reaching new milestones is such a rewarding feeling.

I first knew I wanted to work with children when I began teaching music lessons. I enjoyed working with students individually and watching them learn a new skill. That experience led me to explore the field of speech-language pathology. I’ve been a licensed speech-language pathologist for 15 years, and received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge. I started my career at a non-profit agency that offered interdisciplinary services to children through an integrated, “whole child” approach. I eventually became a speech department supervisor where I had the privilege of mentoring others and collaborating with various disciplines. My work experiences laid a strong foundation for the way I practice today—supporting not just the child, but the entire family in creating sessions that feel playful, effective, and goal-driven, while also collaborating with other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to the child’s development.

Building a business on my own definitely has not been easy. There was so much to learn: the administrative side, the legal and financial details, and the logistics of managing services while being both the provider and the business owner. Seeing others succeed in private practice was inspiring, but also intimidating at times. I experienced a lot of imposter syndrome and moments of self-doubt, especially when it came to promoting myself and finding clients—something that remains a challenge, especially after relocating.

But through it all, I’ve learned to lean on others, to ask for support, and to trust in my own skills and experience. I’ve learned to give myself grace, to keep learning, and to believe that everything unfolds for a reason.

What I want people to know about me is that I care deeply about each child I work with and supporting family members as active, confident partners in their child’s growth. I believe that progress is most powerful when it’s shared—between the therapist, child, and family all working together as a team.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d plan a mix of nature, music, great food, and a bit of relaxation—everything I love! We’d visit botanical gardens, hike scenic trails, and spend time by the ocean. If there’s a local fair, outdoor concert, or farmer’s market, we’d check those out too. Food would definitely be a highlight! I’d take them to my favorite restaurants, have picnics at a park, and end one evening with a night in, cooking a fun new recipe together. We’d spend an afternoon strolling through an outdoor shopping center and stopping at a cozy bookstore or coffee shop. Then to wind down the trip, we’d go to a yoga class or spend a day at a spa.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people and moments that have shaped the journey to where I am today, but the heart of it all starts with my mom. In May 2019, my life was forever changed when she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, later confirmed as stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Her brain surgery happened to be the same day my first child was born. Two years later in June 2021 she passed away a couple weeks before my second child was born. That period was filled with both overwhelming emotion and transformation, and completely changed my entire outlook on life. It helped me refocus my priorities and strengthened my desire of being intentional with how I spend my time. I wanted to be more present with my children and have the freedom to create a work life on my own terms, so I chose not to return from maternity leave and instead began the journey of building my own private practice. My mom is also the inspiration behind the name Dreamy Speech Therapy. She told me I was her “dream baby,” and that’s why she named me Roya, which means “dream” in Farsi. The hummingbird in my logo is a tribute to her as well; she loved them, and now whenever I see one, I feel her presence with me.

My family has been my anchor. As my dad, my sister, and I walked through our grief together, we were reminded just how precious time truly is and how important it is to stay close. My sister especially deserves recognition—she was a constant source of strength and care for all of us, particularly for my mom while I was navigating new motherhood and reevaluating my career path.

I’m also incredibly grateful to my husband, who has been my biggest supporter through everything—grief, raising our children, and this career transition. His family has shown me so much love and support as well, which created the space I needed to grow and pursue this dream.

Lastly, I’ve been lucky to have former colleagues and fellow speech-language pathologists whose careers have inspired me. Seeing them build their own private practices gave me the courage to believe I could do the same. I’m so thankful for all the guidance, encouragement, and advice I’ve received along the way. Dreamy Speech Therapy is truly a reflection of the people who believed in me, held me up, and helped me turn both loss and love into something meaningful.

Website: https://www.dreamyspeech.com/

Instagram: @dreamyspeechtherapy

Other: royaparsa@dreamyspeech.com