Hi, I’m Dara (rhymes with Sara). I am the owner and head Speech-Language Pathologist of Sunrise Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. I am lucky enough to have grown up in Langley and be able to return to it for my career. To get to where I am professionally, I was lucky enough to attend five different universities throughout North America and Europe, achieving first my B.A. in French Literature with a double minor in Linguistics and Psychology, and ending up with my Masters of Communication Sciences and Disorders degree from the University of Western Ontario. I was lucky enough to experience a variety of climates and cultures, and am pleased to say, “There’s no place like home.”

Upon graduation from UWO in September 2000, I began working for the Surrey School Board, the Fraser Health Authority – Langley Health Unit, and the original owner of Sunrise. After a couple of years, the original owner decided to retire from private practice, and I took over.  I continued to work for the School Board and Health Region until I had my first child (I now have two boys).  I decided not to return to the public sector, but to grow my private practice instead, since there was such a huge demand for private services and very few S-LPs to provide these services.

I am registered and in good standing with Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC), Speech and Hearing BC, the College of Speech
and Hearing Health Professionals of BC,  and Hanen. I have earned extra certifications in Oral Myofunctional Therapy, It Takes Two to Talk (Hanen), More Than Words (Hanen), and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). I wrote an article entitled “Behavior in Children with Language Disorders” for the journal published by Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).

I am also on the clinical faculties of the University of British Columbia and the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia), as a clinical supervisor in their Speech Pathology departments. I am a mentor for new grads for Speech and Audiology Canada, and I am an active member in the provincial Private Practice Interest Group for Speech and Hearing BC.

Most importantly though, I love what I do! I love every aspect of my incredibly rewarding and fun profession. I believe that my love for the job comes through in the therapy I provide, both for children and adults.  But don’t just read about us…check out our client feedback/testimonials and then come find out for yourself!

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