Improved Communication

Barrier-Free, in partnership with Improved Communication, offers quality, evidence-based, speech & language services to improve overall communicative skill and confidence for transition-age adolescents and neurodiverse adults.

Improved Communication is a private, communication therapy practice operated by Emma Shipley MS/CCC-SLP, Barrier-Free's Assistant Director & Teaching Artist.

Services are offered in Historic Downtown Sykesville at 7520 Main St #203 or via telehealth.

Meet Emma Shipley, MS/CCC-SLP

Emma Shipley, MS/CCC-SLP, has a distinct passion for helping others achieve communicative confidence. She holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech, Language, Hearing Association (ASHA), and is a Maryland state licensed clinician.

Emma joined the Barrier-Free team in 2020 as an Assistant Director for Inclusive Theater Company A & B.  She dove in head first, attending events, social clubs, and teaching her own class Zoom Into Improv.  In 2022, Emma is thrilled to expand Barrier-Free's speech & language services offerings in conjunction with her own private practice, Improved Communication​.

In addition to her work at Barrier-Free, Emma has a diverse background as a clinician. She began her career as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the medical setting working primarily with the adult and geriatric populations. Emma then moved to working with public high school students full-time. 

Finding your communicative confidence can be difficult and overwhelming. Improved Communication will work alongside you to discover, support, and develop your unique voice.

Emma can be contacted directly at info@improvedmd.com or by text/phone at 443-377-1578.

Our Approach

UNIQUELY DESIGNED FOR YOU
The ability to communicate is something we often take for granted. It may seem like an innate skill, but in reality, communication is a practice. It takes time, effort, and a whole lot of learning to truly identify and develop our communicative confidence.

Barrier-Free and Improved Communication share the mission of recognizing and celebrating the individuality of each of our clients.  We value your input as part of the intervention process. We will work together to design specific communication goals that are functional and applicable to your lifestyle. 
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We don't take the "one size fits all" approach We all bring different backgrounds, experiences, and support needs to our communication styles. Our services celebrate individual strengths while supporting you in your communicative growth. 

Services Offered

Finding your communicative confidence can be difficult and overwhelming. Emma Shipley will work alongside you to discover, support, and develop your unique voice.

Communication Therapy:

Speech, language, social, and cognitive communication therapy based on identified needs including:
  • Speech sound articulation
  • Receptive language
  • Expressive language
  • Social skills
  • Aphasia rehabilitation
  • Motor speech disorders (apraxia, dysarthria)
  • Cognitive-communication
  • Executive presence
  • Public speaking
  • Accent modification
Individual communication therapy sessions are 30 or 50-minutes in length. In-office and telehealth sessions are available.

Applied Improvisation:

Applied Improv is a new, innovative intervention being used to enhance communication in a variety of personal and professional settings.  This method combines improvisational acting with speech/language therapy to promote high engagement for neurodiverse individuals.

Applied Improv has been show to improve:
  • Intra and interpersonal skills
  • Flexibility
  • Creativity
  • Trust
  • Communicative competence
  • Efficiency
  • Empathy
  • Self-awareness
  • Productivity
  • Mindfulness
If you're looking for an alternative to traditional therapeutic interventions, the Applied Improv route is for you! Emma works with groups or individuals to implement evidence-based and interactive practices.

Voice Therapy:

Voice therapy sessions are for anyone looking to improve the function and maintenance of their communicative instrument.

Voice therapy may include treatment for:
  • Hoarseness
  • Frequent loss of voice
  • Weak voice
  • Vocal fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Discomfort or pain when speaking
  • Tension in the throat, neck, or shoulders
  • Voice breaks or cracks

Voice therapy is also available for:
  • Transgender and Gender-Diverse individuals seeking gender-affirming voice and communication change
  • Professional voice users (actors, singers, lawyers, teachers, customer service representatives, etc.)
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Emma has clinical experience in both performance voice (e.g. projection, diction, singing voice) and professional voice. As a performer and professional voice user herself, she uses evidence-based methods that are proven to work short and long-term (she can speak from experience!).

"Barrier-Free helps me to speak better and it makes me calm and not be panicked and nervous."

- Rosemary Pearson-Fountas, Barrier-Free participant

Insurance & Payment

Improved Communication is an out-of-network provider and accepts private payment only at this time.
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A superbill will be provided at the end of each month; this document details all services delivered and all fees paid for those services within a treatment period. A superbill can be submitted to your insurance company for reimbursement of out-of-pocket payments.​

Improved Communication strongly recommends you contact your insurance provider to determine your specific coverage for speech, language, or communication therapy if you plan to seek reimbursement for services.

Getting Started

Please fill out the form below or contact Emma Shipley at info@improvedmd.com or 443-377-1578 for more information or to get started.
Click Here to fill out our New Client Interest Form

Still have questions?

Contact Emma Shipley directly at info@improvedmd.com or 443-377-1578.

See what else Barrier-Free offers.

In addition to Speech & Language services, Barrier-Free offers life skills & social skills programming, academic coaching, and a variety of expressive arts programs.