June Kim-Wi, SLP

How I decided to be a therapist

During my linguistics studies, I became deeply absorbed in the profound influence of language on our thinking and lives. While in Australia, I encountered several Korean-Australian children misunderstood or misdiagnosed with language delays due to their bilingualism. Furthermore, even after they received correct diagnoses, they struggled to access appropriate interventions due to the scarcity of SLPs knowledgeable about culturally and linguistically diverse environments and their impact on this population. One poignant moment occurred when I learned that a close friend’s mother, who is of Korean descent, used to discourage her children from speaking Korean in public or reading in Korean out of fear of social stigma, which struck me deeply. These experiences ignited my passion to support linguistically and culturally diverse children facing communication challenges. I recognized the urgent need for professionals who comprehend the intricacies of language acquisition and the cultural influences on communication and decided to become an SLP for every child.

How I would like to help clients as a therapist

As an aspiring SLP, I am committed to fostering empathy, patience, and effective parent coaching in my practice. I believe in creating inclusive and nurturing environments where every child’s voice is valued and understood. Through empathy, I strive to connect with children on a profound level, understanding their unique experiences and challenges. Patience is also essential as I believe in giving children the time and space they need to open up and learn at their own pace. Additionally, I recognize the critical role parents play in their children’s development, which is why I am dedicated to providing them with the support and guidance they need through effective coaching techniques. Ultimately, my goal is to empower both children and their families to navigate their communication challenges with confidence and resilience, ensuring that they feel heard, supported, and valued every step of the way.

What my theoretical orientation is as a therapist

My theoretical orientation is rooted in evidence-based practice tailored to the unique needs of each individual client. I believe in utilizing dynamic assessment techniques to comprehensively evaluate communication abilities, considering not just surface-level behaviors but also underlying linguistic and cognitive mechanisms. By understanding the complex interplay between language, cognition, and communication, I aim to develop targeted interventions that address the specific challenges faced by each child. Moreover, the parents/caregivers’ role is crucial in the therapeutic process. My approach includes equipping families with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to support their child’s communication development effectively. Overall, my theoretical orientation emphasized a holistic and personalized approach to speech-language therapy, integrating the latest research findings with clinical expertise to achieve meaningful outcomes.