NorthLakes Community Clinic recently announced the addition of Kate Christians, SLP, CCC, to their dedicated Pediatric Therapies team. Christians is now providing Pediatric Speech Language Therapy Services at NorthLakes’ Iron River Clinic and Hayward Clinic, bringing a rich background of experience and a compassionate approach to both communities.
She describes her philosophy of care as such: “I work to address any and all concerns my patients may have. I want to look at all areas of need － that includes healthcare, mental health, concerns at home, school and/or in the community. My goal is to not only address someone’s speech therapy needs, but to help them find the resources to meet any other needs that may be a barrier to their health.”
Christians holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is also certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) with a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).
NorthLakes Community Clinic’s Pediatric Therapy Services support the communication growth needed for interaction and socialization. Christians will assist patients in developing proper eating and swallowing techniques for safe and adequate nutrition and hydration, as well as help patients find their voice. She finds great reward in enhancing patients’ abilities to communicate with their family and friends. Christians also has a profound professional interest in working with a diverse patient population, with a particular passion for supporting individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
She encourages patients to take an active role in their care, emphasizing, “The best advice I can give patients is to be an active participant in your own care. As a provider, I am here for you, so approaching your care team with your goals and what is important to you is very important. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. I want to ensure that you leave every visit confident in the care plan we establish together.”
In her free time, Christians enjoys outdoor activities with her two children and dog, as well as crafting, painting and cross stitching.
If you feel like your child could benefit from Speech Therapy, please consult your primary care provider to receive a referral. To get more information, you may also call (715) 372-5001 to speak with a care representative.
