Hallie chats with Alice Williams about SLPAs

In this uplifting and insightful episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with the inspiring Alice Williams—an SLPA, entrepreneur, and trailblazer for support personnel in the field of speech therapy. From discovering the profession while working retail to founding The SLPA Network, Alice shares her incredible journey of resilience, growth, and leadership. She opens up about working across multiple settings, mentoring fellow SLPAs, and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Alice dives into the challenges she’s overcome and the community she’s building to empower others to thrive—whether they stay SLPAs or not. If you’ve ever felt isolated or unsure as a support professional, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that your voice matters.

Bullet Points to Discuss: 

• How Alice stumbled into the world of speech and found her calling as an SLPA
• What it really looks like to work as an SLPA across different settings
• The major differences between SLPs and SLPAs—and why both are essential
• Why Alice started the SLPA Network to give others the support she didn’t have
• How mentorship, collaboration, and community make all the difference
• The story behind launching the very first SLPA Summit
• Encouraging SLPAs to dream big, think outside the box, and own their expertise

Here’s what we learned: 

• SLPAs provide vital, hands-on therapy under SLP supervision—and bring unique value to care teams.
• There’s a major lack of support and mentorship for SLPAs, which inspired Alice to build the SLPA Network.
• Building a business or pursuing entrepreneurship as an SLPA is possible—and needed in the field.
• Many SLPAs feel isolated; having a community where they can be seen, supported, and uplifted is transformative.
• The upcoming SLPA Summit is the first of its kind—centered on dreaming big and giving support personnel space to grow.

Learn more about Alice Williams: 

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speechwithmsalice

Website: www.speechwithmsalice.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechwith_msalice

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.slpa.network 

The SLPA Network: www.theslpanetwork.net 

5 Confidence Shifts Every Professional Needs

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:  

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets