Child-Led Therapy For Gestalt Language Processors

Have you ever walked out of a therapy session scratching your head and wondering "Why did my client seem so disengaged?"

Or found yourself frustrated because your carefully planned strategies just weren’t landing?

We’ve all been there. But here’s the thing—it might not be what you’re doing. It might be how you’re doing it.

When therapy isn’t child-led, we unintentionally miss the magic: those golden moments of connection, progress, and yes—pure, unfiltered JOY.

I recently had the honor of sitting down with the amazing Nicole Casey, aka The Child-Led SLP, to unpack the why and how of child-led therapy.

Nicole is shaking up the world of speech therapy with her child-led approach, and let me tell you—she’s not just talking the talk. She recently released an incredible resource called the Great Language Partner Workbook, and it’s a game-changer.

Here’s a little sneak peek from the workbook:

5 Key Parts to Following a Child’s Lead

1. Initiation - For your child to lead, they need to initiate their own actions. This means stepping back and letting them follow their instincts first.
2. Invitation - Following a child’s lead starts with an invitation. What does that look like for your client? A glance? A gesture? A giggle? Recognizing these moments is key.
3. Prioritize Partnership - Kids lead when they feel safe and supported. Be their best partner—help them accomplish their goals, build trust, and make collaboration feel FUN.
4. Imitate and Acknowledge - Instead of redirecting or reshaping their play, try joining in. Imitate their actions or communication and see how they light up when they feel seen and heard.
5. Create the Environment - Communication thrives when it’s meaningful. Set up an environment that sparks authentic interaction, giving your client a natural reason to connect.

If you want to hear more from my conversation with Nicole, check out this episode of our live show -  Making the Shift Ep. 87: Child-Led Therapy for Gestalt Language Processors. 

And if you are a therapist, parent, or anyone who wants to prioritize connection in communication, then you need Nicole’s Great Language Partner Workbook. 

Nicole’s workbook is packed with over 150 pages of tips, tricks, and actionable strategies to support early gestalt language processors using a child-led approach.

And guess what? It’s on sale NOW, and you can snag it with the code SENSORY for a sweet discount at checkout.

Trust me—this isn’t just another therapy resource. It’s a roadmap to building trust, connection, and genuine joy in every session. Don’t miss out on adding this gem to your toolkit.

Go grab your copy, and let’s keep making therapy magical.

>> Get my copy of the Great Language Partner Workbook