Prior to joining the Speech & Hearing Sciences program at PSU in 2001, Susan worked as a speech-language pathologist in a medical setting for 15 years. Susan's clinical area of expertise is adult acquired neurogenic communication disorders. Since beginning work at PSU as a clinical instructor, Susan has expanded the client base for individual clinical sessions on-campus, while also growing the clinical experience to include working with adults in groups both on and off campus. Susan was a PSU supervisor for 13 years for Aphasia Camp Northwest, an intensive two-day camp for stroke survivors with aphasia and their families, where students are able to work with clients in a naturalistic setting. Susan has also worked with stroke survivors with aphasia and their families in developing and maintaining self-help support groups in the community.
Areas of Expertise:
Adult Neurogenic Communication Disorders
Group Therapy
Accent Reduction Therapy
Student Pre-Clinical Learning
Student Mentoring
Courses:
SPHR 509 Practicum: Adult Clinic
SPHR 533 Counseling for Communication Disorders
Projects:
PSU liaison for a community-based self-help group for individuals & families living with aphasia
Working with and training volunteer undergraduate and postbaccalaurate students in facilitation with community-based self-help groups for individuals and families living with aphasia
Starting a new community-based self-help group for individuals & families living with aphasia
Working with three current 2nd year graduate students on projects associated with groups for aphasia and for the use of Supported Conversation training for mental health care providers
Researching mentoring within the student population as a learning tool
Working with faculty from SGRN to create a proposal for an undergraduate degree requirement in Racism and Ethnicity