Meet Genevieve Richardson

We recently connected with Genevieve Richardson and have shared our conversation below.

Genevieve, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

It was early Monday morning when my phone buzzed. I knew that change was here and deeply understood what was to come.

Three and a half years have passed since that pivotal moment, and today, I find myself devoted to a personal and profoundly impactful mission. Have you ever met someone who changed the trajectory of your path? Within 24 hours of that phone call, I met a husband and wife, and by the end of our time together, I saw my path and the purpose I am on this earth to fulfill.

My purpose is to transform the lives of individuals and families impacted by aphasia. It’s about meeting them where they are, understanding the day-to-day challenges, and more importantly, the emotional and psychological impact of living with a condition that can turn every aspect of your world upside down. We use this knowledge, apply our treatment methods, strategies, and techniques to improve their ability to communicate and connect with one another.

Not everyone wants therapy, but they all have unspoken needs. Some individuals can’t articulate what they want; they just know there is a hole in their life because communication is so hard. My purpose is to help each person—whether the individual, their spouse, or their care partner—feel seen, heard, understood, and supported. LIFE Speech Pathology is more than a private practice; it’s a holistic treatment, coaching, and empowerment ecosystem.

My mentor and boss passed away suddenly early that Monday morning. From that day to this, I am grateful for the example, skill, and dedication he modeled daily for these clients and families. Working with that couple, whom I had never met before jumping on Zoom, gave me the confidence and determination to use my experience, skill, and motivation to build the practice I have today. I impacted them that day as much as they impacted me, and it is their plight, struggles, and triumphs, as well as all of the families like theirs, that keep me dedicated to finding new ways and creating different resources to support them.

I am committed to breaking down the barriers of communication disability from aphasia. This is my purpose and mission. It all started with a phone call, a sudden loss, and an unexpected meeting that changed everything.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

At LIFE Speech Pathology, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for individuals and families impacted by aphasia, Parkinson’s disease, and primary progressive aphasia. Our specialty is chronic aphasia, defined as aphasia persisting six months or more after its onset, typically following a stroke.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We believe in meeting our clients where they are, addressing their communication needs and the emotional and psychological challenges they face. This is reflected in our wide range of services and resources designed to support individuals and their communication partners—spouses, family, and friends—throughout their journey.

Our Services and Unique Offerings
LIFE Speech Pathology Treatments
We provide direct speech pathology treatment tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Our goal is to improve their ability to communicate and connect with others, enhancing their overall quality of life.

LIFE Aphasia Academy
Through the LIFE Aphasia Academy, we offer coaching and educational resources for communication partners. These include courses, direct coaching sessions, and insights from other professionals shared on our Listen for LIFE Aphasia Podcast. These resources help families and friends better understand aphasia and learn strategies to maximize communication and connection.

LIFE Aphasia Collective
In June 2024, we launched the LIFE Aphasia Collective, a private, one-of-a-kind membership community for individuals with aphasia, their spouses, and care partners. This dynamic community provides ongoing training, support, and information, fostering a supportive environment where members can learn from and support each other.

Continuous Resource Development
We are continually creating resources based on the needs of our clients and families. These include eBooks available in our Etsy store under LIFE Aphasia Academy, covering essential topics such as what spouses need to know about aphasia, meeting their loved one’s needs, and considerations at all phases of the aphasia journey. These resources aim to fill the knowledge gaps and provide practical advice to improve daily living for those affected by aphasia.

Telepractice Services
For over ten years, we have been providing telepractice services, reaching clients across the U.S. We believe there should be no geographical barriers to getting the treatment, help, and support needed for chronic aphasia. As a massive advocate for telepractice, I have also taught telepractice to grad students and SLPs and administered the Telepractice for SLPs Facebook group. Telepractice is a vital option for clients and families who are good candidates for it, ensuring they receive the best possible care regardless of location.

Professional Education and Advocacy
Beyond direct client work, I am committed to educating other medical speech pathologists about chronic aphasia. I provide insights into the long-term impact of aphasia and train them to better support individuals and families by understanding their long-term needs. This training helps speech-language pathologists adjust their treatment and training approaches during the early days of aphasia, setting a more supportive foundation for their client’s futures.

I am also dedicated to training graduate speech pathology students through internships, guest seminars, and direct supervision during our summer intensive aphasia programs. I believe in teaching students interested in working with aphasia what they need to understand beyond book learning, preparing them to make a real difference in their future careers.

Looking Ahead
We are excited about our ongoing initiatives and strive to provide innovative support to those affected by aphasia. This fall, we’ll open the LIFE Aphasia Collective to new members for a limited period. Whether expanding our telehealth services, launching new community outreach programs, or developing new resources, we remain dedicated to breaking down the barriers of communication disability from aphasia.

For more resources and information, please visit our website at DoLIFESpeechPathology.com. We chose “DoLIFE” because that is what our mission is all about. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by aphasia.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, I realize three qualities have been most impactful: a willingness to put myself out there, being driven by a mission, and being grateful for support systems.

First, the desire to put myself out there, make mistakes, regroup, and try again has been crucial. This resilience keeps me moving forward despite setbacks as I learn from experiences and continually improve.

Second, knowing that my mission drives me helps me realize when I’m playing small and need to think much bigger. This mission-driven mindset keeps me focused on the bigger picture and pushes me to aim higher, ensuring my work has a more significant impact.

Lastly, acknowledging every day and being grateful for the family, friends, acquaintances, and life experiences that have brought me this opportunity to serve others is essential. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today without the support of my husband and daughters, my parents, and so many others.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to start from a place of gratitude and then dream big. Begin by appreciating what you have and the people who support you. Gratitude grounds you and provides a strong foundation from which to grow. Don’t be afraid to dream big; break your big ideas into smaller, manageable parts. Getting caught up in the details is easy, so having a clear, step-by-step plan helps keep you on track. Additionally, identify those in your life who you can talk to stay centered, offer different perspectives, and challenge yourself. Surrounding yourself with supportive people helps you be the best version of yourself and ensures you show up how you want to be in the world.

These qualities and pieces of advice have been invaluable in my journey, and I hope they can help guide others as they embark on their paths.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My Biggest Growth or Improvement in the Past 12 Months
My most significant growth over the past year has been learning to let go of a perfectionist mindset, embracing delegation, and giving myself grace. For the first two years of my business, I did everything alone. I worked over 14 hours a day, juggling client appointments, managing the business side, marketing, messaging, branding, creating resources, and innovating client evaluation and treatment methods. Even when I wasn’t at the computer, my mind was constantly occupied with thoughts of what I was building. I would often wake up in the middle of the night with bursts of inspiration, getting up to write everything down.

Letting Go of a Perfectionist Mindset
I’ve learned how to “shut down the business” most nights. This involves turning off the computer, spending a moment in gratitude, and doing a mind dump of the day’s tasks, things to follow up on, and other thoughts. This practice helps my mind relax because I know everything is written down, so I don’t have to keep trying to remember it all when I’m sleeping.

Most mornings, I spend a few minutes outside with my bare feet in the grass, breathing, stretching, and being grateful for all I have and the opportunity to do what I love. This simple practice has shifted my mindset significantly and might be helpful to others as well.

Embracing Delegation
Another significant growth area has been learning to delegate. I did everything on my own for two years, but now, we are a team of five, all working towards the same mission. Each of us has a role to play, but we collaborate excellently. Delegating tasks has allowed me to focus on my strengths and vision while my team handles other crucial aspects of the business. This collaboration has improved our efficiency and enhanced our ability to serve more clients effectively.

Giving Myself Grace
You know the image of a clown desperately running around, trying to keep plates spinning on poles without letting any wobble and shatter? That was how I felt daily with all the tasks and responsibilities I juggled. I needed help finding the work-life balance I needed. Now, I have a new approach. I have a stack of paper plates, each with one word representing a relationship, role, or responsibility I manage. I lay the plates on the grass, look at them, prioritize them, and let the rest go for the day. We all have dozens of roles and tasks, but we can’t do it all. This is the reality. I stack the plates from most to least important, say thank you, hug my oak tree, and start my day.

This mindset shift resulted from a mastermind group I am part of. They helped me understand that my plates didn’t need to be ceramic; they could be paper. Not all of them have to be spinning at once—just the ones for that day—and the plates can be changed, too. It might sound silly, but I found it to be freeing!

Seeking Support
I also seek out people who can help me on my path. Podcasts inspire me and provide actionable steps. I buy and complete most courses, and I invest in coaching. No woman is an island—I can’t do it by myself. The key is understanding the available resources and taking steps to get and keep the support you need. This is also what I strive to provide for my clients and families.

This shift in mindset and practice of prioritizing, delegating, and finding balance has allowed me to continue growing and serving others effectively without burning out.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Darwin Richardson, husband, photographer

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