We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shir Lavian a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shir, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I get my work ethic from my home environment. My parents always encouraged me to dream big and go after my goals. They pushed me, but always in a positive way, reminding me to do what I love. That’s something that’s really stuck with me. When you love what you do, like I love being a speech therapist, it doesn’t always feel like work.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a speech-language pathologist and the owner of Speech Buds Therapy, a private practice I recently started in Los Angeles, California. I work with children to help them build their communication skills in ways that feel meaningful and natural to them.
What I think is most special about what I do is the relationships I build with the kids I work with. Every session is truly child-led. I don’t rely on repetitive drills or tasks that don’t feel meaningful to them. Instead, I follow their interests and create a space where they feel seen, respected, and heard. I believe that the foundation of all communication is trust and connection, no matter how old the child is. Once a child feels safe and engaged, real growth happens naturally.
Starting my own practice has allowed me to bring that philosophy to life and create a space that truly supports each child as an individual.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Curiosity: I’ve always had a deep desire to understand and explore. In my work as a speech-language pathologist, that curiosity drives me to pay attention to every detail of what my clients are communicating. Even when a child says something that doesn’t seem directly related to the activity, I try to understand its meaning and how it connects to their learning. Following that curiosity has allowed me to uncover insights, make therapy more meaningful, and grow constantly as a clinician.
Openness to feedback: I’ve learned that feedback is always valuable, whether it’s positive or constructive. Being able to accept guidance and adjust my approach has helped me improve my skills and deepen my understanding of the work I do.
Patience: Every child communicates in their own way and at their own pace. I strive to create a stress-free, no-pressure environment so that children feel safe and comfortable. When they feel relaxed, communication happens more naturally and meaningfully. Patience has been key to fostering that kind of space.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did was encourage me to follow my dreams and never give up. Even when things were difficult, overwhelming, or felt impossible, they reminded me to keep going. Applying to graduate school was a journey that spanned several years. I completed all my prerequisites while driving across Los Angeles to take classes, gain hands-on experience, and shadow speech therapists already in practice. At one point, my days started at 7:30 in the morning and ended with evening classes at 10 pm. There were times I was tempted to give up or take an “easier” path, but my parents always encouraged me and helped me see the light on the hardest days. Their support taught me the value of persistence and believing in myself, no matter the obstacles.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.speechbudstherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechbudstherapy/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/speech-buds-therapy-west-hollywood?osq=speech+buds+therapy
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
