Story & Lesson Highlights with Stefanie Trenholme of West Los Angeles

We recently had the chance to connect with Stefanie Trenholme and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Stefanie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
While intelligence and energy are important, for me, integrity is the most important quality. Integrity is something I deeply value because it shapes not just how we treat others, but how we live with ourselves. It means being honest, staying true to our word, and choosing to do what’s right—even when it’s hard or when no one is watching. In our everyday lives—whether at work, at home, or in our communities—integrity is what builds real trust and lasting respect. It’s the quiet strength behind every meaningful relationship, and the foundation for living a life you can be proud of.

In my work as a speech-language pathologist, integrity means everything. It’s the foundation of the trust I build with each child and their family—trust that’s essential for real progress in therapy. Integrity guides me in making ethical decisions, genuinely listening, and always prioritizing the child’s needs. Families count on me to be honest, consistent, and dependable, especially during times when they may feel overwhelmed or uncertain. When integrity is at the heart of my work, I’m able to create a safe and supportive space where children (and families) feel seen, heard, and valued—where they can grow with confidence and take pride in every step forward.

Integrity is not only important in the relationships I build with children and their families, but also in how I work with other professionals. Whether I’m collaborating with special education staff, teachers, medical providers, lawyers, etc., being honest, respectful, and dependable helps build trust and keeps everyone focused on what matters most—the child. Clear and ethical communication allows us to work as a team, make informed decisions, and support the child in the best possible way. When integrity is at the center of all these relationships, we’re better able to help children grow and succeed.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a pediatric speech-language pathologist and the owner of the private practice, Trenholme Speech Therapy. While I have been practicing for over 20 years, many people may not know that I actually stumbled into my field. I knew from a young age that I wanted to help people, particularly children, but I didn’t know in what context. Additionally, I wanted somehow to integrate my love for art in some form. At one point, I had contemplated being an art therapist, but when I was doing my undergraduate degrees, art therapy was still a relatively new field, and only two schools in Canada had the program. Incidentally, at the same time, I was working in a rehabilitation center in Montreal, creating language stimulation programs for adults with aphasia and integrating my love for art into my job there. Still unsure of what career path I should choose, it was actually my boyfriend at the time who suggested that I become a speech-language pathologist and incorporate my art background. It was then that a lightbulb went off.

In my private practice, I work with children aged 0 to 22 years who have challenges with learning, expressive and receptive language, social skills, executive functioning, oral motor functioning, articulation, stuttering, and voice, as well as those with oral facial myofunctional disorders. When I try to explain my job, I tell people I work from the throat up to the brain. I have also been able to add ‘author’ to my resume, as I have recently published my second children’s book. All my books star my therapy dog, Lola, who is also known as “Little Lola Frenchie®”. I must say that this is what I am most proud of: my work with Lola. Not only is she a great companion to me, but she has been a wonderful addition to my practice as she works with the kids and their families that I see. I also go into schools with her to teach children how to treat animals. As a huge animal lover, I value the positive impact animals have on people. As such, I always wanted to utilize an animal in my practice to do animal-assisted (speech) therapy, and it has been such a great decision. The positive influence Lola has had on so many is unbelievable, and that is why I wanted to reach more children and families; that’s what got me to write children’s books. To date, I have published “Little Lola Frenchie Loves Bathtime” and “Little Lola Frenchie Bakes A Cake”. My books are intended for all children, not just those with communication challenges. Their goal is to foster language learning through daily routines. While I have already written a couple of other books for the series, I am currently working on an activity workbook titled “Look Who’s Listening with Little Lola Frenchie.” I hope to have this released by the end of the year. I am also excited to announce that I am working on children’s songs to help foster language learning, and I released my first song last month. It is available on all major music platforms and is called “Bake With Lola!”.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My grandfather is the person who taught me the most about work and what it truly means to have a strong work ethic. Through his example, he showed me the importance of discipline, commitment, and doing every task with pride, no matter how big or small.

When I was preparing to move to the United States for graduate school, I was overwhelmed with fear about taking on a student loan. Even though I had the emotional and financial support of my family, the weight of that decision felt heavy. While I was excited about the next part of my adventure, I was also terrified. I’ll never forget when my grandfather looked at me and said, “You can’t put a price tag on your future.” That moment stayed with me. He always encouraged me to find something I genuinely loved to do—something that would not only make me proud of myself, but also give me a way to give back to others. His words and example continue to shape how I approach my work and my life.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most in life hasn’t been the fear of failure—it’s been the fear of not trying. I’ve always been more afraid of looking back with regret than facing the possibility of things not going exactly as planned. I try to live a life that chooses courage over comfort, because even when something feels uncertain or overwhelming, I’ve learned that taking that first step matters far more than staying stuck in the “what if.” Some of the hardest and scariest choices I’ve made—like moving away from my family, starting my own practice, or exploring new creative paths—have also been the most meaningful.

From incorporating Lola into my work to offer animal-assisted therapy, to writing children’s books, and most recently, teaming up with a friend to create songs that help foster language development, each of these journeys began with fear and doubt. But pushing through that fear has shown me again and again that growth and joy often live on the other side of taking a chance. These experiences have brought immense happiness into my life, a deep sense of purpose, and quiet moments of pride that remind me I’m not only doing what I love, but also helping others and bringing joy into their lives. They’ve taught me that real fulfillment doesn’t come from playing it safe—it comes from showing up, trying, and trusting that even the smallest step forward matters.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
This is a hard question because I really don’t like the word “lie” as I find it rather harsh, but there’s unfortunately a lot of misconceptions still in the field of speech-language pathology. I’ve found that while we’ve made great strides, there are still many outdated beliefs that can be truly unfortunate—and even harmful. One being, “boys talk later than girls”. While studies show the girls tend to acquire language skills, such as producing words and sentences, earlier than boys, this difference is usually within the normal range of language development. So while boys may be slightly behind girls in reaching certain language milestones, the difference in general is so small and both genders are expected to reach these milestones within the typical timeframe. As such I always tell parents that it’s important not to dismiss their concerns about their child’s speech simply because they are a boy. Another one pertains to the “wait-and-see” approach, which assumes that children will simply outgrow their speech or language delays over time. This mindset continues to circulate, and it does a significant disservice to children who could benefit from early intervention. Waiting often means missing critical windows of opportunity for growth, which can lead to more serious challenges down the road. Early intervention is one of the most powerful tools we have to help children thrive—not just in their communication, but in their social development, academic success, behavior, and overall confidence. Delaying support can increase the risk of further delays in these areas and deeply impact a child’s ability to connect with others and engage in learning. Instead of waiting and hoping, parents should feel encouraged to seek professional help and pursue an evaluation at the first sign of any speech or language delay. Taking action early can make all the difference in a child’s future.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope the story people tell about me isn’t just about what I accomplished professionally, but about how I made people feel—and how I did my best to leave the world a little better than I found it. I hope they remember the care, the joy, and the heart behind everything I did.

As a speech-language pathologist, I’ve had the privilege of helping children find their voice, build confidence, and connect more deeply with the world around them. It’s incredibly meaningful work, but what has brought it even more purpose is being able to extend that impact beyond the walls of my office. One of the greatest joys of my journey has been sharing that experience through Lola, my sweet French Bulldog, who has become so much more than a therapy dog. Lola has an incredible way of making people smile—of bringing comfort, calm, and happiness in a way that words alone sometimes can’t. She has inspired countless children, not only during our sessions but also out in the community.

Wanting to share that magic more widely, I began creating tools and resources that families could use to support their children’s language development in everyday life. I built a website to explain the benefits of animal-assisted therapy, highlight how Lola is utilized in sessions, and provide free resources for parents, educators, and caregivers. I’ve poured my heart into writing children’s books, dreamed up a playful activity workbook to help little ones tune in and listen, and most recently, I’ve started exploring the magic of music by trying my hand at writing children’s songs that spark language and laughter along the way. These projects have allowed me to blend my background in speech therapy and art in ways I never imagined—and to connect with more children and families than I ever thought possible.

While I’m honored to have received recognition over the years, what truly matters to me is not the awards, but the impact. I hope people remember that I showed up with compassion, creativity, and intention. That I cared deeply about every child I worked with. That I believed in the power of small moments—a child’s first word, a shared giggle during therapy, or a quiet breakthrough—to make lasting change.

More than anything, I hope the story people tell is that I lived with heart. That I loved fiercely, gave generously, and always tried to bring a little more light, laughter, and kindness into the world, especially for the children and families I was lucky enough to serve. And maybe, through the work I’ve done and the joy Lola has brought, that light will keep shining, even long after I’m gone.

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Image Credits
These are my photos and I have received permission from the families I work with to share them.

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Story & Lesson Highlights with Stefanie Trenholme of West Los Angeles