Therapist Feature: Christine Sterner, SLP & Director of Speech and Language Services

This month’s featured therapist is the Director of Speech and Language Services with Tilton’s Therapy for Tots, Christine Sterner!

Chrissy has been an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) for 19 years and the last 2 with TT4T. As she began to tour colleges, she was interested in becoming a teacher of deaf individuals and had learned from the tour guide about Speech Language Pathology and a little bit about what it is. This sparked her interest and developed further as she researched more, into a passion for sign language, teaching, and her quest to help all individuals in need. Chrissy attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania for both Bachelors and Masters degrees and graduated in 2000.

Before contacting and working with Debbie at TT4T, Chrissy worked with a small speech therapy office called Small Talk, then became a business partner with a new company called Jabber Jaws. After moving on from those companies, outpatient therapy was not the right fit for Chrissy and she was able to begin mobile speech therapy with TT4T. The integration in the home environment is something that Chrissy holds as a critical component to her therapy - being in the natural environment allows for her to observe daily life, communicate with family, and strategize how to implement her techniques so patients can have the best possible outcomes. She emphasizes and helps parents reach the understanding that speech is not a big and complicated animal, but tools and development opportunities can be implemented into a normal routine.

As an SLP, Chrissy views her role as a professional as a way to give back to others in the process of learning. Her ethos centers on speech therapy being one of the three main components of care, the therapy trifecta, and it is important to pass that understanding along to those coming up in the profession. Another aspect of treatment that appeals to Chrissy is the opportunity to continually learn how therapy helps her clients reach their goals. More recent graduates tend to bring some fresh energy to the table, and she enjoys being able to interact with them, as she says, “the keep me thinking, keep me current, and they help me remember the younger bright-eyed me.” On the other side of that coin, Chrissy does like to help them to see a grounded version that helps them navigate challenges and remember that they will be ok when they start to feel overwhelmed. Establishing work/life balance is critical, and Chrissy ensures she instills confidence in new professionals in the things they DO know, and emphasizes they can have balance in their personal life as well, referencing her own family life, husband, baseball, and her focus on providing excellent therapy.

While balancing her personal and professional lives, Chrissy enjoys walking and running, spending lots of time with her son on the baseball field, going out on dates with her husband whenever possible, going to church, volunteer with Hydrate the Homeless, Night to Shine, and remaining active in the community. Her family enjoys being active together and riding bikes, walking, and hiking outdoors. One other thing she loves is singing at the top of her lungs in the car. In the past, Chrissy has enjoyed being a foster mommy as well!

Originally from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Pittsburgh), Chrissy has lives in Las Vegas for the last 19 years. Tired of shoveling snow, Chrissy moved west. She moved here immediately after graduation while her sister was stationed here as a nurse in the Air Force.

Giving to others is Chrissy’s passion. She enjoys giving back and specifically, supporting others in their foster care journey. Sharing little things that she knows will make her friends and family happy is something she likes - along with anything Pittsburgh, Panthers, Pirates, Steelers, Penguins, or University of Pennsylvania sports. Chrissy especially loves sharing baseball games with her husband and son.

Have a question for Chrissy or want to learn more about Speech Therapy? Contact her and learn more about what SLPs do and how Chrissy help!