Susie Harder, M.A., CCC-SLP is an experienced clinician who devotes much of her passion to working with children, teens, and adults who stutter. She works in both private practice and the school setting to help support children who stutter.
In addition to direct therapy, Susie trains speech-language pathologists to work more effectively with students who stutter. She has provided various fluency trainings to school districts across the state and has presented at the annual California Speech-Language and Hearing Association conference.
Susie teaches the graduate-level fluency course at California State University, Fresno. In addition, she has been approved by the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders for becoming a recognized specialist in the area of fluency. Once complete, Susie will be the first Board Certified Specialist in the area of Fluency in the Central Valley.
During her time in Fresno Unified School District (2011-2015), Susie designed the framework for a Fluency Consultant role to utilize specialty skills and support Speech-Language Pathologists working with children who stutter. She remains a point of contact for clinicians who seek guidance for effectively treating students who stutter.
Susie’s knowledge and love of working with her clients is evident from the first time you meet her. She cares for each one of the families she works with and prides herself in the individualized treatment and approaches she selects for each client and their family. One of Susie’s long-term goals is to build a better support system in the Central Valley for people who stutter and their families. Most recently, she was highlighted in a news segment for International Stuttering Awareness Day on KMPH Great Day and KMJ News/Talk Radio for the stuttering groups she offers for the community. These groups were created as a way for children and teens to meet and work with other children who stutter. Susie has also built a mentoring program for children and teens who stutter.
"This year was the first year my son started making progress. Not only is talking easier for him, but he's making friends and is so much more confident!"
-Parent of a 4th grader who stutters
Susie grew up in the Fresno area and completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Fresno State. She earned her Master’s Degree at Northwestern University, rated #2 in the nation for their program. While there, she met Kristin Chmela, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F, an internationally recognized fluency specialist who had a true passion for helping kids who stutter. After graduating, Kristin and Susie have continued to work closely. Susie credits her passion and knowledge for working with people who stutter to Kristin Chmela, her mentor.
Why the Central Valley Stuttering Center was created
Since moving back from Chicago, the consistent feedback I’ve heard from families and Speech-Language Pathologists in the Central Valley is that there’s a shortage of “good stuttering therapy”. Because of this concern, I’ve been working diligently with the Speech Pathology graduate program at Fresno State, local school districts, and SLPs in the area to increase clinical skills and resources available to children who stutter in Fresno/Clovis. Opening the Stuttering Center is a way for me to provide support to even more children and adults who stutter. The new stuttering center offers individualized therapy options, regularly scheduled stuttering groups, training opportunities for SLPs, and consulting services for local school districts. I'm honored to be able to work with such wonderful families, clients, and professionals each day and look forward to making a difference for people who stutter and their families.