Welcome to The Speech Service. We are a private speech and language therapy practice supporting children and adults across North London and North West London. If you have been looking for private SLT near you, whether for a child whose speech is late to develop or for an adult facing new communication difficulties after an illness, you are in the right place. This page explains who we help, how private speech therapy works with us, and how to take the first step.
 

As an independent practice, we are self-funded rather than NHS-based. That simply means you contact us directly and we arrange assessment and therapy around you, your family and your schedule. We offer speech therapy across London, UK, with a particular focus on the communities of North and North West London, and we see people in their own homes, in schools and nurseries, online, or at our clinics in Finchley, Mill Hill, Hendon and Friern Barnet.
 

Who we help
 

Children

We work with children from toddlerhood through the teenage years. Some families come to us because first words have been slow to arrive. Others are concerned about speech that is difficult to understand, a stammer, language difficulties, or social communication needs. Whatever the concern, our aim is the same: to understand your child as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms, and to build a plan that helps them communicate with more confidence at home, at school and with friends. We know that approaching a speech and language therapist for the first time can feel daunting, especially if you have been told to wait and see. You do not need a referral to come to us, and you will be listened to from the very first conversation.
 

Adults

For adults, we support people with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties. This includes rehabilitation after a stroke or brain injury, therapy alongside Parkinson's disease, MS or motor neurone disease, support for people living with dementia, and help with voice or fluency difficulties. Many of our adult clients come to us after a diagnosis, at a point when they want specialist input and a clear plan for what comes next. Some are recovering their words after a stroke and want intensive rehabilitation. Others notice their speech becoming quieter or less steady and want strategies to keep communicating at work and at home. Others again are family members seeking guidance on behalf of a relative. Whatever brings you here, you will be met with respect, honesty and a genuine interest in what matters to you.
 

What private therapy involves

We keep the process simple and transparent.
 

1. A first conversation. We offer a free telephone consultation, an informal 10 to 15 minute phone call where you can describe your concerns and we can talk through how we might help.
 

2. Initial assessment. The next step is a detailed initial assessment, lasting 60 to 90 minutes depending on what is needed. It covers a full case history and, with your consent, liaison with family members or, for children, with the nursery or school. Assessments take place at home, online or in clinic, whichever suits you best.
 

3. Therapy sessions. If therapy is recommended, sessions are tailored to the individual and typically last 50 minutes. They are usually arranged in weekly blocks of 6 to 8 sessions, with a progress review at the end of each block and clear planning for the next steps. Flexible options are available where a weekly block is not the right fit.
 

4. Written reports. Written reports are available as an optional extra, typically when a formal document is needed for a school, nursery, GP, employer, case manager or another professional.

 

Where sessions take place

We believe therapy works best where people feel comfortable, so we come to you:

• In your own home

• At your child's school or nursery

• Online, through virtual sessions

• At our clinics in Finchley, Mill Hill, Hendon or Friern Barnet

Please note that a small extra charge may apply for clinic sessions at some locations.
 

Working with others

Good therapy rarely happens in isolation. With your consent, we work collaboratively with case managers, GPs, consultants and other healthcare professionals, including attending multidisciplinary meetings. This joined-up way of working means everyone involved in your or your child's care is pulling in the same direction, and nothing important gets lost between appointments. For families navigating education, health and care plans, or adults managing several medical appointments at once, this coordination can make a real difference to how smoothly the whole journey runs.
 

Why families choose private therapy

There are several reasons people come to us rather than waiting on a waiting list:

• Specialist care for both adults and children. One practice covering the whole family, from first words to
  rehabilitation after a stroke.

• Genuine flexibility. Home visits, school and nursery sessions, online appointments and clinic sessions, arranged around real life.

• Joined-up multi-disciplinary working. We communicate with the other professionals around you, so
  care is cohesive rather than fragmented.

• A named therapist who stays with you. You see the same person throughout your therapy,
  building trust and continuity over time.

Private therapy also means no long wait to be seen. If you have been searching for private SLT near you and found that NHS waiting times stretch into months, contacting an independent practice is a way to get started sooner. To be clear, private therapy complements rather than replaces NHS care, and many of our clients remain under NHS services while receiving additional support from us.
 

How to get started

Taking the first step is often the hardest part, so we have made it as straightforward as possible:

1. Get in touch through our contact page, by phone or by email.

2. Have a brief initial phone call so we can understand your concerns and answer your questions.

3. Book an assessment, either at home, online or in clinic.

4. Receive your findings and recommendations, explained clearly and without jargon.

5. Start therapy if it is right for you, with a plan agreed together.

If you are unsure whether we can help, get in touch anyway. A short conversation costs nothing, and we will always tell you honestly if we think a different path would serve you better.

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