Whitney
White
M.A., CCC-SLP, LSVT
Whitney White, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a New River Valley native and Radford University graduate who brings a wide range of clinical experience home to the community that shaped her. After working as a speech-language pathologist in states across the country, she returned to the region with a broad perspective, a deep appreciation for individualized care, and a strong connection to the people and culture of Southwest Virginia.
Whitney treats patients across the lifespan with communication, cognitive, voice, and swallowing disorders. She is certified in LSVT LOUD®, providing specialized treatment for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other voice disorders, and is VitalStim® certified to incorporate neuromuscular electrical stimulation into dysphagia rehabilitation when clinically appropriate. Her approach combines specialized training and diverse experience with practical, relationship-centered care—bringing what she has learned across America back home to the New River Valley.
More about Whitney
What is your primary clinical interest/passion?
My experience has taken me all over the country, and I’ve found that I’m passionate about advocating for others, educating and training others, and helping people communicate more effectively. There are many ways to achieve those goals, but helping people use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is of special interest to me.
Do you have further clinical plans for growth for you or the business?
I will be learning evidence-based practices for speech treatment for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurological conditions as I become LSVT LOUD certified.
I hope to facilitate support groups for individuals with communication disorders and their families. Communication impairments can cause isolation, and I want to help individuals build a network of support.
Plans for growing speech therapy at PRA also include identifying needs in the community and bridging the gap from the community to my service so that appropriate referrals are made.
What experience do you have? (i.e., years, training, focus, certification)
I’ve been practicing for 10+ years across four states in nearly all settings. I have experience providing services for the full age spectrum, as well as for the full range of severity of conditions. I have experience mentoring new speech therapists and supervising graduate student externs.
I have experience caring for individuals with cognitive-communication disorders, with a focus on safe and/or pleasurable eating at all stages of the disease process.
I have treated a wide range of speech (i.e., articulation, fluency, voice), language (i.e., comprehension and production), and swallowing disorders.
I have established augmentative-alternative communication (AAC) techniques and strategies for individuals with severe communication disabilities.
I have treated individuals with motor speech disorders (e.g., apraxia, dysarthria), with difficulties learning to read and write, and with language problems following strokes or traumatic brain injury (e.g., aphasia, anomia, agraphia, alexia).
What are your hobbies and outside interests?
My husband and I live in Radford with our dog. We love walking to the park and spending time on the river. When we aren’t working, we enjoy traveling, hiking, and finding unique places to enjoy a delicious meal.