Dr. Kekejian earned her PhD and MS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Utah and an MA in Education from UCLA, with a focus on Human Development and Psychology. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice in California and Utah.
Most practicing speech-language pathologists hold a master’s degree, which is the entry-level requirement for the field. A PhD reflects additional years of research training, meaning Dr. Kekejian is trained not only to deliver therapy but to critically evaluate research, contribute to it, and teach it. In practice, this means treatment decisions at SoCal Speech are grounded directly in current evidence rather than routine, and families benefit from a clinician who actively trains the next generation of speech-language pathologists at CSUN.
SoCal Speech-Language Therapy (SoCal Speech) is located at 808 Foothill Blvd., Unit D, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. We serve families throughout the greater Los Angeles area in person, including Glendale, Pasadena, and surrounding communities, and serve families across California and Utah virtually.
Yes. Dr. Carla Kekejian provides speech-language assessment and therapy in Armenian, serving Armenian-speaking families in La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale, Pasadena, and throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Sessions and family communication can be conducted in Armenian, so parents and caregivers can participate fully in their child’s care.
Dr. Carla Kekejian has advanced expertise in the assessment and treatment of communication disorders in bilingual and multilingual children, and our team of multilingual clinicians continues to grow. Many of the core strategies used at SoCal Speech, such as modeling functional words and creating communication temptations, can be applied in any language a family speaks at home.
Learning two languages does not cause a speech or language disorder. Bilingual children may show different developmental patterns than monolingual peers, which is why a bilingual speech-language pathologist is best equipped to distinguish typical bilingual development from a true delay or disorder.
A speech-language assessment starts with an initial phone consultation, followed by in-clinic testing that combines standardized tools, play-based observation, and a language sample. Families receive a detailed written report with clear, individualized recommendations, plus a meeting to review the results together.
Yes. SoCal Speech offers paired and small group sessions for preschoolers, school-age children, and adolescents. Practicing with peers gives children a natural setting to build social communication skills such as turn-taking, conversation, and repairing misunderstandings, skills that are difficult to target in one-on-one therapy alone. Group placement is based on each child’s age, goals, and communication profile.
PEERS® for Adolescents is a UCLA-developed, evidence-based social skills program for neurodivergent teens. Led by Dr. Carla Kekejian, a UCLA-certified PEERS® provider, it helps teens build and maintain friendships and communicate with greater confidence in a structured group setting.
SoCal Speech is built around a beautiful outdoor therapy space that allows for community building, sensory play, creative exploration, and naturalistic language learning, an environment most clinic settings cannot offer. Practicing communication outdoors and in real play situations helps skills carry over into everyday life. Our clinic is located on Foothill Blvd. but set back from the street rather than directly street-facing, which keeps the space quiet, private, and safe for children. You can view photos of our clinic space here.
Yes. According to IRS Publication 502, speech therapy services are eligible for reimbursement through a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA), or limited care flexible spending account (LCFSA). SoCal Speech provides superbills and receipts you can submit to your plan administrator. Because plan rules vary, we recommend confirming eligibility with your specific plan administrator before your first session.
Every child’s timeline is different and depends on the specific goals identified during assessment. Dr. Kekejian creates an individualized treatment plan and reviews progress regularly with families to track growth over time.
Common signs include limited vocabulary for their age, difficulty being understood by unfamiliar listeners, trouble following directions, or visible frustration when trying to communicate. If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, an evaluation can clarify whether support is needed.
Some disfluency is common in toddlers as language skills develop rapidly. However, stuttering that is persistent, tense, or worsening over time may benefit from an evaluation. A speech-language pathologist can help determine whether it reflects typical development or something to monitor more closely.
“Speech-language pathologist” (SLP) is the official, licensed clinical title, while “speech therapist” is the common everyday term for the same profession. Dr. Carla Kekejian is a licensed SLP holding the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP).