Hi! I’m Debbie Harris, and I have 15 years of experience in speech-language pathology. I received my Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders, and my Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona. I am thankful to have worked in many locations and specialties throughout my career.
I was trained by Brenda Bliss in Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) and Aural Rehabilitation, and was her first employee in the early 1990s. Throughout my career in private practice, I have worked with a variety of ages and populations. My experience includes articulation and phonology therapy, working with receptive and/or expressive language delays/difficulties, providing aural rehabilitation, AVT, cochlear implant rehabilitation, and providing therapy services for those diagnosed with fluency and voice disorders. I have always enjoyed my time working with Bliss so much that after my husband and I moved away from Texas and returned after a few years, I came back to the practice. I later took some time off to be home with children and then returned again.
My other experiences include working in private and public school settings in Dallas, Arizona, and the Chicago area, where I assessed students and provided therapy services to individuals and small groups, as well as within inclusion classrooms and at-risk preschools. I also supervised speech therapy assistants and collaborated with mainstream teachers to implement accommodations and provide recommendations.
In addition, I worked at Northwestern University where I was coordinator of the Infant Hearing Center where I assessed for and provided AVT services, cochlear implant rehabilitation and aural rehabilitation, was an SLP supervisor and instructor. I supervised graduate students in the speech/language pathology and audiology department, and taught a portion of a Pediatric Aural Rehab Practicum class.
In addition, I have worked with adults addressing neurogenic communication disorders as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team in skilled nursing facilities and also, through providing home health care services.
My favorite part of the job is watching clients make progress, knowing that I played a part in helping them achieve their goals. I truly enjoy getting to know the clients and their families and learning from them, as well. Collaborating together is so important for a successful experience. I am thankful that Bliss fosters an environment for not only collaboration with the families, but also with each other. We have a shared camaraderie and have lots of fun! In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and friends, taking walks, yoga, tennis, and traveling.
