Speech and Language Services with Heart & Intention
At Pinnacle Therapy MT, I am dedicated to helping individuals of all ages overcome speech and language challenges through personalized, evidence-based therapy that builds confidence and improves functional communication skills.
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WELCOME
COMPASSIONATE CARE IN HELENA, MONTANA & SURROUNDING AREAS
Pinnacle Therapy MT is a mobile(in-home) speech-language pathology practice dedicated to delivering high-quality, personalized therapy in the comfort of your home. I specialize in working with individuals across the lifespan who may have early language delays and disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, orofacial myofunctional disorders, or aphasia.
My collaborative, patient-centered approach focuses on meaningful, functional goals and supports communication that truly fits into daily life. By partnering closely with patients and families, I work to improve overall quality of life while building confidence and lasting communication skills that carry over beyond therapy sessions.
I am intentional about providing thorough, individualized care through creating personalized home practice plans, educating family members and caregivers, monitoring progress closely, and helping clients access helpful community resources and additional support services when needed.
I provide therapy for a variety of disorders and conditions, including:
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Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
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Early language delay or disorder
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Articulation/ phonological disorders
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Expressive/receptive language disorders
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Expressive/receptive language disorders
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Aphasia
How can I help?
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are conditions that affect the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue and how they function during everyday activities such as speaking, chewing, swallowing, and breathing. These patterns often develop when the tongue, lips, or jaw rest or move in ways that are not optimal, which can interfere with typical oral development and coordination.
OMDs can contribute to a range of challenges, including speech sound errors, difficulty with chewing or swallowing, open-mouth posture, tongue thrust, mouth breathing, and dental or orthodontic concerns. Over time, these patterns may impact facial growth, bite alignment, sleep quality, and overall comfort and confidence with communication and eating.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy helps by retraining the muscles of the face and mouth to work together more efficiently. Treatment focuses on improving tongue posture, strengthening and coordinating oral muscles, and establishing healthy patterns for breathing, swallowing, and speech. With consistent therapy and individualized home practice, clients often experience improvements in speech clarity, oral function, comfort, and long-term oral health.
Early language delay or disorder
Early language delays and disorders occur when a child’s understanding and or use of language develops more slowly than expected for their age, which can affect how they communicate, follow directions, or express wants and needs, even when other areas of development are typical.
Without support, these challenges can impact social interaction, behavior, early learning, and confidence, and may affect academic readiness and communication skills over time.
Early intervention and Speech-language therapy helps by building foundational language skills through play-based, individualized treatment while educating caregivers on strategies to support communication during everyday routines. Early intervention can lead to meaningful improvements in communication, learning, and overall participation in daily life.
Articulation/Phonological Disorders
Articulation and phonological disorders affect a person’s ability to produce speech sounds clearly and correctly. Articulation disorders involve difficulty making specific sounds, while phonological disorders involve patterns of sound errors that impact how words are organized and understood.
These difficulties can reduce speech intelligibility, making it hard for others to understand the speaker. As a result, individuals may experience frustration, reduced confidence, challenges with social interaction, and, for children, potential impacts on literacy and academic skills.
Speech-language therapy targets accurate sound production and helps reorganize sound patterns through individualized, evidence-based techniques. With consistent therapy and home practice, clients often experience improved speech clarity, stronger communication skills, and increased confidence in everyday conversations.
Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders
Expressive and receptive language disorders affect how a person understands language (receptive) and how they use language to express thoughts, ideas, and needs (expressive). Individuals may have difficulty following directions, understanding questions, learning new vocabulary, forming sentences, or clearly communicating their message.
These challenges can impact daily communication, social relationships, learning, and academic or work performance. Over time, language difficulties may lead to frustration, behavior concerns, or reduced confidence when communicating with others.
Speech-language therapy helps by strengthening language comprehension and expression through individualized, functional treatment. Therapy focuses on building skills that support everyday communication while providing strategies and education to help clients and caregivers carry progress beyond therapy sessions.
Aphasia
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the brain, most commonly from a stroke, brain injury, or neurological condition. It affects a person’s ability to understand and use language, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing, while intelligence remains intact.
Aphasia can make everyday communication challenging and may impact relationships, independence, employment, and confidence. Individuals may struggle to find words, follow conversations, or express their thoughts clearly, which can be frustrating and isolating.
Speech-language therapy helps by targeting functional communication skills tailored to the individual’s needs and goals. Treatment focuses on improving language abilities, developing compensatory strategies, and supporting participation in daily activities. With personalized therapy and ongoing support, many individuals with aphasia experience meaningful improvements in communication and quality of life.
LOCATION
MOBILE
We come to you!
If you are within our service area, Pinnacle Therapy MT offers mobile, in-home therapy services designed to meet you in the comfort of your own space. In-person services are available to clients in Helena and surrounding areas.
ONLINE
For clients outside our in-person service area or for those who prefer the flexibility of tele-health, Pinnacle Therapy MT offers secure online therapy sessions. We are licensed to provide services to clients in the State of Montana.
Audriana Lockerby, M.S., CCC-SLP
OWNER & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
I am the owner of Pinnacle Therapy MT and a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Montana. I earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University and completed my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Montana.
I am passionate about partnering with patients and families to develop functional, meaningful communication skills that support everyday life. I prioritize building strong, positive relationships with my clients, as I believe trust and collaboration are essential for successful, individualized therapy.
I am certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and hold an active Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). I am licensed in the state of Montana. Additionally, I have completed formal training in Orofacial Myology: Basics to Habituation and am currently working toward becoming a Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM).
I enjoy spending time with my son and husband, especially outside on a ride, walk, hike, or at the lake. I enjoy learning how to garden and bake.
"I value continuing education and am committed to ongoing growth to ensure evidence-based, high-quality care for the individuals and families I serve."
