The 9 best speech therapists in SF

Speech therapy can last a few months to a few years, depending on your child’s needs. It's important to find a high quality speech therapist to help with your child's education and development goals. They will learn effective ways to communicate which will help them grow into more independent and confident individuals.

 

(Also, if your child has a disability or a developmental delay, and is under 3 years old, they may qualify for free speech therapy services through your local regional center. Many public schools also offer free speech therapy for special needs children based on certain terms.)

 

Our team surveyed parents who’ve been through the process, talked to professionals for recommendations, read hundreds of reviews, interviewed everyone on this list and then some. Here are the best speech therapists, also known as speech language pathologists (SLPs), in San Francisco:

 

 

Jennifer Katz, Inc. | Website | Multiple Locations in SF (Noe Valley & Forest Hill)

Known for: Diverse Team | 1:1 Kids & Teens Services | Virtual, Clinic, Home, & School Therapy Options | Bilingual Staff (English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin) | Therapist & Women Owned

 

Why we love them: If you ask other parents in the Bay Area who they recommend for speech therapy, you’ll probably get “Katz Speech” as a response. Everyone on the team, from the insurance manager to the speech therapists, is highly skilled and trained. They specialize in working with all types of minds, from shy types to kids diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy (CP).

 

Waitlist: 2–12+ months (they have a LONG waitlist, but might have some summer openings)

 

Insurance: Blue Shield PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, HealthNet, Cigna, United Healthcare, Brown & Toland, Hill Physicians Medical Group, Sutter Health

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 8–6 | 415–550–8255 | info@katzspeech.com

 

 

tuLIPS Speech Therapy | Website | Multiple Locations in SF (Laurel Heights, Cow Hollow)

Known for: 1:1 Therapy | Kids & Adults Services | Virtual, Clinic, & Home Therapy Options | Therapist & Women Owned

 

Why we love them: tuLIPS is too good to be true. They’re doing everything right, and we’re not exaggerating. The speech therapists have an excellent track record. The offices are welcoming and beautiful. And the team’s fun sense of humor is the cherry on top. Their services are the highest quality that’s backed by research, science, and experience. Families LOVE tuLIPS.

 

Waitlist: None (spots are filling up fast)

 

Insurance: Blue Shield, Kaiser

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 9–6 | 415–567–8133 | hello@tulipstherapy.com

 

 

Speech Goals | Website | Multiple Locations (Mission District in SF, San Mateo, San Jose)

 

Known for: 1:1 & Group Environment Therapy | Kids Ages 0–18 Services | School, Home, & Daycare Therapy Options | BIPOC, Family, Therapist & Women Owned | Bilingual Staff (Spanish)

 

Why we love them: A family that learns together, reaches their speech goals together. Parents who want to be super involved in the process, this one’s for you. You’ll probably be participating in sessions instead of just watching from the sidelines — this team works in your most natural environment, such as your home, community playgrounds, parks, schools, and daycares. Therapy is play-based and speech therapists go through extensive behavioral training, so that sessions are personalized to children’s needs in addition to their interests. The Speech Goals’ team also specializes in early intervention and occupational therapy.

 

Waitlist: 2–4 weeks (no Saturday openings at this time)

 

Insurance: Kaiser, Blue Shield, Medi-Cal (Health Plan of San Mateo for the county of San Mateo, CA)

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 9–6, S 9–2 | 650–583–3797 | info@speechgoals.com

 

 

Sweet Speech Therapy | Website | SF & Marin County

Known for: 1:1 Environment Therapy | Kids Services | Virtual, Home, School, & Community Therapy Options | Therapist & Woman Owned | Small Business

 

Why we love them: Sweet Speech’s Elizabeth is the new kid on the block with a beautiful vision. Parents and other therapists already agree that she’s one of the best in town. She stays up to date on the latest research and teaching materials. She makes sure to talk to your child’s doctors, teachers, and other therapists. And she keeps her caseload small, which means she has more time to care for your family. What a gem!

 

Waitlist: None (only a few spots)

 

Insurance: Kaiser

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 8–5 | 415–568–5489 | info@sweetspeechtherapy.com

 

 

CPMC Kalmanovitz | Website | Multiple Locations in SF (Main Center in Nob Hill)

Known for: Excellent Customer Support | 1:1 Kids & Young Adult Services | Clinic Only | Bilingual Staff (Spanish)

 

Why we love them: CMPC, known as (brace yourself for a mouthful) the Kalmanovitz Child Development Center in the California Pacific Medical Center, is the largest clinic of its kind in NorCal and has some of the best customer service in the city. They will go above and beyond to get you what you need — CMPC is Sutter Health’s speech therapy unit and have direct access to developmental pediatricians, family therapists, and other experts. They specialize in working with kids who have medical issues, developmental delays, or serious learning concerns, such as ADHD and autism. They typically don’t work with kids whose primary issue is a contact disorder or a severe psychiatric disorder.

 

Waitlist: 1 year wait for a speech evaluation, no wait for a morning speech therapy spot (1 year wait for an afternoon spot)

 

Insurance: Kaiser, Blue Shield, Anthem, UHC, HealthNet, Magellan, Cigna

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 8:30–5 | 415–600–6200 Call them and you’ll hear back within 1–2 days!

 

 

Seven Bridges Therapy | Website | Multiple Locations (SF, San Bruno, San Mateo, Oakland, and more)

Known for: Short Wait Times | 1:1 & Group Therapy | Kids & Young Adults Services | Virtual, Clinic, & Home Therapy Options | Female Therapist Owned

 

Why we love them: Seven Bridges has 11 Bay Area locations and counting. They are investing in getting quality services you need ASAP. The speech therapists are angels. They work hard for your family and are highly qualified, diligent, caring, and patient. Seven Bridges is one of the earliest to open and latest to close. You might need to send the admin team a push here and there to get services started, but the progress and improvement you’ll see in your child will be worth the extra call.

 

Waitlist: Openings available for virtual, contact for in-person

 

Insurance: Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Medi-Cal, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare, Alameda Alliance for Health, Brown and Toland Medical Group, John Muir Medical Group, Managed Health Network (MHN)

 

Hours & Contact: M-S 8–8 | Contact Form

 

 

Upword Speech Therapy | Website | San Francisco Area

Known for: 1:1 Environment Therapy | Flexible Scheduling | Kids Services | Virtual, School, & Home Therapy Options | Therapist & Woman Owned | Small Business

 

Why we love them: With over 8 years of experience as a speech therapist, Ryanne designed her services to help children and their families in their natural environments, away from traditional clinics. Parents rave about this interactive, real world approach online and offline at home and at school. And most importantly, children adore “Ms. Ryanne.”

 

Waitlist: None

 

Insurance: out-of-network provider, aka your insurance probably won’t cover this

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 9–6:30 | 415–569–2034 | info@upwordsf.com

 

 

Speech Inc | Website | Nob Hill in SF & Oakland

Known for: 1:1 & Group Therapy | Kids & Adults Services | Virtual & Clinic Therapy Options | Therapist & Women Owned | Bilingual Staff (Spanish)

 

Why we love them: The closest thing to a superhero team in speech therapy? Speech Inc. There are 20 speech therapists at Speech Inc who meet regularly to learn and share ways to improve what they do. They take an evidence-based approach to therapy and will look at your kid’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning style to personalize care plans. You’ll work together to define clear goals and tackle concerns. Families love them and there are countless success stories. If your child wants to learn while playing with others, they also offer summer camps, reading camps, writing camps, social groups, and kindergarten camps.

 

Waitlist: None

 

Insurance: Blue Shield PPO, Kaiser

 

Hours & Contact: M-Th 8–6, F 8–5, S 8–4 | 415–563–6541 | kathryn.pengilly@speechinc.com

 

 

SF Speech Therapy | Website | Westwood Highlands in SF

Known for: 1:1 Therapy | Young Kids Services | Clinic & Home Therapy Options | Therapist and Women Owned | Bilingual Staff (Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian)

 

Why we love them: Parents, children, even hard-to-impress dogs know right away that these professionals are caring, thoughtful, and smart. They specialize in early intervention for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Chinese speaking families can’t help but praise SF Speech online. The speech therapists, Teresa, Janice, and Alina will go above and beyond for your family.

 

Waitlist: Yes, wait time depends on family’s availability

 

Insurance: Blue Shield PPO, Kaiser (with an outside authorization), Golden Gate Regional Center

 

Hours & Contact: M-F 9–5 | 415–404–8343 | teresa@sfspeechtherapy.com