Meet Our Therapists: Annalise Wells

Our SCS team is continuing to grow, and we are so excited to be bringing on Annalise Wells! Annalise will be completing her Clinical Fellowship with us. Join us in giving Annalise a warm welcome!

Tell us about your family.

I just recently married my husband, Reagan, in May! We met at church and absolutely love our Birmingham community. I grew up in Texas so the rest of my family is there! 

Do you have any hobbies or interests?

Both my husband and I love getting outdoors so we do a lot of hiking, swimming, and kayaking or paddleboarding. Our most recent adventure was riding a zipline course with 6 lines in a row in Tennessee! 

Favorite Birmingham restaurant?

I have so many! I'll share one off-the-beaten-path place I love - Pappa's Grill in Vestavia serves delicious authentic Greek food! 

Where did you go to school?

I followed in my family's footsteps and went to Baylor for undergrad, then moved to Birmingham for graduate school at Samford. 

What made you want to be an SLP?

During high school, as I considered different career paths, my interests were focused on education, counseling, and even recreational services at one point! When I learned about Speech-Language Pathology, I loved how it combined many of my interests in a way that would allow me to create meaningful relationships with clients and families daily. Shadowing some amazing therapists in high school confirmed my decision to become an SLP! 

What's your favorite aspect of being an SLP? 

My favorite aspect of being an SLP is watching children become more confident in their communication and the joy that results when they can more effectively connect with others around them! 

What are your favorite resources for learning more about speech and language?

I frequently turn to ASHA's evidence maps for the latest research and practice guidelines. I also follow speech therapy accounts on Instagram for fun therapy ideas and love Graham Speech Therapy, Speechy Musings, Adventures in Speech Pathology, and Speech Sisters. 

What's the one thing you wish parents knew about speech and language?

I want parents to know that incorporating speech and language learning opportunities within their home is as simple as talking to their child during daily routines, repeating simple vocabulary, and engaging with them in activities they love to facilitate learning through play! 

You can reach Annalise at annalise.wells@steelcityspeech.com