Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Parrish.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Although I’ve always known I wanted to help others in a meaningful way, my path to finding my life’s work wasn’t immediately clear. That said, I am so grateful for where life’s journey has brought me today. After starting my studies as a business major, I felt a calling to do something more impactful for the greater good.
I explored different career paths as an undergrad before stumbling upon the field of speech therapy. I quickly realized speech therapy synthesized what I cared about—helping others communicate and making a meaningful difference in their lives.
After earning my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I began working as a Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) first at a school with underprivileged children with special needs and later at three pediatric speech therapy clinics helping kids with articulation and language impairments. Both settings ingrained my appreciation for the impact early intervention and supportive environments can have on a child’s ability to communicate and learn.
I later worked in a rehabilitation setting, helping patients who experienced challenges due to neurological conditions such as strokes, multiple sclerosis, and other ailments. Supporting patients through regaining communication and cognitive skills during recovery was both humbling and rewarding.
After earning my Specialist degree in special education, I underwent specialized training in reading for children with dyslexia and learning disabilities affecting reading ability. The diverse array of patients and children I have seen has made me uniquely positioned to work with clients with lots of different types of needs and later start my own speech therapy practice.
After working 3 jobs simultaneously to pay off my student loans, I met the love of my life, and we moved to Knoxville together. We were married in 2022 and welcomed our daughter in 2023. Watching her grow has been one of my greatest joys and has given me an even deeper appreciation for the importance of communication and connection in early childhood.
After our daughter was born, I started my own speech therapy practice here in Knoxville and also began working as a virtual Speech-Language Pathologist. My practice here in Knoxville has allowed me to help clients and families locally with needs including articulation, stuttering and with reading abilities. The virtual platform has been a blessing because it has allowed me to bring my love and expertise in speech therapy to clients on an international scale. I’ve been able to work with individuals and families all over the world, including clients as far away as The Gambia in West Africa.
Looking back on my 17 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist, every step in my path has helped shape who I am today and reinforced how meaningful it is to support others in finding their voices.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges initially in my journey was finding the right path. While I always knew I wanted to do something impactful that helped others, it took time and experience to discover how to best do so. I began college as a business major and changed directions several times before eventually finding the field of speech-language pathology. Looking back, that uncertainty was challenging at the time, but it ultimately led me to a profession that aligns perfectly with my passion for helping people communicate and connect with others.
Another challenge along the way was the commitment required to pursue advanced education and establish myself in the field. After earning my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I continued my training by earning a Specialist degree in special education and completing specialized training in reading for children with dyslexia and learning disabilities. Balancing that level of education with the early stages of my career required a lot of persistence and determination.
Financial challenges were also part of the journey. Early in my career, I worked three jobs simultaneously in order to pay off my student loans. While it was demanding, that experience taught me discipline, resilience, and how deeply committed I was to building a career that made a real difference in people’s lives.
Transitioning between different professional settings also brought its own learning curve. I worked in schools with underprivileged children with special needs, pediatric speech therapy clinics, and later in rehabilitation settings helping patients recovering from neurological conditions such as strokes and multiple sclerosis. Each environment required me to adapt and grow as a clinician, but those experiences ultimately broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to support a wide range of clients.
More recently, starting my own speech therapy practice while becoming a new mother presented a new set of challenges. Like many parents, balancing professional goals with family life required creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to do things differently. One of the most rewarding solutions was expanding into virtual speech therapy, which has allowed me to serve families both locally in Knoxville and internationally.
While there have certainly been obstacles along the way, each one has helped shape my career and strengthened my commitment to helping others find their voices and communicate with confidence.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I provide specialized speech and language therapy designed to help individuals of all ages communicate effectively. Whether it’s a child with challenges with articulation, language, voice, stuttering, dyslexia, learning or developmental disabilities, ASD or any difficulties involving speech/language, I am here to guide you. Although I work with all ages, most of my clients are children looking for specialized help with articulation, stuttering or language skills. My goal is to improve communication skills, boost confidence, and enhance quality of life through personalized, evidence-based therapy.
How do you think about luck?
I feel very grateful for the role that both hard work and good fortune have played in my life and career. In many ways, what might look like luck from the outside often came from moments where the right opportunity appeared after years of preparation and persistence.
For example, I often say it was “good luck” that I stumbled upon the field of speech-language pathology while exploring majors in college. At the time, I was searching for a path that felt meaningful and aligned with my desire to help others. Discovering speech therapy felt like the perfect intersection of science, education, and service, and it ultimately led me to a career that I truly love.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate in my personal life. Meeting my husband in 2020 was one of those life-changing moments that felt like pure luck. Our move to Knoxville opened the door to new opportunities, including starting my own speech therapy practice and building connections within this community.
At the same time, I believe that what people sometimes call “luck” is often the result of perseverance and being willing to take risks. Starting my own practice after becoming a new mother was both exciting and challenging, but it ultimately allowed me to build something that supports both my family and the families I work with.
I also feel very fortunate that technology has created opportunities I never could have imagined earlier in my career. Through virtual speech therapy, I’ve been able to work with families not only here in Knoxville but also internationally, including clients as far away as The Gambia in West Africa. Moments like that remind me how grateful I am for the path that led me here.
Looking back, I would say luck has certainly played a role, but it has often shown up in the form of meaningful relationships, unexpected opportunities, and the chance to keep growing in a career that allows me to help others find their voices.
Pricing:
- Pricing is per session. Sessions are typically 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Please reach out for pricing information.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleymaxwellparrish.com/contact
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Ashley-Maxwell-Parrish-Speech-Pathologist-61563843342142/
