Meghan Gallardo specializes in cultivating communication skills through trauma-informed approaches, this speech-language pathologist combines almost two decades of experience with a compassionate, person-centered focus. She empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds to embrace their authentic voices and communicate confidently.
For most of my career, I believed I had to separate who I was from what I did. My spiritual life, so central to my being, felt like it had no place in my professional world. As a speech-language pathologist, I was trained to focus on evidence analysis, scrutinizing, and pathologizing all forms of communication.
Understanding the deeper meaning of human communication
There wasn’t much room in the traditional speech therapy model for the questions that kept tugging at me: What are the common themes running beneath the surface of human pain? What is the meaning behind the voices beyond the words and the diagnosis?
I genuinely feared that if I showed my true self if I openly acknowledged the holistic, intuitive approaches I’d come to embrace through my spiritual practices, I would be judged, placed on professional organizations' warning lists, ostracized, or dismissed as an "off-her-rocker" outsider. But here’s the thing: the deeper I dove into my growth and healing, a lifelong task, the more I realized I couldn’t ignore the connection between mind, body, and spirit, not in my life and certainly not in my work.
How the scientific method encourages growth
It wasn’t until I reexamined the purpose of the scientific method itself that I realized something profound. The frameworks we lean on in professional practice weren’t designed to box us in; they were intended to free us. The scientific method, at its core, is about curiosity and discovery. It wasn’t created to freeze progress in definitive answers but to guide us toward deeper understanding.
As Richard Feynman, a brilliant physicist, once said, “Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.” This isn’t a call to discredit expertise but a reminder that even the most established knowledge should remain open to refinement and growth. Science, at its best, encourages us to question, explore, and remain humble in the face of all we do not know.
What Jung, McClintock, and Bohm teach us about holism
This realization wasn’t unique to me. History shows that some of the greatest thinkers, those who spent a lifetime immersed in study and exploration, followed a similar path. Carl Jung, for instance, began his career aligned with Freud’s structured psychoanalytic framework but ultimately broke away, embracing a more integrative and holistic approach. His work on the collective unconscious and the interplay of spirituality and psychology still resonates today.
Likewise, Barbara McClintock, a trailblazing geneticist, discovered “jumping genes” by stepping beyond traditional scientific dogma. Her intuitive process of “listening to the organism” exemplified how embracing the unknown can lead to profound breakthroughs. And David Bohm, a physicist, moved beyond conventional quantum mechanics to propose the “implicate order,” a theory suggesting the universe is an interconnected whole.
These thinkers understood, and I have come to embrace, that questioning absolutes is the natural evolution of a life committed to growth and inquiry. The deeper we dive, the more we see that life isn’t black and white. It’s nuanced, interconnected, and deeply complex. This understanding doesn’t diminish our work; it enriches it.
Over time, it became clear that the most meaningful growth I witnessed in my clients, whether they were children struggling to find their voice or adults navigating profound changes, happened in the gray areas. Growth didn’t just come from the specialized techniques I’d mastered or the newest certifications I’d achieved. It came from the connection. From trust. From the deeper, unspoken space where two spirits meet and healing begins.
I can’t ignore that anymore.
Why I’m different
In a world that values sameness, I choose to stand in my differences. Yes, I’m a licensed, experienced speech-language pathologist. I know how to implement modifications, create measurable goals, write fabulous reports, and achieve results. But my work isn’t just about fixing surface-level issues. It’s about transformation.
You’ll get results when you work with me, but they may go deeper than you expect. I believe communication is more than words; it reflects our humanity, our connection to others, and sometimes our deepest struggles. Consider a family navigating the aftermath of a stroke or sudden injury, grappling with how to communicate in a world turned upside down. Or a parent seeking to understand their autistic child’s unique way of seeing the world while also wrestling with the question, Why me? Why my family?
These aren’t just practical challenges; they’re deeply existential. When we lose the ability to communicate or feel judged and unheard, it touches something primal within us.
Transformative speech therapy focused on the whole person
In our world, we often focus so heavily on fixing things, rushing from one appointment to the next, measuring milestones, and tracking progress, that we lose sight of something essential: we are meant to live and enjoy life, not just fix it.
We focus so much on what’s “wrong” that we forget to see the whole person, the beauty of their spirit, journey, and resilience. That’s why I focus not just on speech but on the person behind the words. This is where I choose to work: in the space between technique and transformation, between doing and being.
Finding hope in the darkest times
For individuals and families facing disabilities, the challenges are often far deeper than they seem on the surface. It’s not just about learning how to speak again or adapting to new communication tools; it’s about finding hope amid grief and redefining what life can look like after a life-altering event.
I help families and individuals dig into those deeper questions: Why me? Why my family? What does this mean for our lives now? These are hard questions, but they’re also where healing begins. By creating space to explore these emotions, we can begin to find clarity and connection and even rediscover joy.
Time and again, I’ve seen families come to understand that while life may never look the same, it can still be full of meaning. I’ve witnessed individuals rediscover their voices, literally and figuratively, and seen the ripple effect of that transformation on their loved ones.
Through my journey into hypnotherapy and holistic approaches, I’ve learned to hold space for more than just the technical aspects of growth. I hold space for the emotions, fears, and hopes that drive us forward. I hold space for the connection that heals.
Why it’s ok to be different
It took me years to embrace the fact that I don’t fit neatly into a box. Sometimes, that still scares me, but I’m working on it. Just as I tell my clients, the more you do something, the easier it gets. Writing this article is one of those moments.
I am both analytical and deeply spiritual. I am a seeker, constantly asking questions, noticing patterns, and striving to understand more about the human experience for myself and, naturally, for others. These qualities make me unique, but they also make me highly effective.
I know I may not be everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay. But for those ready to dive deep, move beyond surface-level solutions, and explore not just how we grow but why I’m here for you, I’m here to walk beside you in the darkest times, to remind you that you’re never alone, and to help you uncover the meaning beneath the voice.
If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to fit in, know this: the world doesn’t need more sameness. It needs more of you. Your voice, your truth, your unique way of seeing the world. And if you’re ready to step into that truth, I’m here to help. Let’s take that journey together.
A call to connection
As I step fully into who I am, I encourage you to do the same. Let’s stop hiding. Let’s embrace the fact that the greatest transformations happen when we’re willing to be different, to ask questions, and to connect on a deeper level.
Are you ready to uncover the meaning behind your voice or the voice of your loved one? Are you ready for real, lasting growth? If so, I’m here to guide you. Let’s create something beautiful together. Book a free consult call today. I’d love to meet you.
“When you trust yourself and honor your path, the world opens up in ways you never imagined.” – Wayne Dyer
Read more from Meghan Gallardo
Meghan Gallardo, Speech Language Pathologist | Communication Coach
Meghan Gallardo is the founder of Harmony Speech Therapy Solutions, LLC, and a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist with nearly two decades of experience transforming the lives of over 1,000 individuals and families. She has worked across clinics, schools, homes, daycares, and early childhood programs in four states, specializing in trauma-informed approaches that build authentic communication skills. Meghan's journey from adversity to empowerment fuels her mission to amplify every voice and create safe and supportive spaces for growth. She blends evidence-based practices with emotional and intuitive care through her work, helping clients rewrite their stories, connect deeply, and thrive.
References:
Feynman, R. P. (n.d.). What is science?
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Collective unconscious. In Britannica.
Nature Education. (n.d.). Barbara McClintock and the discovery of jumping genes.
Science and Nonduality. (n.d.). David Bohm: Implicate order and holomovement.
The Academy of Ideas. (2018, May 14). David Bohm and the implicate order [Video]. YouTube.
