Karen Hosea, M.A., CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 25 years of experience working with children and families. She specializes in infants and young children from birth through age five, with particular expertise in pediatric feeding, infant feeding and lactation, oral motor development and dysfunction, tethered oral tissues, dysfunctional oral habits, and emerging myofunctional concerns. While early childhood is her primary focus, Karen also evaluates and treats older children when her specialized expertise fits their needs.

Karen's clinical approach looks beyond an isolated symptom to understand the whole child. She considers the relationship among oral function, feeding, swallowing, speech, airway, and development, recognizing how often these systems overlap. Her goal isn't simply to identify what a child is struggling with, but to understand why it's difficult and build an individualized plan that's practical for both child and family.

Karen holds a graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Appalachian State University and the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She has pursued extensive postgraduate training in pediatric feeding and orofacial myofunctional therapy throughout her career, and has been recognized by ASHA with multiple Awards for Continuing Education (ACE).

Collaboration is central to Karen's practice. When appropriate, she works closely with pediatricians, dentists and orthodontists, ENTs, lactation professionals, and physical and occupational therapists. She believes the best outcomes happen when providers and families understand not just what they're working toward, but the reasoning behind each recommendation.

Above all, Karen values the relationships she builds with the children and families she serves — combining clinical experience and evidence-based practice with a warm, realistic approach that gives families strategies they can actually carry into everyday life.