In the ever-evolving world of speech-language therapy, new paradigms are emerging that challenge traditional, deficit-based models. One pioneer in this movement is Jacqui Jebian Garcia, founder of Create Yourself Co., who blends conventional speech therapy with transformative body-based, or “somatic,” practices. In a candid conversation with Mina Roustayi on the “We Can Learn to Learn” blog, Jacqui Jebian Garcia shares her journey and philosophy – a story that’s relevant for parents, educators, and therapists alike.
From Traditional Therapy to a Body-Based Approach
Jacqui Jebian Garcia has been a speech-language pathologist for over a decade. Like many in her field, her early training leaned heavily on top-down, “medical” or “deficit” approaches. However, motherhood and personal growth led her to question these conventions:
“What we learned in grad school, you know, it just didn’t land well…intuitively, when I became a mother, things started shifting within me in the way I was giving therapy…” – Jacqui Jebian Garcia
Her exploration led her to polyvagal theory and somatic (body-based) trauma therapy, which emphasizes the vital role of the nervous system and felt safety. Mina Roustayi encapsulates the problem with conventional thinking:
“Children don’t come to us saying, these are the things that have impacted, left an imprint, a cellular invisible imprint on my body that doesn’t allow me to feel safe. And when I don’t feel safe, I can’t access this prefrontal cortex or other parts of my cognitive brain in order to perform in school, in order to speak.”
What is a Somatic Approach in Speech Therapy?
“Somatic” simply means relating to the body. For Jacqui Jebian Garcia, this means recognizing that communication isn’t just a cognitive process—it’s deeply tied to the body’s sense of safety and regulation. Instead of focusing narrowly on “fixing” a speech concern like stuttering, she incorporates sensory activities like movement, deep pressure, and specialized listening therapies (such as the Safe and Sound Protocol). The goal is to help children feel safe enough in their bodies for communication to naturally emerge.
Polyvagal Theory: A Game Changer
Much of Jacqui Jebian Garcia’s approach is rooted in Polyvagal Theory, pioneered by Dr. Stephen Porges. Polyvagal Theory describes how our vagus nerve and nervous system constantly scan the environment for cues of safety or threat—a process called “neuroception.”
“Neuroception is our alarm system…constantly detecting safety or danger at all times subconsciously.” – Jacqui Jebian Garcia
When children’s nervous systems are chronically stuck in threat mode, they struggle to access the “thinking brain,” making learning and speech development difficult. By supporting regulation and a “felt sense of safety,” Jacqui Jebian Garcia helps her clients reclaim communication and connection.
Empathy Over Pathology: Shifting the Lens
One of the conversation’s central messages is the importance of shifting from pathologizing children’s behaviors – labeling them “oppositional” or “defiant” – to understanding them as protective, automatic responses:
“We’re not fixing. We’re not pathologizing. We’re just in this acceptance and way of being…This is not something we need to fix. This is something we have to befriend.” – Jacqui Jebian Garcia
This shift opens the door for real empathy, effective accommodations, and self-advocacy for children who are neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, etc.).
Practical Tools: Color Coding & Somatic Check-Ins
To help children and parents connect with their inner states, Jacqui Jebian Garcia uses a simple color language to check in:
- Green: Calm, safe, regulated (rest and connection)
- Red: Fight-or-flight, hyperaroused (heart/body moving fast)
- Blue: Shut down, hypoaroused (heart/body moving slow)
These somatic check-ins normalize all states as temporary and empower families to co-regulate. Techniques like breathing, walking, or even a spontaneous family dance party can help shift nervous system states.
Why This Matters: Prevention, Empathy, and Lasting Change
The wisdom of polyvagal-informed therapy is that “trauma can be passed down, but so can safety.” As Mina Roustayi notes, this approach is not only restorative but preventive: by teaching children about their nervous systems and providing consistent felt safety, we can change lives for the better.
This lens also dissolves shame and blame around behavior. As children grasp that their nervous system responses are automatic – and learn ways to regulate in safe, supportive relationships – the path to speech, learning, and thriving becomes possible.
Takeaway for Parents, Educators, and Therapists
- Safety is the foundation for communication and learning.
- Body-based, polyvagal-informed practices help children regulate and connect.
- Moving away from a “fix-it” mentality fosters empathy, resilience, and self-advocacy.
- Modeling regulation and using tools like color-coding build emotional language and trust.
As Jacqui Jebian Garcia and Mina Roustayi emphasize, you only need one safe person to make a profound difference.