Susan B. Nachimson, M. A., CCC, SLP, C/NDT

has been practicing speech-language pathology for more than 40 years. She uses water for the treatment of clients with severe limitations of voicing, respiration and volume control, oral-sensory hypersensitivity, movement with phonation, developmental apraxia of speech (DAS), focusing and attending, and many other clinical issues for infants, children and adults with and without neuromotor limitations.

With a strong background in NDT (NeuroDeveopmental Treatment/Bobath), Hendricks Institute Radiance Breathwork and Prenatal Process, she is also a Watsu Practitioner and member of Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA). Susan works in water heated at or near body temperature (93-96°F) so that clients do not feel chilled or overheated and are able to attain goals being addressed.

Susan has a private practice in Garberville, CA where she serves a varied population ranging in ages from infant through geriatric.

She has taught classes in Assessment and Intervention of pediatric oral motor development and feeding issues in a variety of formal courses and inservices.

Susan provides consultation in feeding, oral-motor development, respiration/phonation, autism spectrum and other related speech-language releated areas.

Educational Experience

**denotes direct aquatic coursework

  • MA Speech Pathology, Humboldt State University, California, 1976
  • Cal. License Speech Pathology, SLP 3124, 1976 (current)
  • ASHA, CCC-SLP, January 1, 1977 (current)
  • Neurodevelopmental Treatment(NDT), 8 wk pediatrics, Judith Bierman, RPT 1987**
  • California Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), pacific school of massage & healing arts, May 2, 1982
  • Level I Training in Transpersonal Body Therapy, Guy Hendricks, March 17, 1985
  • Radiance Prenatal Process, Hendricks Institute, Guy and Kathlyn Hendricks, September 2, 1985**
  • Pediatric Myofascial Release, John F. Barnes, April 28, 1991
  • Myofascial Release and NDT, Reggi Boehme, February, 1992
  • Beyond Oral-Motor Therapy, Pamela Marshalla, MA,CCC-SLP, May, 1999
  • Watsu Practitioner, Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association, June 22, 2001**
    (completed Watsu I, II, III and Watsu III, Adaptive with prerequisite as CMT)
  • Jahara Basics, July 22, 2001**
  • Jahara Expansion, October 19, 2001**
    NOTE: Jahara is a technique for aquatic therapy taught by Mario Jahara
  • Aquatic Therapy for NDT therapists, May 1, 2002, NDTA Conference, Albuquerque,
    New Mexico** Taught by Jane Aceveda, RPT, NDT
  • Shiatsu by Jahara, June 17-21, 2002
  • Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute, Inc. Specialty Institute; Pediatrics, Sue Grosse, Instructor; Variety of adult courses by many instructors; September 4-7, 2008**
  • Intensive NDT- Based Therapeutic Aquatics Course for Pediatrics, Jane Styer-Acevedo, PT, C/NDT, Instructor, October 15-17, 2009**
  • Aquatic Therapy Instructor Course, Water-Based intervention for the Musculoskeletal Client; Aquatic Therapy Boot Camp; AQUATIC THERAPY UNIVERSITY, January 15-16, 2010;** Andrea Salzman, RPT, Instructor
  • Teaches: "Aquatic Therapy for Speech-Language Pathologists," 2002-Present**
    16-18 Continuing Education Units granted by California Speech-Language Pathology Board  (PDP#129)
  • CPR, Infants and Adults, from American Red Cross; current
  • American Red Cross Swim Coaches Safety Certification, for poolside safety**