Nathalia A. Fonseca, is a bilingual speech-language pathologist. Speech–language pathologists evaluate bilingual and culturally diverse children who are having linguistic and/or academic difficulties. As a result, speech–language pathologists are making the crucial diagnosis between a disorder and something else.
Fonseca opened her private practice in the Chelsea area in NYC this past year. She is predominately a pediatric therapist, who services multi-cultural and bilingual families. Fonseca also provides Transgender Voice Modification therapy. As a member of the LGBTQ community, a Latina (First Generation Colombian), and a speech pathologist Nathalia A. Fonseca has dedicated more of her time to build awareness and support for the community (both multicultural and LGBTQ).
”A person’s voice is such an integral part of who we are; yet it is taken for granted by most. The most minuscule change can transform a whole person’s world, lifestyle, and overall outlook on life.” Nathalia A. Fonseca
Nathalia obtained her M.S. from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and is currently a doctoral student in speech-language pathology at NSU with a research focus on culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Bilingual Speech-Language & Swallowing Therapy services a range of patients. Nathalia, a PROMPT Level II-trained therapist, has experience in the assessment and treatment of multicultural populations, voice disorders, transgender voice modification, swallowing disorders, autism spectrum disorder, motor speech disorders, as well as, cognitive deficits. Additionally, Nathalia has extensive experience in treating pediatric and adult patients.
As a frequent traveler, Nathalia has been fortunate enough to combine her passion for SLP and traveling by being a part of Operation Smile and Therapy Abroad for their medical missions in Latin, South, and Central American countries as an SLP and Supervisor.
What does it look like to be a bilingual SLP? Let’s read an interview with a speech-language pathologist Nathalia A. Fonseca.
What do you like most about being a bilingual speech-language pathologist?
I have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, and with a variety of patients/populations. The freedom to focus on a different area in the field helps with minimizing feeling burned out. But, the thing I appreciate/love most is that the most minuscule change can transform a whole person’s world, lifestyle, and overall outlook on life. And, honestly, that is why I went into the world of Speech-Language Pathology. It’s establishing a rapport with the individual and working closely with other professionals to make sure the needs of that individual person are met in a holistic approach. Whole Body. Whole Person.
In your own words, what do you do?
I do a little bit of everything. First and foremost, I am a bilingual speech-language pathologist by trade. I am also a doctoral student and a clinical supervisor and adjunct professor at my alma mater (Go Griffins!). In 2019 I took the leap and decided to open my own private practice in New York City – Bilingual Speech-Language & Swallowing Therapy. Since I am still building my practice I am also the receptionist, the biller, the everything. I play many hats, but my most favorite hat is being the speech-language pathologist. I assess and treat patients from the womb to tomb with varying disorders, including but not limited to autism spectrum disorder, motor speech disorders, articulation, and phonological disorders, as well as, receptive-expressive and pragmatic language disorders. I also have specialized training and extensive experience in feeding and swallowing therapy to address individuals with feeding aversions, are considered “picky eaters,” or who predominately are gavage-fed (i.e. nutrition via a gastric tube).
What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced so far as a business owner?
Time. Time has been my biggest obstacle because I need time to treat, to the bill, write reports, in addition, to having time for myself, my doctorate, and everything I have on my plate. Time management was always a strength for me, but it does not compare to how much more I have to pay attention to where I distribute my time and energy. As a still new (1 year) business owner, learning the business portion of speech-language pathology takes time and energy. Time is my key factor in growth, and being okay that it will take time to grow.
You’re a busy woman, Do you practice self-care at all?
Yes! I just started practicing self-care last year. If you ask anyone who knows me they know how busy I tend to be. Last year I realized it started taking a (negative) toll on me, and I decided to change that. I go for walks, listen to music, meditate on a weekly basis, cook, and dance. I also travel as often as I can! I didn’t realize how important self-care was to my physical and mental health. It doesn’t matter what I do, as long as I do something weekly (if not daily). After taking the time to contribute to self-care my overall persona has significantly improved.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
Just go for it. Sit with people who have knowledge in business, accounting, building their own private practice, etc. and create your plan. Write your ideas and every day do something to get you a step closer. It took me a year (if not more) to fully go on my own. I made a list of things I wanted to complete and slowly executed each one. I also made sure to save money for a possible rainy day. When you start on your own you never know what’s going to happen, so be sure to save and have that cushion. If you don’t need/use it then that just means more money in your pocket! And just remember everything takes patience and time. Time will be your enemy, but also your best friend.
At what point did you know you it was the right time to work for yourself?
I realized when I was working at a facility and I was completely unhappy. I love my career and always have, but I started to hate going to work. I loved seeing my patients, but working under someone who didn’t have the same morals as I made me question why I was there. That’s when I decided to make every possible move to venture out and build a practice that encompassed my morals as an individual and a bilingual speech-language pathologist. It took a year for me to finally make that jump, but I haven’t been happier! I am more stressed than usual, but it doesn’t compare to being completely unhappy. The stress is also different. It’s happy stress to be able to work for myself.
Where do you get your inspiration from daily?
My patients. As a speech-language pathologist I yearn for continued progress and growth, and every time I see it in my patients I am motivated even more to continue the work I am doing. Even as a professor/supervisor, when I see my students understand the material I am teaching and/or improve their clinical skills I get inspired to continue putting in the work.
What are your current areas of focus?
I predominately work with multicultural children and families, but specialize in swallowing disorders. Since I started practicing I have poured all of my time and energy into feeding therapy among the pediatric population. As someone who is foodie, I enjoy every single bite of food. How could I not let a little one enjoy this simple luxury? But, that isn’t my only love in the field: Transgender Voice Modification. How often do you say to yourself “Ugh, I can’t stand and hate how my voice sounds”? It’s natural. We tend to not like the sound of our own voices, but at least our voices reflect who we are as individuals. It does not make us feel out of place. As a member of the LGBTQ community and as a Latina, I have “felt out” of place in society; I have just never felt out of place from my own body. The simple sound of your voice is such an integral part of who we are, yet it is taken for granted by most.
Who have been your own biggest mentors and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
My biggest mentor has been Denise Cruz. She was my externship supervisor when I was in graduate school, and now she is my co-worker and friend. On the first day of my externship in a very demanding hospital nonetheless, Denise very confidently said: “fake it till you make it.” And honestly, that was the best advice she could have ever given me. As a speech-language pathologist is it the smartest thing for me to admit sometimes I have to fake it till I make it, probably not, but it’s true. I have been placed in situations throughout my career where I was caught off guard and thrown for a loop. And that’s when her advise has been the most useful. I built and am still building my private practice with no prior knowledge. I am literally faking it until I make it, and it’s been working great. I realize the more I just go for it, the more I actually know and grow. As is, Denise has been and continues to be a very influential person in my life.
What is your next big goal? How do you think you can achieve this one?
Besides continuing to grow my private practice and graduate with a doctorate, my biggest goal is to create or build a practice that does missions around the world. I have been apart of other organizations and completed SLP based medical/educational missions in South/Central America. As a bilingual SLP and traveler, I absolutely adore that I can combine both of my loves. However, I would like to expand it where my practice creates and completes missions with various disciplines (i.e. ABA, OT, PT, MFTs, etc). I have a few more years before I can achieve this goal, and to be honest, I’m not sure the first steps to doing this, but it will be done. Firstly, I have to continue growing my private practice and learning about the missions and the behind the scenes for executing them. The best way to learn is to continue being apart of the organizations I am affiliated with. As I mentioned my doctorate is in the works, and I plan to complete a dissertation with a global outlook where I would research, work with and learn about other countries and their areas of need within the SLP field. This is another way that I am going to achieve my big goal.
Follow my wanderlust SLP journey @BilingualSLPNY #BilingualSLPNY
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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