Your words are still there. We can help you reach them.
Arbutus Speech Therapy supports adults with aphasia across Vancouver and British Columbia, with sessions held at home, in the community, or by video.
What is Aphasia?
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a communication disorder caused by damage to the language areas of the brain. It can affect speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. It does not affect a person’s intelligence or who they are.
Therapy built around your life.
Aphasia therapy at Arbutus Speech Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. We design sessions around the goals that matter most to you and the people close to you, whether that means rejoining conversations at home, returning to work, or simply ordering a coffee again.
Sessions in your environment
At home, in the community, or online — we come to you. No clinic appointments required.
Real-life communication goals
What matters to you — at home, at work, in your community — guides every therapy plan.
Family involvement welcome
Partners and family members are part of the process — we share strategies for home too.
Evidence-based approaches
Techniques grounded in aphasia research and calibrated to your specific type and goals.
Registered SLPs only
No assistants. Every session with a fully registered Speech-Language Pathologist.
Continuity of care
The same SLP throughout your journey — no rotating staff, no starting over.
Aphasia looks different for every person.
The location and extent of brain injury determines how communication is affected. Some people have difficulty finding specific words. Others speak in full sentences that do not quite make sense. Some find understanding others is the hardest part. Reading and writing may also be affected.
Stroke
The most common cause. Blocked blood flow to the brain’s language areas disrupts communication.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A fall, accident, or impact can damage the language areas of the brain, producing aphasia alongside other effects.
Brain Tumour
A tumour pressing on or near language centres can produce aphasia during and after treatment.
Neurological Conditions
Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other progressive conditions can also cause aphasia-like communication difficulties.
Broca’s Aphasia
Words are hard to produce. Speech feels slow and effortful. Understanding is often much better than speaking.
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Speech flows easily but may not make sense. Understanding what others say is also significantly affected.
Global Aphasia
Both speaking and understanding are affected. Often seen after a large stroke. Meaningful progress is still possible.
Anomic Aphasia
Specific names and words are hard to retrieve. Full sentences are possible but with frequent searching pauses.
The brain is capable of change at any age. Research shows that many people continue to make meaningful progress in communication months or even years after their initial injury. It is never too late to begin therapy or to try again.
Three simple steps to begin.
Free Consultation
We start with a free phone call to learn about your communication goals and answer your questions. There is no commitment required.
Assessment
Your SLP will evaluate how aphasia is affecting communication and work with you to set meaningful, real-life goals.
Personalized Sessions
Therapy happens where you are: at home, in the community, or by video. Sessions are tailored to your type of aphasia and what you want to achieve.
At 61, David had spent over two decades in project coordination. After his stroke, the words he needed were suddenly just out of reach. Emails felt impossible. Family conversations were frustrating on both sides. Over several months of weekly sessions held at home, he began leading family dinners again. His SLP built the therapy around what mattered most to him, going beyond clinical targets alone.
Client composite, Vancouver
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aphasia and what causes it?
Aphasia is a communication disorder that happens when the areas of the brain responsible for language are damaged. The most common cause is stroke, but aphasia can also result from a traumatic brain injury, brain tumour, brain infection, or certain neurological conditions. Aphasia affects how a person speaks, understands, reads, and writes. It does not change their intelligence, personality, or who they are.
Can a person with aphasia still improve years after a stroke?
Yes. While the fastest period of recovery is often in the first few months, research shows the brain remains capable of change for years after an injury. Many people make meaningful gains in communication long after their acute rehabilitation ends. It is never too late to begin therapy or to try again.
What does an aphasia therapy session actually look like?
Sessions are tailored to your goals and type of aphasia, so they vary from person to person. A session might involve practising word retrieval, working through real-life scenarios like making a phone call, or building strategies for conversations at home or work. Sessions are typically 45 to 60 minutes and can happen at your home, in the community, or by video.
Can family members attend aphasia therapy sessions?
Yes, and we encourage it. Family members and partners play an important role in communication recovery. We often include them in parts of sessions to share strategies and learn how to support communication at home. The people around you are part of the therapeutic environment.
Do you offer online sessions for aphasia therapy?
Yes. We offer aphasia therapy by video across British Columbia. Online sessions are effective for many aspects of aphasia treatment, and research supports the use of teletherapy for adults with aphasia. If you are unsure whether online therapy is a good fit for your situation, we are happy to discuss it during your free consultation.
Is aphasia the same as dementia?
No. Aphasia is a language disorder caused by specific damage to the brain’s language areas. Dementia is a broader condition affecting memory, reasoning, and many cognitive functions. A person with aphasia may have completely normal memory, thinking, and personality. Some neurological conditions can cause both aphasia and dementia, but they are distinct issues and are treated differently.
Does extended health coverage apply to aphasia therapy?
Many extended health benefit plans in British Columbia cover Speech-Language Pathology services, including aphasia therapy. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend checking with your provider. We are happy to provide receipts and documentation needed for reimbursement. Contact us if you have questions about your coverage before booking.
Trusted by adults across Vancouver and BC
★★★★★
“I have worked with Arbutus Speech Therapy following a stroke which affected my speech significantly. They have been extremely helpful, knowledgeable, professional and friendly!”
Adult client recovering from stroke, Vancouver
★★★★★
“Our SLP worked with my father who has a form of Parkinson’s that affects speech quickly and aggressively. She was able to effectively assess his needs and provided a comprehensive plan that met his needs and the family. Her upbeat demeanour and encouragement were exactly what we needed.”
Family member of an adult client, Vancouver
★★★★★
“Working with Arbutus Speech Therapy, my speech improved dramatically. It’s more than just practising talking. Our SLP really goes into the physiological and physical ways and explains why these can really affect your speech. 10/10 recommend for adults.”
Adult client, speech improvement, Vancouver
Support for communication after stroke or brain injury.
A free phone consultation is a no-pressure first step. Tell us a bit about where you are right now. We will listen.
Prefer to send a message first? Contact us here.
