Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Darnell.
Charlotte, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I opened my practice because I saw a real need in our community for accessible, whole‑person speech‑language care. Throughout my training and clinical work, I kept meeting families and adults who were struggling to find support for challenges that went far beyond what most people think of as ‘speech therapy.’ Many didn’t realize that speech‑language pathologists also treat swallowing disorders, as well as cognitive‑communication challenges . I wanted to create a place where adults and children could receive evidence‑based, personalized care without long waitlists or unnecessary barriers — a place where collaboration with physicians, specialists, and caregivers is the norm.
But if I’m honest, my journey into this field started with this surprise, but it grew into something much deeper.
I remember sitting in my interview for SLP school, excited but also aware that I didn’t yet understand the full scope of what SLPs do. I knew I was passionate about helping people communicate — especially adults and children with complex needs — but I had no idea how deeply our work is rooted in anatomy, physiology, and neurology, or how many lives we touch in ways most people never see. I certainly didn’t imagine that one day I’d be helping someone relearn how to swallow after cancer treatment or supporting a family through the cognitive changes that follow a stroke.
That realization didn’t truly hit me until my internship in Head and Neck Cancer. It was there that everything changed.
I met some of the bravest people I’ve ever known — individuals fighting not just for their health, but for the simple, human joy of eating and drinking safely again. Sitting beside them, listening to their fears, celebrating their victories, and witnessing their resilience was one of the most profound experiences of my life. Helping someone take a sip of water without pain or fear… it’s hard to describe how meaningful that is unless you’ve seen it. It was in those moments that I understood just how special our profession is.
That experience lit a fire in me. It shaped the kind of clinician I wanted to become and the kind of practice I wanted to build.
So when I opened my doors, it wasn’t just to offer therapy — it was to create a space where people are seen, supported, and empowered. A space where adults and children alike can access the full scope of what SLPs offer, without barriers or confusion about what we do. I think that’s the heart of my story, really – a belief that everyone deserves to live a life that feels like their own.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh gosh, smooth? Not even close! I was all ready to open in November — everything lined up, feeling excited — and then life threw a huge curveball. My dad became suddenly very sick, and being British, I was on a plane home the minute I got the call. He passed away not long after, and it completely knocked me off my feet.
So everything paused for a bit. I needed time to catch my breath and figure out which way was up again. And even now, there are still things in process that are taking longer than I’d like. For example, I’m really looking forward to finalizing my Medicaid contracts with the insurance companies here in Volusia. Medicaid patients in our community are facing some really tough restrictions on therapeutic services, and there’s such a huge need for more providers to step into this space.
Being able to accept these patients is absolutely central to my mission, so I’m learning a whole new level of patience when it comes to processes and paperwork. It’s not glamorous, but it matters — and it’s worth it. Getting back on track with the practice has actually become part of finding my footing again. It feels good to be moving toward something I know my dad would’ve been so proud of.
As you know, we’re big fans of Purple Heron Therapy Partners. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At its core, my practice is really about helping people just live more fully — whether that’s a little one finding their voice or an adult recovering after a big medical event. A lot of people still think ‘speech therapy’ is just about speech sounds, but as I touched on earlier, SLPs do so much more. We support swallowing safety, cognitive‑communication after illness or injury, voice, language, and all the things that help someone feel like themselves again.
My clinic works with both adults and children, and with a special focus on neuro rehabilitation. What really sets my practice apart is the mix of clinincal expertise with a very personal, human approach. We’re not a big clinic where people feel rushed or lost in the shuffle — we take the time to really understand each person’s goals, their culture, their story, and what ‘better’ looks like for them.
Accessibility is also a huge part of our mission, and what we’re building. We offer flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, because life doesn’t always fit into a 9–5. We provide telehealth for people who need care from home. We accept Medicare Part B, and are currently expanding our network with most major insurance providers. We are excited to announce that we just joined the Curative network, which is a new major insurance provider for our region, chosen to provide health insurance for all the employees of Volusia County this year. So that’s something we’re especially proud of. And we are also direct‑pay providers for the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship.
All of this is to say that making therapy easier to access — financially and logistically — is really important to us.
Brand‑wise, I’m proud that everything we do is rooted in dignity, compassion, and access. I want people to know this is a place where they’ll be seen, heard, and supported. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to give people the tools and confidence to live a life that feels like their own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.purpleherontherapy.com
- Other: https://clientportal.us.zandahealth.com/clientportal/purpleherontherapypartnersllc
