
Denise Dougherty, MA, CCC-SLP
Denise Dougherty is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has her own private practice, where she conducts therapy with both children and adults. Ms. Dougherty received her Bachelor's degree at Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania, a Master's Degree from St. Louis University and has completed postgraduate courses at Johns Hopkins University and several doctoral courses at University of Phoenix.
She is certified in VitalStim therapy and is an instructor for VitalStim certification, is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and has received numerous ASHA ACE Awards. Ms. Dougherty has worked at United Cerebral Palsy, Easter Seals, in long-term care; is a board member of The American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA), AAPPSPA Program Chair for 2006 and 2007 Conference; is a AAPPSPA liaison for the ASHA Health Care and Economics Committee and served as secretary of CORSPAN.
Ms. Dougherty was also an adjunct faculty member at York College of Pennsylvania and Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. She is the Vice President of The American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology and received the Academy's 2007 Honors Award for achievements.
Courses
- Course Title
- Format
- Hours
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Online/Mail Price
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Online/Mail
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Dentition and DietFormat: Video
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Video
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Hours: 3
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From $55 / $94
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Quick View
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Video
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Hours: 2
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From $37 / $66
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Quick View
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Create Your Dysphagia ToolboxFormat: Video
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Video
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Hours: 3
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From $55 / $94
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Quick View
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Disorders and Medications that Impact SwallowingFormat: Video
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Video
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Hours: 4
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From $72 / $120
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Quick View
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Esophageal Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutic OptionsFormat: Video
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Video
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Hours: 4
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From $72 / $120
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Quick View
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Assessment of the Patient with DysphagiaFormat: Video
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Video
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Hours: 5
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From $89 / $142
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Quick View
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Dysphagia and DementiaFormat: Video
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Video
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Hours: 2
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From $37 / $66
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Quick View
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Video
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Hours: 4
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From $72 / $120
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Quick View
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Private Practice: Building Your Business PlanFormat: Video
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Video
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Hours: 3
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From $55 / $94
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Quick View
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Webinar
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Hours: 4
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From $116
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Quick View
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Webinar
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Hours: 2
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From $59
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Quick View
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Video
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Hours: 3
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From $55 / $70
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Quick View
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Video
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Hours: 4
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From $72 / $86
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Quick View
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Webinar
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Hours: 3
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From $106
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Quick View
Quick View
Dentition and Diet

Course Description:
For clinicians involved with patients diagnosed with dysphagia utilize information revealed from the bedside evaluation and instrumental assessments to develop a therapy plan, determine the highest appropriate diet and mealtime strategies/precautions to be implemented to keep the individual safe. In making these determinations, the role of dentition and oral care is critical. This seminar builds on our basis knowledge providing a more detailed understanding of the role of specific...
Utilization of the International Dysphagia Diet Initiative

Course Description:
The IDDSI or International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative final framework was completed in November 2015 by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Committee. This initiative is "culturally sensitive, measurable and applicable to individuals of all age groups in all care settings." This framework is being implemented on a global scale and provides clear guidelines for each diet and liquid consistency.
This seminar will discuss the IDDSI framework including the 8 levels identified...
Create Your Dysphagia Toolbox

Course Description:
Dysphagia therapy is a big part of our practice. We often have a tight budget to work with and our purchases have an impact on the therapies and techniques we can offer our patients. The equipment needs to be sturdy and allow us to challenge our patients. Our decisions are often made based on our experience with what has worked for us in...
Disorders and Medications that Impact Swallowing

Course Description:
Patients we see for dysphagia evaluations and therapy often have numerous comorbidities that impact their swallow. As the number of diagnoses increase, so do the medications. It is our job to understand how these disorders, diseases and medications change the swallow. The COVID-19 pandemic creates problems with swallowing, specifically post-extubation. We need to recognize the red flags with COVID-19...
Esophageal Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutic Options

Course Description:
Esophageal Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutic Options course builds on your basic knowledge of the esophagus. The esophagus has an important role in swallowing, and it is important to understand the impact diseases/disorders have on its function. Evaluation tools such as the bedside swallow, MBS/FEES and BS give us a picture of what is or may be impacting the swallow. Esophageal scans done during the MBS and BS studies can...
Assessment of the Patient with Dysphagia

Course Description:
When performing an assessment of the patient with dysphagia, a chart review is critical to collect relevant information and identify red flags. By knowing how disorders progress and impact each phase of swallow, patient deficits can be better understood. Also, there are certain evaluation tools which provide clinicians the details needed to document a deficit. Furthermore, COVID-19 has changed the process...
Dysphagia and Dementia

Course Description:
Many clients have a diagnosis of dementia, but numerous medical conditions fall under this category. Not all dementias present with the same type of dysphagia. This course provides an overview of dysphagia and dementia including the similarities and differences of dementia types, evaluation, and treatment recommendations. Furthermore, COVID-19 protocols are discussed to minimize risks to therapists and patients. When implemented, evaluations...
Considerations for Alternate Nutrition and Hydration: Educating Staff and Family

Course Description:
When making recommendations for patients, we may have to consider alternate forms of nutrition and hydration based on their unique set of circumstances. One consideration is how long ANH may be necessary – short term vs. long term. Research has looked at benefits and burdens and trajectory of diseases – COVID-19, CVA, cancer, dementia, EOL to name a few. COVID-19 patients...
Private Practice: Building Your Business Plan

Course Description:
Branching out into your own business can be a daunting task. How do you even begin? You have ideas and plans, but when it's time to put them on paper, you draw a blank! It's important to have a blueprint for your practice but if you can’t write about it, how can you build it? Your business plan helps build a solid foundation and provides you with a roadmap...
Esophageal Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutic Options - Tuesday, April 22nd 2025, 4:00pm - 8:00pm ET

Course Overview
Esophageal Function, Dysfunction and Therapeutic Options course builds on your basic knowledge of the esophagus. The esophagus has an important role in swallowing, and it is important to understand the impact diseases/disorders have on its function. Evaluation tools such as the bedside swallow, MBS/FEES and BS give us a picture of what is or may be impacting the swallow. Esophageal scans done during the MBS and BS studies can...
Utilization of the International Dysphagia Diet Initiative - Monday, April 28th, 2025, 5:00pm-7:00pm ET

Course Overview
The IDDSI or International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative final framework was completed in November 2015 by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Committee. This initiative is "culturally sensitive, measurable and applicable to individuals of all age groups in all care settings." This framework is being implemented on a global scale and provides clear guidelines for each diet and liquid consistency.
This seminar will discuss the IDDSI framework including the 8 levels identified...
Nutrition and Dysphagia: Modifications, Enhancements and Strategies, 2nd edition

Course release date: 3/5/2025
Course Overview
We work with individuals living in our communities or in facilities who have been diagnosed with dysphagia. Our task is to determine the most appropriate diet and liquid consistencies to maintain hydration and nutrition, strategies and compensatory maneuvers to minimize risk of aspiration, and recommend adaptive equipment to improve self-feeding and mealtime independence. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) identified characteristics of...
Dysphagia Care Plan, Education, and Best Practices for Your Staff, 2nd Edition

Course release date: 3/5/2025
Course Overview
Staff education on feeding, thickening liquids, strategies, and precautions is part of our job as speech pathologists or occupational therapists. If we don’t provide this information, the lack of staff education and knowledge may result in choking, aspiration events, or worse. Studies document staff education is often nonexistent or very general. This seminar will identify specific recommendations and rationale for their use. These...
Create Your Dysphagia Toolbox - Thursday, June 12th 2025, 5:00pm-8:00pm ET

Course Description:
Dysphagia therapy is a big part of our practice. We often have a tight budget to work with and our purchases have an impact on the therapies and techniques we can offer our patients. The equipment needs to be sturdy and allow us to challenge our patients. Our decisions are often made based on our experience with what has worked for us in...