Today we’d like to introduce you to SHAYNA LABADIE.
Hi SHAYNA, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been a speech-language pathologist for over 20 years, and throughout my career I’ve had the privilege of working with children with a wide range of communication needs. My passion has always been helping children find their voice while empowering families with the tools and support they need to help their children thrive.
I founded Speech Therapy Santa Cruz to provide personalized, relationship-based speech therapy that goes beyond traditional sessions. As my practice grew, I began noticing a recurring challenge: families often struggled to find caregivers who truly understood child development, communication differences, sensory needs, and neurodiversity. Parents would frequently ask me if I knew of anyone who could provide high-quality care outside of therapy sessions.
That need inspired me to co-found TheraNanny with my colleague and friend, Rebecca Green, who is also a speech-language pathologist. We wanted to bridge the gap between therapy and childcare by connecting families with exceptional caregivers who have backgrounds in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, education, behavioral therapy, psychology, and related fields. Our goal is to help children receive consistent, high-quality support throughout their everyday lives—not just during therapy appointments.
Today, I continue to lead Speech Therapy Santa Cruz while growing TheraNanny across California. It’s incredibly rewarding to combine my clinical expertise with my passion for supporting families in a new way. Watching children flourish because they have the right team around them is what motivates me every day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting TheraNanny came with a different set of challenges. We were introducing a new concept—an agency that places highly skilled caregivers with backgrounds in speech therapy, occupational therapy, education, behavioral therapy, and child development. Helping families understand why that level of expertise matters, and why it’s different from traditional childcare, has taken time and a lot of education.
Another challenge has been finding the right people. We have incredibly high standards because these caregivers become such an important part of a family’s life. We aren’t looking for someone who’s simply available—we’re looking for people who are compassionate, knowledgeable, professional, and truly passionate about helping children grow. That means our hiring process is very intentional, and sometimes that takes longer.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also had moments of self-doubt and times when things didn’t go as planned. But every challenge has helped me grow, both as a business owner and as a clinician. Seeing the impact our work has on children and families makes every obstacle worthwhile. When a parent tells us their child is thriving because they finally have the right support team around them, it reminds me exactly why we started this journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
TheraNanny was founded by two speech-language pathologists who saw a gap in the childcare industry. Families, especially those raising children with developmental differences, often struggle to find caregivers who truly understand child development, communication, sensory regulation, behavior, and evidence-based strategies. We created TheraNanny to bridge that gap.
We are a boutique placement agency that connects families with exceptional nannies, family assistants, tutors, and caregivers who have backgrounds in education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, psychology, early childhood education, nursing, and other child development fields. While we proudly support families of children with autism, ADHD, speech and language delays, and other developmental needs, we also serve neurotypical families who simply want highly educated, engaging caregivers who foster learning through everyday routines and play.
What sets us apart is our clinical perspective. Every candidate is carefully vetted not only for professionalism and experience, but also for their ability to support children’s communication, emotional regulation, independence, and overall development. We don’t believe a nanny is “just a nanny.” The right caregiver can become an invaluable member of a family’s team, helping children build confidence, curiosity, and lifelong skills.
As speech-language pathologists with decades of combined experience, we continue to mentor and support many of our caregivers after placement through ongoing consultation and education. This commitment to professional growth helps ensure families receive the highest quality care possible.
The brand we’re most proud of is one built on relationships and trust. Our goal isn’t simply to fill positions—it’s to create long-lasting matches where children thrive, caregivers feel valued, and parents have true peace of mind. Every placement is made thoughtfully, with the belief that the right caregiver can positively shape a child’s life for years to come.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that often surprises people is that I’m actually a native of Arizona. I’m also a proud mom of two boys, and my partner has twins, so between the four kids, our life is wonderfully busy! Being part of a blended family has given me a deep appreciation for the different dynamics every family experiences.
While many people know me as a speech-language pathologist and the co-owner of TheraNanny, what they may not realize is that my passion for supporting families comes not only from my professional background but also from my own experiences raising children. Those experiences have shaped how I approach both speech therapy and caregiver placement—with empathy, practicality, and a genuine understanding of the day-to-day challenges families face.
Pricing:
- 35-95 an hour depending on the nanny
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.TheraNanny.com
- Instagram: Thera_nanny
