Today we’d like to introduce you to Yanetsy Pena.
Hi Yanetsy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started Star Therapy Services in 2016 with a simple mission: to help children communicate with confidence. What began as a dream rooted in compassion and evidence-based care has grown into a trusted therapy clinic serving families with personalized speech-language services, early intervention support, and a warm, family-centered approach. Today, we continue to empower children to shine, grow, and reach their fullest potential.
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?
My journey began with a passion for helping children find their voice. In 2021, I opened the clinic with a vision to create a nurturing space where families felt supported and children could thrive. I built the clinic from the ground up—licensing, certifications, long hours, and a belief that every child deserves individualized care.
When the pandemic hit, it challenged us, but it also strengthened our purpose. We adapted, grew, and stayed committed to the families who trusted us during uncertain times.
Today, Star Therapy Services is more than a clinic—it’s a family. It’s a place where children are celebrated, where parents feel understood, and where every small victory matters. Watching my team grow and seeing our kids succeed reminds me every day why I started this journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Star Therapy Services, we specialize in pediatric speech-language pathology with a strong focus on early intervention, communication delays, autism spectrum disorders, articulation, language development, and parent coaching. Our work centers around helping children build the communication skills they need to express themselves confidently and connect with the world around them. Every day, my team and I provide individualized, evidence-based therapy that is playful, engaging, and tailored to each child’s unique strengths. We also prioritize family involvement—because when parents understand the “why” and “how,” therapy becomes far more powerful. We offer:
• Comprehensive speech & language evaluations
• One-on-one therapy sessions
• Parent education and home-program support
• Sensory-integration approaches
• Collaboration with pediatricians, daycares, schools, and specialists.
Families often describe our clinic as warm, welcoming, and deeply supportive. I’m known for my patient, family-centered style and for creating an environment where both children and parents feel safe, understood, and empowered. I am also known for thorough evaluations, detailed clinical documentation, and a commitment to doing things the right way—not the fast way.
I’m most proud of the trust families place in us and the impact we’ve made in our community. Watching children say their first words, communicate their wants and needs, advocate for themselves, and grow in confidence is the most rewarding part of my work. I’m also extremely proud of the team I’ve built—therapists who genuinely love what they do and treat every child with respect, compassion, and dedication.
What truly sets us apart is our approach:
• Family-first philosophy: We don’t just treat the child—we guide, support, and educate the entire family.
• Individualized care: No “cookie-cutter” plans. Every therapy plan is customized because every child is different.
• Early intervention expertise: We understand the critical window of development and use strategies that maximize progress during those early years.
• Warm, nurturing environment: Children feel safe here, and that alone makes a tremendous difference in their engagement and success.
• Integrity and transparency: From documentation to communication with families, everything we do is rooted in honesty and ethical practice.
• High discharge rate: Our goal is always progress and independence—not keeping children in therapy longer than necessary. We are proud to maintain a strong discharge rate, reflecting meaningful progress, effective interventions, and ethical practice focused on helping children meet their goals and thrive beyond therapy.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve learned that risk-taking is a necessary part of growth, especially in business and in life. I don’t consider myself impulsive, but I do believe in taking intentional risks—those guided by purpose, preparation, and faith. Every major step I’ve taken has come from trusting my instincts, even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed.
One of the biggest risks I took was starting my own private practice. When I opened Star Therapy Services, I didn’t have a roadmap, investors, or even the certainty that it would succeed. I stepped into a competitive field, left the security of working for others, and took on the full responsibility of building something from the ground up. It required financial risk, long hours, constant learning, and the courage to believe in myself when very few people understood my vision.
Another significant risk came during the pandemic. Many clinics closed or reduced services, and it would have been safer to scale back. But I chose to open the clinic, adapt, and continue serving families who relied on me. It was a vulnerable time, but it taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of leading with heart.
My view on risk is simple: growth doesn’t happen in comfort. Every risk I’ve taken—becoming a business owner, expanding services, leading a team, becoming a mother while running a clinic—has pushed me to new levels of strength and clarity. I take risks not for the thrill, but because I believe in building a future that aligns with my values and purpose.
In the end, I see risk as an investment in possibility. And every step of my journey has shown me that when you move with intention, faith, and hard work, the reward is almost always worth it.
Pricing:
- Speech & Language Evaluations: Comprehensive assessments available; pricing varies depending on the complexity of the evaluation and insurance eligibility.
- Therapy Sessions: Session rates depend on duration, frequency, and insurance plan. We offer 1:1 personalized treatment tailored to each child’s needs.
- Insurance: We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and commercial insurances. Families can also choose private pay options.
- Private Pay Options: Flexible private pay packages are available for families who are uninsured or prefer out-of-network services.
- Documentation Support: Superbills and invoices are provided for families who wish to seek reimbursement directly from their insurance carriers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.starterapyservices.net
- Instagram: @startherapyservices
- Facebook: Star Therapy Services, Inc.
- Other: https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/miami/profile/speech-pathologist/star-therapy-services-inc-0633-92053589
