Great question, and one that I love answering. 

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a series of gentle, targeted exercises that help retrain the muscles of your face, mouth, and tongue. We work on both movement and strength — helping your body unlearn unhelpful patterns (like mouth breathing or tongue thrust) and rebuild better ones. 

The goal? Restored function. Better breathing, More ease with sleep, swallowing, posture, and energy. 

It’s like physical therapy for your mouth, minus the weights, plus a whole lot of impact. 

At Vibrant Myofunctional Therapy, we focus on four core goals that support healthy breathing, posture, and oral function: 

1. Correct tongue posture — with the tongue resting fully against the roof of your mouth
2. Correct mouth posture — with lips comfortably closed at rest
3. Consistent nasal breathing — through the nose, both day and night
4. A normalized, efficient swallow — free of compensations or excess muscle strain

When these foundations are in place, they support everything from clearer breathing and deeper sleep to improved digestion and long-term oral and airway health. 

It’s not just about the mouth — it’s about how your whole system functions, starting from the inside out. 

I wish. (If it did, I’d be booked out for the next 40 years.)

No, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy isn’t a cure-all, but it can make a big difference in ways that ripple across your whole system. 

Because the tongue, jaw, and airway are so closely connected to how you breathe, sleep, speak, and even digest, restoring proper function often leads to noticeable improvements in energy, tension, posture, and sleep quality. 

This therapy also fits well alongside other care when needed. If you’re working with a provider like a sleep specialist, airway dentist, or ENT, I’m happy to share a report of findings or communicate when it supports your care plan. 

So no, it won’t solve everything, but it might solve more than you expect. 

Virtual sessions are simple, supportive, and take place on Zoom — no commute required. 

Once you’ve booked your session online, you’ll receive a secure Zoom link. Zoom may send an automatic reminder as your appointment approaches. (You’re also welcome to set a personal reminder if that’s helpful, I find that makes things easier for busy days. )

When it’s time for your appointment, just click the link to join. If you’re running late, I’ll wait for 5 minutes, after that, the session is considered a no-show and will count toward your package. 

A few quick tips for a smooth experience:

• Join from a laptop or tablet if possible — it’s easier for positioning and screen visibility
• Find a quiet, well-lit spot where you can sit comfortably and be seen clearly
• Have your myo therapy kit nearby and ready to go, I’ll guide you through what’s needed

Please note: Appointments cannot be rescheduled or canceled within 24 hours of your session. I know life gets full, and I try to protect both your time and mine by keeping our calendar clear and predictable. 

I totally understand the concern, It’s a common question. 

The good news? Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is highly effective in a virtual setting, and it’s been successfully delivered this way for years.

This isn’t a hands-on therapy. It’s rooted in guided assessments, movement coaching, habit retraining, and consistent practice, all of which translate beautifully over Zoom. During our sessions, I can clearly observe your patterns, demonstrated exercises, and coach you through changes step by step. 

In fact, many clients find virtual care more convenient, more relaxed, and just as impactful, especially when they can do it from the comfort of home. 

Great question, but the short answer? I don’t offer one-off sessions. 

To make real, lasting change, I only offer complete therapy programs. Orofacial myofunctional therapy is about retraining deep patterns in how you breathe, swallow, and rest. That kind of change takes time, consistency, and the right support. 

While it might seem appealing to “try a few sessions,” short-term work often doesn’t give your body enough time to  adapt, and that means the results don’t stick. My programs are designed to build momentum, reinforce progress, and create sustainable change. 

Your breathing, energy, and overall wellness deserve a strong foundation, and a full program is the best way to make that happen. 

Each session is scheduled for 30 minutes, but the active appointment time is typically about 25 minutes.  I reserve the final few minutes to update your progress report and send personalized instructions by email — so everything stays clear and streamlined between sessions. 

Program Length & Pacing 

The number of sessions and the pace of therapy depends on the program that’s right for you:

Foundations First Program 

• 6 months
• 10-12 sessions
• Starts slowly (about one session/month at first), then increases to weekly check-ins to support momentum and skill-building
• Ideal for less complex cases ready to move at a focused pace

Thrive & Breathe Program

• 12 months
• 17-20 sessions
• Begins with 1-2 sessions over the first 2 months (especially if a release is needed), then transitions to sessions every 3 weeks
• Designed to go deeper and allow more breathing room — literally and figuratively 

Pediatric Programs (Little Breathers & Growing Strong)

Session structure varies by age and attention span, but appointments are typically 30 minutes. We’ll move at your child’s pace with flexibility built into support behavioral needs and developmental changes. 

I typically recommend starting therapy at least 6-8 weeks before your release. 

That gives us time to build strength, mobility, and functional readiness. But it’s not just about the number of weeks. What really determines the timeline is how well your body responds to the early exercises, especially your ability to hold lingual-palatal suction (that tongue-to-roof-of-mouth hold we work toward).

This suction hold is a key marker of readiness. It shows your tongue has the coordination and range of motion needed for a meaningful, effective release — not just a cut, but a change that your body can integrate. 

We likely won’t know your exact timeline at the initial assessment. I’ll guide you through what to expect, and we’ll monitor your progress closely to decide when you’re truly ready. 

Think of it as training for a procedure, not rushing the release, but preparing your body to get the most from it. 

If a provider tells you therapy isn’t necessary, you might want to reconsider working with them. The truth is, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy before and after your procedure is key to getting the best results.

Before the Release: Prepping for Success

If your tongue has been restricted your whole life, those muscles haven’t been working the way they should. Pre-release therapy helps wake them up, build strength, and improve movement so your tongue is in the best position for a successful release.

After the Release: Rehab for Your Tongue

Would you get knee surgery and then skip physical therapy? Of course not! The same goes for your tongue. After the release, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy helps retrain your muscles, prevent reattachment, and make sure your tongue is working like it should.

If someone tells you therapy isn’t important, they’re not keeping up with the research and you deserve better. Need help finding the right provider? I’ve got you covered they may not be in the next town over but I do have options.

I’m a fee-for-service practice, which means I don’t bill insurance directly. However, I’m happy to provide you with a superbill, a detailed receipt that includes the CPT codes most insurance companies ask about. You can use it to request reimbursement directly from your insurance provider. 

Coverage for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy varies widely, so I recommend calling your plan to ask about out-of-network benefits. I’ll send the superbill template to help with that conversation. 

You may also be able to use your FSA or HSA to pay for your sessions. Many clients find that’s a helpful option. 

While I hope to see broader insurance coverage in the future, I’m committed to making the process as smooth and transparent as possible in the meantime. 

I typically begin working with clients around age 4 or 5 and up. At that stage, most children can follow instructions, stay engaged during short session, and practice their exercises with help from a parent or caregiver. 

While signs of oral dysfunction — like tongue-ties, mouth breathing, or snoring — can show up earlier, therapy itself requires active participation, which younger children aren’t quite ready for developmentally. 

I don’t offer therapy for infants or toddlers, as that’s outside the scope of my practice. While tongue-tie releases are often performed in infancy, they may not always provide lasting results on their own. Without proper function and supportive habits, some children experience reattachment or lingering patterns that may contribute to orofacial myofunctional disorders later on. 

That’s why I focus on children who are ready for structured movement-based therapy — and why early but appropriately timed intervention can be such a powerful tool for growth, function, and overall health. 

Honestly? For many of us, myself included, the best time would’ve been years ago.

But since we can’t go back, the next best time is now.

When you recognize patterns like mouth breathing, poor sleep, or tension, delaying therapy usually makes those habits more engrained, and harder to unwind. The earlier we address them, the easier it is to retrain your body and support better long-term outcomes. 

Your don’t need to wait until things “get worse” to take action. Small, consistent steps today can lead to big changes in how you breathe, sleep, and feel overall. 

The sooner you begin, the sooner your body can start shifting towards balance, and your future self will be glad you did. 

No, it complements them. 

Myofunctional therapy is designed to work alongside other treatments, not in place of them. In fact, it often fits best as part of a collaborative approach. 

At Vibrant Myofunctional Therapy, I regularly see clients who are also working with:

• Chiropractors
• Physical therapists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Sleep specialists
• Airway-focused dentists or ENTs
• Oral surgeons (for tongue-tie releases)

When appropriate, I’m happy to share a report of findings or key insights with your other providers — especially if further treatment is needed before or during our work together. 

Rest assured, I’ll support your care from my end and make sure we’re focused on the patterns and habits that matter the most to your long-term results. 

Therapy costs vary depending on your needs, goals, and length of your program. You can find starting prices on the Services page.

After your Vibrant Airway Assessment, I’ll let you know if therapy is a good fit, and if so, I’ll offer a personalized program recommendation based on your symptoms and timeline. 

There’s no pressure and no cookie-cutter packages here. My goal is to make sure your plan is focused, flexible, and designed to support your long-term results. 

Great question. (Honestly, you’re asking all the good ones.)

Technically, orofacial refers to the mouth and face — which is exactly the region this therapy focuses on. The term myofunctional simply refers to muscle function, which can apply to the whole body. So while myofunctional therapy is more commonly used as shorthand, I prefer to use the full, accurate term: Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy. 

It’s a little longer, yes — but it helps clarify what I actually do and who I work with. You may still see it shortened occasionally (because let’s face it, that’s a mouthful), but now you know the full story.