Hidden Gems: Meet Paige Caster of Ridge Zeller Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Caster.

Hi Paige, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I always knew I wanted to help people and also always knew I loved kids. What “helping people” looked like changed a lot over the years! When I was younger (and in daycare) I wanted to work at a daycare with babies, then I wanted to be a teacher, then a doctor. Senior year of high school when it was time to declare a major, I decided on nursing. The summer before my freshman year of college my dad was in an accident at work that left him in an induced coma for a week, in the ICU for four months, and in a rehab facility for 6 months. He had shattered his skull, broken 9 ribs, shattered his left shoulder, broken his back in 3 places and was paralyzed from the belly button down. Going through this, I quickly realized nursing was NOT for me. But I also quickly realized how important communication was and is to me. When everything first happened ALL I wanted to do was talk to him and for him to be able to talk to me. He obviously had a long road of recovery ahead of him, but I knew we would be able to handle that as a family as long as we could talk and communicate with each other through this. Thankfully the area of his brain that was injured was not a huge language center and he, for the most part, is able to communicate just as he was before the accident. He worked with a speech therapist for about a year on things like memory and organization techniques. I was able to be a part of a lot of these sessions and found them fascinating. I began looking into all of the other areas speech language pathologists could treat and settings they could work in, and it just felt right, and I decided to change my major and it was the best decision I ever made! I have primarily worked in the school setting/with pediatrics in my career and not with adults like my dad, but I feel I have gotten the best of both worlds. I feel I am helping people every day and also get to work with kids and be in that school environment.

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?
It honestly really has been a smooth road! I have been very lucky to have great teachers an mentors along the way. I really love what I do and the clients/students I work with. There are of course harder days than others, or busier times than others, but my students are amazing! Watching their growth, not just in their speech and language skills, but their growth as young adults is so worth everything!

We’ve been impressed with Ridge Zeller Therapy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ridge Zeller is a woman and SLP owned small business in Chandler, Arizona that provides comprehensive therapy services for children in schools, homes, online, and our clinic. We provide Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Educational Psychology services. We have also recently added school based Special Education Teachers to our team!

I think the thing that sets Ridge Zeller apart from others is our mentorship programs! Ridge Zeller has worked very hard at building up their clinical fellowship program to provide strong mentorship for new SLPs and to continue on a legacy of excellence in the speech-language profession. Having been a CF myself many years ago, I know how important this year of experience and support is, and Ridge Zeller provides an excellent year of learning and support for their CFs.

Along that same line is their emphasis on staff development in general, not just new staff. They offer workshops, in-services, and continuing education for school personnel, therapists, therapy assistants, medical professionals, and families throughout the year to make sure we are all always able to provide the best therapy possible for our clients!

I think the thing that makes me most proud to be with this company, is their willingness to give back to the community. They are always looking for volunteer opportunities such as Feed My Starving Children or the Autism Speaks Walk to be involved with. They truly want what is best for the community and people around them and will help in whatever way they can!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think good luck, mixed with hard work and putting myself in certain situations, has played a part in every aspect of my life. I have worked very hard to get where I am currently in life, but I would be silly not to acknowledge that I am also very lucky to be where I am right now. I am lucky to have met the people I have met, to have been accepted into programs I have been accepted into, to have gotten the jobs that I have wanted etc., but I have also put in the work to get there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ridgezellertherapy.com/about-us-1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridge_zeller_therapy/#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridgezellertherapy/#
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ridge-zeller-therapy-llc
• Twitter: https://x.com/RZTherapy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC66FexW1VMfNFCBlk1Sn5Rw?view_as=subscriber
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ridge-zeller-therapy-chandler