Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally?
My name is Elizabeth Johnson. I am a proud mom of two beautiful young girls, Lilianna (3), and Alexandra (1). My days are filled with laughter, purpose, and a passion for helping others. I balance family and work life, enjoying horseback riding, tennis, and golf with my husband Carl.
What do you love about Greenwich and your neighborhood?
I was drawn to the Greenwich/Cos Cob area, for its charm, excellent schools, and vibrant community. Nothing beats it!
For those of us who aren’t familiar, please tell us about Essential Pediatrics and what makes it unique.
While there are many pediatric therapy clinics in the area, Essential Pediatrics truly stands out for its deeply personalized, family-centered approach to pediatric therapy services. We offer speech, language, communication, and feeding therapy services for kids from birth to adolescence in both private and peer group sessions. At Essential Pediatrics we love to help kids build communication skills, develop healthy eating habits, improve their self-confidence, and expand their play.
We have an amazing team of therapists. Our therapists strive for excellence and maintain the highest quality of care for our clients. We understand that every child is unique — and so is their journey. Our passionate occupational therapists take the time to truly get to know your child, creating personalized therapy plans that support their growth, confidence, and independence. Whether it’s mastering fine motor skills, navigating sensory challenges, or simply learning to play, we’re here with patience, care, and encouragement every step of the way.
We value accessibility, continuity, and trust — providing direct communication with your clinician, extended visit times, and a proactive focus on development and progress. This commitment, matched with the community’s need, also inspired us to broaden our services to include Occupational Therapy, which has been an exciting new addition that has expanded our ability to provide holistic care. At the heart of it all, our team of professionals are deeply committed to creating lasting relationships and delivering compassionate care that helps children realize their true potential and thrive.
Can you please share about your professional background and career highlights that led you to creating Essential Pediatrics?
I am a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and earned my Master’s degree from New York Medical College in 2006. I started my career in Westchester, NY working with infants and young children, and have spent most of my professional years in pediatric medical settings and clinics. Over time, I developed specialized expertise in the areas of motor speech and feeding disorders and have since continued to pursue advanced certifications in these areas to more effectively treat childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), dysarthria, and other motor speech disorders. These diverse experiences and my deep commitment to improving health outcomes for children are what inspired me to create Essential Pediatrics — a space where I can bring my specialized knowledge and heartfelt approach to help even more families thrive in a truly individualized way.
What was your inspiration for opening Essential Pediatrics in Greenwich?
The inspiration for opening Essential Pediatrics in Greenwich came from my passion for providing a more personalized and compassionate approach to pediatric therapy care. After working in larger, more traditional practices, I saw an opportunity to create a more connected and attentive experience—one where families feel truly seen, heard, and supported. Greenwich has always been such a wonderful, tight-knit, and supportive community. I always felt like Greenwich would be the best place to build a practice that not only addresses the needs of children but also fosters strong, lasting relationships with families.
What is your target demographic for Essential Pediatrics and how do you know if your child or family could benefit from your services?
We work with children of all ages who may be having a hard time with speech clarity, language development, reading, social skills, listening, feeding, or occupational therapy. Whether it’s apraxia of speech, picky eating, or difficulty making friends, we meet each child where they are, with heart and expertise. As a parent, if you have been wondering if your child’s challenges are “just a phase” or you’ve received concerns from a teacher or doctor, we want you to know – you are not alone. We are here to listen, guide, encourage and support both you and your child every step of the way. We know that when a child begins to thrive, the whole family feels it and we love to be a part of that process.
Can you tell us a few things parents should be keeping at the forefront of their minds for their kids’ optimal health?
For optimal health and speech-language development, parents should focus on a few key areas. First, fostering a language-rich environment is essential — talking, reading, and listening to your child daily helps build vocabulary and comprehension. Encouraging open-ended questions and giving them time to express themselves builds confidence and communication skills. Second, establishing a routine that includes healthy habits like adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and physical activity is important for overall development. Last, early intervention is key if you notice any delays or concerns in speech or language. The earlier you address these issues, the more effective treatment and support will be. Every child develops at their own pace, so remember to be patient and celebrate the small milestones along the way!
What do you find the most challenging and most rewarding part of your work?
The most challenging part of my work is knowing that progress in pediatric speech therapy often takes time, patience, and persistence — not just from me, but from the families I work with. When a child is struggling it can take an emotional toll on their family, and it’s normal for parents to feel overwhelmed. But that’s also what makes the work so rewarding. There’s nothing more meaningful than witnessing those breakthrough moments like hearing a child say a new word, witnessing them connect in a new way, or watching their confidence grow. Being part of that journey, and building trust with families along the way is truly the most fulfilling aspect of what I do.
How do you find a balance with motherhood and your career? Any tips for the rest of the Moms out there?
Finding balance between motherhood and my career is a constant work in progress, and I’ve learned to let go of the idea that balance means perfection. Some days I’m more present with my kids, and other days I’m focused on work — and that’s okay. I’ve found that being intentional with my time, setting boundaries, and letting go of guilt are key. My biggest tip for other moms is to ask for help when you need it and carve out moments, even small ones, for yourself. Most of all, remember that being a great mom doesn’t mean doing it all — it means doing what matters most with love!
What do you like to do to relax/have fun?
Horseback riding, playing tennis, and golf
Anything else you’d like to share?
Follow us on Instagram @essentialpeds to stay in the loop about all our upcoming events and programs, including:
Upcoming events and programs, including:
🍴 Chatty Chefs Feeding Group
👨👩👧 Parent Support Groups
📚 Workshops & Trainings
🩺 Free Developmental Screenings
🎨 Sensory Play Sessions
🎵 Music & Movement Classes
🤝 Social Skills Groups
🧘 Mindfulness & Regulation Activities
💬 Speech & Language Enrichment Programs
🐶 Therapy Dog in Training Visits
We love to support local businesses. What are your fave places when you are in Greenwich to:
Grab coffee: CFCF
Workout: Greenwich Racquet Club
Favorite Lunch Spot: Aux Delices
Go out to dinner as a family: The Little Pub
Rainy day activity: A visit to Cos Cob Library
Favorite Toy and Book Store: Funky Monkey
Family Favorite Activity: A day at the beach
