Now welcoming new clients · Elk Grove, CA

Elk Grove Myofunctional Therapy

Gentle, personalized therapy that retrains the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face — supporting healthier breathing, more restful sleep, and confident, growing smiles.

How it works
Virtual & in-home sessions Children & adults Home-based, family-run practice Free 15-minute discovery call

What it is

Small muscles, big jobs

The muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and face do far more than help us eat and speak. How they rest, move, and work together shapes how we breathe, how we sleep, and how a child's mouth and face develop. Myofunctional therapy is a program of guided exercises that retrains those muscles toward healthier patterns.

Nasal breathing

Breathing through the nose — day and night — filters and warms the air we take in and supports a calmer, more efficient airway. Therapy helps make it the default, not the exception.

Proper tongue posture

At rest, the tongue belongs gently against the roof of the mouth, with lips sealed. That resting posture supports healthy oral development in children and balanced muscle function at every age.

A correct swallow

We swallow hundreds of times a day. When the tongue pushes forward instead of pressing up — a tongue thrust — it can work against teeth, orthodontics, and facial muscles. Retraining the pattern helps it all work together.

Who it helps

Concerns that bring people to us

Clients and families usually arrive with a pattern they've noticed — a child who always breathes through an open mouth, an adult who never quite sleeps deeply. These are the concerns we most often work with.

For children

  • Mouth breathing and an open-mouth resting posture
  • Thumb-sucking, pacifier, and other oral habits
  • Tongue thrust and immature swallow patterns
  • Snoring and restless sleep
  • Supporting healthy oral and facial development alongside dental and orthodontic care

For adults

  • Habitual mouth breathing and dry mouth
  • Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing support, as part of a broader care team
  • Jaw and facial tension, including TMJ discomfort support
  • Protecting orthodontic results and helping prevent relapse after braces or aligners
  • Tongue-tie support before and after a release, in coordination with your provider

Every mouth is different, and therapy is not one-size-fits-all. An evaluation is how we learn whether myofunctional therapy fits your or your child's needs — and when another provider should be part of the team, we will say so.

Services

Care that starts with listening

It starts with a conversation. Every program begins with a thorough evaluation and is built around one person's mouth, habits, and goals — never a generic exercise sheet.

Free

15-minute discovery call

Not sure whether myofunctional therapy is right for you or your child? Start with a free 15-minute call by phone or video. We'll talk through what you've noticed, answer your questions, and give you an honest sense of whether therapy is a fit — no obligation.

FreePhone or videoNo obligation
01

Comprehensive myofunctional evaluation

A detailed look at breathing patterns, tongue posture and mobility, lip seal, swallow, oral habits, and sleep-related concerns. For children, we also look at oral development. You leave with a clear picture of what we found and whether therapy makes sense.

Children & adultsIn person in Elk Grove
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Individualized therapy programs

A step-by-step exercise program matched to your evaluation findings, introduced progressively so new patterns become lasting habits. Sessions focus on technique, encouragement, and steady, measurable progress — at a pace that fits your family's life.

Personalized exercisesProgress check-ins
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Virtual sessions & house calls

Meet from home anywhere in California by secure video, or in person at your own home — we make house calls in the Elk Grove area. Many clients mix the two — an in-person evaluation, then virtual follow-ups that fit around school and work.

Virtual, anywhere in CAHouse calls, Elk Grove area

Sleep & airway

Better nights start with better breathing

How we breathe at night matters. A tongue that rests low and back, or a mouth that falls open, can narrow the airway and fragment sleep — for children and adults alike. Myofunctional therapy strengthens and retrains the muscles that keep the airway supported, and it works best as one part of a team that can include your dentist, orthodontist, ENT, or sleep physician.

We don't diagnose sleep disorders — that's your physician's role. What we do is address the muscle patterns that support healthier breathing, and help you notice the difference a full night of nasal breathing can make.

How it works

Four steps to new habits

1

Free discovery call

Book a free 15-minute call — by phone or video — to talk through your concerns and see whether therapy is a fit, with no obligation. Use the below to find a time.

2

Evaluation

Before your visit, we'll send intake forms to complete. We take a thorough look at breathing, tongue posture, swallow, habits, and sleep concerns, and talk through what we find — plainly, with time for your questions.

3

Your program

You receive a personalized exercise program, introduced step by step in regular sessions — virtually or in person — so each new pattern has time to take hold.

4

Progress check-ins

We check in on what's changing, adjust exercises as habits form, and coordinate with your dentist, orthodontist, or physician whenever it helps.

About

Meet Halley Cerruti

Halley Cerruti, myofunctional therapist at Elk Grove Myofunctional Therapy

Hi, I'm Halley! I'm a myofunctional therapist, wife, and mom of four little ones.

My passion for myofunctional therapy grew from my own family's experiences navigating airway and oral function concerns. What started as a desire to find answers for my children turned into a passion for helping other families do the same.

Through my personal experiences, I've developed a deeper appreciation for the connection between oral function, airway health, sleep, and overall well-being. I'm passionate about helping others better understand these connections and the role myofunctional therapy can play in supporting healthy function.

I believe therapy should be personalized, encouraging, and easy to incorporate into everyday life. Whether working with children or adults, my goal is to create a positive, supportive experience while helping each patient develop healthier habits that last.

Through convenient virtual sessions, I help children and adults improve tongue posture, swallowing patterns, nasal breathing habits, and overall oral muscle function. I also provide pre- and post-tongue-tie release therapy and support patients experiencing TMJ-related concerns and sleep difficulties.

I recognize that oral function is just one piece of the puzzle. That's why I'm passionate about looking at the bigger picture, helping families better understand their concerns, and connecting them with the right providers when additional evaluation or care is needed. I believe a collaborative approach is key to helping each patient achieve their goals.

My goal is to help you or your child build a strong foundation for healthy oral function while feeling supported, informed, and confident every step of the way.

I look forward to being part of your journey!

Questions

Common questions

What is the discovery call?

It's a free 15-minute conversation — by phone or video — where we talk through what you've noticed, you ask your questions, and we give you an honest sense of whether myofunctional therapy could help. There is no obligation to continue afterward. To book one, use the below and we'll find a time that works.

Who is myofunctional therapy for?

Children and adults. Common reasons families reach out include mouth breathing, snoring or restless sleep, thumb-sucking and other oral habits, tongue thrust, and supporting orthodontic treatment. Adults also come for jaw tension support and to protect orthodontic results. An evaluation is the best way to find out whether therapy fits your situation.

What's the difference between virtual and in-person sessions?

The work is the same — guided exercises, technique checks, and progress reviews. In-person sessions are house calls — we come to your home in the Elk Grove area; virtual sessions happen by video from wherever you are in California. Evaluations are typically in person so we can assess muscle function hands-on; many clients then continue virtually.

How long does a therapy program run?

It depends on the person, the habits being retrained, and how consistently exercises are practiced at home. Programs are built in phases with regular sessions and progress check-ins, and your evaluation will include an honest conversation about what to expect. Small, steady daily practice matters more than marathon sessions.

Do you work with my dentist or orthodontist?

Yes — happily. Myofunctional therapy often works best alongside dental, orthodontic, ENT, or sleep care, and with your permission we'll share evaluation findings and progress notes with the rest of your care team.

How do I get started?

Start with a free 15-minute discovery call. Request one with the below — it asks who therapy is for and what you've noticed. Please save detailed health history for the intake forms, which we'll send you to complete securely after first contact.

Ready to breathe easier?

Now welcoming new clients in Elk Grove and virtually across California. Start with a free 15-minute discovery call — by phone or video — to talk through your concerns and see if therapy is a fit. No obligation.

Prefer email? Write to [email protected] and we'll find a time.

Elk Grove, California Free 15-minute discovery call Intake forms provided after first contact