What inspired you to work in the area of Speech Pathology?

I wanted to be everything at once; a doctor, an English teacher, and a psychologist. One day when flicking through a Job Guide I found Speech Pathology, which fit all of the above! I wanted to help people and Speech Pathology has allowed me to do that every day.

Who do you like to work with?

I have two main clinical passions, DIR FloorTime and literacy. This means I love engaging toddlers and young children who are developing early communication to build their language and connections to others. Regulation and relationships are so important and it is my passion to identify the individual differences that make each child unique and customise my intervention to their strengths. I also love working in literacy and am a Sounds-Write provider. Helping children and teenagers navigate the written word and learn to enjoy reading is incredibly rewarding. Professionally, I spend the other half of my time mentoring junior and established clinicians as well as students. I enjoy educating my team and learning therapists to help them become the best clinicians they can be.

Greatest Accomplishment?

I had to conquer my life long lisp to become a Speechie and there is nothing I am prouder of than that. I had a lateral lisp until I was 19 years old and had the privilege of experiencing what it is like to be a client. This has helped form me into the clinician I am today.