I am a passionate Speech Pathologist who is committed to providing a high quality, holistic, and family-centred service. I believe that everyone can achieve great things and I seek to help others achieve their maximum potential. I use a combination of modern, research-based approaches when working with children and adolescence, and adapt my approach to suit each individual’s needs. I ensure my clients (and their parents) have a strong voice when it comes to therapy and selecting therapy goals, and I make sure ensure everyones needs are heard and met. I understand and appreciate the difficulties faced by many parents and thus provide an empathetic and supportive approach to help empower my clients in every way possible.
I have enjoyed working across a number of different professional sectors, including; Private Practice, Government (Community and Disability Services), and Community Based Volunteer Services (Yellow House Children’s Services Kenya). I have experience in working with children with speech and language delays and disorders, disabilities, literacy difficulties, and stuttering. I have specialized skills and a keen interest in disabilities, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorders and Down Syndrome.
I also hold certifications in the following therapy programs and techniques:
- Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk - Program for young children with language delays or who are late to talk and understand.
- Hanen – More Than Words - Program for young children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) - Level 1, for people who have difficulty communicating with spoken words.
- The Lidcombe Program – for early childhood stuttering (ages 2-6 years).
When I’m not working for Beyond Words Therapy, I can be found organising and attending events at our local C&K Playgroup where I am a volunteer Committee member, and volunteering and supporting Yellow House Health and Outreach Services (a speech pathology not-for-profit-orgnaisation in Kenya). In my spare time, I love to simply hang out with my husband and our little boy - watching him grow is such a joy! I also love catching up with friends and family over good coffee, wine and food; gardening; cooking; and learning the piano and Spanish.
I believe that being able to communicate is life's greatest pleasure. Therefore I am dedicated to help children communicate with their family and friends to the best of their abilities so they can best learn from and experience the world around them. I am equally as passionate about working alongside parents and teachers to ensure my clients are best supported to meet their therapy goals. I truly believe that the best outcomes are achieved when working as a team.
Throughout my experiences, I've worked with preschool and school aged children with speech and language delays, stuttering, voice disorders and intellectual disabilities. I have also worked closely with child care workers and teachers to help facilitate therapy goals in the classroom.
I hold certifications in the following techniques, however use a combination of modern, evidence-based approaches to suit each individual's needs:
- Key Word Sign - Key Word Sign is used to encourage and support language development in children and adults with communication difficulties. Key word signing uses a core vocabulary of specially selected words that comprise concepts and ideas considered to be the most appropriate for children and adults with communication and language difficulties.
- Hanen – More Than Words - Program for young children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
When I'm not cutting and laminating pictures for my next client, I love going camping on the beach, hiking in the mountains and spending time with my friends and family over good food.
Dr Nichols provides quality and compassionate care to his young patients and their families. He consults on all areas of general paediatrics, including children with disabilities needing complex multidisciplinary care. He sees newborns and follows up premature babies. Dr Nichols sees children with behavioural, learning, and developmental difficulties. He also helps those with bed wetting, constipation, diabetes, allergies and respiratory illnesses.
Dr Nichols completed his medical degree at the University of Tasmania in Hobart in 2005. He began training in Paediatrics at the Royal Hobart Hospital before moving to Brisbane to complete this at the Royal Children’s and Lady Cilento Children’s Hospitals. He is an associate lecturer with the University of Queensland and has completed a Master of Public Health.
For more information or to book an appointment please contact Liz on (07) 5435 2130 or enquire via our contact page.
- Developmental delay
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Neuromuscular conditions
- Toileting issues, including chronic constipation
- Fine motor and handwriting difficulties
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Equipment prescription
- Rare genetic disorders and syndromes
Lucia is a Clinical Psychologist who completed her Master in Clinical Psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has been working in the area – both in private practice and the public sector for the last 10 years.
Lucia has experience in working with children, adolescents, parents, couples and families treating a wide variety of psychological and interpersonal difficulties. Lucia has a warm non-judgmental approach, which facilitates the establishment of robust therapeutic relationships with her clients.
Lucia has always related well with young people. However, her interest in parenting and children has particularly grown since becoming a mother. Lucia is a mother of two who has been amazed by the delights and challenges of parenthood. She is a strong believer in the decisive role that the relationship with our children has in their whole life.
Lucia is committed to use evidence based treatment interventions to enhance the mental health of individuals and contribute to facilitate healthy relationships. She is passionate about her work and has a strength-based approach, helping individuals achieving their full potential.
Lucia has experience in addressing difficulties such as:
- Mood and anxiety disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- ADHD
- Obsessive-Compulsive disorders and tics
- Intellectual disability
- Substance misuse
- Trauma
- Self-harm and suicide risk
- Personality disorders
- Psychosis
- Somatic and dissociative disorders
- Adjustment to illnesses and chronic pain
- Disordered eating
- Sleep disturbance
Lucia enjoys helping individuals dealing with:
- Parenting demands and challenges
- Relationship and communication issues
- Bullying and other peer problems
- Regression
- Sibling rivalry
- Poor self-esteem and self-confidence
- Resilience building
- Emotional regulation skill deficits
- Stress and anger management problems
- Adjustment to new roles and life transitions
- Grief and loss
In addition to individual psychotherapy, couples and family therapy, Lucia provides pregnancy support counseling services to assist women who have any personal concerns related to a current or recent pregnancy, whether it has been full-term or part-term (including a planned termination).
Lucia has a strong cultural sensitivity and enjoys working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds. She offers psychotherapy both in English and Spanish. Medicare rebates and concession rates are available, making Lucia’s services affordable to all. If you would like to speak with Lucia and gather whether she can meet your needs and expectations, please contact her directly.
Phone: 0405 586 460
Jessi is an Accredited Practising Dietitian based on the Sunshine Coast.
After she graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor’s in Nutrition and Dietetics, she knew she wanted to work with children and their families. Her special interest area is in working with children with feeding difficulties and food aversions and is building her expertise in these areas as well as in managing simple food allergies and intolerances. Her approach is very calm and she aims to help families as much as possible to find solutions that work within their day to day life.
Jessi offers individual consultations for children and families on the Sunshine Coast via phone, Skype, home visits and in clinic. She believes that looking curiously and without judgement into mealtime issues or nutrition problems is the important first step in finding a solution that works for everyone. She always aims to help every family she meets with the sincere goal of improving the health AND happiness of each child.
In addition to the above, Jessi has an absolute passion for cooking and she loves to supporting families to prepare delicious, fresh food as easily and quickly as possible. Jessi loves home visits where she can support you and your family to learn how to prepare the food you want to eat, whatever your skill level. She also runs cooking workshops for children in various settings around the Sunshine Coast.
At home, Jessi is in the process of building her little family and is overjoyed to be able to learn more and more each day about feeding children from the very clients she works with!
To make an appointment with Jessi email contact@kidsdigfood.com.au or call Kids Dig Food on 1300 971 609
Tammie is a passionate and dedicated physiotherapist who has worked with children with disabilities and movement difficulties since 2004. Tammie graduated from the University of Queensland in 2001 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). Upon graduating, Tammie worked in a rural Queensland hospital for two years whereby she developed many practical problem solving skills to assist people in their daily lives in the bush. Tammie then began pursuing her passion for helping children in 2004, and began working in the paediatric disability field, where for the next 12 years she enjoyed assisting children with varied neurological, genetic, and orthopaedic disabilities, along with their families and teachers, to grow and develop new skills. Tammie has also gained valuable skills working at a major children’s hospital assisting children to rehabilitate during and after cancer treatment. In 2009 Tammie studied at the Bobath Centre in London, England and gained a certificate in Bobath Therapy, a form of neurodevelopmental therapy for children with neurological disabilities.
In 2016 Tammie began her private children’s physiotherapy practice Moveable Kids, and in 2018 expanded to provide a children’s physiotherapy service in Maleny. In addition to her work with Moveable Kids, she is a director of Well & Able, a supplier of medical-grade wearable postural support equipment, such as orthopaedic footwear and dynamic compression garments, for children with disabilities.
Tammie is a wife and step mother of 4 active boys, and in her (very little) spare time enjoys growing a fruit and vegie garden, experimenting with preserving and fermenting foods, and taking Max, the therapy dog, for long walks.
Tammie is dedicated to assisting families and children achieve their goals for developing movement and can assist with:
- Early intervention for children at risk of developmental delay eg prematurity;
- Developmental issues such as motor co-ordination difficulties;
- Rehabilitation needs following accident, surgery (including post-intervention therapy) or major health events (such as brain injury, stroke or tumour);
- Post-botox therapy
- Footwear and splinting prescription;
- Wheelchair, seating and equipment prescription;
- Developmental disabilities such as:
- Down Syndrome;
- Angelman Syndrome;
- Rett Syndrome;
- Cerebral Palsy;
- Autism Spectrum Disorders;
- Hearing and Vision Impairments;
Moveable Kids is a registered NDIS Service Provider: 4050021245
Please make a booking with Tammie by contacting her 0413 295 535 or email: tammie@moveablekids.com.au
If you're a qualified health professional that is interested in being part of the growing team at Beyond Words Therapy Centre, please contact us today on (07) 5435 2130 or via our contact page.
