Tania Teitzel - Senior Speech Pathologist & Centre Director B Sp Thy (Hons), MSPA, CPSP

Tania Teitzel established Therapy Matters in 1995 after having worked in the public sector, for Community Health and Disability agencies as well as at the University of Queensland, as a researcher, in the field of speech sound disorders and early literacy development. Tania has interests in the treatment of learning disabilities and complex communication disorders such as childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. She has done further training in PROMPT, Hanen ‘It Takes Two to Talk’, Hanen ‘More Than Words’, Hanen 'Talkability', Lidcombe Program, Key Word Signing, PODD, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Thrass.  She has co-authored two publications: Preschool and Primary Inventory of Phonological Awareness (PIPA) and an Inclusion Resource Guide for Young Children with Disabilities.  Tania regularly presents workshops for parents, educators and colleagues. Tania is a trained Key Word Sign Presenter. Tania has presented at local, national and international conferences on speech sound disorders, language-literacy links and the inclusion of children with disabilities. Tania is a passionate and innovative speech pathologist keen to explore the latest resources and technological advances that help contribute to high quality speech pathology services. Tania sees clients at our West Burleigh clinic from Mondays to Fridays.

Christa Bewley - Speech Pathologist B Sp Path MSPA CPSP

Christa has had a variety of experiences working predominantly with young children aged 0 - 5 in early intervention settings across Victoria and New Zealand. Christa is committed to working in conjunction with other health care providers and providing a holistic approach to services.  She has experience in meeting the needs of children with generic speech and language difficulties as well as children with disabilities.  Christa has attended training in intervention approaches such as PECS, PROMPT, Thrass and the Lidcombe Program (for stuttering).  She comes to our clinic eager to re-enter the speech pathology profession after an extended period of maternity leave. Christa is keen to bring her experience as a mother together with her expertise as a speech pathologist to help families understand how to support their child's skills in a practical and achievable way in the home environment. Christa sees clients at our West Burleigh clinic on Thursdays. She also sees students at St Joseph's Primary School, St James Primary School and St Joseph's College on Tuesdays.

Amanda Clancy - Speech Pathologist B Sp Thy MSPA CPSP

Amanda Clancy has over 25 years experience working with children in a diversity of environments including Education Departments (Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania), the Douglas Parker Rehabilitation Centre (Hobart) and many years within her own private practice in Melbourne.  She has undertaken further training in PROMPT, Hanen ‘It Takes Two to Talk’, Hanen ‘More than Words’ and the Lidcombe Program.  Amanda has worked together with a range of professionals throughout her career and through this experience she has developed the skills to treat a wide range of communication difficulties although her particular interests lie in working with preschool and school aged children presenting with language and literacy difficulties, children with speech delays/disorders and stutterers.  Amanda is a caring speech pathologist and she works diligently to build rapport with children, parents and teachers.  Amanda sees clients at our West Burleigh clinic on Wednesdays and Fridays

Jillian Craig - Speech Pathologist B Sp Path, MSPA, CPSP

Jillian Craig comes to our clinic with extensive experience in the field of paediatric (child) feeding difficulties as well as adult communication and swallowing difficulties having worked within hospital settings in Townsville, Perth, United Kingdom and the Gold Coast with many positions in a senior speech pathologist role. Jillian is committed to the clinical education and academic learning of future speech pathologists having worked as a lecturer and clinical educator at James Cook University and Griffith University (Gold Coast).  Jillian has a particular interest in the area of paediatric feeding having completed training in the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to feeding difficulties (SOS). Jillian is excited about expanding the Feeding Clinic at Therapy Matters to meet the  needs of babies, toddlers and children as well as supporting the unique feeding needs of children with disabilities. Jillian is committed to working together with families in an understanding and collaborative manner. She is a caring, insightful and patient therapist who is very excited about returning to the creative and fun world of speech pathology intervention with children.  Jillian sees clients at our West Burleigh clinic on Mondays (fortnightly), Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (fortnightly)

Rachel Hull - Speech Pathologist M Sp Path MSPA CPSP

Rachel Hull brings new knowledge, the latest techniques and fresh ideas to our clinic having recently graduated from Griifith University with a Masters degree and a Clinical Excellence award from the speech pathology faculty.  Rachel has had a diversity of clinical experiences to prepare her for her position at Therapy Matters, most noticeably a block placement in a private practice providing intensive intervention for children aged 2-12 years of age with diverse communication needs. Rachel's previous career in the field of health promotion has reinforced her passion for early intervention and education of members of the community about communication difficulties and their impact.  Rachel is a caring, dedicated and diligent speech pathologist who is keen to work together with parents to meet the needs of children and adolescents with a diverse range of communication and learning difficulties. Rachel sees clients at our West Burleigh clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and she provides our Therapy Connect Alliance service to vulnerable children with special needs in the Murwillumbah Community on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Lauren Macintosh - Speech Pathologist B Sp Path MSPA CPSP

Lauren Macintosh comes to Therapy Matters as the newest member of our team focussed on meeting the needs of children with disabilities and children with complex communication needs. Lauren is passionate about working with children, their families and community to provide holistic, client and family centred services.  She enjoys developing fun, creative therapy approaches that consider each child's unique strengths when working to achieve communication goals. Lauren is experienced in applying a wide range of therapy approaches and keeps up to date with the latest in innovation and research. She has completed further training in Hanen 'It Takes Two to Talk', PROMPT, PODD and Key Word Sign approaches. Lauren works at our clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays as well as at Somerset College on Thursdays. 

Martine Pearce - Speech Pathologist B Sp Path, MSPA CPSP

Martine is a dedicated, caring and empathetic therapist. Since re-entering the profession after an extended period of maternity leave, Martine has had a range of work experiences in private practice settings with adults and children.  At Therapy Matters, she works at our West Burleigh clinic as well as at local schools including the Silkwood School and Catholic Schools in Northern NSW. Martine’s areas of interest lie in working with preschool and school aged children with speech, language and literacy difficulties.Martine is a kind and conscientious speech pathologist who enjoys tailoring each and every therapy session to help children learn to talk and talk to learn.   Martine sees clients at our West Burleigh clinic on Wednesdays and fortnightly on Fridays.  She also sees students at St James Primary School on Fridays, St Anthony's Primary School on Thursdays fortnightly, Somerset College on Mondays and The Silkwood School on Thursdays fortnightly.

Jacqui Sullivan - Speech Pathologist B Sp Path MSPA CPSP

With vast clinical experience working for Montrose Access and the Cerebral Palsy League as well as Education Queensland, Jacqui has treated a great variety of children with unique, complex communication and feeding needs across a range of disabilities.  Treating such specialised caseloads has led Jacqui to pursue a range of additional professional skills in Key Word Sign, augmentative and alternative communication (high and low tech options), PROMPT and DIR Floortime.  Jacqui’s specialty interest areas lie in early intervention with young children with disabilities, augmentative and alternative communication and motor speech disorders.  She is an understanding and supportive therapist who enjoys working together with children and their parents within a family-centred intervention approach. Jacqui is a trained Key Word Sign Presenter.  Jacqui is a strong advocate for creative solutions for children with disabilities that enable them to have a voice to communicate their needs, thoughts and feelings. Jacqui sees clients at our West Burleigh clinic on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Rachel Fanning - Psychologist B Sc (Psychology)

Rachel has over 15 years experience in supporting children, adolescents and their families. She has previously worked in a range of hospital and community settings within mental health teams.  She has specialist skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  She is dedicated to individualising programs for families and promoting good family relationships and emotional well being. Rachel can help with difficulties in the areas of anxiety, phobias, bed wetting, bullying, sleep difficulties, anger management issues, ADD/ADHD, depression, fears, grief and loss, self esteem issues and behavioural difficulties. Rachel leases rooms at our West Burleigh Clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All visits are by appointment only and can be arranged by phoning Rachel directly on 0424944761 or contacting our clinic. 

Joanne Bacon - Key Worker, Project Officer and Social Skills Coach Dip Teaching (Primary)

Jo is a talented primary school teacher who has done additional training that has equipped her to run the social skills group programs and social coaching intervention at Therapy Matters. In 2015-2016, Jo successfully completed training with Noah's Ark Australia to become a Keyworker where she enjoys supporting children with disabilities in their home, community and educational settings to integrate the goals and strategies from the child's therapy service into their daily routines.  Jo has done both Basic and Advanced Key Word Sign courses.  Jo particularly enjoys supporting families in their parenting journey. As a Mum to five children (including triplets), Jo understand the demands on children and families today and is always happy to listen to parents and understand their challenges, struggles and triumphs. 

Sharon Russell - Business Manager B Bus (Human Resource Management)

Sharon is our friendly, helpful Business Manager who ensures that Therapy Matters runs smoothly and efficiently with a great workplace atmosphere.  Sharon works on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings.  She leads our team of office staff and plays an essential role in making sure that clients and staff feel welcomed and supported while at our clinic.  Sharon has a key role in reconciling and processing all accounts and is the person our off-site school clients and our clients with FaHCSIA funding rely on to manage their payments and receipts.  Sharon has extensive experience in Australia and in the United Kingdom in managing teams of people in a variety of small to medium businesses. Sharon's expertise and enthusiasm will assist Therapy Matters to grow and diversify in the years ahead.  

Nadine Fisher - Receptionist B Journalism

Nadine is our friendly, helpful receptionist who works on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Nadine also designs all the marketing and promotion activities for our clinic. We are fortunate to have Nadine share her talents as a journalist, photographer and florist to aid the operations of our clinic. Nadine is a mother of two and understands the challenges of juggling all those family committments. She is happy to help and  looks forward to welcoming and assisting all our Monday and Tuesday families to the clinic.