OUR SPEECH PATHOLOGY TEAM
Lauren Miko
Lauren is the Director of Smart Talk Therapy for Kids. Lauren provides speech pathology services at our Wembley practice and loves working in the school environment. Lauren is passionate about continuing to expand her knowledge and skills and loves consulting with other health and educational professionals.
Lauren has a special interest in school-aged language, literacy and articulation. Lauren was one of the first speech pathologists in WA to undertake extra training in orofacial myology and is passionate about helping children stop sucking their thumbs. Lauren divides her time seeing clients and managing and supporting the Smart Talk team.
When she isn’t working, she can be found hanging out with her husband and spending quality time with two daughters and baby son. Lauren loves being a mum, baking and watching period dramas.
Catherine Morris
Catherine is the founder of Smart Talk Therapy for Kids and provides services at our Wembley and Currambine practices, as well as at schools.
Catherine has over twenty years experience in both disability and mainstream caseloads, has additional training in Orofacial Myology and is PROMPT trained.
Catherine has a special interest in early language, Autism and literacy. She is passionate, energetic and loves discovering how children’s minds and brains develop to help them achieve their goals.
When she isn’t working she can be found hanging with her husband, two crazy cool sons, her Vizsla Billie and ginger Tabby Gizmo or tending her beloved plant babies. Catherine also loves jazz, anything creative or design-orientated. She can be found frequently reorganising furniture and decor in her 1920s home.
Irene Orkopoulos
Irene is the director of The Feeding Clinic and an experienced speech pathologist in infant and childhood feeding difficulties, include tongue-tie assessment for feeding, oral motor treatment, myofunctional therapy as well as behavioural/sensory approaches to feeding using SOS approach to feeding.
Her experience includes:
- Breast feeding difficulties
- Bottle Feeding Difficulties
- Transition to Solids
- Feeding difficulty secondary to neurological/cardio/respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions
- Reflux/Crying, fussing and irritability with feeds
- Disability including Down Syndrome / Cerebral Palsy /22q11 deletion/ Autism
Outside of work Irene is a wife and mother of two children and her spare time is spent with her family. Her professional and personal life are closely aligned, as she enjoys creating lasting culinary and social experiences for those she loves through experimenting with tastes and flavours in the kitchen and cooking and entertaining for her friends and family.
Kelly Mackean
Kelly developed a passion for teaching language skills to students while she was an early childhood educator. This prompted her to further her studies and become a Speech Pathologist.
Kelly’s background in education has provided her with valuable skills enabling her to ensure that individual therapy goals generalise into the classroom environment. Prior to joining the Smart Talk team, Kelly worked as Speech Pathologist at schools around Perth.
Kelly has a special interest in early intervention for articulation, phonology and language skills and helping children develop their social skills.
When Kelly isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her fiance and daughters, walking along the coast and brunching around the northern suburbs of Perth, as many days of the week as she can.
Sam Osborne
Sam provides Speech Pathology services at our vibrant Currambine practice as well as within schools.
Sam has a special interest in early language, literacy and articulation.
She brings her enthusiasm and energy to each session, and helps children reach their goals in a fun, supportive environment. After all kids that are engaged are more likely to reach goals more quickly.
When she isn’t working, Sam can be found at the beach, catching up with friends, or curled up with a good book.
Kelly Walker
Kelly provides Speech Pathology services at our Wembley and Currambine practices, as well as local schools.
As a mum of three boys and a cranky cavoodle, she studied speech pathology later in life but has a long history working with children in many different capacities.
Kelly has a special interest in paediatric feeding, tongue-tie assessment, articulation and phonology. Kelly is trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, PROMPT therapy, Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, and Sounds Write.
When she isn’t working, Kelly loves cooking, reading or spending time with her family and friends. Kelly is likely to be cheering for her boys on the side of a football field or basketball court most weekends.
Tayla MacPherson
Tayla provides Speech Pathology services at our Wembley practice as well as within schools, and has additional training in Hanen It Takes Two to Talk, Sounds Write, Orofacial Myology and LAMP Words for Life.
Tayla has a special interest in early language, pre-school and school aged phonology and articulation.
Tayla is especially passionate about providing individualised and functional therapy for all children through fostering a positive and nurturing environment.
When she is not working, she can be found going for a run, relaxing in a sauna or going out to enjoy good food with her fiance.
Lani Gibson
Lani provides Speech Pathology services at our Wembley practice as well as within schools.
Lani has experience with working with infants, children, and adults with a range of different backgrounds including developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, Intellectual Disability and chromosome abnormalities.
Lani has additional training in Hanen It Takes Two to Talk and Key Word Sign. Lani also has experience with DIR Floortime, Social Thinking and Talkabout programs, Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding and Mealtime Management, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to promote a Total Communication approach.
Lani has special interests in neurobiology, understanding how children learn and explore their environments, the importance of play, and development of early language, literacy, and social communication skills.
Lani is passionate about helping children experience success in a fun and playful environment that incorporates a range of modalities including play and movement to achieve goals. Lani uses evidence-based practice to support children and adolescents with additional needs, their families, their educators and their communities.
When she is not working, Lani can be found out and about with her husband and two young kids, out chasing the perfect cup of coffee or enjoying hikes in one of the many beautiful national parks in and around Perth.
Elizabeth Sydney-Smith
Liz provides speech pathology services at our Currambine practice and within local schools, supporting individuals in achieving their communication goals through a holistic and person-centered approach.
Passionate about fostering meaningful connections, Liz has a special interest in augmentative communication and early language development. She is trained in DIR Floortime techniques, the HANEN 4 I’s to Socialize, Colourful Semantics with Alison Bryan, and the Sounds-Write program, a structured literacy approach.
In addition to her expertise in speech and language therapy, Liz has advanced training in Autism, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), and holds a Graduate Certificate in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She is deeply committed to empowering individuals to express themselves, build new skills, and engage confidently in a safe, supportive environment.
No two sessions are the same, and Liz loves the dynamic and creative nature of her work!
Outside of work, Liz enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors on long walks, and expressing her creativity through music and art.
Jade Sadowski
Jade provides Speech Pathology services at our Currambine office, as well as schools. Jade has additional training in Sounds-Write, Hanen It Takes Two To Talk and Orofacial Myology.
Jade loves working in the early intervention and school-aged spheres. She particularly enjoys working on the areas of articulation, phonology, and receptive and expressive language.
When she is not working, Jade can be found at the beach, cooking, spending time with family and friends, or getting some avo toast on the coast.
Melissa-Sue Wat
Melissa-Sue has a special interest in mealtimes across the lifespan, AAC and Communication Access. She has been involved in working within the disability field for the past 16 years she is passionate about her clients having choice and control so that they can have safe, successful and enjoyable mealtimes with their family and friends.
Melissa-Sue is trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, The Beckman Oral Motor approach, SOS Approach and AEIOU Approach to feeding. Also trained in PROMPT therapy, PODD, LAMP approach, a Key Word Sign Presenter and Hanen Certified.
When she isn’t working, Melissa-Sue can be found hanging out with her husband, two young boys & pets, trying to renovate the family home or likely at her pilates class.
Jessica Boam
Jess provides speech pathology services at our Currambine practice as well as at schools.
Jess has a passion for working in the early intervention sphere, targeting both communication skills as well as feeding skills. She provides comprehensive autism assessments as part of the multidisciplinary team. She has a strong background in the areas of:
- Infant feeding and food avoidance/picky or restrictive eating
- Parent and family lead therapy approaches with a strong focus on chid directed play
- Kindy and school readiness
- Stuttering therapy across the lifespan
Jess is Hanen certified and is a member of the Western Australian Autism Diagnosticians Forum (WAADF). She is a competent user of Key Word Signs and has a background in working with children with Autism.
Outside of work she likes to hang with her wife, baby son and spoilt dog, Ernie . She loves to eat chocolate and bake foods at home.
Bella Sandilands
Bella provides Speech Pathology services at our Currambine office, as well as schools. Bella has additional training in Sounds-Write and Orofacial Myology.
Bella loves working with school-aged clients and clients with disabilities such as Autism. She particularly enjoys working in the areas of articulation, expressive and receptive language and social skills.
Bella also works at The Feeding Clinic with a special interest in Paediatric Feeding Disorders, breast and bottle feeding, transition to solids and supporting families with mealtimes.
When she isn’t working, Bella enjoys spending time with her dog Cleo, holidaying with her husband and pilates. Bella also enjoys baking and gardening in the sunshine.
Niamh Cullen
Niamh provides Speech Pathology intervention at our Currambine office and schools.
Her special interests include speech articulation and phonology. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is passionate about providing evidenced based treatment sessions that are both functional and engaging. Niamh also enjoys working with parents and caregivers to support their child’s communication development beyond the therapy sessions and providing them with the strategies and tools to do so.
When she is not working, Niamh enjoys reading a good book and heading to the gym or the pool for a swim
Audrey Lehr
Audrey currently provides speech pathology services at our Wembley practice and within schools. Audrey has a special interest in language, literacy, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), phonology and articulation for school-aged children, preschool-aged children and early intervention.
She is passionate about evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming practice, empowering children to achieve their goals using a fun, collaborative and individualised approach. Audrey has additional training in Key Word Sign.
When Audrey isn’t working she can be found hanging with her Groodle puppy Pickle, browsing marketplace for a bargain or starting creative projects she may or may not finish.
Anzel Wentzel
Anzel provides Speech Pathology services at our Currambine practice as well as within schools.
Anzel has a special interest in:
- Early Language
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Phonology and Articulation
Anzel is passionate about working with children of all ages while providing evidence-based and engaging therapy.
She provides individualised treatment in a nurturing environment to meet each child’s unique needs.
When she is not working, Anzel can be found spending quality time with friends and family, going for a walk at the beach or starting a new Cricut project.
Natara Brown
Natara provides speech pathology services from our Wembley practice.
Natara’s passion for working with children began with her primary school teaching degree, which took her to Vietnam, where she taught English. Upon her return, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology with Honours.
Natara has a special interest in early intervention and autism. She believes in fun, play-based therapy and empowering parents with the knowledge to support their children outside the clinic.
She also has experience working in the areas of preschool and school aged language, stuttering, articulation/phonology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), gestalt language processing and diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
Natara has completed additional training in:
- Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk for Late Talkers
- Lidcombe Stuttering Program
- Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition
- Autism Assessment – ADOS 2
- Sensory Certificate Course – Level 1
When she’s not working Natara likes to do puzzles, Indian cooking and reading at the beach
Rachel Ghobrial
Danielle Aubrey
coming soon
Ava Bushby
Ava provides services at our currambine clinic and at local schools. She has an interest in school aged language, literacy, articulation and phonology. She is committed to providing functional, client-centered care that empowers individuals to achieve their communication and life goals.
With experience working across disability, paediatric, and adolescent populations, Ava focuses on tailoring therapy to the individual’s needs and goals through collaborative and evidence-based approaches. Ava enjoys supporting clients in various settings, including schools, homes, and clinics, where she emphasises meaningful and practical outcomes.
When she is not working, Ava can be found going for a coast walk, playing touch rugby or making the most out of her kindle.
Ellie Burns
coming soon
OUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TEAM
Kylie Kemsley
Kylie is a Senior Occupational Therapist who provides services at our Currambine practice. Kylie has experience supporting children with a range of needs and is passionate about helping each child and family reach their full potential.
Kylie loves being a therapist because kids are just so much fun to be around and play is such an incredible tool for therapy.
Kylie has a keen interest in sensory processing and regulation, and enjoys developing therapeutic relationships with families where she can assist in setting and achieving goals.
When Kylie isn’t at work she can usually be found at the park with her two littlies, spending time with family or catching up with friends for a good yarn!
Natasha Netto
Natasha is an Occupational Therapist who provides services at our Wembley practice.
Natasha has experience with supporting children of all ages who have a range of needs. She is passionate about working closely with children and their families to support them to reach their full potential through individualised, fun and interactive therapy approaches.
Natasha has a keen interest in working with children to support their sensory processing and regulation, motor skill development, handwriting, typing, executive functioning and independence in self-care skills.
When she isn’t working, she enjoys singing, playing the piano, being active, spending time with family and friends, and going out to enjoy good food as she is a real foodie!
Jeanine Vella
coming soon
OUR ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Jordyn
Jordyn works part-time at our Wembley clinic and enjoys learning something new from the amazing therapists every day she is at work.
Jordyn is also a full time mum to two busy boys. When not at work, Jordyn loves going to the gym, beach, and taking her boys on adventures.
Nicola
Nicola is a busy mum of three and a receptionist at our Currambine location.
Nicola is passionate about connecting children with services that support their development in her local community.
Rhodita
Rhodita works part-time at our Wembley Clinic, assisting all the wonderful families that need our support.
Rhodita spends the rest of her time with her family and friends, travelling and enjoying the outdoors.
Jayde
Jayde works part-time at our Currambine clinic.
Jayde is a speech pathology student, currently in her third year, and she loves it! She particularly enjoys working with children and can’t wait to join the workforce as a speech pathologist.
Jess
Jess works part-time at the reception desk of our Wembley office and also does other administrative tasks behind the scenes.
In Jess’ spare time you’ll find her gardening in her courtyard or hanging with family.
Jade
Coming soon
