Who are we?
We are a team of skilled and caring speech pathologists who are specialists in stuttering. We work with people of all ages, from local areas, regional areas, and internationally, on telehealth and in a clinic in Melbourne, Australia. We also offer training to other speech pathologists through mentoring and presentations. This website will help you better understand our team and our services. It takes a leap of faith to entrust another to help you with your challenges, so please do not hesitate to ask us any questions about our team and our services.
Our Expertise
Training
We are speech pathologists who have chosen to specialise in stuttering. Our team is trained in a wide range of treatments for stuttering including the Lidcombe Program, the Oakville Program, Restart-DCM and the Camperdown Program. By attending conferences and workshops, both nationally and internationally, we are able to continually advance our knowledge about stuttering and stuttering therapies.
Teaching
Many of our clinicians are clinical educators of speech pathology students at universities. Brenda Carey and Kylie Smith are also members of the Lidcombe Program Trainers Consortium, an international group of speech pathologists who train speech pathologists and speech pathology students in the Lidcombe Program.
Role in developing therapies
Brenda Carey is an author of the Lidcombe Program Guide and the Camperdown Program Guide. Constance Alateras and Fiona Ross are both currently developing online stuttering treatment programs to increase therapy options and improve therapy access for people who stutter. Shane Erickson has also been at the forefront of telehealth research having developed and trialed a clinician-free treatment program for adults, for his doctoral studies. Constance Alateras and Danielle Carey assisted with the development of materials for the Camperdown Program Guide.
Research
Amongst out team are speech pathologists who have completed, or who are in the midst of completing, their doctoral studies in stuttering. Our team comprises the largest number of stuttering specialist clinicians in the state of Victoria. To see a list of our publications in stuttering, please click here.
We have a close relationship with the Australian Stuttering Research Centre (ASRC), a world-renowned stuttering research centre. Brenda Carey and Kylie Smith have honorary positions at the ASRC. Through this relationship as well as our relationship with universities, we continue to contribute to the evidence-base in the field of stuttering.
Our Spaces
Melbourne Clinic
Our Melbourne Clinic in Malvern East, Melbourne, Australia is designed for our local clients who wish to connect in person in a warm, inclusive environment.
Our space includes a welcoming administration team member at our reception, and a waiting room to keep you comfortable until your appointment time. We have a range of toys, games, and books to entertain children. Parking is easily available and free in our surrounding streets.
Telehealth Clinic
Our Telehealth Clinic allows our local, regional, interstate, and international clients to obtain support for their communication from the comfort of their home, school or workplace. With research showing that telehealth stuttering therapy is just as effective as in person therapy, telehealth therapy is a viable option for almost all clients.
Many of our clients find it easier to learn speech therapy strategies and to apply them in day-to-day life when they learn those in their own environment. Others find telehealth more convenient because without travel to our clinic, there is less time away from work or school.
Our clinicians have supported clients in many countries including the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy, Lebanon, Israel, South Africa, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai, Singapore, China, Japan and New Zealand.
Before the appointment
Before the appointment you will be sent a welcome email which includes a Zoom link. Once you start speaking with your clinician, you will quickly forget about the computer or tablet screen between you.
If you have a young child, your child will not be required for the entire session. Young children are only expected to sit at the computer for short bursts, while playing a game or reading a book. Our Telehealth Clinic has plenty of online games and books, and you may also use some of your favourite games and books from home. You may wish to set up an activity, e.g. Lego or drawing to occupy your child, for those times when you are speaking to the clinician
If you have an older child, you are still expected to attend sessions, unless the speech pathologist says otherwise. Occasionally adolescents will not require a parent to attend sessions.
We understand that our Telehealth Clinic may not suit every child or adult, particularly those who have additional needs. If after your initial appointment, your speech pathologist feels that you would benefit more from attending in person, they will let you know.