Our team

The highly qualified, professional team at SpeechPathology.me has a passion to support clients and their families at every step of the therapy journey.

‘Our son’s little face lights up when he’s going to see his therapist — that’s really big that a five-year-old feels like that about his therapy.’

Penny

Catherine Silcock Speech Pathologist

Catherine is a supporter, ally and advocate of differently-wired learners. Her love of working with children and their families has seen her in community, health and education speech pathology roles for nearly 30 years. After graduating from the University of Queensland, Catherine moved to Tasmania in 1993. She has since held clinical and teaching roles in Australia and the UK.

She has extensive training and experience in Floortime and Social Cognition Therapy. Her focus is to support children and teens to be their best, functional, independent selves.

Catherine works with her valued team of colleagues to provide a holistic, family-centred service. She works with children and teens in varied areas: developmental speech and language, Autism Spectrum, literacy support, communication devices, social cognition support and complex support needs.

Catherine loves teens (has them) and little children. Thanks to her clients she stays current on topics ranging from marine mapping to Minecraft. Away from work she loves outdoors, art and animals. Sometimes clients bring their guinea pigs to sessions, and that’s okay by her.

Juli Swarts Speech Pathologist

Juli studied Speech Pathology at Curtin University, WA. Originally from Tasmania, she has worked in varied adult and paediatric roles in Australia and overseas.

She has a special interest in helping young people to be skilled and comfortable with their learning, families and peers. Formal learning doesn’t benefit us until we feel confident and engaged, and she works to help her clients reach this point. Your therapy has only been successful if it makes a difference in your day!

She has skills to support a wide range of needs including speech and language delays and disorders, social cognition support, and literacy difficulties.

Currently in the high summer of family life, Juli is also a parent, student, wife of soccer coach, school helper, community member, pet keeper, and gardener. A good day also includes music and reading.

Lisa Johnson Speech Pathologist

Lisa grew up in Tasmania and moved to Melbourne to study Speech Pathology at La Trobe University. She has worked in a variety of public and private settings, predominantly with a paediatric caseload in Tasmania and overseas.

In recent years, Lisa’s focus has been on collaborating with families and educational teams to find ways to support the speech, language, and communication needs of young people in schools.

She is highly experienced in the area of literacy and enjoys nothing more than seeing young children unlock the written code and learn to read.

Now that Lisa’s three children are grown, she has more time for her garden and long, chatty walks with friends.

Kallista Adkins Speech Pathologist

Kallista has a Master of Speech Pathology degree (UTAS) and Bachelor of Behaviour Science (UTAS). She feels privileged to have grown up in nipaluna (Hobart) and loves living in and being part of her local and state community.

Kallista is a people person, and as a former gym coach and teacher’s assistant, loves being with children and young people in their learning spaces. She knows that diversity is our strength and neuro-affirming support in an inclusive space is where she loves to be.

When she’s not working, Kallista is teaching Jazzercise or at the beach; sunshine and dancing whenever possible.

Maddie Blackman Speech Pathologist

Maddie was born and raised in Hobart. She has a Master of Speech Pathology (UTAS) and Bachelor of Psychological Science.

She is a passionate advocate of client-centred care, and is a champion for diversity support across the lifespan. Participating in hobbies, embracing our communities and achieving our goals should be there for us all.

She is fun, energetic and loves playing team sports, especially soccer and football (AFL).

Billie Watkins Speech Pathologist

Billie grew up in Hobart and has a Master of Speech Pathology, and Master of Teaching.

Billie believes that communication is key to fostering meaningful connections. She is dedicated to helping young people enhance their social-emotional communication skills through a Neuro-Affirming, and strengths-based approach to therapy. Billie focuses on building genuine therapeutic relationships with her participants and their families to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Outside of work Billie enjoys trail running, hiking and cooking.

Bianca Humphrey Allied Health Assistant

Bianca completed a B.A. in Communications Studies at Murdoch University before succumbing to the bright lights of London, where she spent a happy decade working at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

A late-twenties change of plan saw her embark upon a new career as an Ambulance Paramedic, eventually returning to Australia from the UK.

As an Allied Health Assistant, Bianca enjoys combining her long-held love of communication and language, with the interpersonal and caring skills she has honed both as a healthcare professional and a stay-at-home parent.

Bianca enjoys spending her spare time in her garden — most of that time is now spent filling in holes dug by her beloved Labradoodle, Gordon.

Alice Parker Allied Health Assistant

Alice joins SpeechPathology.me in the role of Allied Health Assistant. Alice is an emergency nurse and, fulfilling a long-held aspiration and curiosity, a Masters in Speech Pathology student.

Alice is a mum to three adventurous and entertaining young children, and she brings this experience to her role as a Allied Health Assistant. She has a passion for play-based learning, fostering creativity, and believes that all children should have access to the supports and opportunities required to have the best start in life. These elements are key influences for her in this role. Alice spends her free time with her family, wrangling her garden, and helping run a local community not-for-profit pre-kinder.

Jen Poulson Office Manager

Jen’s work experience has included private and government positions in administration, research, customer support, and solution management. As Office Manager at SpeechPathology.me, Jen oversees the daily and business operations of our clinic, and happily looks after our therapists’ and clients’ needs.

Jen holds a Masters degree in cultural heritage, as well as qualifications in history and creative writing.

Jen spends her spare time with her two fur babies, partner, and family.

‘When you’re looking for a therapist, that rapport is so important. Our therapist sees people for who they are. She treats people with respect.’

Nadia