Liana (she/her)

Founder & Owner

Speech Pathologist BPsychSc, MSpPath, MSPA-CPSP

I am a Certified Practicing Member of Speech Pathology Australia (MSPA-CPSP).

I graduated from Deakin University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Psychological Science (BPsychSc), and during my studies, I worked as a swimming instructor and education support worker, where I discovered my passion for supporting young people. It was through these experiences that I realized how much of an impact Speech Pathologists can have on children's social and emotional well-being, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in this field.

In 2019, I completed my Master of Speech Pathology (MSpPath) at The University of Melbourne. While studying, I worked as a disability support worker, which solidified my desire to work in the community sector. I spent several years as a mobile therapist, which was an invaluable learning experience. It was during this time that I recognized a significant gap in support for adolescents and young adults, and that’s when I decided to carve my own path to address this need.

As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, I know firsthand the importance of understanding one’s neurotype. After years of questioning, receiving a diagnosis at 27 brought me a sense of relief, pride, and belonging. I’m passionate about advocating for children and young people to have the opportunity to understand their neurotypes earlier, so they can build self-esteem, access the right support, and thrive.

My approach to therapy is neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. I believe in fostering a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship with both my clients and their families, as I know this foundation is key not only for achieving goals but also for overall well-being and self-esteem.

Areas of practice and passion:

  • Help remove communication, learning and inclusivity barriers, enabling students to fully engage in education.

  • The ability to identify, label, and communicate one's feelings clearly and accurately, helping individuals understand and manage their emotions.

  • The ability to manage and control emotional responses in a healthy and safe way.

  • Involve modifying physical or social settings to ensure individuals with specific needs can fully participate and engage in activities or environments.

  • Empowering individuals to communicate more effectively, ensuring their voices are heard in situations that matter to them.

  • The ability to use verbal and nonverbal skills to effectively interact, share ideas, and understand others in various social contexts.

  • Social-emotional literacy involves helping individuals develop the communication skills necessary to recognise, express, and manage emotions effectively, while navigating social interactions and building relationships.

    Social emotional literacy/development is an umbrella term that encompasses the areas below.

  • The connections and interactions between individuals, built on communication, trust, and mutual respect, which are essential for emotional well-being and support.

  • Empowering families with knowledge, strategies, and resources to support their child’s unique communication strengths and challenges in a way that values and respects their identity.

Communicate to Self-Advocate

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself to make sure your needs and rights are heard and respected. It is a communicative skill that is forgotten all too often and can directly impact social participation and wellbeing. It’s about taking responsibility for your own decisions, communicating clearly about what you want or need, and standing up for yourself in different situations. For adolescents, it’s an important skill to develop as they grow more independent and begin navigating various aspects of life, such as school, relationships, and eventually the workplace.

Self-advocacy involves knowing yourself—your strengths, challenges, and what you need to succeed. It means being able to:

  • Ask for help when you need it, whether it’s in school, at home, or with friends.

  • Express your opinions and feelings respectfully, even if they’re different from others.

  • Make informed decisions about your life, like choosing classes or handling difficult situations.

  • Set and pursue goals that are meaningful to you.

  • Developing self-advocacy helps you gain confidence and independence, and it gives you the tools to shape your own future.

Parents and Caregivers

As parents, you play a key role in encouraging your young person to develop self-advocacy skills. This may involve:

  • Helping your child identify their needs and strengths.

  • Teaching them how to communicate those needs respectfully to others, whether it’s to a teacher, a friend, or a family member.

  • Encouraging them to make decisions on their own, and supporting them when they face challenges.

  • Modeling good communication and problem-solving skills, and offering guidance without taking over.

Self-advocacy is essential for your child’s growth into a confident, independent young adult. It prepares them to face challenges with resilience and ensures they can navigate life with a sense of empowerment and self-worth.

Speech Pathology

As a Speech Pathologist, I can play an important role in helping individuals, especially adolescents, develop self-advocacy skills related to communication. Speech Pathologists can work with clients to:

  • Enhance communication skills: The Speech Pathologist helps individuals improve their ability to express their thoughts, needs, and emotions clearly, whether through speech, writing, or alternative forms of communication.

  • Build confidence: By focusing on communication strategies, the Speech Pathologist helps clients feel more confident in advocating for themselves in social, academic, and professional settings.

  • Teach self-advocacy techniques: The Speech Pathologist teaches strategies for effectively asking for help, requesting accommodations (like extended time on tests or seating arrangements), and expressing preferences or concerns in a respectful way.

  • Promote understanding of their needs: The Speech Pathologist helps individuals recognize their communication challenges and learn how to explain them to others, such as teachers, peers, or employers.

In short, a Speech Pathologist supports self-advocacy by empowering individuals to communicate more effectively, ensuring their voices are heard in situations that matter to them.