Quality Speech Pathology and Orofacial Myology services from early childhood to aged care
Our Team
Andrea Houlihan
Speech Pathologist / Director
Andrea qualified with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University in 1996. Andrea has lived and worked in Healesville for 20 years with her husband and six children.
Andrea has a special interest in literacy and is qualified in THRASS (Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills), Cracking the ABC Code and the Sounds-Write program.
Specialising in swallowing and communication management in the Nursing Home setting, Andrea has a long history of supporting Aged Care facilities to manage eating and swallowing and communication, particularly in complex cases such as younger people with degenerative neurological conditions.
Andrea is Coulson Trained in Orofacial Myology and has completed specialist training in infant and childhood feeding difficulties. Andrea can provide assessment and therapy for thumb/finger/tongue sucking, tongue thrust, nail biting, drooling, mouth breathing, trichotillomania (hair pulling), jaw pain, TMJD, teeth clenching, tongue tie, snoring, mild sleep apnoea, open bite, and crossbite.
Andrea is a Certified Practising member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Jennifer Diep
Speech Pathologist
Jennifer completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. Prior to this, Jennifer completed a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Psychology, at the University of Melbourne. Jennifer has been a Kumon instructor for 8 years. Her warm and calming nature allows her clients to feel at ease during assessments and therapy. Jennifer has experience in paediatric (childhood) speech and language as well as adult language and voice. She is passionate about helping adults and children reach their full potential and improve their quality of life.
Jennifer is a certified practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Emma McLauchlan
Speech Pathologist
Emma studied a double degree of a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Speech Pathology at La Trobe University in Melbourne. During this time, Emma worked for us as a Therapy Assistant and has continued to work for us as a qualified Speech Pathologist. Emma is passionate about working with clients, their families and other health professionals to deliver comprehensive assessment and intervention in areas such as speech, swallowing, fluency, language, literacy and implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Emma has a particular interest in language and literacy development of school-aged children as well as speech and swallowing difficulties across the lifespan. Emma is thrilled at the opportunity to be able to help other people reach their communication or swallowing goals using client-centred care and evidence-based practice.
Emma is Hanen trained with the More Than Words Program, has a number of certificates and training in Phonological Awareness and Literacy (PAL), SoundsWrite, Cued Articulation, Key Word Sign, AAC and Aided Language Displays, Working with children who have challenging behaviour and Working with vulnerable populations.
Emma is a certified practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Nellie Hunt
Speech Pathologist
Nellie is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and attained a double degree of a Bachelor of Applied Science/Master of Speech Pathology at La Trobe University in Melbourne.
Nellie is passionate about working with people across the lifespan and enjoys various areas of practice including speech, language, literacy, stuttering and swallowing.
Nellie loves sport, particularly netball. Nellie ran the La Trobe University Netball Club for many years and plays and umpires. She also enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Molly Houlihan
Therapy Assistant
Molly’s work as a tutor for school aged children from early primary school through to VCE, places her in the perfect place to work with our clients. Molly has a passion for literacy learning and is trained in Cracking the ABC Code and early units of the Sound Write program. Molly loves working with children and enjoys seeing them grow in confidence as they learn new things. Molly is studying Speech Pathology at Melbourne's Australian Catholic University.
Leisl Halamoutis
Therapy Assistant
Leisl is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University (ACU). Leisl is thrilled to have this opportunity to join Beyond Speech as a therapy assistant as this first-hand experience in the work field will help her support our clients and excel in her studies and become even more passionate about what she is studying. Leisl is a kind and caring person with a love for people of all ages. She is very much looking forward to meeting and working with our clients, and seeing them learn and grow with their speech and beyond.
Holly Deckert
Therapy Assistant
Holly is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University (ACU). Holly is is excited by the opportunity to join the Beyond Speech team as a therapy assistant. She has prior experience as a therapy assistant, working primarily in the areas of paediatric speech, language, literacy and motor development. Holly has a passion for working with children, particularly in the areas of language development and AAC, and has completed a certificate in Key Word Sign to further her knowledge in this area. Holly is looking forward to working with a variety of Beyond Speech clients, in order to help them achieve their communication goals.
Lize Szarek
Therapy Assistant
Lize is currently studying as a Speech Pathology Therapy Assistant and hopes to transfer to a Speech Pathology degree in the near future. Lize has worked as a dental assistant for 7 years and is a Coulson Trained Orofacial Myologist. Lize has extensive training in Orofacial Myology and Breathing therapy
Lize will be working as part of our Orofacial Myology team. Lize has a special interest in early intervention and habit cessation in the area of oral function and is a strong believer in learning through play.
Outside of the clinic Lize enjoys geocaching (google it - it’s awesome!) with friends, camping trips and her favourite outdoor activity is kayaking with her son.
Suzanne Tyzak
Administration
Suzanne is a member of our administration and customer service team. She has 25 years experience in hospitality and winery general management including admin and finance responsibilities. In her younger years, she completed 3 and half years of a Physiotherapy degree before falling in love with the hospitality industry. She has lived in Healesville for 15 years and with a soccer mad eight year old had no option but to put her hand up to be President of the Healesville Soccer Club. Suzanne will be based at reception in our clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Jackie Bryan
Administration
Jackie is a member of our administraion and customer service team supporting our clients and Speech Pathologists. Jackie has worked in retail administration and customer service for over 10 years. Jackie grew up in the Yarra Valley and has recently returned with her husband to raise their 2 children. Jackie is looking forward to working with the local community.