Tieghan completed her masters in speech-language pathology at the University of Alberta. She began her career working with a multidisciplinary intervention team in Edmonton. She provided home-based speech and language services for children and their families, with a focus on parent education and involvement. She has experience working with a variety of clients with speech and language delays but has primarily worked with children diagnosed with Autism. Tieghan has enjoyed learning how to incorporate a neurodiversity affirming approach into her therapy and honoring all different kinds of communication and participation styles. Finding new ways to help neurodivergent children and teens connect with their authentic autistic identity has been very rewarding. Tieghan has received specialized training in motor speech (PROMPT trained), fluency, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), autism and social communication. Tieghan is a big proponent of family-centered, play-based therapy – where building relationships comes first. She believes in the importance of setting functional goals in collaboration with families and that children learn best when they are having fun! Tieghan is a clinician who truly loves what she does and it shows in every session and interaction with her clients.

Tieghan has enjoyed exploring the island and has loved taking advantage of all the outdoor activities! When she isn’t at work, Tieghan enjoys playing various sports, baking and spending time with her friends, partner and cat.

Tieghan completed her masters in speech-language pathology at the University of Alberta. She bega... Read More

Jillian completed her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Northern Texas. Jillian previously worked in a private practice in Nanaimo. She has a special interest in assessment and treatment of phonological, voice, and language disorders. She also spent time with EBS Healthcare in Texas, where she was a pediatric school-based SLP working in early intervention Elementary. She has additional training in gestalt language processing and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC). Jillian has taken FLOORTIME course and uses her training to weave in the neurodiversity-affirming elements of the program into her practice. She believes in modeling and teaching self-advocacy skills to encourage her neurodivergent clients to inform others of their strengths and interests.

While at Victoria Speech and Language Centre, she has created multiple trauma-informed self-advocating communication stories that address the double-empathy problem between autistic and non-autistic individuals. Her therapy goals and objectives for her autistic clients focus on perspective taking, explaining motives for communication and inclusion of AAC options in communication.

Jillian completed her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Northern T... Read More

Celise is our registered dietitian and is registered with the College of Dietitians of BC. Celise earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Food Nutrition and Health from the University of British Columbia and has been serving as a pediatric dietitian at BC Children’s Hospital since 2017. Throughout her tenure, she has undertaken diverse roles, honing her skills in assessing and treating pediatric nutrition and feeding challenges, including selective eating, sensory sensitivities, food aversions, and feeding tube dependence. Her compassionate approach emphasizes building trust and confidence in children as they explore new foods and eating experiences. Celise collaborates closely with families, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams to develop personalized nutrition plans when addressing feeding issues.

Drawing on evidence-based strategies and innovative techniques, Celise empowers families with practical tools and resources to foster positive mealtime experiences and promote healthy relationships with food which ultimately preserves a child’s nutritional wellbeing.

Currently residing in Vancouver, Celise also does great work with the Sunny Hill Health Center feeding team. When she is not supporting families with their feeding goals, Celise can be found spending quality time with her husband and two children as well as biking, hiking, and beekeeping on her rooftop garden.

Celise is our registered dietitian and is registered with the College of Dietitians of BC. Celise... Read More

Ella graduated from Queen’s University with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2013. Previous to this, she provided in-home respite support to families with children of diverse abilities and within schools as an educational assistant.

Ella has experience in both acute neurosciences, mental health services, and pediatric occupational therapy. She is particularly passionate about assisting families with young children, offering collaborative support to parents and caregivers. Ella’s approach is rooted in client and family-centered principles, emphasizing strengths and embracing neurodiversity-affirmative and trauma-informed perspective into her practice.

Ella is passionate about nurturing engagement through meaningful and practical skill development, embracing the individual child’s interests, and facilitating growth through play.

In her leisure time, Ella enjoys the natural beauty of the island with her husband, three young children, and spirited golden retriever, Honey.

Ella graduated from Queen’s University with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2013. ... Read More

Alison graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor degree in Child and Youth Care and received a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia. Alison is a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) and a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational therapists and the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.

Alison grew up with her sister who has a physical and developmental disability called Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome. Her lifelong experiences supporting and caring for her sister made her passionate about providing family-centered care for others. Alison spent many years volunteering and working with children in various early-intervention therapy centers, group homes, mental health treatment centers, while also being a part of the disability community alongside her sister.

Alison began her occupational therapy career working in a private pediatric clinic in Vancouver before moving back home to Victoria. Alison believes in enabling children and youth to feel empowered, while providing families with knowledge, empathy, and respect. She believes occupational therapy should be client-centered, evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming, culturally safe, and fun!

In her spare time, Alison is at the beach (regardless of the season), is making her next creative project, or is curled up with her cat and a good book.

Alison graduated with distinction from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor degree in Child... Read More