Nicky (she/her) grew up on northern Vancouver Island. She completed her undergraduate degree at UVic and her Masters degree at the University of Alberta. Nicky believes that the foundation of great therapy is relationship. Through light-hearted, playful interactions, Nicky develops positive, trusting relationships with her clients and their families. She cares deeply for each of her clients, and works hard to tailor therapy to their individual needs and interests. Nicky has her own particular interests in oromyofunctional disorders, speech sound disorders, stuttering and autism. She is grateful to be learning daily from autistic adults about how we can better support and empower neurodivergent clients to experience success without having to mask who they truly are. Nicky is a clinician who rarely has space for new clients since her current clients have such trust in her skills and approach.

In her spare time, Nicky enjoys sharing the island life with her family, whether hiking, cycling, paddling or gardening. Nicky is forever grateful for the privilege of living on and caring for the unceded traditional territory of the Lkwungen peoples.

Nicky’s additional training includes:

• Hanen: It Takes Two To Talk
• Hanen: ABC and Beyond
• PROMPT
• Orofacial Rest Posture Program (ORPP) Indigenous Canada
• Trauma-Sensitive Practice
• Tongue Tie with Dr. Richard Baxter
• Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) with Dr. Ross Greene
• Get Ready, Do, Done! with Sara Ward
• Meaningful Speech – Natural Language Acquisition (NLA)
• Let’s Start Talking (LST) treatment for apraxia with Dr. Megan Hodge
• The Comprehensive Stuttering Program (CSP) with ISTAR
• The Lidcombe Program for preschool stuttering
• Trauma-Sensitive Practice with Kim Bartel

Nicky (she/her) grew up on northern Vancouver Island. She completed her undergraduate degree at U... Read More

Kelsey completed her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology at Western Illinois University and was awarded a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She has experience working with a variety of populations in homes, daycares and clinic settings. Kelsey has a special interest in working with Autistic children and other developmental differences. She is passionate about working with children and their families using play-based and neurodiversity-affirming approaches. She feels strongly about learning from the neurodivergent community by listening to Autistic voices. Kelsey believes that all perspectives are important and that all communication modalities are valid. Kelsey’s clients love her calm and playful nature and are instantly comfortable in sessions.

After spending time in Alberta and Illinois, Kelsey is excited to be living on the coast again. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys spending time outside with her friends and puppy.

Kelsey completed her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology at Western Illinois University and wa... Read More

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

Izzie completed her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia following a degree in linguistics and psychology at UVic. During her time in Australia, she had the pleasure of working with clients of all ages and discovered a particular interest in language and literacy. Izzie is passionate about supportive and inclusive assessment and therapy, which takes an evidence-based and client-centred approach. She also strives to make therapy fun and playful while working towards achievable collaborative goals. In her free time, Izzie enjoys music, reading, and writing. Izzie’s additional training includes: - DIR Floortime 101 - Hanen More Than Words - Authentic AAC - Advanced Literacy Program - Fostering Well-Being in Autistic Girls & Women - Meaningful Speech: Gestalt Language Processing

Izzie completed her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Macquarie University in Sydne... Read More

Malley completed her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and French at McGill University, and went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Montana. She is originally from northern BC, and moved to Victoria in 2020. She enjoys working across all ages, with a particular focus on adult fluency, accent modification, voice disorders, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders. Malley holds advanced competencies in Videofluoroscopic Assessment and Management of Adult Swallowing Disorders, and Communication & Swallowing Assessment & Management for Tracheostomy. Additionally, she is a certified Speak Out! provider for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Malley takes a person-centered approach to all therapy, and loves getting to connect with her clients to help them pursue their functional, personal, and professional goals. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, travelling, and attempting to teach herself the cello.

Malley completed her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and French at McGill University, and went o... Read More

Georgia is an occupational therapist who was born and raised on beautiful Vancouver Island in the city of Nanaimo. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She has previous experience as a community support worker with neurodivergent individuals. A few of her clinical interests include self-regulation and sensory processing, which were extensively addressed through clinical and community development placements throughout her education. She addresses these areas in working with clients to promote self-awareness, self-advocacy skills, and positive self-identity. Georgia believes these areas are foundational to fostering good mental health, which is crucial for meaningful occupational engagement. She takes an interest-based approach in working with all her clients to support intrinsic motivation in pursuing occupational goals. Georgia is known for her dedication to pushing her clinical skills, constantly researching and learning, and finding creative and neurodiversity affirming solutions for her clients. Her leisure pursuits include mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, and baking nutritious and delicious treats to fuel her active lifestyle.

Georgia has completed the following professional development courses:

• Therapeutic Listening ®
• Alert Program ®
• Practical Cutting Edge Interventions for Improving Executive Function Skills in Students, Foundations class – Sarah Ward
• Effective Interventions for Improving Executive Functioning Skills in Children/Students, Master Class-Sarah Ward
• Embedding Instruction into Daily Routine and Activities- Autism Community Training
• Strategies for Executive Function: Teaching Organizational Concepts and Skills: Modules 1 through 4- Michelle Garcia Winner
• Sensory Processing and Sensory-based Interventions for children- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy
• A Multisensory Approach to Pre-K-Learning Without Tears ®
• K-2 Print Workshop-Handwriting Without Tears ®
• Teaching Students How to Schedule their Time-Sarah Ward and Kristen Jacobsen
• Goal Setting that Works (founded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)-Randy Paterson
• Making Sense of Anxiety-Dr. Gordon Neufeld
• The Interoception Curriculum-Kelly Mahler
• Toileting, Interoception, and Nutrition: an Evidence-based Approach for promoting toileting success and independence-Kelly Mahler
• Unsafe, Unheard, and Misunderstood: Trauma from Being Atypical Living in a Typical Word -Kelly Mahler Neurodiversity Affirming OT practice -An Autism CE Summit Margaret Proctor, Founder of Learn Play Thrive
• The Get Permission Approach to Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes -Marsha Dunn Klein, Get Permission Institute

Georgia is an occupational therapist who was born and raised on beautiful Vancouver Island in the... Read More

Marie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria and a Master of Occupational Therapy Degree from the University of British Columbia. Marie is a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) and a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia.

After living and working in the Yukon and Vancouver for 12 years, Marie moved back to her hometown of Victoria. Marie has over 15 years of experience working with families, and children and youth of all ages and abilities, in a variety of practice settings. Marie has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist, in private practice since 2017. Marie focuses on function and establishing therapeutic relationships and uses a neurodiversity-affirming framework to support clients to achieve their goals. Marie is a wealth of knowledge and is a very well-respected clinician in our agency. She connects easily with clients of all ages.

In her spare time, Marie enjoys biking, canoeing, hiking, playing squash and cooking.

Marie has completed the following professional development courses:

• Core Connections: Exploring the Core’s Developmental Roots – VitaLinks
• Therapeutic Listening ®
• Learning Without Tears ® Get Set for School: Readiness and Writing Workshop
• DIR/Floortime ® 101
• New Cutting Edge Strategies to Improve Executive Functioning Skills – Sarah Ward
• Strategies for Executive Functioning: Teaching Organizational Concepts & Skills: Modules 1-4 – Michelle Garcia Winner
• Making Sense of Attention Problems – Dr. Gordon Neufeld
• Making Sense of Aggression – Dr. Gordon Neufeld
• Exploring Treatment for Social Anxiety – Michelle Garcia Winner
• Building Blocks for Sensory Integration – VitalLinks
• Astronaut Training: A Sound Activated Visual-Vestibular Protocol – VitalLinks
• Concussion Management – Concussion Rehab Works – Shannon McGuire
• Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics – Dr. Bruce Perry
• Intensive Level 1: Making Sense of Kids – Dr. Gordon Neufeld
• Power to Parent – Dr. Gordon Neufeld
• The Get Permission Approach to Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes – Marsha Dunn Klein
• Reframing Autism from a Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective – Katherine McGinley
• Autism and Neurodiversity – Diane Treadwell–Deering
• Understanding Primitive Reflexes: How They Impact Child Development and Intervention Strategies for Integration – Samantha Heidenreich
• Moving From Power and Control to Collaboration and Problem Solving – Ross W. Greene
• Supporting Learners with Pathological Demand Avoidance – Laura Kerbey
• Understanding Children and Young People with a Pathological Demand Avoidance Profile – Phil Christie
• Fostering Well-Being in Autistic Women and Girls – Dori Zener

Marie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria ... Read More

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Ananya is an occupational therapist born and raised in India. She moved to Canada to pursue her Masters in Occupational Therapy at McGill University, Montreal. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and her Post Graduate Diploma in Special Education from reputed universities in India. Her prior experience as a special educator includes working with children and young adults in the public and private school settings as well as low-resource settings in impoverished areas in India. A few of her clinical interests include approaching rehabilitation with a trauma-informed and culturally-safe lens. Ananya believes that the key to facilitating occupational engagement is to create a compassionate therapeutic relationship with her clients by presuming competency and building a strengths-based practice. She is especially passionate about neurodiversity affirming approaches, play-based occupations and decolonizing therapeutic practices.

In her spare time, Ananya likes to cook spicy food, play sports or games and explore new places. She is also on a super special mission to befriend every animal she can.

Ananya’s training includes:

• Fostering Well-Being in Autistic Girls & Women Perspectives on Demand Avoidance: is it PDA or something else by Autism Community Training
• Understanding PDA by Kristy Forbes, Intune Pathways
• Dr Ross Greene Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Advanced training
• Responsive Feeding Therapy in Early Intervention (Age 0-3)
• DIR Floortime 101
• Two‐Day Intensive Executive Function Seminar with Sarah Ward

Ananya is an occupational therapist born and raised in India. She moved to Canada to pursue her M... Read More

Heather did her undergraduate degree in health sciences before attending McGill where she completed both her clinical learning in speech-language pathology and an additional research year to earn her master’s degree. She has since gained advanced training for a variety of speech, language, and communication needs. She enjoys working with autistic children and adolescents and their families to develop neurodiversity-affirming goals and to provide opportunities for families to better understand each other’s communication. She runs many neurodivergent peer groups in which she connects goals from individual sessions into activities with peers.

In addition, Heather’s clinical interests and experience include fluency treatment (stuttering and cluttering) both in children and adults, and voice, including treatment of vocal fold nodules, paradoxical vocal fold movement, muscle tension dysphonia, as well as being knowledgeable and experienced in providing transgender voice therapy. She works as well with children requiring a range of speech and language therapy. Heather is a clinician who is often on the floor playing, laughing and engaging with her very young clients and then just as easily shifts to her tween and teen groups focusing on building self-awareness and self-advocacy skills. Heather’s move to Victoria in 2019 has fueled her love of the outdoors, and on the weekends she camps in her home-made campervan and loves working with textiles.

Heather did her undergraduate degree in health sciences before attending McGill where she complet... Read More

Shannon is an occupational therapist who graduated with her MSc. OT from Queen’s University in 2018. Prior to discovering occupational therapy, she completed an undergraduate degree in clinical psychology on the east coast of Canada in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She has extensive experience working with infants, toddlers, children, and adults with varied abilities in a variety of roles and settings. Shannon began her OT career at Make Way For Me! Occupational Therapy For Children, in Kingston, Ontario. Since moving to Victoria in 2019, Shannon has learned extensively about implementing a neurodiversity-affirming approach to treatment. In her practice, Shannon values building a strong therapeutic relationship, creating a safe space in therapy, and meeting clients exactly where they are at. Shannon believes strongly in helping individuals develop a healthy, positive self-image and the skills to advocate for their support needs. Shannon is a keen young therapist with a tangible passion for working with her clients and families to help them reach their goals in creative ways. Shannon has an intense interest in autism acceptance and works hard to help increase the community’s understanding of the beauty of neurodiversity. Shannon also learns passionately from her SLP colleagues and in the clinic we joke that she was an SLP in her previous life! In her spare time, Shannon can usually be found walking her little orange dog, Finn.

Shannon’s Additional Training Includes:

• VitalLinks Quickshifts Course
• Learning Without Tears K-5 Handwriting Course
• Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT): Introductory Course
• Cutting Edge Strategies to Improve Executive Functioning Skills
• VitalLinks Therapeutic Listening Program
• Social Thinking Strategies for Teens
• The Learn, Play, Thrive Approach to Autism: Introductory Seminar
• Interoception and Early Learners: Establishing Body Listening from a Early Age
• Augmentative/Alternative Communication Workshop: Programming with Touch Chat
• 2022 Decoding Behaviour Summit for Neurodiverse Families
• Interoception and The Non-Speaking Client
• Modern Emotion Regulation Supports for Neurodivergent Learners
• Toileting, Interoception, and Nutrition: An Evidence-Based Approach for Promoting Toileting Success and Independence
• Unsafe, Unheard, and Misunderstood: Trauma from Being Atypical in a Typical World
• HB Autism Summit: Empowering and Enabling a Neurodiversity Affirming and Strengths-Based Practice
• AHA Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part 1: Foundations
• AHA Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part 2 The Get Permission Approach to Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes – by Marsha Dunn Klein, OT
• Collaborative For Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI) Part 1
• Collarborative Proactive Solutions (CPS) by Dr. Ross Greene

Shannon is an occupational therapist who graduated with her MSc. OT from Queen’s University in 20... Read More