Meet Our Team

Q. When did you start working at Telethon Speech & Hearing?

Nerida: I’ve been working at TSH since January 2021.

Marie: I started working at TSH at the beginning of 2019. I was happily working elsewhere when the opportunity arose and the move to TSH has felt like moving towards my values of child centred and supported learning.

Jessica: I started at TSH in June last year. Before that, I worked as a clinical psychologist and consultant in various private and government roles throughout my career, particularly with organisations that support people with disabilities and communication difficulties.

Q. Please give us some insight into your role.

N: As the Psychologist for Chatterbox I attend each of the playgroups and the kindergarten program fortnightly, as well as offer individual consultations. I’m there as a sounding board, for on the spot questions or to schedule a more specific time to talk about whatever is important to a family. This could be parenting questions, dealing with tantrums, developmental concerns or general stresses.

M: As the Outpost Psychologist my role is varied. I undertake psychometric assessments to better understand the strengths and areas of difficulties for students and their families, work collaboratively with school staff and the multidisciplinary team to support our students in their learning journey, and provide individual therapy sessions as well as classroom interventions targeting social and emotional skill development. I also enjoy working with my psychology colleagues to develop staff training and informing strategic direction.

J: My role is all about supporting Talkabout families, children and staff. I see parents and caregivers individually, and I work closely with teachers and staff to help with any difficulties our Talkabout kids might be experiencing. I also do presentations and groups on specific topics like behaviour and Circle of Security throughout the year.

Q. The most common question I get asked is…

N: “Am I overreacting?” (usually NO) or “Is this normal?” (often the answer is YES)

M: “Do you have any availability?” Unfortunately one out of three psychologists in private practice have closed their books, compared to one in 100 before the pandemic and the downward pressure on school psychologists is tangible.

J: “What does it cost?” And the answer is, nothing! It’s all part of the Talkabout program, so all you have to do is make an appointment when you need one.

Q. In my role, I’m most passionate about…

N: Supporting parents – it’s the hardest job! There’s never been more pressure to parent in certain ways and to ‘get it right’. All parents deserve support. An objective eye or sounding board. Others to share information, ideas, hard times, fun times and the load, without judgement.

M: Being able to work with families and children and to see the impact of early intervention on improved functioning and relationships brings me joy! Feeling a part of a multidisciplinary team in which we each bring our area of speciality to the table and who are aligned in values and best interests of the family is really rewarding.

J: The work we are doing on behaviour and inclusive language at TSH. Language is so important and the way we talk about things frames how we see people. I just love helping people to make sense of behaviour, and changing the way they see things.