Senior Speech Pathologist: Nicola Brown

Nicola is a registered speech pathologist who graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). Since graduating in 2018, Nicola has worked with paediatrics and young adults across Education and Private Practice settings. After spending a few years sweating it out in tropical North Queensland, Nicola is excited to return to the cooler climate that South East Queensland has to offer.

Nicola is passionate about supporting all children to communicate and working with families to unlock their child’s potential. She has completed professional development in the Lidcombe Program, Nuffield Dyspraxia Program and Infant Feeding Foundations. She has a strong interest in early language development, speech sound disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and fluency (stuttering).

Clinical Manager (Occupational Therapist): Louise Edwards

Louise is a registered occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of clinical settings across Queensland and NSW. Over the duration of her career, Louise has gained experience across a range of settings including hospitals, federal government and non-profit organisations. Early in her career, Louise recognised a special interest in community based neurorehabilitation and has predominantly worked with children and adults with physical and developmental disability such as cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, stroke, developmental delay, neurodegenerative conditions and genetic syndromes. Louise particularly enjoys providing hippotherapy (equine assisted therapy) to children, with her partner Brin (photographed).

In addition to supporting people to develop skills in their day to day life, Louise has extensive experience with equipment prescription including supporting clients with complex equipment needs.

Louise has also worked as a lecturer at the University of Sydney in the area of physical rehabilitation. Louise is passionate about supporting education and learning within the area of occupational therapy and supporting new graduate therapists to develop high quality clinical skills.

In January 2016, Louise established Acacia Therapy, so she could return to providing community based occupational therapy support to children and adults within the local community. Louise endeavours to support her clients so that they may continue to Live how they like, Learn what they need, and Growinto the person they choose to become.

Speech Pathologist: Natalie Wheeler

Natalie is a registered speech pathologist who graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Charles Sturt University in Albury. While studying, Natalie worked as an Allied Health Assistant, supporting paediatric clients to improve their speech, social and language skills. She has experience working within private practice, schools, and non-profit organisations. Natalie enjoys travelling and after recently relocating to Toowoomba, she is looking forward to exploring Queensland and the Toowoomba area.

Natalie is passionate about early intervention and has a particular interest in speech sound disorders, fluency (stuttering) and feeding difficulties

Clinical Manager (Occupational Therapist) : Helen O'Connell

Helen is a registered occupational therapist who is passionate about working with children and families. She completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of Queensland in 2008 and since this time has worked across a number of settings in the Darling Downs area, working predominantly in the area of paediatrics.

Helen has completed and utilises a range of professional development activities focusing on occupational therapy for children and families, including the Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S) Approach to feeding, Circle of Security and DIR Floortime, in addition to a range of courses relating to sensory processing. She has a passion for working with families to reflect and problem solve through presenting behaviours using sensory processing ‘lens’ to promote a child’s ability to engage in what is important to them – to live, learn and grow.

Call us today on (07) 46 001 343 or email us: info@acaciatherapy.net

Practice Manager: Callum Edwards

Callum has a Bachelor of Social Science and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) - majoring in sustainable business. He is a Toowoomba local and provides the day to day business support at Acacia Therapy.

Callum has a special interest in maintaining a sustainable business model that ensures Acacia Therapy can provide high quality support that is unique to the local Toowoomba and Darling Downs community.

Occupational Therapist: Kellie Smith

Kellie is a registered occupational therapist who recently completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Southern Cross University. Kellie grew up on the Gold Coast and enjoys spending time with friends and family, walking her dog, picnics in the park, hiking and playing netball.

Kellie is excited to use a family-centred approach when working alongside clients to enable them to achieve their goals and participate in meaningful activities.

Therapy Assistant: Kristel Fisher

Kristel is our qualified Allied Health Assistant and works with our Occupational therapists and Speech Language Pathologists. She loves working with our team to support our clients in achieving their individualised goals and believes in providing the highest quality of client care and support in a compassionate environment whilst making therapy fun and meaningful.

Kristel likes travelling to new places with family and friends. She enjoys being creative, learning new skills and working collaboratively with clients and staff.

Kristel holds these certificates - Certificate III in Business Administration, Certificate III In Individualised Support (Ageing) and Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistant.

Our Team

Occupational Therapist: Kristen Hill

Kristen is registered occupational therapist who completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Kristen began her career working in aged care and the community.

Kristen is passionate about taking a client centred approach in therapy to facilitate the independence of her clients.

Senior Speech Pathologist : Megan Venz

Megan is a certified practicing speech pathologist with 20 years experience working across a variety of clinical and community settings both in Queensland and New South Wales. Megan has worked in a range of settings, including hospitals, community health, education and not-for-profit organisations. Megan is experienced in working with children and adults with developmental delay and disability and is passionate about early intervention and working alongside families and individuals to help them achieve positive communication outcomes in order to reach their potential and connect with the important people in their lives.

Occupational Therapist: Shay Lobegeier

Shay is a registered occupational therapist who completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (honours) through central Queensland University in Bundaberg. Shay grew up on a flower farm just outside of Bundaberg and enjoys playing the piano, singing, and baking. She also loves visiting her nieces and playing various team sports.

Shay is particularly passionate about supporting and encouraging children to participate in their meaningful/favourite activities by employing a therapeutic approach, to ensure they are living their very best life!

Acacia Therapy - Allied Health

Occupational Therapist: Ella Sloss

Ella is a registered occupational therapist who recently completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) through James Cook University in Townsville. Ella grew up on a farm in the Darling Downs region and enjoys spending time with her horses and two dogs whenever she can. She also enjoys gardening, sewing and playing futsal, soccer and netball in her spare time.

Ella has a keen interest in providing client and family centered care through a strengths-based approach with children at Acacia Therapy. She is looking forward to delivering quality occupational therapy services at Acacia Therapy.

Senior ​​​​​​​​Speech Pathologist: Nicola Brown