Meet our team!
FIONA KENWORTHY, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Fiona Kenworthy is the Clinical Director and Lead Practitioner for Small Talk Therapy. Fiona is a NZ trained speech-language therapist and has been practising since 1999.
She completed post-graduate studies in the UK, where she also worked as a lead therapist in children’s hospitals, child development centres, schools and clinics. Fiona specialised in children’s feeding problems (dysphagia) and communication disorders in children with complex special needs (such as Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy). She supervised colleagues, taught students and was a visiting speaker on numerous post-graduate courses.
Since returning home to NZ in 2007, Fiona worked as a senior speech-language therapist in KidzFirst Child development and a clinical tutor on the speech-language therapy MSc program at Auckland University. After returning from maternity leave, she began private practice, contracting for the Ministry of Education, supervising other speech-language therapists and providing therapy for children.
Fiona’s practise is evidence-based. Therapy sessions are always individualised according to your child's interests and needs so that your child receives the maximum benefit with as few sessions as possible.
Fiona uses principles from mainstream approaches to treating communication disorders (eg. Hanen program; Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; Makaton; PECS, RDI), as well as innovative and emerging techniques (eg. videofeedforward therapy and motor/sensory integration to enhance communication skills). Fiona has specialist skills and experience promoting communication skills in children with autism and Down Syndrome. She is trained in the Johansson Program for children with Down Syndrome and is registered with the UpsideDowns Education Trust.
Fiona Kenworthy is the Clinical Director and Lead Practitioner for Small Talk Therapy. Fiona is a NZ trained speech-language therapist and has been practising since 1999.
She completed post-graduate studies in the UK, where she also worked as a lead therapist in children’s hospitals, child development centres, schools and clinics. Fiona specialised in children’s feeding problems (dysphagia) and communication disorders in children with complex special needs (such as Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy). She supervised colleagues, taught students and was a visiting speaker on numerous post-graduate courses.
Since returning home to NZ in 2007, Fiona worked as a senior speech-language therapist in KidzFirst Child development and a clinical tutor on the speech-language therapy MSc program at Auckland University. After returning from maternity leave, she began private practice, contracting for the Ministry of Education, supervising other speech-language therapists and providing therapy for children.
Fiona’s practise is evidence-based. Therapy sessions are always individualised according to your child's interests and needs so that your child receives the maximum benefit with as few sessions as possible.
Fiona uses principles from mainstream approaches to treating communication disorders (eg. Hanen program; Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; Makaton; PECS, RDI), as well as innovative and emerging techniques (eg. videofeedforward therapy and motor/sensory integration to enhance communication skills). Fiona has specialist skills and experience promoting communication skills in children with autism and Down Syndrome. She is trained in the Johansson Program for children with Down Syndrome and is registered with the UpsideDowns Education Trust.
JO WEAVER, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Jo completed her Masters in Language Pathology in the UK in 2004. She has worked in a wide range of settings including clinic, mainstream schools, special schools, early childhood settings and in the family home.
Since arriving in NZ in 2007, Jo has worked for the Ministry of Education, a Special School and currently a pre-school that caters for deaf children; many of whom have additional needs. Jo has a particular interest in paediatric therapy and enjoys working closely with families to maximise each child’s communication potential. She work holistically to make therapy and goals meaningful to each child/ family and liaises with others (e.g. teachers) in the child’s life to ensure carryover of progress.
Jo has specialised knowledge in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment as well as other paediatric speech, language and communication difficulties. She uses a range of visual communication methods to support the development of each child’s communication. Jo is trained in PECS, New Zealand Sign Language/ Makaton and is Hanen certified.
Jo Weaver joined Small Talk Therapy in 2015 with over 10 years' paediatric speech-language therapy experience. Sessions with Jo are family-focused and play- oriented wherever possible for optimum therapy outcomes.
Jo completed her Masters in Language Pathology in the UK in 2004. She has worked in a wide range of settings including clinic, mainstream schools, special schools, early childhood settings and in the family home.
Since arriving in NZ in 2007, Jo has worked for the Ministry of Education, a Special School and currently a pre-school that caters for deaf children; many of whom have additional needs. Jo has a particular interest in paediatric therapy and enjoys working closely with families to maximise each child’s communication potential. She work holistically to make therapy and goals meaningful to each child/ family and liaises with others (e.g. teachers) in the child’s life to ensure carryover of progress.
Jo has specialised knowledge in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment as well as other paediatric speech, language and communication difficulties. She uses a range of visual communication methods to support the development of each child’s communication. Jo is trained in PECS, New Zealand Sign Language/ Makaton and is Hanen certified.
Jo Weaver joined Small Talk Therapy in 2015 with over 10 years' paediatric speech-language therapy experience. Sessions with Jo are family-focused and play- oriented wherever possible for optimum therapy outcomes.
TEREXA CHAN MOW, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Terexa graduated with a BSc in Psychology (2003) and MSLT Prac in Speech-Language Pathology (2005) from the University of Auckland. She worked for the Ministry of Education for 10 years in a variety of roles and settings, with children of all ages. Terexa is Hanen certified to run the parent-child interaction workshops ''It Takes Two to Talk'' (for parents of children with language delays) and ''More than Words'' (for parents of children with autism and social communication difficulties) and has run workshops for families.
She has strengths in working with children with general speech/language difficulties, ORS funded children, autism, selective mutism and special needs. Terexa has supervised both new graduates and colleagues throughout her decade at the Ministry of Education.
She is passionate about cultural issues in communication development and multidisciplinary team working. She has a strong family focus and is very much a 'team player'. Transitioning children between home, preschool and school is also an area of particular interest.
We are very excited to welcome Terexa to the Small Talk Therapy team and we look forward to learning from her wealth of experience.
KERRIE COLLIER, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Kerrie is a trained primary school teacher who completed her Bachelor of Speech Language Therapy at the University of Canterbury in 2004. While working at the Ministry of Education in Porirua, she completed her Master of Speech Language Therapy specializing in working with Māori students in immersion settings with language delays. After 10 years with the Ministry of Education in Wellington and Christchurch, she moved to Auckland to take a position in a special school.
Kerrie has extensive experience implementing augmentative and alternative communication, working with dyslexia and literacy difficulties, autism, language delays, social skills, stuttering, articulation and dyspraxia. She is certified in Picture Exchange Communication (PECS), Intensive Interaction and Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk. Kerrie has a particular interests in sensory issues, developing pre-communication skills in children with autism and bicultural issues. She has extensive knowledge of the Te Whaariki, NZ Curriculum and the IEP process to ensure students’ needs are catered for.
Kerrie has also been a clinical educator and guest lecturer at the University of Canterbury in cultural and ethical issues. She has presented papers in NZ, Australia and USA related to working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations with speech and language difficulties.
Kerrie loves working alongside families to ensure their children develop the skills to participate in social and learning activities.
Kerrie is a trained primary school teacher who completed her Bachelor of Speech Language Therapy at the University of Canterbury in 2004. While working at the Ministry of Education in Porirua, she completed her Master of Speech Language Therapy specializing in working with Māori students in immersion settings with language delays. After 10 years with the Ministry of Education in Wellington and Christchurch, she moved to Auckland to take a position in a special school.
Kerrie has extensive experience implementing augmentative and alternative communication, working with dyslexia and literacy difficulties, autism, language delays, social skills, stuttering, articulation and dyspraxia. She is certified in Picture Exchange Communication (PECS), Intensive Interaction and Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk. Kerrie has a particular interests in sensory issues, developing pre-communication skills in children with autism and bicultural issues. She has extensive knowledge of the Te Whaariki, NZ Curriculum and the IEP process to ensure students’ needs are catered for.
Kerrie has also been a clinical educator and guest lecturer at the University of Canterbury in cultural and ethical issues. She has presented papers in NZ, Australia and USA related to working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations with speech and language difficulties.
Kerrie loves working alongside families to ensure their children develop the skills to participate in social and learning activities.
STACEY GRAHAM, SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Stacey is passionate about supporting children and young adults to communicate and fulfil their potential. She loves watching children progress/grow and working closely with families.
Stacey graduated from Massey University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Therapy. She has 11 years’ experience, including working for the Ministry of Education for 5 years before moving to Australia and working in a private practice clinic, with a variety of children from various settings. In 2016, Stacey moved to London where she worked in, and helped set up a therapy division in a special needs School. Stacey returned to New Zealand in 2018 and began working in a special needs school, treating children and young adults with ASD, additional needs and other diagnoses.
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Stacey has experience and a special interest in working with children on the Autistic spectrum, and supporting communication using alternative communication and visuals. She uses a range of visual supports depending on the needs of each child and is trained in the use of:
Stacey is passionate about working with expressive and receptive language delays and phonological awareness skills. She uses a range of evidence-based approaches in her work including Hanen - it takes two to talk.
She works closely with the family and ensures her programmes are individualised to suit each child’s needs. She has experience attending IEP meetings and other appointments that are important and beneficial for the family. Stacey provides home, school or clinic visits.
She has experience with supervising other Speech Therapists and supporting new graduates. Stacey enjoys working with families and all other important people in the child’s life and ensures her practice is goal driven and fun.
Stacey is passionate about supporting children and young adults to communicate and fulfil their potential. She loves watching children progress/grow and working closely with families.
Stacey graduated from Massey University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Therapy. She has 11 years’ experience, including working for the Ministry of Education for 5 years before moving to Australia and working in a private practice clinic, with a variety of children from various settings. In 2016, Stacey moved to London where she worked in, and helped set up a therapy division in a special needs School. Stacey returned to New Zealand in 2018 and began working in a special needs school, treating children and young adults with ASD, additional needs and other diagnoses.
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Stacey has experience and a special interest in working with children on the Autistic spectrum, and supporting communication using alternative communication and visuals. She uses a range of visual supports depending on the needs of each child and is trained in the use of:
- PECS (Picture exchange system)
- PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display)
- Makaton sign language
- core-boards
- communication books
- visual timetables and schedules
Stacey is passionate about working with expressive and receptive language delays and phonological awareness skills. She uses a range of evidence-based approaches in her work including Hanen - it takes two to talk.
She works closely with the family and ensures her programmes are individualised to suit each child’s needs. She has experience attending IEP meetings and other appointments that are important and beneficial for the family. Stacey provides home, school or clinic visits.
She has experience with supervising other Speech Therapists and supporting new graduates. Stacey enjoys working with families and all other important people in the child’s life and ensures her practice is goal driven and fun.
RACHELLE QUAID, FEEDING SPECIALIST
Rachelle is a NZ trained speech-language therapist. She has over 20 years' experience working with infants and children with feeding difficulties. She has worked in New Zealand and in the UK as a Consultant Feeding Specialist. Rachelle has a MSc in Child Health (dysphagia).
Whilst in the UK, she developed and implemented a training program for community speech and language therapists in the area of children's feeding disorders, ensuring a high level of service and knowledge across two NHS trusts.
On returning to NZ, she moved to Waiheke Island with her partner and daughter (best move ever!) She currently works currently part time at Starship Hospital, as well as seeing children and their families privately. Rachelle can provide feeding support via teletherapy for families across New Zealand.
In addition, she has supervised colleagues, taught students, and lectured on numerous post-graduate courses both nationally and internationally.
Rachelle is very aware of the stress that feeding difficulties can cause not only for the child, but for their family, and will work closely with you to achieve the best results possible. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about working in this area, and strives to give every family the best possible therapy experience.
Rachelle is a NZ trained speech-language therapist. She has over 20 years' experience working with infants and children with feeding difficulties. She has worked in New Zealand and in the UK as a Consultant Feeding Specialist. Rachelle has a MSc in Child Health (dysphagia).
Whilst in the UK, she developed and implemented a training program for community speech and language therapists in the area of children's feeding disorders, ensuring a high level of service and knowledge across two NHS trusts.
On returning to NZ, she moved to Waiheke Island with her partner and daughter (best move ever!) She currently works currently part time at Starship Hospital, as well as seeing children and their families privately. Rachelle can provide feeding support via teletherapy for families across New Zealand.
In addition, she has supervised colleagues, taught students, and lectured on numerous post-graduate courses both nationally and internationally.
Rachelle is very aware of the stress that feeding difficulties can cause not only for the child, but for their family, and will work closely with you to achieve the best results possible. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about working in this area, and strives to give every family the best possible therapy experience.
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