Meet the team

Gabriella Ptasznik

Gabriella is the CEO, Founding Director of GRP Speech Pathology and a certified practising Speech Pathologist. Gabriella is a passionate clinician committed to assisting people on their journey of restoring their ability to communicate, capacity to eat and swallow safely and ultimately to enhance their quality of life through the highest quality and most evidence-based approaches.

Gabriella comes with a wealth of experience both locally in Australia and at internationally acclaimed teaching hospitals throughout the UK. This includes working as a speech pathologist at Monash, Austin and St Vincent’s health’s neurological department as well as time spent working in the UK at the Royal Free and Wellington hospitals and St Bart’s Health.

Gabriella established the Melbourne based mobile speech pathology practice in 2017 in order to provide a functional approach to therapy which facilitates the implementation of intervention within the comfort of client’s own homes. Gabriella believes in therapy that makes a tangible difference to each client’s communication function and overall quality of life.

Georgia

I am a dedicated and experienced Speech Pathologist with a passion for helping individuals of all ages achieve their unique, functional goals. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in community and hospital settings across Australia and the UK, which has enabled me to develop a broad and nuanced understanding of speech pathology.

With a strong focus on the aging population, I completed a Master of Dementia: International Experience, Policy, and Practice at Edinburgh University in 2021. I believe in creating genuine, personalised connections with my clients, understanding that therapy is most effective when it is grounded in the practical context of their everyday lives. My goal is to enhance each client’s overall quality of life by providing interventions that lead to meaningful, positive changes.

In addition to my clinical work, I am passionate about mentoring and teaching, helping to guide the next generation of speech pathologists in their careers. Outside of work, I enjoy baking and traveling with my husband and two young daughters.

Renee

Renee is our Practice Manager at GRP Speech Pathology. Renee comes with a plethora of talent, having completed a Bachelor of Nursing and garnered extensive leadership experience in retail management across sales, logistics and operations.

She is passionate about coaching and mentoring, leading teams to achieve success and outstanding client outcomes. Being results-driven and client obsessed, Renee believes that a great service provider values both their clients and their team.

Renee is also mum to two daughters with her husband, James. They enjoy travelling and exploring new parks and cafes as a family.

Emma

I am a senior speech pathologist and clinical educator at La Trobe University with over 10 years of clinical knowledge working in health and education. After qualifying as a speech pathologist in England and completing extensive work with adults in a variety of hospital and community settings, I moved to Australia to work for Austin and Monash Health followed by attaining a role as voice clinic coordinator at La Trobe University. I have extensive experience working with adults and children and is enthusiastic to help you and/or your loved one in achieving every therapy goal. In my free time, I enjoy playing and coaching field hockey for Yarra Valley Hockey Club, travelling and volunteering my time supporting animal rescues around Victoria.

Lauren

Lauren is an experienced administrator and coordinates the GRP team to ensure an excellent client experience. Outside of the GRP team, Lauren is a mother to two sons and is passionate about enhancing her client’s quality of life through her personal training work. Lauren enjoys being active and helping others look after their health. Lauren looks forward to being in contact with you to commence your journey with GRP Speech Pathology.

Rommi

Kirralee

Kirralee once worked as a primary school teacher for 6 years before moving to live in sunny Western Australia with her beautiful family.  However, with her move and growing family, she decided to make a little change to better align with their new life in WA. Kirralee truly loved being a teacher, and working with various personalities has always been a highlight for her. Throughout her teaching career, Kirralee had the opportunity to guide families through situations similar to what GRP families deal with, and she looks forward to bringing these refined skills to her new role as Logistics Coordinator.

Outside of work, Kirralee cherishes spending time with family, indulging in outdoor activities, camping on the nearby beach, and occasionally curling up with a good book or TV series.

Bridget

Bridget joins our team with extensive experience in administration, having worked in financial services and gained valuable exposure to the healthcare sector. Her passion for customer service and strong focus on compliance make her a wonderful addition to our team.

Outside of work, Bridget enjoys creating art and exploring global music. She’s also a proud pet parent to Brambles, a playful tabbyco she and her husband recently adopted.

Laura

Quincy

Quincy is an Administrative Assistant who is so excited to be working with GRP Speech Pathology. Quincy recently relocated to Sydney from London, where she was getting her Masters degree in piano performance.  In addition to her administrative work with GRP Speech Pathology, Quincy teaches piano and accompanies students of all levels and ages. In her spare time, Quincy loves to cook, travel, spend time with her family and has recently started a small beading company with her sister and best friend called ‘Sister Jaq’.

Sarah

Ailis

Meet Ailis, our dedicated therapist! Qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in Ireland in 2017, Ailis is committed to helping children and adults overcome communication challenges, connect with the world, and reach their fullest potential.

Ailis is always open to learning and believes her clients teach her invaluable lessons, helping her grow and provide even better care. She is passionate about empowering clients through holistic, client-centered, and evidence-based approaches to communication.

Ailis is excited to meet all the wonderful GRP clients and work together on their communication goals!

Jessica C

I have a Master of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University and have worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, aged care homes and community health services.

I currently living in Darwin, practising in a local public hospital. I also perform as a vocalist with the Australian Army Band and various acoustic duos at a variety of public venues and corporate/community events.  I enjoy working for GRP Speech Pathology as a Telehealth Speech Pathologist and hope to move back home to Melbourne in the near future.

Clodagh

I am a Certified Speech Pathologist from Ireland. I am passionate about empowering individuals to live meaningful and enjoyable lives while supporting them to reach their individual goals. I am dedicated to promoting independence and enabling participants to optimise their functional communication skills and maintain swallow safety. 

I have experience from her career in Ireland where she provided person-centred care in a busy hospital setting and then for individuals with disabilities in a community setting. I enjoy using a holistic approach and value each individual’s autonomy. 

Outside of work I enjoy socialising with friends and family, being outdoors exploring new places and travelling.

Alexis

Jamie

Jessica H

I achieved a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Master’s in Speech Pathology from Latrobe University, Bendigo. My passion for Speech Pathology stemmed from personal experiences within the disability sector and desire for extending accessibility for speech pathology services regionally.

I love the diversity that Speech Pathology can provide and has an interest in many of the areas within this growing field. I value listening to and working in liaison with participants and their families/carers to achieve their goals.

Outside of work, I am obsessed with being involved in and up to date with all things netball and spending quality time with my friends and family.

Olivia

Shikha

I am an ASHA-certified Speech Pathologist and hold a Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology. I enjoy working with people of all ages and thrive on putting in my best efforts to make client’s lives a little easier every day.

I have worked at a long-term acute rehab in California, USA and in a paediatric private practice in New Delhi, India. I am most passionate about incorporating research-based interventions with client-specific targets to make therapy as functional as possible.

Outside of work, I enjoy  Zumba, road trips, cooking and catching up on TV shows!

Bernadette

A certified speech pathologist and professional singer, Bernadette is passionate about using her talents to empower clients of all ages to lead vibrant, fulfilling lives. She recently completed her doctoral research, where she explored the connection between speech pathology and music through an investigation on the impact of choral singing on stroke recovery.

With over 15 years of experience teaching voice therapy to singers at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, she brings a wealth of expertise to our team. In early 2020, she made the big move to Melbourne with her husband and three young children (then just 5, 3, and 1!).

Now, she enjoys winding down with family movie nights and is excited to bring her skills and passion to GRP, supporting clients in achieving their goals and enriching our community.

Sienna

I have completed a Bachelor in Applied Science and Master of Speech Pathology at La Trobe University. I previously worked as a Support Worker, during this time I have developed a passion for working in the disability sector. I am excited to provide person-centred care to make a functional impact with my clients.

Malshi

I am a third-year Speech Pathology student at ACU, and excited to develop and grow her skill set in the health industry. In my spare time, I volunteer at 55 Reasons and enjoy organising and partaking in fundraisers and social campaigns at Advocating for Altruism.

Steph

I am a Certified Speech Pathologist. My passion lies in delivering meaningful and personalised therapy to highlight the strengths of the individual. I have a warm and nurturing approach and love providing support to clients and families by listening to what they have to say and implementing this in future therapy.

Outside of work I enjoy running, shopping and fine dining.

Kerrie

I have completed a Masters of Speech Pathology at CSU as well as a Bachelor of Education at Deakin University. I have many years experience as an educator, and I aim to extend this experience into my speech pathology programs. I have developed a range of strategies to help clients achieve their goals.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in the garden, spending time with my sons, and looking after my menagerie of pets.

Kai

I completed my Master’s programme at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. I also hold a Master’s degree in Music Therapy. I have extensive experience working with paediatrics and adults in various settings. My primary area of expertise is providing assessment and training in assistive technology (AAC) to support clients’ communication needs.

Outside of work, I enjoy skateboarding, quality time with my German Shepherd dog Kip, jamming on the guitar, and going on fashion retail expeditions.

Kate

I am an experienced Speech Pathologist, with over 10 years of public and private practice behind me. I specialise in complex neurological rehabilitation, and have spent the last 7 years working across Melbourne’s public hospital network. I also have previous private practice experience working with aged care and disability caseloads.

I have dedicated my career towards improving outcomes for patients/clients, particularly in terms of creating ‘communication access’ and ensuring that meal times can be a safe, enjoyable and social experience.

I forge strong relationships with my patients/clients, in order to understand their goals and motivations for therapy.

When I am not working, I enjoy buying and cooking fresh produce –  part of why I feel so passionately about working with patients/clients around meal time quality of life.

Hannah

I am a graduate speech pathologist and have recently achieved a Masters of Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne.

I have a passion for empowering clients and families through client-centred practice that is evidence-based and in tune with their personal goals.

In my spare time, you will find me cooking for friends and family or perusing the shelves of my local second hand bookstore.

Dianne

I am an experienced Certified Practising Speech Pathologist committed to taking a person-centred approach, grounded in evidence. I work  alongside families and individuals to help them achieve their goals, sharing her wealth of experience from working across Australia in rural and urban settings, hospital and community, private and not for profit, with a focus on children and adults with disabilities including Autism and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. I have been part of many Autism Diagnostic teams and provided training at University and to community providers about FASD and speech pathology. Outside of work, I am kept busy with my children, their sports and the menagerie of animals that share their lives, cats, birds and Harry the loopy Labrador.

Catherine

I have dedicated my career as a Speech Pathologist to helping people regain function in communication and swallowing. I feel passionately that a person’s ability to communicate and eat and drink are fundamental to their quality of life. I really enjoy getting to know each client, their family and what they value in life. When I am not working, I like watching my kids play sport, playing sport myself, reading and going on holidays with my family in our caravan.

Jessica S

I have recently graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master’s in Speech Pathology from La Trobe University, Bendigo. I feel passionate about working with people within their homes and communities to achieve their swallowing and/or communication goals.  I prioritise spending the time to get to know my clients, their values, interests and passions in order to collaboratively set meaningful goals and support clients to reach their fullest potential.

Outside of work, I love getting outside. You’ll find me on the netball court, up the river, gardening in the backyard or spending time with friends, family and my cheeky Kelpie.