Doctor of Philosophy | Director | Senior Speech Pathologist | Southern Highlands

Mikaela is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and member of Speech Pathology Australia. She has been awarded her PhD from The University of Sydney, where she also contributes as a lecturer, and is a guest lecturer at the University of Canberra and the University of Technology Sydney. Her research focuses on improving collaboration and continuity of care in cleft speech services.

Mikaela works at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead as part of the Cleft and Craniofacial team and has clinical experience across public health, private practice, and global outreach. She has volunteered internationally with Global Smile Foundation, providing cleft speech services in underserved regions and training local clinicians.

Her passion for cleft and craniofacial care, combined with a commitment to evidence-based and family-centred practice, inspired her to establish Empower Health Collective as a place where like-minded professionals can collaborate and provide high-quality services.

Mikaela has broad experience across speech, language, feeding, swallowing, and communication disorders, with a particular interest in cleft palate speech, velopharyngeal dysfunction, and interdisciplinary teamwork. She is equally dedicated to mentoring and supervising clinicians, helping to build confidence and capability in this highly specialised area of practice.

Speech Pathologist | Southern Highlands

Amanda is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) passionate about supporting children to develop strong communication, language, and social skills. She completed her Master of Speech Language Pathology at The University of Sydney, where she received the Speech Pathology Australia Student Award for outstanding clinical and academic performance.

Amanda has experience supporting children with a range of communication needs, including language difficulties, social communication differences, and complex developmental profiles. She works closely with families to develop practical, meaningful strategies that integrate into everyday life, supporting children to communicate with confidence and connection. Her approach is collaborative, family-centred, and grounded in evidence-based practice.

Amanda also works as a Strategic Development Manager at Kids Neuroscience Centre, where she contributes to communication and development initiatives in paediatric neuroscience research. This work has provided her with valuable insight into rare neurological conditions and their impact on children and families.

As a mum to an energetic toddler, Amanda brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with families.

Senior Speech Pathologist | Southern Highlands & Inner West Sydney

Catherine is an experienced speech pathologist (CPSP) who works with clients across the lifespan in a broad range of practice areas. 

Catherine’s special clinical interests lie in working with adults with neurodegenerative conditions as well as acquired brain injuries, voice disorders and dysphagia. Catherine also enjoys managing complex breathing disorders such as inducible laryngeal obstruction and supporting clients undergoing gender affirming voice training. 

Catherine is also committed to the advancement of the profession through high-quality clinical education. She has a strong interest in developing clinical reasoning, autonomy, and professional confidence in students and clinicians—particularly in the areas of complex voice and dysphagia.

She lectures in paediatric and adult clinical skills at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and serves as a clinical educator within the adult clinics at both UTS and Western Sydney University (WSU), where she provides supervision and support for students managing complex adult caseloads.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Lauren is a dedicated Occupational Therapist and Level 3 Senior Clinician specialising in the community disability sector (NDIS funding). She is a certified practising member of AHPRA, and brings over 15 years of experience in the disability sector, including 10 years as a practicing Occupational Therapist, working across a large range of age groups.

Lauren’s expertise is focused on supporting neurodiverse children, teens, and young adults. Guided by a Neurodiversity Affirming approach, her clinical focus covers essential developmental and functional areas: early childhood milestones, self-care (ADLs), independent living skills (IADLs), and school support (e.g., gross/fine motor skills, handwriting) across all physical, sensory, social, and cognitive skill domains.

She provides this support across the person's home, school and community environments. This experience also includes creating and coordinating First Nations school readiness programs, including past FIFO work in remote communities. Lauren values a collaborative team approach, partnering closely with families, educators, and other allied health professionals to ensure integrated, holistic support.

Her goal is to combine her senior and diverse experience to provide culturally safe, holistic, and evidence-based services with a deep commitment to family-centred care that enhances meaningful participation and functional independence.

Senior Speech Pathologist | Macarthur Region

Erin is a Senior Speech Pathologist and Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia (CPSP). She brings experience from both her clinical career and diverse professional roles, offering a broad, practical perspective to her work, and possesses comprehensive knowledge spanning speech, language, swallowing, and communication challenges.

Specialising in the community disability sector (NDIS), Erin has experience managing complex communication challenges for children and young adults. Guided by Neurodiversity Affirming practice and evidence-based interventions, her focus includes early speech and language development and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. She is known for her hands-on work, including coordinating First Nations school readiness programs and providing intervention directly in home, school, and community environments.

Erin has contributed to professional development and community outreach, including lecturing at university, delivering in-house training for disability staff, and developing and delivering community-based parent outreach programs with local preschools.

Her passion is to ensure individuals achieve confident, effective communication through person-centred therapy and advocacy.

Student Speech Pathologist and Allied Health Assistant | Southern Highlands

Alana is currently completing the final year of her Masters of Speech Pathology degree, due to graduate at the end of 2026. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Behavioural Studies, as well as a Diploma of Community Services. 

With a long-standing passion for helping others, Alana's journey into Speech Pathology began through her work as an Allied Health Assistant. With over five years of experience working as an AHA alongside Speech Pathologists, Alana has supported paediatric clients across speech, language, literacy, AAC, social communication and emotional regulation. She has experience planning and facilitating individual and group therapy sessions, with a particular interest in the paediatric population supporting social and emotional communication, articulation therapy, and building meaningful connections with clients and families. 

Alana is deeply passionate about helping people communicate in ways that feel authentic, safe and empowering. Her approach is trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and strengths-based, recognising that every individual is unique and capable. Committed to evidence based and client-centred care, Alana values creating genuine, positive and collaborative relationships that foster trust, confidence, and engagement in therapy. She is passionate about supporting individuals to express themselves, connect with others, and feel heard, understood, and confident in the way they communicate. 

Alana is eager to continue growing both professionally and personally, valuing every opportunity to learn from others. She is eager to continue expanding her knowledge through ongoing professional development, collaboration, and guidance from the incredible mentors at Empower Health Collective, allowing Alana to provide the best possible support to the individuals and families she works with. 

Outside of work and study, Alana loves spending time with her two young children and supportive partner, enjoying family adventures including bush walks, beach days, and anything that helps burn off her kids' endless energy! ption goes here