About Us
Supporting Children and Young People to Thrive
Inspiring young minds through personalised speech therapy, engaging social groups, and vibrant holiday programs in a warm, inclusive and neurodiverse affirming space.
At The Speech Tree, we are a leading paediatric and adolescent speech pathology private practice dedicated to providing high-class, neurodiverse affirming care. We believe in creating a place of equity where everyone belongs, valuing the diverse gifts of our community members and fostering a sense of belonging.
Our journey began with a passion to address the lack of truly neurodiverse affirming speech pathology services. From a single woman practice, we have grown into a dynamic and engaged team working tirelessly to support our clients. We are proud to have become a trusted name in the field.
Our home, nestled in Montrose since 2019, is an incredible space where we have created an environment that reflects our values. It is a place where our young clients, parents, and caregivers feel supported, accepted, and understood. We have designed our clinic to be fun, engaging, and welcoming, ensuring that therapy is not seen as a chore, but as an enjoyable experience.
At the core of our practice, we offer a range of services including speech, language, literacy, and fluency therapy. We go beyond traditional therapy and provide neurodiverse affirming social group sessions that foster a sense of community and connection. We also offer education programs for parents, other professionals, and speech pathology students, sharing our expertise and knowledge to benefit the wider community.
Our commitment to quality and expertise is unwavering. We are industry leaders, constantly striving for innovation and staying at the forefront of the field. Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to collaborate with other health professionals, educators, and government agencies, making meaningful change and driving positive outcomes for our clients.
At The Speech Tree, we believe in setting our young people up for bright futures. Together, we focus on their strengths, tackle obstacles, and empower them to become the authentic, happy individuals they aspire to be.
Our Core Values
Affirming
We believe that being authentically you is never the “problem.” Instead, environments must evolve to embrace equity and inclusivity.
At The Speech Tree, we strive to lead the conversation and inspire others to create spaces where everyone belongs and thrives.
Community
We are committed to serving our community through meaningful collaboration. By partnering with families, educators, health professionals, and government agencies, we can drive real change and create a supportive network for all.
Belonging
True belonging is at the heart of everything we do. We cherish the unique gifts of each member of our community—clients, parents, and team members alike—and draw strength from our connections to achieve the best outcomes for our young people.
Bright Futures
The work we do together today lays the foundation for tomorrow’s successes. By focusing on strengths and overcoming obstacles, we help our young people grow into the happy, authentic individuals they aspire to be.
Affirming
We believe that being authentically you is never the “problem.” Instead, environments must evolve to embrace equity and inclusivity.
At The Speech Tree, we strive to lead the conversation and inspire others to create spaces where everyone belongs and thrives.
Community
We are committed to serving our community through meaningful collaboration. By partnering with families, educators, health professionals, and government agencies, we can drive real change and create a supportive network for all.
Belonging
True belonging is at the heart of everything we do. We cherish the unique gifts of each member of our community—clients, parents, and team members alike—and draw strength from our connections to achieve the best outcomes for our young people.
Bright Futures
The work we do together today lays the foundation for tomorrow’s successes. By focusing on strengths and overcoming obstacles, we help our young people grow into the happy, authentic individuals they aspire to be.
Our unique blend of professional expertise, neurodiverse-affirming beliefs, and a warm, inclusive atmosphere sets The Speech Tree apart. From our engaging outdoor therapy spaces to innovative programs like The Sprouts Program, we go beyond traditional therapy to nurture your child’s confidence and skills.
Meet the Team
Frances Brennan
Director & Principal Speech Pathologist
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Frances has been working with children and young people with additional learning needs for over a decade, as an integration aide, tutor and speech pathologist. Frances enjoys working with children and families with complex needs and is passionate about working with children and adolescents who are struggling to engage in learning.
At the age of 30 Frances was diagnosed as neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD). Frances is passionate about changing the way we talk and think about Autism, particularly countering the experience of shame many young Autistic people experience. Frances is a regular speaker for Autistic advocacy organisations such as Yellow Ladybugs (you can hear her speak on the Yellow Ladybugs podcast on Spotify) and Reframing Autism.
Frances completed her Honours and Masters degree at La Trobe University and conducted research examining the applicability of a frequently used language assessment tool to Victorian children and presented her findings at the Speech Pathology Australia conference in 2013.
Frances has experience working with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, speech and language impairments, Down Syndrome and Literacy difficulties. More recently Frances has worked as part of the CELF-5 Standardisation Team and is working in conjunction with a publishing company to produce classroom literacy resources.
Frances strives to provide holistic therapy that empowers her clients to succeed and thrive in their daily lives.
Frances is a member of Speech Pathology Australia and a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist.
Morgan Brinsmead
Senior Speech Pathologist – Student Education Coordinator
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Morgan joined The Speech Tree team in 2022. Morgan completed a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University. She is passionate about therapy that targets functional goals for her clients, along with consulting with families throughout the therapy process. Morgan has a particular interest in the areas of early language/play based therapy and social communication.
Morgan is a member of Speech Pathology Australia and is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist.
Emma West
Speech Pathologist
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Emma joined The Speech Tree team in 2025. Emma completed her Masters degree at La Trobe University. She is passionate about providing intervention in a supportive, fun and neurodiverse affirming environment. Emma has a particular interest in the areas of speech sound disorders, fluency and pragmatic skills.
Emma is a member of Speech Pathology Australia and a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist.
Hannah Napier
Speech Pathologist
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Charlise Smith
Speech Pathologist
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Charlise joined The Speech Tree team in 2025, after completing a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University. She is interested in the areas of early language development, play based therapy, fluency and speech sound disorders. Charlise is a member of Speech Pathology Australia and a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
Jenna
Speech Pathologist
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Jenna joined the Speech Tree team in August of 2023 and is currently completing her Masters of Speech Pathology at Victoria University. As a current student and future Speech Pathologist, Jenna looks forward to learning everyday and is passionate about achieving her goal of becoming a knowledgeable Speech Pathologist. She looks forward to meeting clients at The Speech Tree whether that is in the waiting room behind the front desk or in a clinic room. Working at the Speech Tree, Jenna is determined to create a fun, supportive environment in which individuals can achieve their goals.
Maia
Client Care Team
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Kylie
Client Care Team / AHA
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Kylie is a qualified Allied Health Assistant and enjoys assisting with our Sprouts Program on a weekly basis. She supports our team by helping to create fun and engaging sessions for the children, and you will often see her around the clinic helping with craft set-ups.
James
Facilities Manager
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Facilities Manager, joined The Speech Tree in 2021 as an ‘all rounder’ doing both facilities management and administration. He is currently studying a Certificate IV in AOD Counselling. He is a passionate foodie, general tinkerer and the very proud father of his 3 year old daughter Lucy.
Coming Soon!
Client Care Team / Allied Health Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group do you work with?
At The Speech Tree, we work with children and young people aged up to 18, supporting them through various developmental stages. Whether it’s early intervention for toddlers, supporting social communication skills for school-aged children, or tailored support for young people navigating complex challenges, our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of children and young people.
What is the Sprouts Program?
The Sprouts Program is our school readiness initiative, focusing on literacy, language development, and social communication for preschool-aged children.
Do you offer outdoor therapy?
Yes. Our outdoor therapy area features a river play space, tree swing, sand pit, and other nature-inspired activities to create a fun and, engaging therapy experience.
What should I expect during the intake appointments?
The first session is all about getting to know your child and understanding their strengths and needs, as well as any concerns or questions you may have regarding your child or young person.
Our speech pathologists will engage your child or young person through conversation,play, and age-appropriate activities to assess their skills in a comfortable and, relaxed environment. At the end of the intake appointments, we’ll outline a personalised plan and next steps in your journey at The Speech Tree.
How do your appointments in education settings work?
We currently visit many of the surrounding schools/kinders. These offsite appointments are subject to availability.
Can I choose appointments that are flexible with my schedule?
We attempt to work with you to find times which are suitable, however this is dependent on our current caseload and speech pathologist’s availability.
Can I book my child for social or holiday programs if they are not engaged in one-on-one therapy?
Yes, you are able to engage your child in our social groups and holiday programs without being in individual therapy.
Can I choose to take a break from your service? Can you hold my children’s place?
We understand that for a variety of reasons, families may choose to discontinue our services for a period of time. Unfortunately due to high demand, we cannot hold your child’s appointment time. If you choose to take a therapy break, our client care team will support you in re-engaging your child when they return.
What is the parental involvement in the therapy?
Parents are encouraged to attend sessions and will receive practical tools to reinforce and extend learning at home.
What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy requires a minimum of 24hrs notice. Less than 24hrs notice will incur a cancellation fee.
Begin your therapy journey today
Contact us to learn how our dedicated team can support your family with personalised speech therapy options.