Andrea Ferguson

Speech Pathologist / Director
Andrea has worked as a speech pathologist since 1989, specialising in the needs of preschool and school-aged children. Her career commenced with the South Australian Education Department providing services to metropolitan primary schools and building a solid base of experience with young children. In 1996 Andrea and Rachel Althorp established a private speech pathology practice eventually evolving into TALK Speech Pathology with the four directors working together.

Andrea works from the Lockleys and Broadview clinics and is also very involved in providing regional services (including visits to Kangaroo Island and the South East). Andrea oversees TALK’s clinical services with a direction and enthusiasm that brings a smile to the faces of clients and staff alike.

When not at work Andrea devotes herself to family life with her three teenagers. She is also passionate about sport, following AFL, cycling and basketball and regularly attends a gym.

Marney Yeates

Speech Pathologist / Director

Marney graduated from Flinders University in 1991 and commenced working with children immediately. During the fifteen years spent working as a speech pathologist for the Department of Education and Children’s Services in Adelaide, she developed a wealth of experience in working in preschool and primary school settings.

Joining TALK in 1997, Marney combines clinic hours with managing TALK’s learning resources. She loves to create fun and motivating therapy games for children to enjoy and particularly enjoys literacy work with those who struggle to take off in the junior primary years. Marney now combines working in private schools and clinic locations and appreciates the importance of parent and teacher liaison when setting goals for children.

Marney visits private sector school sites. When not practising speech pathology she is kept on her toes by her two gorgeous boys.

Sarah Kennedy

Speech Pathologist / Director
Sarah has been practising paediatric speech pathology since graduating in 1998. She has worked in all areas of speech, language and literacy and has undertaken research into dyspraxia while employed with South Australian Department of Education and Children’s Services.

Sarah conducts private school visits in Adelaide’s south-western suburbs, together with overseeing TALK’s accounting portfolio. Her enthusiasm for research and discovery is matched by a passion for helping children and their families.

Rachel Althorp

Speech Pathologist / Director
Rachel has been practicing paediatric speech pathology since 1990, working for the Education Department (still) and beginning private practice in 1996 with Andrea Ferguson. Rachel is always exuberant and has a special way of getting the most out of the children with whom she works.

Rachel and her family moved to the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula in 2005. Since then Rachel has provided speech pathology services through TALK to children from Yankalilla to Goolwa at local schools and kindergartens. Rachel is also an approved diagnostician for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Rachel has gorgeous twin tween boys who keep her smiling and fit. She currently works for TALK on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Lisa Mathers

Lisa has been a Speech Pathologist since 2004 and has experience in a range of areas including speech and language delays and disorders, literacy, stuttering and Autism. She was born in England but has been living in Adelaide since 2008. Lisa is Lidcombe trained and enjoys working with children of all ages. She has a caring and compassionate approach to therapy with children and their families and works from 16 Unley Road, Unley and from the O’Halloran Hill office. Lisa enjoys being part of the speech pathology team and when not seeing clients and being a busy mum she loves spending time with her husband, children and friends.

Vanessa Thompson

Commencing with TALK in 2005, Vanessa brings an exuberance and positive manner to her work with children. Clients and their families enjoy her capacity to create fun and engaging therapy. Vanessa has considerable experience in the areas of: Autism, Down syndrome, augmentative communication, PECS, play therapy, speech, language and literacy. She divides her time between TALK’s O’Halloran Hill office and school visits.

Megan Bennett

Megan started with TALK in January 2014 and is currently working in the Lockleys clinic and school based settings. Megan has previous experience and particular interests in Autism Spectrum Disorder, augmentative communication, speech, language and literacy. Outside of work Megan enjoys cooking, going to the beach with her dog and shopping.

Nichole Govier

Nichole joined the TALK team to provide much needed in-school service. She has experience in the area of Auditory Processing Disorder, and her continued part-time work with David May, Audiologist, from Adelaide Hearing Consultants, gives her considerable expertise in working with hearing-impaired children.

Tahlea Pearce

Tahlea commenced with TALK in July 2015 and will be working at the Broadview and Lockleys clinics in addition to a school setting. Tahlea has previous experience working in rehabilitation services and kindergartens. She is excited to be joining the TALK team, to make a difference in children’s lives and help them to succeed in their classroom environment. She is particularly passionate about the areas of speech, language and literacy. Her outside interests include singing, travel, enjoying food from a variety of cuisines and regular visits to the gym.

Nicola Briggs

Nicola returned to the TALK team in 2014 after a number of years spent working as a paediatric speech pathologist in the Northern Territory and Queensland. She graduated from Flinders University in 1994 and has considerable experience working with preschool and school age clients in the areas of speech, language and literacy. She is currently based at TALK’s O’Halloran Hill Office.

Lauren Jones

Lauren joined the TALK team in 2014 following her relocation from the USA. Lauren obtained her Bachelors degree from Michigan State University followed by her Masters degree at The University of Vermont. Post university, Lauren completed her clinical fellowship in Seattle, Washington at a multidisciplinary practice specializing in the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Lauren has a broad range of experience across a variety of ages and diagnoses. She also enjoys continuing education and researching. Lauren is currently based at TALK’s Broadview clinic, as well as consulting at primary and secondary schools in the area. When Lauren is not working she enjoys staying active and traveling with her partner.

Lydia Timms

Doctor Lydia Timms
Lydia has relocated from Perth where she spent recent years teaching speech pathology students, working in schools to improve children’s literacy skills and completing her doctorate on literacy outcome in Indigenous Australian children with ear infection and hearing loss. She is currently employed as part of a Deakin University research team implementing aspects of the disability justice plan in SA. She thoroughly enjoys motivating children to learn and develop communication skills with a particular interest in families that are vulnerable due to cultural, socioeconomic or health circumstances.