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NDIS registered provider Speech Pathology Australia member 5+ years experience Telehealth Australia-wide & in-clinic Gold Coast
Your first session

What actually
happens — start
to first session.

No mystery, no sales calls. Here's the whole sequence from "I'm curious" to "we've had our first session" — written by the person you'll actually be talking to.

Book a free 15-min call → FAQ
01

Free 15-minute call

It's on Zoom, no commitment. The only goal is for me to listen — to what's happening, what you've tried, what's working, what isn't, and what you're hoping for. If we're not a good fit, I'll tell you, and I'll try to point you toward someone who is.

02

You decide if we book

No pressure on the call. If you'd like to go ahead I'll send a short intake form (background, what funding you have, anything I should know about sensory or regulation) and we'll find a session time that suits your week.

03

First session — mostly conversation

The first 45 minutes is mostly me and you talking, while your kid plays or stims or hides under the table — all of which is fine. I'm watching, listening, and following their lead. No assessments, no testing, no demands. By the end of the session we'll have a working sense of where to start.

04

A short plan, in plain language

Within a few days I send a one-page summary: what I noticed, what we might work on, the right cadence (usually weekly or fortnightly to start), and the right balance of in-clinic vs telehealth. No 30-page report. No clinical jargon dressed up as authority.

05

Ongoing — small, sustainable, real

Sessions are 45 minutes. No minimum contract, no upfront block — we run on what is actually useful, week to week. We reassess together every few months. If something stops being helpful, we change it.

FAQ

Things people actually ask.

How much does a session cost?
Initial session $220, ongoing sessions $193 — in line with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits for speech pathology. We're an NDIS-registered provider, so plans of every management type (self-managed, plan-managed, agency-managed) are supported.
Do I need a referral or a diagnosis?
No. You can book directly. We work with autistic, neurodivergent, and self-identifying communicators of every age. A diagnosis is welcome but never required.
What should I bring to the first session?
Bring whatever helps your kid feel regulated — a favourite toy, fidget, snack, water bottle, headphones, the comfort item that lives in the car. If you have any previous reports (paediatrician, OT, school) and want to share them, great. If not, also fine.
Should I prep my kid for the session?
Less than you think. Don't coach them, don't rehearse, don't bribe. Just tell them you're going to meet Hannah and that they can do whatever feels right when they're there — including being quiet, moving around, or not engaging at all. The session is built for the actual kid who walks in, not the version we hope they'll be.
In-clinic at Burleigh Heads, or telehealth?
Whatever fits your family. For most communicators, telehealth works genuinely well. In-clinic suits younger kids (under 3), some motor speech work, and AAC device fittings. We can flex between modes session by session.
How long does it take to see progress?
Honest answer: highly variable. For some speech and language goals you'll see noticeable change in 6–8 weeks. For AAC, the first six months are about exposure and modelling; meaningful self-initiated use typically starts in months 3–4. For gestalt language processing it's months to years through the stages — but the trajectory matters more than the speed.
What if we don't click with you?
Tell me, and I'll happily refer you on. Fit matters. There are excellent affirming speech pathologists on the Gold Coast and around Australia, and I'd rather you find the right one than stay somewhere that isn't working.
Is there a waitlist?
Currently 2–3 weeks from the free call to a first session. I'll tell you on the call where we're at that week.

Ready when you are.

The free 15-minute call is the right next step. You'll know within five minutes whether we're a fit.

Book a free 15-min call →