Liz Williamson, clinical Director of The Speech Group

Liz graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Therapy in 1991 from The University of Queensland, Australia. Since that time she has worked full-time across a range of independent and statutory services and her clinical responsibilities have involved the treatment of both adults and children.

Liz has particular interest in complex dysphagia arising from neurological impairment and the use of Facial Oral Tract Therapy and Vital Stim. Liz has practising privileges at The Lister Hospital Sydney Street Outpatients in London which allows her to support instrumental assessment of dysphagia in a multidisciplinary context with Ear Nose and Throat Consultants.

Liz’s other special interest areas include acquired brain injury in Children and Adults and she supports all members of the The Speech Group team to deliver evidenced based interventions. Liz ensures all team members are supported through continuous professional development and regular inservice meetings.

Liz is able to prepare reports for Medicolegal proceedings although most of her work is clinically based.

Liz has introduced newly qualified and Student Speech and Language Therapy roles to The Speech Group in an effort to support professional workforce development and training.  Liz has also introduced Therapy Outcome Measures to The Speech Group in liaison with The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Liz recently appeared on BBC Horizon's My Amazing Brain: Richard's War — broadcast in January 2018. The documentary follows the journey of stroke victim Richard Gray, and his remarkable recovery following this life-changing event.

Hayley, Speech and Language Therapist

Hayley is a qualified speech and language therapist, with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (2010), from The
University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (now called Cardiff
Metropolitan University).

Since then Hayley has worked across several settings, including primary and secondary schools, nurseries, colleges and clinics, supporting children and young people who have a vast range of neurological and developmental disabilities.

Hayley joined The Speech Group in 2017 and has worked with several families, supporting them at home and in education settings.

Eva, Speech and Language Therapist

Eva received her Postgraduate Diploma from City University, London. Having completed her Masters in Speech and Language Sciences with Distinction in 2015, Eva primarily works with children and young adults with complex developmental and acquired communication disorders.

Her areas of specialism are social communication (including Autistic Spectrum Disorder) and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Eva loves getting to know children and their families and finding out which approaches work best for them. She has a special interest in PODD and other low technology communication aids.
 
Eva is keen to develop her skills in the application of Facial Oral Tract Therapy and oral sensory and motor functions.

ruth, Speech and Language Therapist

Ruth qualified as a speech and language therapist in 2005 at the University of Queensland in Australia. She has extensive experience working with adults and young people with a wide range of communication, voice and swallowing concerns arising from neurological impairment and head and neck cancers. She has a special interest in  swallowing disorders; offering latest assessments, therapies and technologies in her practice. Currently Ruth is investigating the use of Pharyngeal electrical stimulation in complex longstanding dysphagia.

Ruth is the Lead Clinician for dysphagia at the Speech Group and carries out instrumental swallowing assessments. Ruth runs regular Videofluoroscopy and FEES Clinics with her colleague Liz Williamson.

Ruth is also able to carry out reports for legal proceedings and is experienced in expert witness reports.

Ruth has many years of experience leading a speech and language therapy service and supervising colleagues in a large London hospital group.

Laura, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Laura has a Bachelors Degree and is an experienced and dedicated speech and language therapy assistant with extensive skills in developing relationships and providing a personal level of care for each individual client.

One of the integral parts of Laura's role is educating and involving herself in the client's personal programme and therapy plans, and working with all members of the team to provide bespoke and holistic therapy.

Laura works alongside physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists on a daily basis, working towards development in these areas and furthering their personal achievements and targets.

Laura has an understanding of how each of these therapies interweave with one another and this enables her to provide a global approach to her work.

In particular, Laura works with speech and language therapists to enhance the client's ability to communicate in a way suitable to the individual.

Laura has formal training in low and high technology augmentative and assistive communication methods. She also has formal training in Attention Listening, Makaton, PODD, GRID3 and supporting dysphagia clients.

Laura has extensive experience working intensively in dysphasia programmes using semantic and syntactic processing therapy methods.

Laura's ultimate goal is to seek qualification as a speech and language therapist.

BBC Horizon MY Amazing Brain: Richard's War

Laura also appeared on BBC Horizon's My Amazing Brain: Richard's War — broadcast in January 2018. The documentary follows the journey of stroke victim Richard Gray, and his remarkable recovery following this life-changing event.

KATE, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPist

Kate received a Distinction in her MSc degree in Speech and Language Therapy from City University, London. Kate works primarily with children who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication aids (AAC) to help them to communicate and is also a qualified dysphagia therapist (supporting children with swallowing difficulties).

Kate started working at The Speech Group in 2018 as an SLT Assistant prior to qualifying as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2021. She has worked with children and their families across multiple settings, including at home, mainstream school, SEN school, EYFS, and also providing remote therapy sessions.

Ali, Speech and Language Therapist

Ali is a Speech and Language Therapist with 9 years experience.  Ali also has a Master’s Degree in Psychology.

Ali has specialist skills in providing assessment and intervention to school age children and young people with a range of communication needs and clinical diagnoses.  Ali is experienced in working with children who have social communication difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorder, with particular skills in delivering therapy for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs.

Ali provides training and support to the wider multi-disciplinary team and is experienced working in both face to face and remote assessment and therapy provision.

CLARE, sPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST

Clare qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2013 and has 9 years' experience providing assessment, diagnosis, direct and indirect intervention for clients with acquired speech, language, communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

Clare has many years experience in highly specialist roles in Neurology and Neurosurgery within London Hospitals. Clare's specific areas of clinical interest lie in: dysphagia/swallow assessment and rehabilitation, aphasia following brain injury, goal setting with clients and families, and alternative/augmentative methods of communication (AAC).