Hi, I’m Azraa Zaheem, a Behaviour Therapist with a double degree in Psychology and Communications. My passion lies in supporting children with ASD, ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles, helping them develop essential life skills, improve communication, and build meaningful social connections. I use evidence-based behavioural therapy rooted in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of every child. My approach incorporates a variety of strategies, including: ✔ Discrete Trial Training (DTT) – Breaking down skills into structured, step-by-step learning with consistent reinforcement to ensure progress. ✔ Natural Environment Teaching (NET) – Encouraging skill development through everyday play, social interactions, and routines. ✔ Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) – Enhancing motivation, engagement, and communication through child-led activities. ✔ Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) – Implementing a play-based, relationship-focused therapy approach for young children. ✔ Functional Communication Training (FCT) – Teaching alternative communication methods to reduce frustration and challenging behaviours. ✔ Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) – Supporting nonverbal and minimally verbal children with AUSLAN Key Word Sign, PECS, and Proloquo2Go. ✔ Reinforcement Strategies – Using differential reinforcement techniques (DRO, DRA, DRI, DRL) to shape positive behaviour. Having worked with families from diverse cultural backgrounds, I understand that every family has different values, traditions, and perspectives on therapy. I prioritise building strong relationships with both children and their families by respecting their unique experiences and tailoring my approach to meet their individual needs. Outside of work, I love to bake, paint, and try out new recipes. I’m also passionate about traveling and exploring different places, learning about different cultures, and experiencing new traditions. These experiences help me bring an open-minded and adaptable approach to my work, ensuring that every child and family I support feels understood and valued. At SLCN, I work alongside Brent to ensure therapy is personalised, family-centered, and goal-oriented—helping children gain confidence, independence, and essential life skills in a nurturing environment. “Seeing a child make progress—whether it’s their first words, a new skill, or a breakthrough moment—is what drives my passion every day.” I look forward to working with you and your family to create positive, lasting change!

I am a speech pathologist with 8 years of experience working with children and adolescents. I enjoy working with students, families, and school staff to evaluate a student’s strengths and speech, language, and communication needs, collaborate with families and teachers to facilitate school, home, and community support, assist in the development of a learning plan, recommend home and classroom therapy and adjustments, and measure progress. I have a current working with children’s check and police check. I am a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) with Speech Pathology Australia.

A compassionate Early Intervention Therapist and First-Class Honours psychology graduate from The Australian National University, I excel in delivering mental wellness and developmental support to diverse populations. My professional journey encompasses direct therapy, critical crisis support, patient care coordination, and wellness mentoring. My unique blend of clinical expertise and research acumen has been instrumental in developing and implementing effective psychological interventions and programs. Eager to apply my robust background in mental health services and advocacy, I aim to use my passion for making a tangible difference alongside my commitment to continued professional growth. I have received training in Early Start Denver Model (Advanced), play-based therapy, parent coaching, autism, positive behaviour support, and sensory needs.

Hi, I’m Lisa. I’m a child and family therapist and educator working alongside my son Brent, at SLCN. I come to therapy through my love of working with children. I am a primary school teacher with 19 years’ experience. I have taught in Government and Catholic Schools in Victoria and I also had a 2 year stint teaching Elementary School in North Carolina, USA. I have mostly worked in schools in multicultural and low socio-economic communities. I have a huge variety of experience teaching children of all levels of primary school. As well as classroom teaching, I have also taught Art, Information Technology, Kitchen Garden, Science Technology Engineering and Maths, and intervention programs in Literacy and Numeracy. I have always had an interest in how children develop, and I am passionate about working with children who have difficulty communicating. When I was given the opportunity to move into the allied health field and work as an AHA with Brent, I jumped at it! I love being able to see children make progress in their speech and language skills under Brent’s guidance. My aim is to make therapy fun for the children I work with, as well as providing support and guidance to families. I enjoy children’s different personalities as well as watching and supporting them to learn and flourish. Everything I do is centered around the personal needs of each child and family, and their individual play and learning styles. At SLCN, I work with children targeting communication, social, emotional and educational needs, as well as support parents. I also lead programs for older primary aged children and teens who would like to improve their social interaction and communication skills. I am passionate about therapy and education, and I love being able to share my knowledge and understanding of how children learn, with the families I work with. I strongly believe that every child has the ability to learn and communicate, given the right environment and support. I have had further training in the areas of Autism, Key Word Sign, play therapy, Early Start Denver Model, theory of mind, Story Champs, and Proloquo Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In my spare time I love spending time with my family, friends, and dogs. I also like to read, watch movies, and play board games. I look forward to getting to know you and your family.

Hi, I’m Zahrah. I am a behavioural therapist working with Brent and the team at SLCN. My educational background involved studying a double major in Law and Psychological Sciences in Australia. I have experience in Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) therapy such as ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) therapist. I have previously specialised in children under 8 years of age, with a level 3 ASD diagnosis, with varying sensory and communication needs. I have experience in implementing AAC methods including: AUSLAN Key Word Sign, PECS and Proloquo2go devices in behavioural therapy sessions. I have received training in Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Positive Behaviour Support. I am an NDIS Positive Behaviour Support practitioner (core level). I also have previous experience in the retail environment, as well as working in an Education and Migration Compliance settings. In my spare time I like to go for long drives, watch tv shows and true crime documentaries, bake and spend time with loved ones. I have always loved interacting with children, especially spending quality time with my nieces and nephews. This soon became a passion once I started EIBI to help children with special needs. I enjoy the development of the children that I work and interact with. I love being able to see the children make progress with their communication skills which subsequently helps with behaviours! My aim at SLCN is to provide fun and meaningful therapy for children as well as providing the guidance and support that SLCN families require under the supervision and guidance of Brent. Each child has a different way of learning, playing and understanding and this means that the therapy that they receive will be tailored to adapt to their needs, as well as meeting family goals. I look forward to getting to know you and your family!