Director | Speech Pathologist | Coffs Harbour + Grafton

Nathenya is a Speech Pathologist, graduating from the University of Newcastle in 2002 and is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia.

Nathenya founded Kids Steps Speech Pathology in 2010. Since graduating Nathenya has worked extensively with children who have disabilities in Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. 

Nathenya is committed to working within a family centred model to help children and their families achieve functional communication goals. 

When she isn’t at work Nathenya is busy wrangling her four children.

Senior Speech Pathologist

Carina is a Senior Speech Pathologist who works in Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Heads.  She grew up in central New South Wales and graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2012. Carina has been with Kids Steps Therapy Centre since June 2013.

Carina values collaboration in therapy with all stakeholders and prides herself on forming and maintaining relationships with many schools in these areas. Carina’s professional philosophy is based on intervention that is fun and functional. She believes in client led interactions and will work with you to achieve goals that are important to you.

Senior Speech Pathologist

Claire is a Senior Speech Pathologist who was born and raised in the Coffs area. She completed her studies at Southern Cross University and worked in the Department of Education in Queensland before joining our team in 2021.

Claire is based in our Coffs clinic and currently provides services both in-clinic and in local schools. She has a keen interest in working with clients with speech sound disorders, language and literacy-based goals.

Claire has published research about the impact of screen time on children’s communication and is passionate about providing clinical education to speech pathology students.

When not hard at work, Claire loves to spend time with her family and their beautiful Labradors, Willow and Wattle. She can also often be found sipping tea or doing something creative.

Speech Pathologist | Coffs Harbour

Rochelle joined the Kids Steps team in January 2020 after graduating from The University of Sydney. As a Coffs Harbour local, Rochelle enjoys providing comprehensive intervention for children and adults in the Coffs Harbour Clinic and in and around the Northern Beaches.

Rochelle has a particular interest in working with early language clients, voice disorders, and providing those with communication disabilities the skills they need to achieve personal goals. She holds the values of patience, kindness and honesty in high regard and enjoys taking the time to listen to the clients’ individual needs.

In her spare time Rochelle enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Speech Pathologist

Monica completed her Masters of Speech Pathology at Charles Sturt University in 2021. She joined the Kids Steps team in Coffs in 2022.

Monica is fun, easy going and values relationships with her clients and their families. She enjoys working with a diverse range of people and helping them achieve meaningful goals.

When Monica is not at work, you will find her at the beach with her husband and 3 children, or with a hammer doing work around the house (sometimes making it worse).

Speech Pathologist

Eilidh joined the Kids Steps team in January 2023 after graduating from the University of Newcastle. Eilidh is based in our Coffs Harbour clinic and enjoys working in all areas of speech and language development with both children and adults.

Eilidh is passionate about working with young adults in a neurodiverse affirming way to help them achieve all of their goals in their transition to adulthood.

When Eilidh is not at work, you will find her at the beach reading as many books as possible.

Speech Pathologist

Lauren joined the Kids Steps team in 2023 and brings over ten years of experience working with children with communication needs in school-based and private practice settings.

Lauren enjoys working alongside children and their families to achieve functional outcomes, with a particular interest in early language and literacy development.

Lauren has two young children of her own and believes that therapy must be fun, functional and family-centred. Lauren works in both the Coffs clinic and Bellingen community.

Speech Pathologist | Coffs Harbour + Grafton

Micah is the latest to join the Kids Steps team. She graduated from the University of Queensland last year (as a mature age student!). Micah is loving working with the Kids Steps team and our clients. Everything is new for her, so she is enjoying becoming more familiar in all practice areas, with the premise of having fun each session.

Micah has lived in Coffs Harbour for 20 years, and also owns a clothing store in town (she won't plug it here). In her spare time, she loves the beach, walking Mutton Bird Island and enjoys the culinary delights of the area shared with her partner and friends.

Allied Health Assistant

Michelle is an Allied Health Assistant based in the Coffs clinic and has a love of all things literacy related. A proud mum of 2 young adult men, Michelle grew up in Coffs and has seen a lot of changes over the last 50 years!

Michelle always knew she wanted to work with children in some capacity and has studied a variety of courses to achieve this goal. Holding a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) degree, Certificate IV Allied Health Assistant (Speech Therapy) and Certificates II and III Auslan, Michelle is an eternal nerd, always looking for the next thing to learn to make her better at her job.

Before joining the Kids Steps team in 2019, Michelle worked as a school learning support officer (SLSO) for 14 years in both mainstream and special education classes. Prior to that she was an early childhood educator at a number of local preschools/daycare centres and vacation care programs.

Michelle draws on the experience of having an autistic child (now young man!) to help support other families and is an active committee member of local organisations such as Coffs Coast Autism, Mid North Coast Disabled Surfers and is coordinator for Sensory Movie Day Coffs Harbour.

Allied Health Assistant

Bronte is an Allied Health Assistant at our Coffs clinic who is in her final year of a Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at Southern Cross University.

Bronte loves to spend her spare time playing soccer, reading books, and exploring her creative side.

Bronte enjoys working with clients and their families to create a welcoming and comfortable space.

Allied Health Assistant

Mia joined the Kids Steps Team in 2022 as an Allied Health Assistant in our Coffs Harbour Clinic. Mia is in her fourth and final year of completing a Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at Southern Cross University.

Mia enjoys working with children to help them achieve their speech and language goals. Mia strives to make all sessions fun and meaningful for all clients.

When Mia is not working or studying, she enjoys surfing the local beach breaks and camping along the Australian Coastline.

Allied Health Assistant

Jorgia joined the kids steps team in 2023 as an Allied Health Assistant in our Coffs clinic. Jorgia is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at Southern Cross University.

Jorgia enjoys sunrise walks on the beach with her fiancé and their dog, Maple, and curling up with a good book and cuppa on the weekends.

Practice Manager

Bek joined the Kids Steps team in 2020 and is based in our Coffs clinic. With a wealth of administration experience in retail and medical environments, she is the first point of contact for most of our clients and their families either on the phone or in person, and provides invaluable administrative support to our team as well as keeping them well fed with baked goods.

In her down time, Bek loves to read, paint and go for a swim at the beach. Most weekends involve coffee and some sort of adventure! You can catch her on the soccer field during the winter sports season or going for a run!

Speech Pathologist | Grafton + Yamba

Mikaela is a Speech Pathologist who grew up in the Clarence Valley. She has been part of the Kids Steps team since 2019. Mikaela is Neurodivergent herself and is passionate about supporting children and their families in a neuro-affirming and strengths-based way.

Mikaela is also passionate about early childhood speech and language development. Her therapy approach is fun, child-led and play-based and she loves working closely with families to help children achieve their personal goals and thrive in their environment.

Mikaela LOVES music and spends her time reading, surfing and hanging out with friends.

Educator

Nichole joined our team at the Grafton clinic as an Educator in October 2020. She graduated from the University of New England with a Bachelor of Education degree and a Graduate degree in Behavioural Management.

Nichole previously worked as a teacher at CRANES Early Intervention centre for 9 years as well as some casual teaching at local Primary Schools. Nichole is a committed educator who is passionate about working in a family centred model. She is caring and professional with a tireless commitment to student learning and wellbeing.

When she’s not working, Nichole is busy with her two boys who are under 5, enjoys a hot coffee when allowed, and spending time with her family.

Allied Health Assistant

Elle is Kids Steps original Allied Health Assistant and has worked in our Grafton clinic since 2016.

A mum to 4 teenagers, Elle moved from Sydney 11 years ago and has spent time renovating her home, volunteering her time as the treasurer of her local soccer club and preschool, canteen duties, uniform coordinator and has been an active member of the P and C at her local school - all while studying and attaining her Certificate IV Allied Health Assistant qualification.

At first Elle was responsible for supporting the Speech Pathologists and all things administrative. These days she is our Site manager for the Grafton clinic as well as busily seeing clients both in-clinic and in local preschool/school settings. As an Allied Health Assistant, Elle works with clients delivering individual programs that have been written by a Speech Pathologist.

Away from work, Elle likes to socialise with her friends and family by camping, travelling, and attending food markets. She also likes gardening and looking after her animals.

Allied Health Assistant

Millie joined the Kids Steps team in 2023 as an Allied Health Assistant in our Grafton clinic. Millie is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at Southern Cross University.

Millie enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, listening to music, trying new things and travelling.

Administration Assistant

Tania joined the Kids Steps team at the end of 2021 and is based in our Grafton clinic. Tania is the first point of contact for most of the Grafton area clients and their families either on the phone or in person, and provides invaluable administrative support to our team.

Originally training as an Enrolled Nurse at Kempsey Hospital before moving to Sydney, Tania has worked in many different areas of nursing including aged care, rehabilitation, palliative care, psychiatrics, geriatrics, sleep study, NICU and maternity nursery.

Tania has travelled to Belgium, France, Holland, Egypt, Jordan, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Moving back to Australia she did a few courses at TAFE, working for an Ophthalmologist before joining Kids Steps.

Speech Pathologist

Lauren completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree through Southern Cross University on the Gold Coast. After graduating, Lauren returned home to the Port Macquarie region and is now based in Kids Step's Port Macquarie Clinic.

Lauren is passionate about working with young children and supporting them to communicate as well as teaching speech sounds. She has also developed a strong interest in literacy development and is a trained Sounds Write practitioner. Lauren also has an interest in oral structure and musculature and has completed her training in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy.

Being a Speech Pathologist is a very rewarding career for Lauren who is always eager to make a positive impact on her clients and their family’s lives.

When Lauren is not at work she enjoys being a dog mum and taking her two dogs to the beach.

Speech Pathologist

Sarah is a Speech Pathologist in the Port Macquarie clinic. Sarah studied speech pathology through Charles Sturt University and joined the friendly team at Port Macquarie as an Allied Health Assistant while completing her qualification.

Sarah enjoys supporting children and their families with their communication needs.

She lives in Lake Cathie with her husband, two boys, two dogs and several chickens.

Allied Health Assistant

Kate has recently joined Kids Steps in Port Macquarie as an Allied Health Assistant. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Southern Cross University. As a mum of 2 children herself, Kate is keen to support families on their communication journey.

Kate enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, good food, travel and coastal walks.

Speech Pathologist

Jess joined the team at Kids Steps Speech Pathology (then Kids Steps Therapy Centre) in September 2017. Jess is a Speech Pathologist who completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle in 2017. She grew up in the small rural towns of Barraba and Walcha NSW. Jess enjoys spending time with her friends and family and competing in campdrafting competitions.

Jess currently provides Speech Pathology services to children in Walcha, Uralla, Armidale, Dorrigo, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour. Jess enjoys working with children of all ages and has a particular interest in speech sound difficulties in preschool and early school aged children.