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 | Coffs Harbour

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.

Speech Pathologist | Coffs Harbour

Chloe completed her Masters of Speech Pathology at the University of Queensland in 2019. She worked in the Queensland Department of Education for five years before moving to Coffs Harbour and joining the team at Kids Steps in 2025.

Chloe is based in our Coffs clinic and also provides services in local schools. She loves working with children and their families and collaborating with her colleagues. Chloe has a particular interest in speech sounds, language and literacy development.

Chloe has two young children and is loving living at the beach, exploring the area and spending time with family.

Speech Pathologist | Coffs Harbour

Naomi is the newest team member in the Coffs Clinic! More exciting information about Naomi coming soon.

Practice Manager/Allied Health Assistant | Coffs Harbour

Michelle is an Allied Health Assistant based in the Coffs clinic and has a love of all things literacy related. In March 2025, Michelle took on the added role of Practice Manager.

A proud mum of 2 young 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.

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, is an active committee member of Mid North Coast Disabled Surfers, and was a long standing member of Coffs Coast Autism.

Allied Health Assistant | Coffs Harbour

Chloe grew up on the Coffs Coast and is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour. 

Chloe has a passion for working with people with disabilities and still works as a disability support worker when she’s not in the clinic. She has a Cert III in Individual Support - Disability and a Cert III in School Based Education Support.

She enjoys spending her spare time with her kelpie puppy Winnie at the beach, a good cuppa tea and camping and exploring with her camera any chance she gets!

Allied Health Assistant

Zoe is currently studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology degree at Southern Cross University.

When not studying, Zoe enjoys spending time at the beach surfing, socialising with friends and travelling.

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.

Speech Pathologist | Grafton

Ashlynn is the newest speech pathologist at our Grafton clinic, joining us at the start of 2026.

Ashlynn works with both adults and children across all speech pathology practice areas. Ashlynn enjoys supporting individuals and their families with alternative methods of communication such as key word sign, and alternative augmentative devices.

When not at work Ashlynn loves visiting the beach, spending time with her two dogs, Pilates and reading.

Educator | Grafton

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 | Grafton

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 | Grafton

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 | Grafton

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 | Port Macquarie

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 | Port Macquarie

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 | Port Macquarie

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 | New England

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.