Meet Your Speech Pathologist
Hi, I’m Erin, a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and the founder of The Virtual Speechie. I support children who have speech sound disorders across NSW through personalised, evidence-based online therapy.
I’m passionate about making speech therapy accessible, effective, and enjoyable — for both children and parents.
Learn more about me here: About The Virtual Speechie
About the Virtual Speechie
Families living in Western NSW and the Far West often face long waitlists and limited access to paediatric speech pathology services. Online, individualised speech therapy (also known as Telehealth) with an experienced speech pathologist offers a flexible, evidence-based and very effective way for children across regional and remote NSW to access high-quality speech therapy without the need for long travel. You can read my blog about the research on how effective online speech therapy is here.
At The Virtual Speechie, I provide online speech therapy for children across Western NSW and the Far West, supporting families in towns and communities such as Broken Hill, Dubbo, Bourke, Cobar, Lightning Ridge, Wilcannia and surrounding areas.
I provide support specifically for children with speech sound difficulties. These are kids who may be hard to understand or whose pronunciation is not developing as expected. Having clear, confident communication can make a real difference at home, school, and with peers.
A Personal Connection to the Far West
Before working online, I spent a year living and working in Broken Hill, providing paediatric speech pathology services through the hospital outpatient clinic. It’s a place that still holds a special place in my heart.
Outside of work, I loved exploring everything the region had to offer — visiting the sculptures, watching the sunset over Menindee Lakes, attempting the famous potato challenge at Silverton, soaking up the incredible local artwork, and heading out to a rodeo at White Cliffs (I still have a favourite photo from that trip hanging on my wall at home).
Having worked with children and families in the Far West, I have at least some understanding of the realities of accessing services in regional and remote areas — and how valuable consistent, high-quality care can be when options are limited. Providing online speech therapy is one way I can continue supporting families in the region.
How I can help
Speech sound difficulties can look different from child to child. Some children have trouble physically producing certain sounds (articulation difficulties), while others find it hard to organise and use sound patterns correctly (phonological difficulties). For some children, speech sound challenges are linked to difficulties with motor planning and coordination. Understanding the underlying cause is an important part of therapy, as it guides the most effective approach for supporting clear and confident speech.
For some of these children, the wait-and-see approach may be all that’s needed. Others benefit from more targeted support. A speech pathology assessment can help to determine what might be right for your child.
For those children who would benefit from extra support, online therapy can be a great way to keep kids engaged using fun and interactive games, while still receiving effective, evidence-based therapy. All Telehealth sessions are delivered via secure video calls, using interactive activities designed specifically for children. Online speech therapy allows your child to practise their sounds in a familiar environment, often leading to excellent carryover into everyday communication. It’s perfect for families in rural and remote communities where access to face-to-face services is limited. But Telehealth isn’t a second-rate option – research suggests that online therapy for speech sound disorders is just as effective as in-person services (e.g. Coufal et al., 2018).
You can read more about what online sessions look like here: How online speech therapy works
Why families choose The Virtual Speechie
Families across Western NSW choose The Virtual Speechie because I offer:
- Accessible therapy from home, regardless of location
- Fun and engaging therapy tailored for kids’ specific speech goals
- 17+ years of experience as a paediatric speech pathologist
- A specific passion and focus on speech sound disorders
- Clear guidance for parents to support progress at home
- Affordable prices and flexible therapy options
My goal is not just clearer speech, but greater confidence and communication success for your child. Find out more.
Find out more
Whether you live in the Far West, Central West, or another regional NSW community, online speech therapy makes it possible to access high-quality speech pathology services from home.
If you’re unsure whether online speech therapy is right for your child, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss your child’s needs and whether telehealth is a suitable option.