Liz Williamson, Founder and 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 established The Speech Group in 2008, as an independent provider of speech and language therapy services to The Wellington Hospital, London.

In 2010, Liz began providing independent services to case managers and solicitors. These services include assessment and intervention, along with comprehensive reports and programmes. 

In recent times, Liz' caseload predominantly involves medicolegal work; providing clinical supervision for senior speech and language therapists in education and healthcare settings; and supervising all team members within The Speech Group.

BBC Horizon MY Amazing Brain: Richard's War

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.

Liz' interview, as a member of Richard's multidisciplinary team during his rehabilitation process, can be viewed during the full documentary at the link above. 

Tom, Speech and Language Therapist

Tom is a speech and language therapist working in the private sector, providing assessment and rehabilitation to clients following brain injury.

Initially qualifying as a speech & language therapist with BA (Hons) in Linguistics from the University of Luton, Tom went on to obtain a PgDip in Speech and Language Therapy from City University in London.

Ana, Speech and Language Therapist

Ana has 16 years’ experience as a speech and language therapist, working predominantly with adults with acquired neurological communication, cognitive and/or swallowing difficulties.  

She recently completed an MSc in Advanced Practice in Health and Social Care (Speech, Language and Communication) at London's City University.    

Kelsey, Speech and Language Therapist

Kelsey gained her qualification as a speech and language therapist from the University of Queensland in Australia.

Specialising in paediatric communication and feeding difficulties arising from neurological and developmental aetiologies, Kelsey has extensive experience working with complex neurodevelopment cases in multidisciplinary settings. She often works alongside multiple allied health providers including occupational therapy, psychology, clinical psychology and physiotherapy. 

Elise, Speech and Language Therapist

Elise is a dedicated speech and language therapist who is particularly interested in working with young adults with acquired brain injury—and the cognitive/ language challenges arising from this presentation. Elise also takes special interest in stroke rehabilitation, dysphagia and AAC (augmentative & alternative communication).

She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy from City University, London, receiving a distinction and an award for high academic achievement in 2012.

Hayley, Speech and Language Therapist

Hayley is a qualified speech and language therapist, with a degree from the University of Wales Institute and six years post-graduate experience and training.

She has a keen interest in paediatric speech and language therapy, particularly in complex needs and AAC (augmentative & alternative communication). Hayley has extensive experience working in primary and secondary schools, with children who have a vast range of neurological and developmental disabilities. 

Dawn, Speech and Language Therapist

Dawn is a graduate from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (2010) and a practising member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and Health and Care Professions Council (HPPC).

Dawn has been working within the paediatric client group since October 2010. She initially gained experience within pre-school and pre-school complex-needs caseloads at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, before progressing to a specialist role in Specific Language Impairment and Speech Disorders at North East London NHS Trust. 

Susan, Speech and Language Therapy assistant

Susan is a highly dedicated and professional member of The Speech Group team. She has a keen interest in communication disability and working within multidisciplinary teams to achieve the best functional outcomes for her clients. 

Susan has skills in Estill-based voice therapy technique, having studied the Level 1 programme. She has worked with a number of clients with complex language-processing impairments arising from brain injury (dysphasia) and as a result has had extensive training in this area. 

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. Laura 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.

Florence, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Florence has a paediatric nursing background and a keen interest in working with children and adults with complex neurological impairment. Within the Speech Group, she works alongside qualified speech and language therapists to carry out prescribed intensive speech and language therapy programmes.

Florence has experience in working with complex cognitive and communication impairments arising from brain injury, executive function impairments arising from traumatic brain injury and language-processing impairments arising from cerebrovascular accident.