Mindful Speechies

"Kids are always trying their best, and behaviour is always telling us something about how a child's nervous system is feeling."

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In this episode, dual-qualified therapist Kate Broderick joins Andrew and Kizzy to discuss her twenty-year evolution from a traditional, "expert-led" clinician to a neuro-affirming and trauma-informed leader. Kate reflects on how her own neurodivergence and journey as a parent to four unique children reshaped her understanding of therapy, moving her away from rigid professional boundaries toward a model centred on genuine human connection and "therapeutic use of self".

The conversation dives deep into the practicalities of trauma-informed practice, including how to set goals that prioritise quality of life and nervous system safety over standardised "impairment" scores. Kate shares insights from her upcoming 2026 picture books, emphasising that when we view challenging moments through a relational lens - viewing behaviour as communication rather than opposition - we foster faster solutions and more resilient therapeutic alliances.

Kate Broderick is a dual-qualified Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience, serving as the neurodivergent CEO of Spot Therapy Hub. She is the creator of the NeuroWay platform for professional and parent education and is a passionate advocate for relationship-based approaches in both clinical and home settings. Kate is also the author of two upcoming 2026 picture books designed to teach trauma-informed principles to children and caregivers.

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Connect with Kate:
Instagram: Follow @katebroderick.official for updates on her upcoming picture books (2026).
Podcast: Listen to the Spot Life Podcast for more insights into the intersection of OT and SP.
NeuroWay: Access webinars and courses for parents and professionals.
Spot Therapy Hub: For therapy services or neuro-affirming support work, visit www.spottherapyhub.com.au or follow @spottherapyhub.

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Resources Mentioned:
Authors and Clinicians: Dr. Ross Greene; Gordon Neufeld; Deborah McNamara; Mona Delahooke; Maggie Dent
Outcome Measures: AusTOMs

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The Mindful Speechies Podcast:
Follow us on Instagram at @mindfulspeechies to connect and learn more about
Remember to subscribe for updates on your favourite podcast platform

Connect with Your Hosts:

Kizzy Searle
Website: www.attunedspeech.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @attunedspeech 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kizzysearle/ 

Andrew Watt
Website: www.unitytherapy.com
Email: [email protected]
X: https://x.com/SLPAndrew 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acwatt/

"My practice is completely different now. I spend a long-time building rapport and asking, 'What's that unmet need?'. How do I first meet that need before we even think about goals."

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In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of mental health and speech therapy with Caitlyn Weber, a passionate speech pathologist who brings a trauma-informed and neuro-affirming lens to her work in both private practice and with the for-purpose organisation, ACT for Kids.

Caitlyn is a speech pathologist dedicated to helping children and young people find their voice and use it with confidence. She is passionate about supporting kids to express their thoughts, feelings, needs, and ideas, bringing compassion, creativity, and connection to her work. Grounded in a trauma-informed and neuro-affirming foundation, she ensures each child feels respected, understood, and safe to be their authentic self. Alongside her clinical practice, Caitlyn is a member of Speech Pathology Australia's trauma and mental health advisory group and provides clinical supervision for early career speech pathologists.

Caitlyn shares her journey from a traditional, goal-oriented clinician to a practitioner who prioritises relational safety, co-regulation, and meeting the child’s unmet needs above all else. We dive into the neurobiology of trauma, discussing how adverse experiences impact a child's sensory systems, brain development, and their ability to feel safe in the world.

This episode is packed with invaluable insights and practical strategies, from using narrative as a core therapeutic tool to empowering children to set their own goals. Caitlyn introduces powerful analogies like the "lizard brain" and the "Coke bottle" to help clinicians, families, and children understand and manage overwhelming sensory and emotional experiences.

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Connect with Caitlyn:
Website: speakeasytherapyservices.com
Email: [email protected]

Caitlyn runs her private practice, Speakeasy Therapy Services, and works as a speech pathologist in the Integrated Therapy Service team for the for-purpose organisation, ACT for Kids, in Adelaide.

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Resources Mentioned:
Black Sheep Press resources by Becky Shanks
Story Champs
Jenny Baker (WA) and the "story mountain" concept
Yellow Ladybugs Conference
Dan Hughes' PACE model
Caitlyn's clinical bite, "Keeping your practice trauma informed," is available on the Speech Pathology Australia Learning Hub

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The Mindful Speechies Podcast:
Follow us on Instagram at @mindfulspeechies to connect and learn more about
Remember to subscribe for updates on your favourite podcast platform

Connect with Your Hosts:
Andrew Watt
Website: www.unitytherapy.com
Email: [email protected]
X: https://x.com/SLPAndrew 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acwatt/ 

Kizzy Searle
Website: www.attunedspeech.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @attunedspeech 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kizzysearle/

“This is such an exciting time to talk about FND… researchers are finally acknowledging they’ve been too slow to listen to people with lived experience and use that to inform practice and future research.”
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Note: this episode contains sensitive information including experiences of restrictive practices. If this episode brings up feelings of distress, please reach out to your support network or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, please dial 000. (These numbers apply within Australia; if you’re listening elsewhere, please contact your local crisis service.)

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In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of mental health and speech therapy with Erica Tilley, a neurodivergent (Autism, FND, ABI) Quality Auditor with prior clinical experience as a Speech Pathologist.

Erica has worked in clinical practice, research, and compliance - contributing to allied health guidelines, publishing on atypical parkinsonism and delirium, and presenting at conferences, including the 2015 Speech Pathology Australia conference. After her own health challenges, including a brain tumour and developing Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), she brings a valuable perspective that combines professional expertise with lived experience.

This episode is an opportunity to hear directly from someone living with FND - an area where lived experience has too often been ignored or dismissed due to misinformed guidelines and misconceptions. Erica’s insight invites us to consider how listening more closely to lived experience of FND can broaden understanding, reduce stigma, and shift how care is thought about and delivered.

In this conversation, Erica shares:
What FND is and how it presents
Common misconceptions and challenges in current guidelines
The role of lived experience in shaping therapy and research
Stigma, invalidation, and systemic barriers
Personal experiences of restrictive practices (content note: restrictive practices are discussed)

This is not just a story about one person - it’s an invitation to reflect on how lived experience can guide more compassionate and effective care for people with FND.

Erica will be joining us again for a part 2 where she shares lived experience informed recommendations and principles of care for FND. This episode will be recorded on 5th November 2025. She welcomes questions beforehand, you can submit these to:
[email protected]
Or DM us via our instagram @mindfulspeechies  

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Connect with Erica Tilley:

Email: [email protected]

Erica is available for paid Zoom/online meetings and presentations. Erica has created FND resources on lived experience informed and affirming support for FND, which will be shared as part of the second episode with her.

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Resources & Links Mentioned:
Paper review, inc. Professor Mark Edwards: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.70168  
Janet Baker: https://neurosymptoms.org/en/symptoms/fnd-symptoms/functional-speech-swallowing-symptoms/
Sonny J Wise:
Neurodiversity paradigm: https://lnkd.in/gYSUbs54
Services: https://www.livedexperienceeducator.com/services
Neurodiversity affirming checklist
Dr Katherine Gill: 
Website: https://fndaus.org.au/about/ 
Commissioned Report on FND

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Separate to this episode, there’s currently an open petition calling for FND to be formally recognised by the NDIS. The petition closes on 3 October 2025: https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN7833 

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The Mindful Speechies Podcast:Instagram: @mindfulspeechies

Andrew Watt
Website: www.unitytherapy.com
Email: [email protected]
X: https://x.com/SLPAndrew 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acwatt/ 

Kizzy Searle
Website: www.attunedspeech.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @attunedspeech 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kizzysearle/ 

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Thank you for listening :)

“The more we understand ourselves as therapists, the more transformative our work becomes.”
— Andrew Watt

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In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of mental health and speech therapy with Andrew Watt, a speech pathologist, trauma-informed psychotherapist, and passionate advocate for mental health.
Andrew shares his path from studying international relations and Japanese language to becoming a clinician, shaped by his own mental health journey and lived experience of neurodivergence. He discusses his commitment to integrating psychotherapy principles not only into client care, but also into how we support ourselves as therapists.
As the founder of Unity Therapy Services in Canberra, Andrew offers trauma-informed speech pathology and psychotherapy. He also runs a psychotherapy focused practice via andrewwatt.com.au, where he draws on the Conversational Model and other relational frameworks to support deep, reflective healing.

In this episode, Andrew and Kizzy explore:
Career pivots, identity, and vulnerability as a therapist

Why personal therapy matters for both professional and personal growth

How psychotherapy principles can enhance rapport, presence, and attunement

The unconscious dynamics that shape therapeutic work

Culturally sensitive referrals and finding the right therapist

Practical steps for bringing mental health awareness into all forms of care

Resources mentioned:
Shapes and Sounds
Psychology Today

Whether you’re a therapist, student, or curious listener, this episode offers an honest and grounded conversation about what it means to integrate mental health into the heart of your work and life.

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The Mindful Speechies Podcast
Instagram: @mindfulspeechies

Connect with Your Hosts:
Andrew Watt
Psychotherapy site: www.andrewwatt.com.au
Trauma-Informed Speech Pathology & Psychotherapy: www.unitytherapy.com
Email: [email protected]
X: @SLPAndrew
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/acwatt

Kizzy Searle
Website: www.attunedspeech.com.au
Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @attunedspeech
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kizzysearle

Enjoy the episode!

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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.

“It was a huge leap of faith - I didn’t even have an online presence before that. When I finally started sharing, I was amazed by the incredible support I found online.”
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In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of mental health and speech therapy with Kizzy Searle, a Speech Pathologist passionate  about trauma-informed practice. 

Kizzy Searle is a speech pathologist, mental health advocate, and lived experience advisor who’s passionate about the role of communication in healing, connection, and everyday life. She brings a unique blend of clinical insight and lived experience to her work, especially in the areas of trauma, mental health, and neurodivergence.

Through her platform Attuned Speech - on Instagram and her website - Kizzy shares reflections, resources, and education to support others in understanding trauma-informed practice, both within speech pathology and beyond. She regularly presents to health professionals, contributes to advisory panels, and uses her voice to advocate for care that is safe, inclusive, and grounded in real connection.

Whether she’s supporting clients, running a webinar, or joining a podcast chat, Kizzy creates space for honest conversations that centre dignity, safety, and the things that matter most.

Kizzy offers speech therapy services, professional training, supervision, and information on trauma-informed practice (accessible on her socials). If you'd like to get in touch, you can find contact details below.
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The Mindful Speechies Podcast:
Instagram: @mindfulspeechies

Connect with Your Hosts:
Andrew Watt
Website: www.unitytherapy.com
Email: [email protected]
X: https://x.com/SLPAndrew 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acwatt/ 

Kizzy Searle
Website: www.attunedspeech.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @attunedspeech 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kizzysearle/ 
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Enjoy the episode!

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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.