101 - 4535 Uplands Drive, Nanaimo (250) 585-3279 (250) 585-3259

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About Us
Our Team

Our Team

Leslie Hanika (Catto)

Clinical Director | Registered Speech Language Pathologist

Jennifer Kemp

Registered Speech Language Pathologist

Susan Robbins

Registered Speech Language Pathologist (Contracted)

Leigh Hanika

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Anastassia Waddell

Office Manager

Tracy Simonar

Registered Speech Language Pathologist

Saba Rizvi

Registered Speech Language Pathologist

Lynne LeBrun

Social Learning Group Facilitator (Contracted)

Pamela Tom

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (Contracted)

Jennifer Diana

Registered Speech Language Pathologist

Haley Wilson

Registered Speech Language Pathologist (Contracted)

Colette Beliveau

Communication Health Assistant

Ashley Edenborough

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (On maternity leave)

Ariella Waddell

Office Assistant

About Us

Speech and language therapy for all ages. Successful communication and special education solutions!

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Ph: (250) 585-3279
Fax: (250) 585-3259

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101 – 4535 Uplands Drive
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6M8

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We respectfully acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw and Snaw-naw-as First Nations.
We are honoured by our long relationship and opportunities to serve the Snuneymuxw, Stz'uminus, Penelakut, Metis, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Tseshaht communities.

Leslie has a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Western Washington, and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology in Special Education from the University of Victoria. She has 30 years experience working with Early Intervention and School-based teams. She supervised an Early Intervention speech pathology program for 12 years and has been a clinical educator for the University of BC, Western Washington University, the University of Western Ontario, and the Friedrich-Alexander Universität in Nürnberg, Germany. She has been working in private practice on Vancouver Island since 2002. Leslie is a certified instructor of the Hanen ® parent training programs "It Takes Two to Talk" and "More Than Words." Leslie has additional training through the BC Early Hearing Program. Leslie has been accepted as a medical-legal expert witness by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Jennifer is a graduate of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of North Dakota. She joined our team in the fall of 2013, coming from the Tri-County Regional School Board in Yarmouth, N.S. There she worked as part of the school-based team including Psychologists, Autism Support teachers, and classroom teachers. Jennifer has additional training in the PECS picture exchange system, the Lidcombe program for early stuttering intervention, and the Hanen® “More Than Words” program. Jennifer also provides online workshops for parents supporting their children’s speech production at home.

Susan joined our team in the fall of 2013 on contract. She has Master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and Counselling Psychology, both from UBC. She has worked at Surrey Memorial Hospital, Richmond School Board, Burnaby Hospital (Practice Leader for 19 years) and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. She was Chief Speech Language Pathologist at Richmond Hospital for four years. Susan works with many of our adult clients who are recovering from stroke, brain injuries, voice issues, and cognitive/memory issues.

Leigh, who joined our team full-time in September 2025, brings experience as a Behaviour Interventionist and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with her. She brings so much skill, care, and heart to her work supporting children and families in-office and at schools across Nanaimo and Port Alberni.

Anastassia joined our team in September 2022 as our office manager. She is a graduate of the Game Design and Development program at the Visual College of Art and Design in Vancouver, where she specialized in 3d animation and rigging. She brings years of administrative, graphic/web design, and IT experience to our team.

Tracy is a graduate of the Master of Clinical Science in Speech Language Pathology program at the University of Western Ontario. She joined us in 2012, coming from the Nanaimo Child Development Centre where she worked on a multidisciplinary team with preschool children for 8 years. Prior to coming to BC, Tracy worked at the Thames Valley Children’s Centre in London, Ontario. She also provided school-aged speech services to the Wiiji Nimabiyaang and Standing Stone schools in London, and the Huron-Perth Catholic School Board in Stratford, Ontario. Tracy has been a clinical educator for the University of BC, University of Alberta, University of Western Ontario, and the University of St. Andrews (Edinburgh, Scotland). She is a certified instructor of the Hanen® programs “It Takes Two to Talk” and “More than Words”. She has additional training in the Lidcombe fluency training for preschoolers, and the BC Early Hearing Program.

Saba graduated with a Masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from McGill University and has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (honours) from York University. Saba is a compassionate, adaptable and diligent practitioner, who strongly values EBP and providing individualized client care. She possesses strong interpersonal communication, is detail-oriented and an active listener. She has experience supporting clients with varying speech and language needs in the private practice setting. She strives to help clients and families achieve their desired healthcare goals and empower clients to play a vital role in their own treatment. Saba is experienced in both face-to-face and virtual therapy environments. She has additional training in Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA) and Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP).

Lynne is a Social Thinking® Educator and Presenter at the 8th Annual Social Thinking® Global Providers Conference (2015). Lynne was a lead Behaviour Interventionist and group therapy facilitator for 10 years at Little Steps Therapy Services Ltd. in Victoria, B.C. This included running a school-wide Social Thinking® Program at Maria Montessori Academy. She went on from there to provide supports and intervention in SD #68. Lynne has a Child and Youth Worker Diploma and is fluent in both English and French. Lynne is the co-director of Grow Together- Therapeutic Learning Groups for Children and Youth. She joined our team as a contractor in 2017.

Pam has an extensive background working as a support worker in Mental Health, Community Support, and Public schools. She is a Special Education Assistant in SD68 and spends evenings and weekends working with adults in supported living settings. On top of over 25 years of experience, she has training in non-violent crisis intervention, dementia care, seniors care, and tutoring. Pam has family ties to the Indigenous community and coached Native Basketball for years. Pam provides 1:1 intervention for individual clients under SLP supervision.

Jen joined our team in 2018. She is a graduate of Western University in Ontario. She joined us from the Nanaimo Child Development Centre. Prior to that she had training internships with the Thames Valley School Board, the Halton Aphasia Centre, and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. She has additional training in working with Laryngectomees, Aphasia, and children’s motor speech difficulties. Jen is a certified Hanen “It Takes Two to Talk” instructor. She has experience working with the Aboriginal Infant Development program, and developing high- and low-tech Alternative and Augmentative communication systems. She is a Clinical Educator for UBC. Jen provides SPEAK OUT!® & LOUD Crowd® therapy for Parkinson voice disorders and she supports the Oceanside Stroke Recovery group.

Haley is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Master’s of Health Science in Speech Language Pathology. She previously worked as a School-based SLP and AAC specialist in Victoria, BC. Haley also has experience working in Neuro-rehabilitation, and she is a Speak Out!® for Parkinson Disorder certified practitioner. Haley's caseload is 12 years old and older. Please note Haley is not a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP). Haley currently works with our team part-time.

Colette joined our team in October 2014. A parent of two daughters, one of whom needed Speech Therapy, Colette has spent years learning about communication disorders, Sign language, articulation, Augmentative Communication, picture symbols, and language concepts. She has added to this practical experience through ongoing education and training. She is a gifted crafter and creator who supports our therapy team. Colette also provides some 1:1 intervention for individual clients under SLP supervision.

Ashley, who joined our team full-time in December 2023, brings over a decade of early childhood education and classroom teaching experience from Australia, the UK, and Canada. With a Bachelor's of Education from the University of Canberra in 2015, she is dedicated to fostering academic, social, and emotional growth through inclusive and engaging environments tailored to diverse learner needs.

Ariella joined our team in February 2024 as our Office Assistant. She brings years of graphic/web design, digital literacy, and IT experience to our team. Ariella graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, where she focused on Library Science with a special interest in digital literacy. Ariella's passion is in serving her community through teaching people how to access and use technology to better their lives and their understanding of the world around them.