At Partners in Communication (PIC), we believe that people do well if they can. This guiding philosophy is just one part of the overall mission at PIC. Additionally, we subscribe to neurodiversity-affirming beliefs and follow the Universal Design for Learning principles.
The team at PIC provide a variety of communication-based services for all ages and neurotypes.
The practice was originally started in 2009 by Sharon Gill and has grown steadily to be the strong team of leaders it is today. Sharon, speech pathologist and director of PIC, has an extensive 30 years of experience across a variety of sectors. Trained in a wide range of therapeutic interventions, her special interest now is working in the Social Cognitive Communication space. Building on Sharon’s foundation, PIC continues to offer individual sessions and small group programs in clinic and in schools. We also work with schools to educate teachers and parents and provide in class support where needed.
The PIC team is a passionate group of therapists, educated assistants, and administrative staff alike! Should you contact us, our highly skilled Manager, Stacey, will be your first point of contact.
We work as a team behind the scenes for all clients, frequently evaluating efficacy of intervention and consulting with our clients and their families to ensure we are meeting their needs across domains.
Our mantra is to support our clients to thrive in their individual context, extend their boundaries and develop the confidence to become the person they aspire to be.
PIC values evidenced-based methodologies and engages in regular practical professional development. We are active participants and learners in the many online communities which raise awareness of the strengths, perspectives, challenges and needs of our diverse client base.
We subscribe to the belief that all people deserve the opportunity to be validly heard and respected – neurodivergent or neurotypical. We are keenly aware of the neurodiversity movement and actively reflect and evaluate our practices to ensure we are neuro-affirming and trauma-informed.
We are part of many professional networks and maintain close relationships with our referring partners. It would be our pleasure to speak with you about your needs.
Meet Our Team
Clinical Director / SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Sharon Gill
About Sharon
Sharon is an experienced and committed speech-language pathologist who is passionate about all areas of communication and in ensuring her team provides quality evidence-based service to all clientele.
She has extensive experience in early intervention, in both primary and secondary schools and has worked for over 25 years across a variety of sectors including Community Health, the Education Department and in private practice.
In keeping with her strong commitment to a multidisciplinary approach, she works together with her clients’ support team (family, educational, medical, emotional well-being, etc.) to ensure intervention is communicated and coordinated.
Sharon has a passion for the social cognitive communication domain. Working in this space with teenagers and adults has become her primary focus in recent years.
A strong commitment to ongoing professional development and evidence-based interventions has seen Sharon complete a number of certifications including:
Post-grad diploma in Learning Disabilities
Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words and Talkability trained.
PROMPT – 3 day Introduction workshop.
PODD – Introductory workshop.
Social Thinking® - Clinical Training Program, Level 1A, San Jose, USA.
Secret Agent Society (SAS) 2nd Ed. social skills program – certified facilitator.
Tuning in to Teens™ Program - certified facilitator.
Presenter at the 2018 Social Thinking® Provider Conference San Francisco
Post-graduate diploma in Family Therapy 2021
Certification in ‘Single Session Thinking’, The Bouverie Centre, 2022
An interest in the therapeutic benefits of animals and the natural environment will see completion of the Animal- Assisted Therapy Certification in the next year
Associate Clinical Director / Speech-Language Pathologist
Svetlana Usatov
About Svetlana
Svetlana Usatov is a certified practising speech pathologist, who is particularly passionate about literacy development and social communication. She is an advocate for evidence-based practice across all sectors, including private practice as well as the education system. She also has experience supporting children and families from complex and socially-disadvantaged communities.
Svetlana has participated in numerous workshops and seminars, including the following:
Secret Agent Society Facilitator Training (Social Skills Training Institute)
Tuning into Teens - Emotionally Intelligent Parenting (Christiane E. Kehoe, Mindful Centre)
Tracking Better (R) Regulation Workshop (Deeta Kimber, Mindful Centre)
Anxiety and ASD (Fiona Zandt, Mindful Centre)
Social Thinking Training, Nancy Clements (Social Thinking)
Alert Program Facilitator Training (Sue Williams & Sherry Shellenberger)
More Than Words, Talkability (Hanen)
Understanding and Responding to Child Abuse and Exploitation (Cacet Global)
Speech-Language Pathologist
Eric Shek
About eric
Eric is a certified speech language pathologist who obtained his Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne. He previously worked as a policy officer with the Australian and Victorian Governments, having obtained a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Australian National University in 2013.
Eric was drawn to speech pathology for its power to combine his passion in languages with his desire to work directly with the community. He has experience working with children, adolescents and adults to improve their speech, language and swallowing in a variety of settings, including acute hospital wards, public health clinics and private practice.
Eric is passionate about developing communication skills in others as a gateway to being socially connected and maintaining mental well-being. He brings a friendly, empathetic and conscientious approach. He strongly believes in engaging with clients directly to develop their own goals and strategies. Eric refines his practice through regular professional development, which has included mental health aid training, neurodiversity-affirming programs, and seminars to support neurodiverse clients through tertiary education, employment, and the legal system.
Eric has a keen interest in evidence-based practice, with active involvement in speech pathology research. He completed a research project on voice quality of total laryngectomy patients at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in 2017, as part of postgraduate studies in linguistics. His research into emotions in adult speech with the University of Melbourne earned him his cohort’s award for Research Excellence.
Eric speaks English, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Japanese and Dutch.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Tina Bryson
About TINA
Tina graduated with a Masters in Speech Pathology from Latrobe University in 2013.
Tina also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (co-majoring in Psychology and Psychophysiology) and is a qualified Adult ESL (English as a Second-Language) teacher. Prior to entering the field of Speech Pathology, Tina worked extensively in Adult Education – including Teacher-Training Workshops and Business English training with students from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Colombia. Tina’s passion for language, education and psychology led her to pursue Speech Pathology – a career that has taken her to Far-North Queensland working with remote indigenous communities and returning to Melbourne to work across the Education, Private Practice and Community Health settings.
Tina is certified in Hanen’s ‘It Takes Two to Talk’ parent-training program for late talkers, the Lidcombe Program for early stuttering therapy. Tina is also well-versed in the More Than Words program for parents of Autistic children.
Tina’s dedication to ongoing professional development has seen her visit Croatia for the 2017 Stuttering Symposium, as well as complete regular online workshops endorsed by Speech Pathology Australia in areas including Diagnosis and Treatment of Developmental Language Disorder and Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Since starting at PIC, Tina has embraced new concepts and learnings, enjoying the fresh approach to supporting her clients to reach their goals. Tina’s passion for learning has enabled her to quickly pick up methodologies such as Social Thinking, while also being mindful of neurodiversity-affirming practices.
Tina is committed to family/client-centred care and delivery of Evidence-Based intervention. She describes her common-sense approach and ability to connect with a broad range of clients from all walks of life as key to her success as a therapist. Outside of her professional interests, Tina loves to keep fit by running with her miniature Schnauzer and playing tennis whilst she also enjoys dancing and live music.
speech-language pathologist
Vincent Nguyen
About VINCENT
Vincent is a registered member of Speech Pathology Australia and a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. He completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Speech Pathology at La Trobe University. He is a highly motivated clinician with experience in a broad scope of speech pathology practice.
Vincent has experience with service delivery in the clinic, home, and school settings, as well as through telehealth. He has knowledge in providing assessment and treatment to clients of all ages in the areas of speech sound skills (phonology and articulation), oral language, fluency, literacy, pragmatic language and social skills.
He is experienced in providing intervention using THRASS, Hanen (It Takes Two To Talk, More Than Words), Lidcombe and Smooth Speech, and more recently, Social Cognitive interventions such as Social Thinking®.
Vincent is a passionate sportsman, competing at a National level in badminton and is also proficient in Vietnamese.
speech-language pathologist
This could be you!
Manager
Stacey Smith
Administration Assistant
Fiona Hickey
ABOUT Stacey Smith
Stacey joined Partners in Communication in 2020 as a full-time Practice Manager. She is responsible for managing the PIC team as well as the day to day running of the business.
Stacey brings with her over 20 years in business and sales management in the technical arena. She made the move to Allied Health, driven by her passion to invoke meaningful and long-lasting change within the community. Her unique set of skills ensures that Partners in Communication can deliver the best possible service to all our valued clients.
ABOUT FIONA
Coming soon…
Administration Assistant
Andrea Morris
About andrea morris
Andrea is supporting reception with administrative tasks and phone calls. Andrea enjoys cooking and the fantasy genre!
Consultants
Clinical Psychologist
Monica Korpershoek
About Monica Korpershoek
As a consultant, Monica provides excellence in clinical and professional supervision and training. She is a resilient and skilled Clinical Psychologist with over 23 years experience working in a range of settings including paediatric, child and adolescent mental health, community, inpatient, and private practice. Approved by the Psychology Board of Australia to act as a supervisor, Monica has years of experience working with some of the most highly regarded facilities internationally. She has specialised in child and adolescent mental health, psychodynamic psychotherapy, working within complex systems and evidence based psychological therapies.
Educational, Developmental and Health Psychologist
Margaret Charlton
ABOUT MArgaret charlton
Margaret has practiced as an Educational, Developmental and Health Psychologist for over thirty years. She is a psychologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital and at Monash Children’s Hospital.
Margaret conducts a private psychology practice located at Partners in Communication in Caulfield North. Her private practice focus is on diagnostic assessment and support of preschool and school aged children in relation to cognitive development, learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, behaviour and emotional difficulties. Margaret has a strong interest in supporting and counselling parents who have concerns about their children, and who want to help their children to become their ‘best selves’.
Margaret’s professional experience includes University lecturing on psychological assessment, training psychologists in the practice of autism spectrum disorder for the Australian Psychological Society, and researching the development of children who have experienced neonatal intensive care. Margaret is endorsed as a Psychologist Supervisor by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Margaret can be contacted directly at: margaretcharlton1@bigpond.com
