Sea S.A.L.T. Speech Pathology

 

Sea S.A.L.T Speech Pathology has been proudly supporting kids in Maroubra and surrounding South Eastern Suburbs since 2022 and now in the Northern Illawarra region.

We started Sea S.A.L.T. because we want to help kids tackle speech, language and communication hurdles in ways that really makes a difference. We place huge importance on being friendly, approachable, and totally committed to what we do. 

We’re all about creating a warm and encouraging space where kids feel safe, supported, and ready to shine. Because every child deserves the chance to grow, thrive, and be their best self. 

 

 

Katie Mc Givern 

Hey there! I’m Katie!

Speech Pathologist and the Co-founder of Sea S.A.L.T. a paediatric speech pathology service based in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and in Woonona, North Illawarra region.

The name of my practice is pretty special to me. Back in Dublin, Ireland, I studied and graduated as a Speech and Language Therapist (or SALT) in 2016. When I moved to Sydney later that year, I ended up living by the sea first in Coogee, then Maroubra and now in North Illawarra region . So when it came time to name my practice, "Sea S.A.L.T." just felt like the perfect way to mix my work with my love for the coastal lifestyle.

A bit about me:

I’m a Speech Pathology Australia certified therapist who’s all about taking a strengths-focused, holistic approach. I tailor everything to fit what each child and family needs, supporting individualism, because no two are the same and we don't want them to be! I believe that developing a relationship whereby a child feels safe, respected and cared is the ultimate step to successful therapy. 

I have a passion for and experience in providing speech therapy to children with diverse communication needs, including those who are neurodivergent, have hearing differences, genetic conditions, or developmental disabilities. I focus on supporting each child’s unique strengths and communication style to help them thrive.  

I am committed to evolving my practice and approaches and keep on top of the latest training and clinical learnings. 

Deirdre Ni Ghachain (CPSP)

Speech Pathologist
B.Sc. Clinical Speech and Language

Deirdre is a warm, experienced Speech Pathologist with over 10 years of practice across Australia and the UK. She is passionate about supporting children, young people, and their families through therapy that is play‑based, child‑led, and neurodiversity‑affirming. Her goal is always to help children feel safe, confident, and empowered to communicate in ways that are authentic to them.

Deirdre’s paediatric experience spans early intervention, autism, school‑aged communication, AAC, literacy, feeding, and developmental needs. She enjoys mentoring students and early‑career clinicians, fostering growth with clarity and encouragement.

Alongside her paediatric work, Deirdre brings a strong background in adult communication and swallowing, shaped through senior roles in acute medical, neuro‑rehabilitation, stroke, and aged‑care settings. This breadth of experience enriches her clinical reasoning and supports her holistic, family‑centred approach to care.

Deirdre is committed to ongoing learning and holds additional training in: Hanen More Than Words, SOS Approach to Feeding
Sounds‑Write Literacy, Orofacial Myology, ADOS‑2 (Introductory)

Warm, collaborative relationships are at the heart of her practice, and she values working closely with families, educators, and health teams to create meaningful, evidence‑based outcomes.

Outside the clinic, Deirdre loves spending time in nature and soaking up the sunshine a balance that reflects the calm, grounded energy she brings to her work.

Eva Acheson  

Speech Pathologist

Eva is a compassionate and highly motivated Speech Pathologist who joined the Sea S.A.L.T. team after spending her first year in Sydney after relocating from Ireland. With a First-Class Honours degree from Trinity College Dublin, Eva brings a sophisticated blend of academic excellence and hands-on clinical heart to our practice.

Clinical Expertise & Passion

Eva’s approach is deeply rooted in neuro-affirming practice. She believes in meeting every child where they are, celebrating their unique communication style while providing the tools they need to thrive. Her extensive experience within the Irish health system (HSE) has given her a specialised skill set in:

  • Feeding & Swallowing Support: Eva is passionate about supporting children with feeding difficulties, ensuring that meal times are safe, positive, and inclusive for the whole family.

  • Holistic Communication: She specialises in assessing and supporting a wide range of speech and language needs, always focusing on client centered goals that make a real-world difference.

  • Collaborative Care: Eva thrives when working alongside families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams to create a supportive "village" around every child.

The Rhythm of Connection

At Sea Salt, we believe communication is about more than just words it’s about connection. Eva embodies this through her lifelong passion for music. As an accomplished violinist and Grade 7 pianist, she understands the powerful rhythm of communication.

She views music as a universal language that builds strong foundations for engagement and social interaction—skills she honed further during her years supporting autistic children as a Special Needs Assistant. Whether she is on the Gaelic football field or in the clinic, Eva brings energy, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to advocacy for every family she serves.

Raina Griffin 

Speech Pathologist

Raina is a dedicated and compassionate Speech Pathologist committed to helping children become confident and effective communicators. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology, and brings experience across a range of settings, including clinics, schools, and early childhood centres.

Raina’s approach is grounded in child- and family-centred care, with a strong emphasis on neurodiversity-affirming practices. She is experienced in assessing and supporting children with speech (pronunciation) delays and disorders, developmental language disorder, fluency, literacy and early language development. 

Raina has a particular interest in working with young children to support early communication skills and speech sound development. Her goal is always to provide meaningful, respectful, and individualised care that supports each child’s unique way of communicating.

 

Lisa Quilty

Administration Manager

Lisa is the friendly, organised heart of Sea S.A.L.T. and often the first warm voice or smile you’ll encounter when connecting with our clinic.

As our Administration Manager, she keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes so families, children, and our team feel supported from the very first enquiry right through to ongoing care.

She works closely with our clinicians and families to ensure communication is clear, processes are simple, and every visit feels calm and well‑supported.

Whether she’s coordinating schedules, assisting parents, or making sure our team has everything they need, Lisa brings warmth, reliability, and a wonderful sense of care to everything she does.

You’ll no doubt hear from Lisa along the way and she’s always happy to help.