☼ Dr Lyndsay Quarmby

Director & Principal Clinical Psychologist

Lyndsay is the Director and Principal Clinical Psychologist. Lyndsay completed her undergraduate and Doctorate in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Newcastle. Lyndsay has over 15 years experience in research, assessment and intervention with children, young people and families. She has a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety disorders and supporting attachment and development in the early years. Lyndsay is dedicated to offering innovative, evidence based services in a down-to-earth atmosphere for children and families to feel comfortable and reach their goals.

☼ Sharon Gill

Practice Manager

Sharon is the Practice Manager at Emerge. Sharon brings with her a wealth of experience from her time in the financial sector. Working closely with the team, Sharon manages our back office practices and processes to ensure a great experience for all of our families.

☼ Bridgett Bishop

Administration Officer

Bridgett is an Administration Officer, with over 20 years experience in the health Care industry. She contributes to the efficient operation of our office, ensuring clients and their families can walk in the door and feel welcome and supported. Bridgett is the official gardener at Emerge and looks after our ever expanding plant collection, she also propagates her own plants at home.

☼ Isabella Flint

Allied Health Assistant

When not shredding on her mountain bike, Izzy is our powerhouse Allied Health Assistant. Izzy works behind the scenes supporting the allied health team deliver great supports. She is a resource creation rockstar and we would be lost without her.

☼ Emily Looringh van Beeck

Administration Officer

Emily is excited to join them Emerge team and brings enthusiasm along with a friendly demeanour and a wealth of experience. She is passionate about overall health and well-being. Originally from the mainland she moved to Tasmania with her husband and son in 2020 and enjoys spending her weekends in the garden or going on camping/hiking adventures.

☼ Lori Boon

Administration Officer

Lori is our administration officer and brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge having worked in medical administration for over 10 years. Lori is the friendly smile you will see when you walk in the door at our Launceston clinics and the kind voice when you call. Lori keeps us all organised.

☼ Isabelle Russell

Speech Pathologist

Isabelle graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2012 and has over ten years experience working in both public and private settings. Isabelle specialises in early intervention, speech sound and language delays/disorders, and alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). Isabelle has a passion for providing family-centred therapy in a supported and trusted environment

☼ Abby Milroy

Speech Pathologist

Abby has been working as Speech Pathologist for over 8 years. Training at Queen Margaret university in Edinburgh. Abby has worked in a variety of public and private sectors in London and Tasmania including neonatal and paediatric acute settings, schools and clinic settings. Abby specialises in paediatric and infant feeding, early intervention, training and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Abby is also a qualified Talking Mats trainer. Abby is committed to providing a family centred approach.

☼ Ali Owens

Literacy and Communication Educator

Ali brings to the team a passion for supporting all students to experience success with literacy. After completing a Batchelor of Education at the University of Tasmania, Ali has worked in the education setting for over 25 years. Her commitment to best practice literacy intervention has led to further study around explicit, systematic and multi-sensory instruction. With a focus on 'The Science of Reading', Ali delivers effective evidence-based teaching and assessment to struggling readers and writers; and practical recommendations for parents interested in supporting their children at home. Ali recognises that students with learning difficulties, including dyslexia, have specific strengths which can be identified and celebrated. Ali nurtures and harnesses a curiosity for learning through a positive, engaging, and productive approach.

☼ Erica O'Neill

Speech Pathologist

Erica completed her Masters in Speech Pathology at Flinders University and brings with her over 8 years experience working with children and young people. Erica's experience is drawn from her roles within the education sector and early childhood intervention centres. Erica is dedicated to understanding the unique needs of every child and cherishes the relationship building process that comes with delivering family-centred care. Her interest areas include late talking, complex speech, fluency, language and literacy.

☼ Laura Ryan

Speech Pathologist

Laura has recently returned home to Tasmania after graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Masters of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University in Melbourne in 2017. Prior to joining the team, Laura was working in Melbourne for 6 years supporting adults and children with communication difficulties; including in the areas of speech, language, stuttering, Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), literacy and feeding.

Laura is passionate about combining collaboration with parents, educators and other health professionals with using the most effective techniques to support children to develop their skills and achieve their therapy goals.

☼ Lisa Ayre

AAC Support Specialist

Lisa is a dedicated educator with 16 years experience in supporting individuals with disabilities to access and use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Trained as a teacher and passionate about inclusive education, Lisa brings a neuroaffirming approach to helping clients and their families to develop practical communication skills using AAC. She has worked across early intervention services, primary schools and support schools to as a classroom teacher and communication specialist. Lisa collaborates closely with allied health professionals to support each client’s unique goals, focusing on building independence, confidence, and engagement. Lisa empowers individuals to connect with the world around them in meaningful and accessible ways.

☼ Lisa Vihtonen

Registered Psychologist

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours), majoring in Psychology and a Graduate Diploma of Science (Developmental Disabilities) from the University of Wollongong. Lisa is a Registered Psychologist and a Registered Counsellor in accordance with the NSW Adoptions Regulation 2003. Lisa has a 30 year career, predominately in the out of home care and adoption sector, as well as experience in child and family assessment, court work, and trauma informed practice. Prior to this focus Lisa worked within a paediatric multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment team.

☼ Sally Cashman

Registered Psychologist

Sally joins Emerge as a Psychologist with 35 years experience. Sally holds a Masters of Psychology (Developmental and Educational) from the University of Tasmania. Sally has extensive experience working in educational settings with children, adolescents, their families and teachers, in rehabilitation and in research. Sally is passionate about specific learning disorders, early developmental assessment and intervention. Sally is also a Psychology Board approved supervisor who has supervised many early career psychologists over the years.

☼ Ashleigh Thurm

Registered Psychologist

Ashleigh joins Emerge as a registered psychologist. She enjoys working across the lifespan with children, teens and adults, providing assessments and person-centred therapy. She has a particular interest working with neurodivergent and gender-diverse clients. Ashleigh has experience conducting autism, ADHD and specific learning disorder assessments in both private practice and educational settings. She is passionate about supporting people on their journey to learn about themselves, advocate themselves and be supported where and when needed.

☼ Anita Markham

Registered Psychologist

Anita holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) with majors in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Tasmania. Anita is a registered Psychologist with AHPRA. Anita has worked within the education sector for 17 years supporting children, adolescents, families, and teachers. Anita has a special interest in positive behaviour support, anxiety disorders, and developmental assessment and intervention. Anita is also a Psychology Board approved supervisor.

☼ Frances Stewart

Registered Psychologist

Franny is a registered Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience working as a clinician and in research. She has worked extensively with children, young people and their families in various clinical and educational settings. Most recently, Franny has worked in schools, both internationally and locally, supporting students, staff and families.

Franny has experience supporting individuals and families with varying clinical presentations. She incorporates CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and trauma-informed practices and is passionate about providing a safe and relaxed environment for children and families to meet their goals.

☼ Sara White

Registered Psychologist/ Certified Play Therapist

Sara White is a registered psychologist at Emerge. In addition, Sara is a qualified Play Therapist, completing a Masters of Child Play Therapy at Deakin University and holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) from the University of Tasmania. Sara is committed to family centred practice and looks forward to supporting you and your family to reach your goals.

☼ Belamie Flint

Specialist Early Childhood Teacher Behaviour Consultant Accredited CPS Practitioner - Ross Greene Method

Bel joins Emerge as a teacher with more than 20 years’ experience in educational settings working with children from birth to 16. She has extensive experience in the early intervention sector and is committed to working in partnership with families to support young children and their families to achieve their goals. From Bel's extensive experience as an autism consultant and inclusive practice professional within education Bel brings practical approaches to support children with autism, trauma and other developmental needs.

☼ Pam Johns

Specialist Early Childhood Teacher Behaviour Consultant

Pam brings with her over 40 years of experience both as a Teacher, Principal and Behaviour Consultant. Pam holds a teaching degree and Master’s degree in Behaviour Therapy. Pam has worked therapeutically in the disability sector for the past 15 years supporting children and their families to build positive family relationships and enhance children’s learning and developmental outcomes. Pam shares our passion for delivery of services to rural areas of Tasmania.

☼ Nicole Ciantar-Jones

Specialist Early Childhood Teacher Behaviour Consultant

Nic is a qualified early childhood teacher who has worked in educational settings for over 20 years. She has a Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood, studying at Griffith University and post graduate studies at UTAS in inclusive practices, sensory processing and neurodiversity. She has extensive experience as a Teacher, Autism Consultant and Principal in Early Intervention and values the importance of working in partnership with families and their children, through a family centered and inclusive approach. She is committed to building the capacity of others, embracing diversity as a strength and viewing each child and family for their unique qualities.

☼ Pam Daly

Specialist Early Childhood Teacher Behaviour Consultant

Pam holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from University of Queensland and Master of Education (Early Years) from Queensland University of Technology. Pam has been in Education for over 25 years as an Early Childhood Educator, Teacher and Vocational Trainer. Pam has worked both overseas and in rural Australia with a broad range of age groups to support inclusive practice in schools and early childhood settings. Pam is passionate about collaborative practice and the learning through play.

☼ Lisa Spotswood

Creative Arts and Play Therapist

Lisa is a Play Therapist and Art Therapist, training with the Queensland Institute of Play Therapy (QIPT), Play Therapy Australia, and Health and Harmony College Brisbane. Providing support over the past 13 years for children, adolescents, young adults, families, and teachers.

The therapeutic approaches of Art and Play Therapy allow for non-intrusive client paced growth and healing to occur.Lisa’s approaches support you to gain autonomy, regulate emotions and body, gain understanding and self-empowerment. Lisa places high value on the importance of combining a variety of disciplines to support wellbeing and encouraging all individuals to live their best life.

☼ Ali Bell

Play Therapist

Ali is a qualified Play Therapist. She holds a Master of Child Play Therapy and a PhD in trauma and positive psychology. Ali is committed to supporting children to develop a strong sense of self-identity and loves working with families to understand and support their children’s needs. She enjoys helping children learn to play and express themselves through play.

☼ Julia Siggins

Occupational Therapist

Julia is passionate about helping people with difficulties get better through the application OT therapies and techniques. After completing her formal Occupational Therapist (OT) education in 2013, Julia practiced as an OT in Germany and then relocated to Australia in 2014. She has a deep interest in the assessment and treatment of people who, due to illness, injury or circumstance, are limited in their ability to undertake everyday activities. Julia enjoys working with children and young people and combines her education and practical experience to treat and help people regain function; develop capabilities, enhance social, sensory and fine-motor skills; and promote independence and growth in their everyday lives.

Julia is based at our East Coast clinic.

☼ Kate Frame

Occupational Therapist

Kate is a qualified Occupational Therapist with over 30 years of experience. Kate is passionate about supporting others to reach their full potential and maximise their independence. Kate has experience working across the lifespan including children, adults and older people, both in mental health, paediatrics and disability services.
She enjoys working alongside children and young people to enhance their development across a range of areas. Including supports such as regaining function and /or to assist building capacity through skill acquisition, modification of tasks, compensatory techniques/strategies, and the use of assistive technology. Kate works with children in the areas of self-care, fine motor, handwriting development, sensory, play, establishing daily routines, planning and organisational skills. Kate is passionate about family centred practice and works with families and others important in children's lives when and where they need it. Kate is based on Launceston and provides outreach to the North West coast.