☼ 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.

☼ Lilly Spotswood

Psychology Allied Health Assistant

Lilly is currently completing her psychology degree at the University of Tasmania and is as an allied health assistant and all-rounder at Emerge. Lilly is very passionate about her degree, and this passion has opened options for supporting individuals with diverse needs, particularly peaking her interest to become a qualified LEGO® Therapy facilitator. You may see Lilly working within group programs, creating resources or supporting therapists through a variety of ways. Lilly is looking forward to completing her postgraduate studies to become a psychologist whilst working within the emerge family.

☼ 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 joins the Emerge Speech team with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Speech Pathology) from Charles Sturt University. She has over eight years experience working in both public and private settings. Her special interest areas are working with children, autism, ADHD, speech sound and language delays/disorders and voice disorders. 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 6 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.

Erica is currnetly on maternity leave.

☼ 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 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.

☼ 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 Wright

Registered Psychologist/ Certified Play Therapist

Sara Wright 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

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.

☼ 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.

☼ Shannon Williams

Registered Nurse

Shannon is a dedicated and experienced Registered Nurse with a focus on child health and adolescent development. Shannon holds postgraduate studies in Child and Family Health and Paediatric Nursing. With expertise in areas such as sleep and settling, continence, and parenting, Shannon offers compassionate and knowledgeable support to families seeking guidance in these crucial areas. With a passion for promoting well-being of children and adolescents, Shannon provides evidence based care and practical solutions with a neuro affirming focus to help families navigate the journey of raising children.

☼ Shannon Bower

Physiotherapist

Shannon completed her Doctor of Physiotherapy degree from the University of Melbourne in 2015. Prior, she completed a Bachelor of Science (Exercise Physiology) at the University of Illinois in the USA. Shannon is passionate about neuromotor development and hypermobility-related disorders. You may notice that her therapeutic approach to physiotherapy often begins with the nervous system. It is important to Shannon that the whole family feels supported with their wellness, which means she looks forward to offering physiotherapy to the whole family.

Shannon is based at our East Coast clinic.

☼ Sophie Shannon

Dietitian

Sophie has been working as a Dietitian for over a decade after completing Master of Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders University. Sophie has previous experience in both public and private settings. Sophie specialises in Paediatric Dietetics and Early Life Nutrition. She works with children and young adults and their families who have trouble accessing nutrition related to disabilities, developmental conditions and delayed skill development. She is experienced with complex feeding issues including non oral and tube feeding and problem feeding.