What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 9am - 3am

http://www.therapymatters.com.au/

Therapy Matters, Suites 3-6, 43 Tallebudgera Creek Road Therapy Matters, West Burleigh (2026)

15/02/2026

CELEBRATING JEN
Last week we came together to celebrate something truly special, a beautiful baby shower for our wonderful Senior Speech Pathologist, Jen, as she prepares to welcome her little one into the world and begin her maternity leave.

The room was filled with love, good wishes, and meaningful moments of wisdom and care. A lovely event crafted by our Social Club and Care Culture team with poetry genius from Rachel, our other senior and touching gifts from all of our team.

Jen is now in her 7th year at Therapy Matters, and throughout that time she has brought:
✨ a calm, grounded presence
✨ infinite wisdom
✨ exceptional clinical skill
✨ deep compassion for every child and family she supports

We will miss her immensely, from her leadership, her steady energy, to the way she lifts everyone around her. We also know that every bit of her warmth, insight, and patience will shine just as brightly in this next chapter of motherhood.

We look forward to welcoming Jen back in 2027, once she has spent precious time with her new little love. 💕

Please join us in sending Jen all the love and support for this exciting new adventure!

13/02/2026

Last day left to register for Certified Facilitator Training for LEGO® Brick Based Therapy under our Launch Special 30% off

Join teachers and therapists in learning how to deliver the Brick-by-Brick programme through Brick Clubs in your schools and clinics. Learn from Play Included® through our Australian Training Partnership. The only organisation to be endorsed by the LEGO® foundation.

Head to our website to register https://therapymatters.com.au/services/brick-based-therapy/

12/02/2026

1 day left to register for Certified Facilitator Training for LEGO® Brick Based Therapy under our Launch Special 30% off

Join teachers and therapists in learning how to deliver the Brick-by-Brick programme through Brick Clubs in your schools and clinics.

Learn from Play Included® through our Australian Training Partnership. The only organisation to be endorsed by the LEGO® foundation.

Head to our website to register https://therapymatters.com.au/services/brick-based-therapy/

11/02/2026

WELCOME TO THE TEAM: GEMMA!

Gemma is the newest member of our Speech Pathology Team, working on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at our Burleigh clinic and Tuesdays at Somerset College.

Gemma is proudly neurodivergent and approaches therapy with every individual’s strengths in mind. She is responsive to each child’s needs and forms connections through shared interests and playfulness.

Growing up a Gold Coast local, Gemma completed her Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Master of Speech Pathology at Griffith University. Gemma has been a practising speech pathologist for the last 5 years, working in a multidisciplinary therapy clinic with occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Gemma has broad clinical knowledge and loves to help children find their voices and feel confident in their communication. She approaches therapy with functional goals in mind, supporting children and families to build relationships, connect with the community and apply strategies to support their daily life.

What is your favourite toy?
"This toy is the combination of two things I love, Pokémon and plush toys! I grew up a Pokémon fan, and still collect cards today. I always loved the creativity and adventure that Pokémon represented. Amongst other stories I loved growing up, Pokémon inspires the pursuit of knowledge, levelling up through difficult battles, and surrounding ourselves with a team filled with different strengths.

I also love to spark children’s imagination with plush toys and puppets. They can be our soft supportive friend or our cheerleader - whether they are on the shelf or joining in.

I think there is a lot that everyone can learn through engagement with their greatest interests! I love exploring whatever motivates every individual I work with. "

Please join us in giving Gemma a very warm welcome

Read more about Gemma and our other team members on our website: https://therapymatters.com.au/about-us/our-team/

10/02/2026

NUMBER OF KEY WORD SIGNERS ON OUR TEAM = 18!
Therapy Matters is proud to recognise the depth of key word sign talent in our team - making a difference in the lives of children with communication difficulties. All of our speech pathologists, therapy assistants and key workers are trained to use key word sign - from certification in the Basic Introduction course with some extending their skills into the Intermediate and Advanced Courses.

Tania and Jacqui are proud to lead our Key Word Sign team as Accredited Key Word Sign presenters. For over a decade, they have shared their passion, talents and enthusiasm with the South East Queensland and Northern NSW communities from Murwillumbah, to Mount Tamborine, and up to Brisbane. They are strong advocates for the role that key word sign can have to help someone have a say in life and understand the world around them.

Key word sign is an invaluable tool in our speech pathology tool kit to give children rich visual information to help them understand what words mean and to provide them a means to communicate before words emerge or if speech is unclear. Signs last longer than speech and they can give so much more extra information to help children learn.

If you are interested in adding key word signing into your toolkit as a parent, teacher or therapist, book into our upcoming workshops.
👉🏻https://therapymatters.com.au/services/workshops/
👉🏻Saturday 28th March Basic Workshop
👉🏻Saturday 18th April Intermediate Workshop

09/02/2026

WHY WE'RE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH PLAY INCLUDED®
At Therapy Matters, we’re committed to approaches that are evidence‑based and centred on children’s real experiences. That’s why we are so proud to partner with Play Included® to deliver training in LEGO® Brick Based therapy for Australia therapists and teachers. Play Included® are always continually refining their Brick Club training based on high‑quality research.

Play Included's® newly published study highlights something important: 3 hours of facilitator training simply isn’t enough to run playful, effective Brick Clubs. This insight directly shaped their enhanced Brick‑by‑Brick® programme, which now includes a stronger focus on autism, learning through play, the role of the adult, and, importantly, experiential learning so facilitators truly understand Brick Club from a child’s perspective.

We also love their commitment to correcting common misconceptions. LEGO® Brick Based therapy isn’t “just building a set” or limited to groups of three. It’s about collaboration, problem‑solving, shared decision‑making, joyful connection and making sure all children can access the visual instructions.

Most of all, we value Play Included’s® dedication to listening to children. Their current research with Cambridge University is exploring what children themselves think about their Brick Clubs. This child‑centred approach is exactly what we stand behind. 💛

👉 Read the new study: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0336952

👉Attend self-directed on-line training in Play Included® to learn how to be a Certified Facilitator in LEGO® Brick Based therapy . Book NOW to receive our 30% off LAUNCH SPECIAL https://therapymatters.com.au/services/brick-based-therapy/

Proud to partner with an organisation that listens, learns, and always puts children first.

#

08/02/2026

IN FEBRUARY ... DLD Matters

DLD stands for Developmental Language Disorder. With 1 in 14 people having DLD, it is time we talk more about this hidden but common lifelong condition to spread awareness and understanding.

DLD causes difficulties with speaking and understanding for no known reason. There are serious and long-term impacts, as it puts children at greater risk of failing at school and struggling with mental health and future employment. The biggest challenge with DLD is you can’t tell by looking at a person that they have it and often. DLD individuals often get overlooked for support.

People with Developmental Language Disorder are all different and it is important to know that with the right supports, DLD individuals can thrive! Speech Pathologists are the professionals with expertise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children with DLD.

Navigating DLD can often be isolating for the child and their parents.
In March 2026, history will be made.

For the first time, parents, educators, advocates, clinicians, adults with DLD, and organisations from around the world will come together with the DLD community for a Global Summit. This is a landmark event dedicated to connection, empowerment, and hope.

This is a chance to hear directly from adults with DLD, learn from families around the world, and discover a global community that truly understands.

✅Learn from lived experience
✅Connect with the global DLD community
✅Advocate together for better understanding and support

Saturday 7th March 2026
100% online. Watch live or on-demand at your own pace

FREE tickets for people with DLD and families
$39 AUD for allies including clinicians, educators & researchers

✅ Be part of this milestone moment.
Register now and break the isolation, together. Follow the link in our bio to register today. https://thedldproject.com/dld-global-summit/

05/02/2026

OUR TEAM FOR 2026

Last week at our team day, we gathered together to map out our blueprint for the future as we prepare to navigate change in the world - from NDIS changes to AI technological changes and more!

Big thanks to for these lovely team photos to immortalise our day together - remembering that the best foundations for a blueprint to navigate change is a strong, supportive culture with shared values for integrity, quality, care and compassion.

What a fabulous team to start the year with!

Only a few of our team were missing on the day, Jacinta (our keyworker), Caitlyn and Georgia (our speech pathologists), Colette (our Client Care Manager) and Mariana (our Therapy Assistant)

04/02/2026

NEW BLOG: WHAT IS LEGO® Brick Based Therapy

LEGO® Brick Based Therapy turns a love of LEGO® into a powerful learning opportunity. Through guided, small-group play, children practise communication, teamwork and social skills with the support of trained professionals.

While initially designed for autistic children, research has since shown LEGO® Brick Based Therapy can benefit children with a wide range of other communication and social differences, including ADHD, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), anxiety, learning difficulties, intellectual disability, and speech and language difficulties.

At Therapy Matters, we have been delivering LEGO® Brick Based Therapy for over five years, affectionately known as Brick Club.

In 2026, we are expanding this work by launching Brick Therapy Matters and becoming an International Training Partner with Play Included® — the world’s leading provider of brick based therapy training. Through this partnership, we offer:

- Certified Facilitator Training (online through Play Included® from 2026)
- Advanced Training (in-person from 2027)

These programs support Australian therapists and teachers to deliver LEGO® Brick Based Therapy with fidelity, confidence and integrity.

LEGO® Brick Based Therapy can be funded under NDIS capacity building as long as it is provided by a qualified therapist, delivering intervention aliigned with the evidence base of the research and tailored to uniquely achieve the child's goals as part of their NDIS plan. Recent changes to the NDIS have excluded generic community experiences that include LEGO® .

Read more at our blog: https://therapymatters.com.au/brick-based-therapy/

Contact our clinic if you are interested in Brick Club for your child.
Register now for on-line Certified Facilitator training to bring the impact of Brick Based Therapy to your community, clinic or school. Training open for Australian teachers and therapists. Register now for 30% training discount until 14th February 2026 https://therapymatters.com.au/services/brick-based-therapy/

03/02/2026

FUTURE VISION FEATURE: SOPHIE

At Therapy Matters, this year we’re anchoring the theme of Future Vision. Despite the changes in the world at present, our team is looking ahead with hope, innovation, and wonder.

In both life and work, the way we think about the future shapes our wellbeing. Approaching tomorrow with curiosity and optimism sparks possibility, creativity, and motivation: not only for ourselves, but for those around us. A future-vision mindset reminds us that growth is something we create together, one thoughtful step at a time.

Today we celebrate Sophie, our Clinical Leader Speech Pathologist who works at our Burleigh clinic and The Southport School (Preparatory School). From February, Sophie will also supervise our therapy assistants in their invaluable work with clients.

When we asked Sophie about her future-vision ideas, she shared:

“I hope that all children with communication difficulties and differences will feel supported, safe and excited for their futures.
I hope that the community around these children accept, value and celebrate these children simply for being who they are."

Sophie has been part of the Therapy Matters team for over 6 year. She is known for her creative therapy materials, her dedication to child-centred therapy and her collaboration with the teams around her clients.

Sophie shapes the future for our clients, team, and community through her strengths in diligence, creativity and compassion.

Curious to learn more about Sophie(and her favourite therapy toy pictured)? Head to https://therapymatters.com.au/about-us/our-team/.

Remember, the future isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we make, together.

02/02/2026

HELP CHILDREN TELL THEIR STORY WITH MINDWING TOOLS!

Telling stories isn’t always easy ... but it matters.

Many children find storytelling challenging yet this skill underpins social connection, friendship building, reading, writing and learning.

That’s why today we’re spotlighting Braidy, the Story Braid Puppet from our Therapy Matters MindWing Concepts range.

Back in 2009, our speech pathologists were searching for evidence-based, practical ways to support children with language difficulties to tell clear, organised stories. That search led us to MindWing Concepts and 18 years later we are proud to still be their trusted Australian distributor.

We’re proud to see these tools in the hands of speech pathologists, teachers, parents and children, supporting children to:
• think
• communicate
• socialise
• learn
• read
• write
• imagine

Braidy the Story Braid Puppet uses colourful, child-friendly, patented icons to make the structure of a story visible and tangible. Instead of holding the whole story in their head, children can see and mark each part. This reduces the load on working memory and frees them to focus on ideas, language and meaning.

✨ Hands-on
✨ Easy to use
✨ Linked to literacy
✨ Child-friendly
✨ Anchored in evidence

By expanding storytelling beyond beginning–middle–end, MindWing’s icon system helps children organise their thinking in ways that make sense ... whether they’re telling a story, writing, or talking about their life to build a friendship. When children can tell their story, they can better connect with the world around them.

🛒 Explore Braidy the Story Braid Puppet and our full MindWing Concepts range via our shop page on our website https://therapymatters.com.au/shop/

"We dream, remember, anticipate, hope, despair, love, hate, believe, doubt, plan, construct, gossip, and learn in narrative.”
Carol Westby, PhD, CCC-SLP

Read more about the research evidence behind MindWing concepts tools here:
https://www.mindwingconcepts.com/pages/research

Therapy Matters

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Monday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9am - 3am