"My practice is completely different now. I spend a long-time building rapport and asking, 'What's that unmet need?'. How do I first meet that need before we even think about goals."

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In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of mental health and speech therapy with Caitlyn Weber, a passionate speech pathologist who brings a trauma-informed and neuro-affirming lens to her work in both private practice and with the for-purpose organisation, ACT for Kids.

Caitlyn is a speech pathologist dedicated to helping children and young people find their voice and use it with confidence. She is passionate about supporting kids to express their thoughts, feelings, needs, and ideas, bringing compassion, creativity, and connection to her work. Grounded in a trauma-informed and neuro-affirming foundation, she ensures each child feels respected, understood, and safe to be their authentic self. Alongside her clinical practice, Caitlyn is a member of Speech Pathology Australia's trauma and mental health advisory group and provides clinical supervision for early career speech pathologists.

Caitlyn shares her journey from a traditional, goal-oriented clinician to a practitioner who prioritises relational safety, co-regulation, and meeting the child’s unmet needs above all else. We dive into the neurobiology of trauma, discussing how adverse experiences impact a child's sensory systems, brain development, and their ability to feel safe in the world.

This episode is packed with invaluable insights and practical strategies, from using narrative as a core therapeutic tool to empowering children to set their own goals. Caitlyn introduces powerful analogies like the "lizard brain" and the "Coke bottle" to help clinicians, families, and children understand and manage overwhelming sensory and emotional experiences.

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Connect with Caitlyn:

• Website: speakeasytherapyservices.com
• Email: caitlyn@speakeasytherapyservices.com

Caitlyn runs her private practice, Speakeasy Therapy Services, and works as a speech pathologist in the Integrated Therapy Service team for the for-purpose organisation, ACT for Kids, in Adelaide.

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Resources Mentioned:

• Black Sheep Press resources by Becky Shanks
• Story Champs
• Jenny Baker (WA) and the "story mountain" concept
• Yellow Ladybugs Conference
• Dan Hughes' PACE model
• Caitlyn's clinical bite, "Keeping your practice trauma informed," is available on the Speech Pathology Australia Learning Hub

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The Mindful Speechies Podcast:

• Follow us on Instagram at @mindfulspeechies to connect and learn more about
• Remember to subscribe for updates on your favourite podcast platform

Connect with Your Hosts:

Andrew Watt

• Website: www.unitytherapy.com
• Email: andrew@unitytherapy.com
• X: https://x.com/SLPAndrew 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acwatt/ 

Kizzy Searle

• Website: www.attunedspeech.com.au
• Email: kizzy@attunedspeech.com.au
• Instagram: @attunedspeech 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kizzysearle/