About Livia

Founder & Senior Speech Pathologist

Livia is the founder and principal speech pathologist at Approach Speech Pathology. With 8 years of experience across community health, private practice, and schools, she has worked with both children and adults to develop their speech, language, and communication skills. Her therapy approach is engaging, evidence-based, and tailored to individual needs, ensuring that each client receives meaningful and practical support. 

Background & Experience 

Livia holds a Master of Speech Pathology from The University of Melbourne and is a certified member of Speech Pathology Australia. She has extensive experience in providing intervention for speech sound disorders, language development, fluency, and functional communication using AAC devices.

With years of experience across various settings, Livia has worked closely with paediatricians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and educators, contributing to multidisciplinary assessments to identify developmental and learning needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She is passionate about early detection and advocacy, ensuring children receive the right support as early as possible.

Livia is highly skilled in assisting families with the NDIS and School Disability Inclusion funding processes. She provides guidance on accessing essential therapy, classroom support, and communication resources, empowering families to secure the services their child needs for long-term success.

Additional Specialised Training

Livia has specialised training in evidence-based therapy programs to support diverse communication needs.

She has completed specialised training in Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme, It Takes Two to Talk – Hanen Program, literacy intervention (Sounds-Write, Talk for Writing), and stuttering therapy (Lidcombe Program),  PODD, LAMP Words for Life, Proloquo2Go, Key Word Sign, and PECS, More Than Words – Hanen Program for autism support, DIR Floortime for developmental and relationship-based intervention, Circle of Security for attachment-based support, and Tuning into Kids and Tuning into Teens to help families build emotional connection and communication.

She also integrates trauma-informed practice to ensure a flexible, family-centred approach.

Therapy Approach 

Livia believes in therapy that is interactive, functional, and evidence-focused. She tailors sessions to the individual—whether using play-based learning with children or communication strategies with adults. By collaborating with families, caregivers, and educators, she ensures therapy strategies are practical and effective in everyday settings.

Community Involvement

Livia is dedicated to giving back to the community by providing free services that support early identification and education. She offers free kindergarten screenings, delivers public education workshops, and volunteers to promote Speech Pathology Australia’s "Book of the Year" awards in local libraries. She also provides regular professional development for teachers, occupational therapists, and psychologists, ensuring professionals have the knowledge and tools to support children with communication needs.