Meet our team
Socially Speaking is a secure, welcoming, and all-inclusive online space. We provide the PEERS® Evidence-Based programs to support adolescents and adults who are wanting to improve their social skills. We support individuals with ASD, ADHD, and anyone else facing social challenges. We prioritise each person's unique strengths, challenges, and goals to assist them in gaining social confidence and empowering a greater sense of self.
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Certified PEERS® coach
About Natasha
Natasha Schellander is an experienced and certified practicing Speech Pathologist with a special interest in Social Skills within Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Natasha enjoys working with neurodiverse individuals and embraces and relates to their unique way of thinking. Natasha herself has been diagnosed with ADHD and can empathise with the challenges that it can bring. She successfully manages this and is motivated to empower others to do the same.
Natasha is passionate in supporting people across all domains socially, in their place of employment or educational setting. Natasha is driven by the positive outcomes of this program, including social participation, happiness and overall quality of life.
Natasha is a certified PEERS® coach and undertook training with world renowned Clinical Psychologist, Dr Elizabeth Laugeson.
PEERS® Social coach
About Akanksha
Akanksha is a compassionate, approachable, reliable and dedicated provisional psychologist pursuing general registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) through an intensive supervised training program. She possesses valuable experience working with individuals with diverse needs, support workers, educators, and parents in various roles such as provisional psychologist, positive behaviour support, mental health worker, and educator. Akanksha's main drive is to promote compassion, kindness, inclusivity, and cultural safety in her work.
One area of expertise for Akanksha is working with adolescents and young people diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD, ASD, PTSD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, attachment disorders, and adjustment disorders. She has extensive experience in providing assistance to clients and their support systems in overcoming communication barriers, improving confidence, fostering independence, dealing with performance-based difficulties, such as motivation, goal-setting, and achieving outcomes. In her practice, Akanksha confidently applies evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She is adept at facilitating group sessions aimed at helping parents, practitioners, and educators implement strategies and methods that enhance a person's quality of life with clarity and ease.
Akanksha's approach to her work is characterized by warmth, friendliness, and down-to-earth manner. She strives to be as practical as possible in her delivery, ensuring that her clients and their support systems can easily apply the strategies and techniques she provides.
About Brittany
PEERS® coach
Brittany Fong completed her Masters of Speech Pathology degree from The University of Melbourne in 2022. Previously, she worked in mainstream schools and supported students with special educational needs.
Brittany is keen to help clients with achieving their communication goals. She believes that communication is not only important for expressing one’s thoughts but also important for building one’s social and self-identity. Her other career interests also include: social skills, bilingual development, mental health and acquired brain injuries.
In her free time, Brittany enjoys language-learning (working on her fifth language!), playing the ukulele, listening to podcasts and socialising with friends.
About Vivian
PEERS® coach
Vivian completed her Bachelor in Applied Science (Speech Pathology) at the University of Sydney in 2019. She has practised across multiple settings including private practice, schools, and early learning centres in Canberra. She is passionate about research in preventative health, health promotion, and working with families and educators to support children's language development in the home and school environment.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature, reading, doing yoga and training at the gym.
About Mikaela
PEERS® Social coach
Meet Mikaela, a dedicated and driven individual pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist. With a strong academic background in psychology, she is currently completing her final subject in the fourth year honours program. Mikaela's thesis examines the impact of childhood adversity in developing functional gastrointestinal disorders in adulthood and is going to be published in an academic journal later this year.
Driven by her passion for helping others, Mikaela has gained valuable experience as a disability support worker and mental health worker, assisting clients to achieve their respective goals and practice psychological therapies. Mikaela has particular experience working with adolescents diagnosed with ASD and assisting with confidence building surrounding making and maintaining friendships and increased independence.
Mikaela's kind-hearted nature and patience allow her to establish genuine connections with her clients, and her work ethic and empathy drive her to make a positive impact on their lives. With her unwavering motivation and expanding expertise, Mikaela is on track to become a compassionate psychologist.
About Ashley
PEERS® Social coach
Ashley Evans is a provisional psychologist, currently completing a Master of Psychological Practice (School Psychology). She has a keen interest in preventative psychology and psychoeducation for young people.
Ash also enjoys facilitating yoga sessions and currently teaches primary aged children. You'll often find Ash in the ocean or on her mountain bike, which helps her find balance.
About Amanda
PEERS® Coach
Amanda is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and completed a Master of Speech Pathology from Curtin University in 2013. Amanda has worked with children and adults across a range of settings, including community, disability, acute and rehabilitation settings.
She currently works with people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties to help them achieve their goals. Amanda believes that everyone has the right to be heard and supports clients with their communication so that they can participate optimally in their social interactions and everyday life.