Gold Coast Speech Pathologist Spotlight: Meet Lucy from Connect the Words Speech Pathology

Speech therapy can play a huge role in helping people communicate, connect, and participate more confidently in everyday life. In this provider spotlight, we’re introducing Lucy, Speech Pathologist and owner of Connect the Words Speech Pathology.

Lucy has over 18 years of experience working across hospitals, rehabilitation services, and community settings, with a strong focus on adolescents and adults. Below, she shares her journey into speech pathology, clears up common misconceptions, and explains what meaningful progress really looks like in real life.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to work as a Speech Pathologist?

I have been working as a Speech Pathologist for over 18 years, mainly supporting adults with communication and swallowing disorders across Queensland and New South Wales. I’ve worked in hospital wards, community health clinics, day hospitals, rehabilitation units, and a brain injury unit.

Interestingly, I originally worked as a nurse on a stroke ward. At the time, there was only one speech pathologist for the entire hospital, and many patients were kept nil by mouth while waiting for swallow assessments. I remember thinking, I am going to become a speech pathologist and feed these people.

I went back to Sydney University and completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech Pathology, and from there pursued my passion for working with adults.

People often think speech therapy is just about talking. Can you explain what speech therapy actually helps with day to day?

Many people think all I do is provide therapy for people who stutter, but speech pathology is so much more than that.

My role includes supporting people with understanding and using language, social communication, attention and listening, literacy foundations, voice, swallowing, and safe mealtime participation.

Day to day, this might look like helping a child follow instructions at school, supporting an adult to communicate their needs clearly, improving confidence in social situations, or helping someone eat and drink safely. Ultimately, it’s about helping people participate more fully in their everyday lives.

Who do you most commonly work with?

I work with a wide range of clients, but I mostly support adolescents and adults, as this is my area of specialisation.

Common areas of support include speech sound difficulties, language delays, neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, intellectual disability, communication following neurological conditions, and mealtime or swallowing difficulties.

My work focuses on functional goals such as improving independence, participation, social connection, and overall quality of life.

What’s one thing you wish every family understood about speech therapy?

That speech therapy isn’t about fixing a person. It’s about supporting and empowering them.

Everyone develops and communicates differently, and progress looks different for each individual. Therapy works best when it is collaborative, strengths-based, and tailored to what matters most to the person and their family.

Progress in speech therapy isn’t always fast or obvious. What does meaningful progress look like in real life?

Meaningful progress often shows up in small but powerful ways.

This might be a child expressing frustration with words instead of behaviours, an adult feeling confident ordering a coffee, or a family enjoying mealtimes with less stress around choking.

These changes may not always look dramatic, but they can make a huge difference to daily life and wellbeing.

How does speech therapy usually work alongside families, support workers, and other providers?

Speech therapy works best as a team effort.

I collaborate closely with families, support workers, teachers, allied health professionals, and other providers to make sure strategies are consistent and practical across different environments.

Families and support people are central to therapy. They are the ones who help carry strategies into everyday routines, which is where real change happens.

Can you share a moment where your work made a real difference in someone’s life?

One moment that really stayed with me was supporting a client who needed a computer device to communicate and could only use his eyes to operate it.

Once we set him up with the device, the first thing he said to his wife was, “Thank you and I love you. I have been wanting to say that for a long time.”

We all burst into tears together. Seeing the reduction in frustration for this client, and the increase in confidence through communication technology, was incredibly meaningful.

What do you love about working as a Speech Pathologist?

I love the relationships.

Being able to walk alongside individuals and families, celebrate small wins, and support meaningful goals around communication and swallowing is incredibly rewarding.

No two days are the same, and working in the community allows me to build strong relationships with my clients and their wider support teams.

When should families consider speech therapy?

Early support can make a big difference.

Families might consider speech therapy if they notice delays in speech or language, difficulties understanding or being understood, challenges with social communication, concerns around feeding or swallowing, or if something just doesn’t feel quite right.

You don’t need to be certain. Seeking advice early is always okay.

If a family feels overwhelmed and unsure where to start, what would you want them to know?

You’re not alone, and you don’t need to have all the answers.

Speech therapy is a supportive process, not a judgement. A good starting point is simply having a conversation, asking questions, and taking things one step at a time. Therapy should feel manageable, respectful, and aligned with your family’s priorities.

Quick questions

Coffee or tea? Coffee.

Favourite part of your job? Empowering communication.

Most underrated communication skill? Listening.

One word you’d use to describe your work? Rewarding.

Final thoughts

A big thank you to Lucy from Connect the Words Speech Pathology for sharing her experience and insights.

What stands out most is her focus on real-world outcomes, collaboration, and empowerment. Speech therapy is not about ticking boxes or rushing progress. It’s about helping people communicate, connect, and participate in ways that matter to them.

Gold Coast families and participants are lucky to have clinicians like Lucy working alongside them.

📍 Based on the Gold Coast

📝 If you are looking for a Speech Pathologist on the Gold Coast, and would like to reach out to Lucy and her team, you can email them: contact@ctwsp.com.au