Meet the Greater Heights team
Assisting individuals to achieve greater heights
Dr Lisa Hudson
Greater Heights Director & Speech Pathologist
Dr Lisa Hudson is a highly regarded Speech Pathologist with 35 years of experience. Lisa graduated from the University of Queensland in 1987 with a Bachelor of Speech Therapy, first class honours, and a University Medal. Over the next 5 years, Lisa worked in several of the large Brisbane hospitals, tutored and lectured at the University of Queensland, worked as a sole clinician in a large community health centre, and completed a PhD thesis in the field of paediatric neurology and communication disorders. Lisa then moved to Canada to further her clinical experience.
Lisa has a particular interest in assisting children, adolescents, and adults who stutter. With extensive experience in delivering fluency intervention, Lisa supports her clients to achieve smooth talking in the context of their life goals.
Lisa has an avid interest in how the brain functions to enable optimum performance when speaking and using language to communicate. Lisa works with children and adolescents who experience challenges with verbal expression, language comprehension, and literacy difficulties. Lisa is also experienced in delivering Cogmed, an evidence-based cognitive training program for anyone who wants to improve their working memory capacity.
In 2020, after working as an independent speech pathologist in Toowoomba for 16 years, Lisa established Greater Heights Therapy Services which provides the Darling Downs Region with Allied Health Services including Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Dietetics. Lisa loves living in Toowoomba with her family and has a passion to train her therapy dogs, Humphrey and Winston, so that they can support clients. Greater Heights will offer Animal Assisted Therapy to clients in the near future.
Karla Morison
Speech Pathologist
Karla has a passion for working with children in the early years, and in the fields of paediatric feeding, developmental delays, developmental disorders, and stuttering. She also has a particular interest in literacy skills development.
Karla is PROMPT trained which is an intervention approach suitable for children with Apraxia, ASD, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, and Speech Disorders. Karla is also trained in the Lidcombe Program, a behavioural program for children under 6 years who stutter. Karla also has a wealth of experience working with NDIS participants.
Karla gained her degree as a Speech Pathologist at Sydney University and has 18 years’ experience in paediatrics. She also has a Masters in Health Service Management.
Karla has worked in many different places including Sydney, Lismore, Ireland, the Bellarine Peninsula and Albury. She has worked in community health, early intervention, hospitals, and private practice. Most recently, Karla established and was director and clinician of a private practice in Albury. Karla and her husband moved to Toowoomba in 2020 for work and school opportunities. In her spare time Karla likes to play board games with her children, bake, and read books.
Joanne McMaster
Speech Pathologist
Joanne McMaster is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and a qualified primary school teacher who has experience working with paediatric clients. Through her various roles, Joanne has developed a passion for working with children with a range of communication difficulties such as those who present with literacy difficulties, speech sound difficulties and language delays.
Joanne has completed further training in Sounds Write Phonics, a comprehensive synthetic phonics system with which to teach reading, spelling, and writing. Sounds Write promotes the use of multi-sensory engagement with the materials, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities are at all times combined simultaneously to promote learning.
Joanne can provide advice and support for clients with reading and writing difficulties, delays in acquiring literacy skills, intervention for children with Specific Learning Disability, and support continuing to build skills for reading and writing in high school, as well as language, speech, and much more.
Joanne provides therapy that is focused on her clients’ strengths, motivations and interests. Her previous experience in primary schools has allowed her to develop a passion for and the skills to support preschoolers and school aged children to reach their highest potential. Joanne’s experience enables her to practice a holistic and coordinated service to children and their families.
In her spare time Joanne loves to spend time in her garden, colour in, and play with her two cats. Joanne loves to share her love of Lego and board games with her clients.
Chelsea Hasted
Occupational Therapist
Chelsea has a passion for working with children and their families in the early intervention setting as well as with older children struggling within the education setting. Chelsea has worked in Dalby and Toowoomba in early intervention and school-based settings with a small stint in the fields of rehabilitation and ergonomics.
Chelsea obtained her Masters of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland 12 years ago, having previously attained a Bachelor of Primary Education, Special Needs at the University of Southern Queensland. Chelsea has taught primary school classes in addition to working as an Occupational Therapist.
In her spare time, Chelsea enjoys time with her husband and children, cooking, gardening, and spending time on their farm.
Jennifer Shirtcliff
Accredited Practising Dietitian
As a Clinical Dietitian and Mother, Jen appreciates the complexities of feeding a family. She
particularly enjoys helping people to find a way to enjoy food and have a good relationship with
eating and mealtimes. She will work with your family to clearly identify what your concerns are and
to find simple and realistic solutions to take the stress out of mealtimes for everyone.
Jen has worked as a Dietitian in Toowoomba and across the Darling Downs for more than 20 years,
in hospitals and in community settings. She is experienced working with both children and adults.
Jen is SOS trained and will tailor the interventions to help you achieve your goals.
Helen Hickman
Registered Psychologist
Helen gained her degree from James Cook University and is a Registered Psychologist. She has over 20 years’ experience. Helen is a member of the Australian Psychological Society. She has experience across a variety of workplaces including Community Health, Juvenile Justice, Child Protection, Disability services, and Aged Care.
Helen enjoys working with people across the lifespan and uses a variety of approaches in her work. These include solution focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy. She has a special interest in the treatment and support of children, adolescents, and the adults who support them.
Helen has expertise in:
- Assessment and treatment of affect and mood disorders
- Psychological and Psychometric Assessments
- Treatment for sleep disturbances
- Chronic Pain Management
- Children’s school attendance
- Behavioural management strategies for children and adolescents
Helen’s goal is that her interventions with her clients lead to them living their best life. In her spare time Helen enjoys camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Rochelle Warbrooke
Ocupational Therapist
Rochelle graduated from The University of Queensland in 2020, with her Bachelor of Occupational
Therapy (Honours). She has a passion for working with children and their families, supporting them
to achieve developmental goals, as well as improve functional abilities. Rochelle has previously
worked in community settings with children and families from a range of backgrounds and using a
variety of therapeutic approaches.
Rochelle has completed professional development in DIR/Floortime approaches, developing Pretend
Play skills, and various behaviour and emotional regulation courses. Rochelle values using client-
centred and evidence-based approaches with children and families, while acknowledging and
celebrating the strengths and differences of individuals. Her clinical work is also based on a platform
of strong rapport that she builds with her clients.
Outside of work, Rochelle enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, and exploring
the many parks of Toowoomba.
Find out more about our services, or book an appointment today.
