Our Team
Geelong
The Allied Health Studio Collective provides support for children, adolescents and adults.
We are a multidisciplinary allied health practice offering Psychologists, Mental Health Social Workers, Speech Pathologists, Mental Health Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants.
Meet Rachel Hammond
Senior Clinician
Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Currently on maternity leave
Rachel Hammond is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. She is registered with AHPRA and Occupational Therapy Australia, and is an approved Medicare provider under the Better Access to Mental Health initiative. Accredited Mental Health Occupational Therapists are mental health professionals who have undertaken specialised training and have experience in providing targeted mental health intervention, allowing access to a medicare rebate via a mental health care plan.
Rachel has worked across a range of settings, including school-based environments, inpatient and community mental health services, and private practice. Her work focuses on supporting participation and wellbeing through interventions targeting social connections, sensory processing, routines and daily participation alongside support for emotional wellbeing (including anxiety, emotional regulation, mood and anger), counselling support, and executive functioning. Rachel has a particular interest in counselling and enjoys working alongside young people to help them identify and work towards meaningful goals.
Rachel values a holistic, collaborative approach and works closely with families, schools, and other allied health professionals to support clients in reaching their full potential. She uses an integrative, evidence-based approach, incorporating play-based strategies with younger clients and a narrative, strengths-based framework when working with adolescents and young adults.
She is passionate about supporting individuals to maximise their participation in meaningful everyday occupations. Rachel’s dynamic clinical approach is guided by thorough assessment and tailored intervention, with a focus on holistic support of an individual and their family.
Meet Victoria Columbine
Senior Clinician
Senior Speech Pathologist
Victoria is a Speech Pathologist who completed her Master of Speech Pathology in 2016. She works with school-aged children, teens, and young adults, providing both assessment and therapy within the studio space and via telehealth.
Victoria is passionate about supporting speech and language development through a neurodiversity-affirming, family-centred, and evidence-based approach. She values collaboration with clients and their families, working together to create goals that are meaningful, functional, and aligned with each person’s daily routines, interests, and occupations.
Victoria enjoys incorporating therapy goals into fun, creative, and engaging activities. Whether that involves bringing out the craft kits, rolling Dungeons & Dragons dice, or deep-diving into popular culture, she prioritises connection and relevance to support authentic communication and self-expression.
Outside of work, Victoria enjoys creating with her hands through sewing, crochet, quilting, and cross-stitch, or spending time in the garden with her Labrador, chickens, and duck.
Meet Jess Hardiman
Occupational Therapist
Jess is a passionate Occupational Therapist who graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2023. Since then, she has been working in the paediatric space, gaining valuable experience supporting a diverse range of clients across developmental stages and needs.
Jess has a keen interest in functional movement and mindfulness-based approaches, integrating physical exercises with occupational therapy to support children in developing motor skills, functional abilities, and life skills. She uses a strengths-based, goal-driven approach tailored to each child’s interests and abilities, helping them build confidence, independence, and body awareness. Jess is also in the process of becoming a certified Pilates instructor, further enhancing her ability to combine movement, mindfulness, and OT strategies.
At the heart of Jess’s practice is the value she places on strong therapeutic relationships. She works closely with clients and their support networks to foster trust, collaboration, and meaningful progress in every session.
Outside of work, Jess enjoys staying active through sport, particularly playing netball in Geelong, and has a strong interest in health and wellness. She also values quality time with friends and family.
Meet Nicole Whyte
Speech Pathologist
Currently on maternity leave
Nicole is a Speech Pathologist who completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Speech Pathology in 2018. Nicole currently works with school aged children, adolescents and young adults.
Nicole works with neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals in the areas of literacy, social communication, language and executive functioning. Nicole is passionate about creating a welcoming and safe environment for individuals to heard, validated and supported.
Nicole has a strong passion for implementing an evidence-based and a neuro-affirming approach and combining this with an individual's strengths an interests. She is a caring clinician and enjoys connecting and working with an individual’s team including parents, schools and other health professionals.
Outside of work, you will find Nicole exploring the local op shops and chasing her toddler!
Meet Hannah Broughton
Occupational Therapist
Hannah Broughton is an Early Career Occupational Therapist who graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Deakin University.
Throughout her studies and clinical placements, Hannah held a strong commitment to delivering neuro-affirming care with a client- and family-centered approach. She believes in empowering clients by providing diverse opportunities to engage in activities that are meaningful to them, fostering both independence and participation in everyday life.
During her final 10-week placement at AHSC, Hannah developed a deep passion for paediatric occupational therapy, gaining great satisfaction helping children and young adults achieve their goals. She is dedicated to utilising evidence-based interventions and assessments to support both mental and physical health, as well as social participation.
Outside of her professional life, Hannah enjoys spending time outdoors, socialising with friends, and playing netball.
Meet Samuel Christensen
Occupational Therapist
Sam Christensen is an Early Career Occupational Therapist who graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Deakin University.
Sam enjoys working with children and young people, supporting both neurotypical and neurodivergent clients. He is passionate about collaborating with clients and families to promote meaningful engagement in everyday occupations.
Sam has a particular interest in supporting executive functioning, fine motor skills, handwriting, and the development of routines that support independence and participation at home, school, and in the community.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys staying active through sport, particularly football and golf.
Meet Kate Augello
Speech Pathologist
With a Master of Speech Pathology (2014), Kate brings in-depth clinical experience working with school-aged children, teens and young adults. Her primary areas of practice are intervention in literacy, language, social communication and executive function, in addition to assessment (e.g. Specific Learning Disorder, DLD), advocacy, and case management.
Her passion lies in particular working with adolescent clients, in language/literacy (including written expression), social communication and the intersection of speech pathology and numeracy. Kate is a knowledge seeker and continuous learner. At the core of her support is neurodiverse affirming approaches, kindness and collaboration with her clients’ care team.
Kate also currently provides school-based speech pathology support in secondary schools, in addition to 1:1 and group-based support.
Outside of work, you’ll find Kate at the footy, enjoying musicals, art and crafting or out in nature.
Meet Tarsha Nowell
Psychologist
Tarsha is a psychologist who holds a Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) from the University of Melbourne.
Tarsha adopts a warm, compassionate and person-centred approach in her work with clients. She brings creativity and enthusiasm to her practice alongside evidence-based modalities to support a range of challenges impacting wellbeing. Tarsha offers support for children, adolescents, adults and their families in counselling and assessment capacities.
She is passionate about neurodiversity affirming practice and adopts a trauma-informed lens. Tarsha is passionate about empowering clients to fulfil their goals, grow and thrive.
Meet Vanessa
Senior Client Relations & Accounts Manager
As one of the first faces you see when you arrive at Allied Health Studio Collective, Geelong, Vanessa sets the tone for your visit with her warm smile and bubbly personality. As our dedicated Client Relations lead, she is an expert in ensuring a positive, seamless experience for every client and family that walks through our doors.
With a background in Psychology, Vanessa brings a deep passion and underlying knowledge to the work we do. She combines this empathy with extraordinary organizational skills, managing our clinicians’ diaries and ensuring appointments fit perfectly into your family’s busy schedule.
When she isn’t at the desk, Vanessa is a Pilates enthusiast and animal lover who adores her cats. She is also a proud mum who loves nothing more than spending time with her young family.
Meet Leila
Client Relations & Accounts Manager
Leila is one of the first friendly faces you’ll meet at the Allied Health Studio Collective. She helps keep things running smoothly with bookings and loves catching up with families and seeing all the kids who visit. Her cheerful and approachable personality makes everyone feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door.
When she’s not at work, Leila enjoys baking, hunting down great coffee, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Maggie. She also stays active through ballet and the gym.
Always curious and eager to try new things, Leila brings energy, warmth, and attention to detail to everything she does at the clinic.
Meet June Bug
The Personality Hire
June was unfortunately bitten by a snake in February 2022. After a short stay in the animal hospital she required close monitoring for several days. This meant June was required her to attend the studio with her owner, Rachel. By the time her recovery week came to an end, June had melted many hearts. Since this time June was regularly requested to come back into the studio to visit clients, forming a few really special relationships.
June has done some basic therapy dog training, and is looking to further improve her skills in this area. Until then, please excuse the playful excitement she will deliver upon your arrival.
Not a fan of dogs? Not a problem! June has her own office space (crate) and bed where she can snooze the session away while you are in the studio, just let the team know.
In her free time June enjoys chewing sqeuaky toys, belly rubs, running on the beach and long snoozes.
