Therapists
Our therapists team includes Speech, Occupational and Dance and Movement Therapists. These specialists each have the qualifications and real-world experience needed to help your child overcome any challenges they may face.
Speech Therapists
Helen White
Speech and Language Therapist (NZ reg.)
Dip Tchg; Dip Ed; MNZSTA
Helen works with students of all ages on speech-language therapy, active listening skills and thinking skills. She specialises in working with those who have auditory processing disorder. Helen uses a variety of approaches including Hyerle Thinking Maps, Costa’s Habits of Mind, de Bono, 3 Storey Intellect and Blooms Taxonomy. She has over 30 years’ experience in the fields of speech-language therapy and education.
During her time in the UK, Helen spent 20+ years as the Team Manager of the Speech and Language Centre in London. The centre became a model for other UK local authorities. They provided training for teachers and associated professionals in the language of the classroom and thinking skills. She also co-developed a programme to teach ‘Active Listening Skills’. At the request of the Commissioner for London Schools the programme was co-published in the book “Learning to Listen to Learn”.
Previously, Helen was the Director of Advanced Learning and Head of Thinking Skills at a private Auckland secondary school. Helen is also an experienced facilitator. She has presented numerous workshops on speech language therapy and thinking skills.
Helen’s areas of specialty include:
- Language processing difficulties
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
- Articulation difficulties
- Dyspraxia and dyslexia and phonological awareness
- Language delay
- Learning strategies including memory and thinking skills
- Active listening
- Accent reduction
Occupational Therapists
Tripti Desai
Occupational Therapist
Tripti is a registered as a New Zealand Occupational Therapist. Tripti specializes in paediatric occupational therapy, providing support for children and teens from 2 to 18 years. Tripti has extensive experience of more than 20+ years practising in a variety of school settings supporting children who are neurodiverse, and children with physical and cognitive differences. Tripti uses an eclectic approach and is passionate about supporting children at their level; she believes that working holistically with all those involved in the child’s life is important for successful therapeutic outcomes.
Tripti’s areas of speciality include:
- Dyspraxia/DCD
- Sensory processing disorder or challenges linked to any diagnosis such as ASD
- Toileting linked to constipation and interoception (awareness of one’s internal state, such as a full bladder)
- Picky eating challenges based on the SOS (sensory oral sequential) and responsive feeding approaches
- Handwriting difficulties
Helen Coll
Occupational Therapist
BHSc (OT)
Helen is an Occupational Therapist who has worked with children and adults of all ages. She has a background in Neurology and has worked clients who have a range of varying cognitive and fine motor disabilities.
Before joining Kidz Therapy, Helen has amassed a wide range of experience in both public and private healthcare. She has utilised her skills in outpatient, inpatient and community settings.
Helen facilitates our Lowercase Legends and Get Sorted courses. Here, she can draw on her past experience as a guest speaker at university lectures and running various groupwork programmes to make both courses a fun and engaging experience for children.
