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

Julia Mason
Occupational Therapist (NZ reg.) (NZROT)

Julia works with clients to help them with issues ranging from common childhood challenges through to the impacts of profound disabilities and health conditions. She works alongside children, young people and their whānaus to help them to realise their full potential in everyday activities.

Julia is able to provide a variety of assessments including sensory processing, hand writing, special assessment/ exam conditions (NCEA, Cambridge, International Baccalaureate), and comprehensive assessments (for multiple areas of challenge).

Julia has over a decade’s experience working with children and young people. She is skilled in addressing differences in sensory processing, motor development, learning, and social and emotional skills. Julia genuinely cares for her families and takes a fun and empathic approach to therapy. 

Prior to Kidz Therapy, Julia worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS), in an Auckland special school, in hospital settings, in rural community health, and in international aid.

Julia has completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy), at Auckland University of Technology.  She has also completed a Master of Applied Science at Deakin University in Geelong and a 1-year mentored Developmental Psychology practice at the Mindful Institute for Developmental Health and Research in Melbourne.

She also has a keen interest in research.  Julia has conducted three research projects on occupational therapy with children who have been traumatised from maltreatment.

Julia’s areas of specialty include:

• Complex child trauma (development trauma)
• Assessment and reporting
• Handwriting tuition (all ages)
• Sensory processing differences
• Transition to ECE/ primary school
• Anxiety, addressing the impacts on everyday activities
• Psychological trauma, addressing the impacts on everyday activities