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MEET THE TEAM

Our talented team keeps growing to better support you, our amazing clients! We have speech-language pathologists, a communicative disorders assistant, and an occupational therapist.

 

We offer services to all ages at our Bracebridge office and throughout Muskoka, Parry Sound, and surrounding regions. We also offer virtual services across Ontario.

Occupational Therapy Services

Chris Galvin

Genna
Genna Nichol is a speech-language pathologist SLP and founder of Aspire Speech in Bracebridge, Ontario

Genna Nichol

 

Founder of Aspire Speech and Lead Speech-Language Pathologist

 

Serving clients in-person in Bracebridge, Muskoka and surrounding areas, offering virtual therapy across Ontario.

Genna Nichol

Founder of Aspire Speech and Lead Speech-Language Pathologist

 

As a speech language pathologist, my mission is to provide you and your family with professional, respectful, and evidence-based speech therapy, language, and swallowing services.

​To help you or your family member reach their highest communication potential, I evaluate each client’s strengths and skills and recommend treatment and connections with community partners and programs. 


I know the importance of working collaboratively and will gladly connect you with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, and other professionals who can help you achieve your goals. I want you to feel a sense of connection, empowerment, and courage in dealing with your challenges.

My core values in all client interaction are respect, professionalism, sincerity and expertise
 

Read about my background, experience and journey to speech-language pathology >>

Chantel
Chantel O'Brien is a speech-language pathologist SLP at Aspire Speech in Bracebridge, Ontario

Chantel O'Brien

 

Speech-Language Pathologist

 

Serving clients across Ontario through virtual therapy

Chantel O'Brien

Speech-Language Pathologist

With a Master of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Western Ontario, I have been providing speech and language treatment to children and support to their families for over 15 years. 

 

My expertise includes clinical experience with children of all ages in daycares, elementary schools and in-centre services providing assessment, treatment, consultation and training to families, professionals, and support staff. I am committed to collaborating with parents, staff educators, and allied health professionals in every aspect of a child’s treatment program.

 

I have worked in a variety of programs through children’s treatment centres such as the Preschool Speech and Language Program, and Assistive Devices Resource Services helping clients and families with communication aids.

 
For the last 10 years, I have worked in the Ontario Autism Program supporting ABA teams, clients, and families. I have also been involved in the Diagnostic Hub where I work collaboratively with developmental pediatricians and psychologists in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in young children.

I have evaluated and treated individuals with motor speech, articulation and phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language delays and disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pragmatic language disorders, hearing impairments and feeding difficulties.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, two daughters and dog going to the beach, camping and hiking.

Tanya

Tanya McCullough

 

Speech-Language Pathologist

 

Serving clients in Bracebridge and surrounding areas.

Tanya McCullough

Speech-Language Pathologist

I am a registered speech-language pathologist with over 18 years of clinical experience with toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children and their families. I received my Masters of Clinical Science degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Western Ontario.

I am passionate about speech and language and aim to provide the best quality of care for the children and families I serve. I am interested in all areas of communication and have extensive experience working with children with a variety of speech and language needs and developmental delays.

My treatment approach is family-centred and geared towards the strengths, needs, and interests of the children and families whom I see. I provide therapy sessions that are positive, supportive, and fun to keep children motivated and eager to learn. My goal is to help children become effective communicators and to provide families with the tools that will further support their child's speech and language success.

Outside work, you will find me doing home construction and renovations, enjoying outdoor activities in nature and spending quality time with my wonderful family.

Shannon
Shannon French, communicative disorders assistant

Shannon French

 

Communicative Disorders Assistant 

 

Serving clients in-person in Bracebridge, Muskoka and surrounding areas, offering virtual therapy across Ontario.

Shannon French

Communicative Disorders Assistant

I have spent the past several years as a communication disorders assistant (CDA) in both school and private-practice settings. Since graduating with a BA in psychology from Brock University and completing my CDA graduate certificate at Georgian College in 2021, I've helped children of all ages achieve their communication goals in close collaboration with speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

My primary role at Aspire Speech is to support children by creating dynamic, play-based atmospheres to foster children's articulation and language development. I'm particularly passionate about improving literacy through directed, independent programming using the child’s strengths and personalized goals.

Outside work, you'll find me enjoying a good book by the lake or spending quality time with my dog. I have fallen in love with the Muskoka area and am happy to call it home.

Chris Galvin, occupational therapist

Chris Galvin

 

Occupational Therapist 

 

Serving clients in-person in Bracebridge, Muskoka, and surrounding areas.

Chris Galvin

Occupational Therapist

I have been an occupational therapist for over 40 years serving all individuals of all ages with a wide variety of developmental and neurodiverse challenges. I began my career when large institutions were still providing residential housing to many individuals and had the opportunity to see the benefits of activities designed to meet sensory processing needs in adults and children. Following the completion of research into the benefits of sensory processing activities, I provided programming and developed equipment suitable for meeting the needs of many individuals.

As society changed to focus on group home living as well as meeting a greater variety of needs within the school system, I also changed where I provided services. For many years, I provided services in the school system to assist children, parents, and educators in meeting a wide range of challenges including self-regulation, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual perceptual skills, functional activities of daily living, behaviour, etc. I have always enjoyed the challenge of meeting individual needs in a creative and engaging manner.

With Aspire, my hope is to continue helping children and adults meet their personal goals so as to lead the most functional and enjoyable life they can. Goals may be related to fine and gross motor skills such as printing or catching a ball, sensory processing challenges including how to maintain a state of alertness, self-regulation or calming the body, visual perceptual skills related to reading, printing, drawing, etc.

 

I look forward to the honour of working with the team at Aspire to assist you and your family in your journey through life.

Chris
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