Clare Phillips

My earliest memories are of farm-life in the Tamar Valley: of orchards, cows and electric fences. Moving to the mainland saw me graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, and a South Australian accent. I experienced the heavy reliance on speech, language, and communication in client interviewing, briefing, and in the courtroom.

I first became interested in being a speech pathologist after reading Snow and Powell’s research about the speech, language, and communication needs in the youth justice population in 2004. It was compelling.

For a while I juggled family life and a career and returned home to the Island. In early 2024 I graduated with a Masters in Speech Pathology from Charles Sturt University and have since been working with paediatric clients and their families to support their speech, language, and communication.

I have a particular interest in motor speech and literacy and have undertaken additional training across these areas.

I love facilitating growth in an individual’s abilities – to see the realisation dawn on their face as they experience success in making new sounds, understand and communicate in new ways – it’s enormously rewarding. I believe in deeply investing in children and their families, gently equipping them to be clearer speakers, communicators, and more confident participators in their world. I also bring a quietly justice-minded presence to the SPT team.

I am privileged to share life’s journey with my husband and our four amazing kids. Occasionally I am also a musician.