Speech & Language Therapists

Meet our speech and language therapists

Speech therapy is the rehabilitative treatment of physical and / or cognitive deficits resulting in difficulty with verbal and receptive communication. This includes both speech and language aspects. Depending on the nature and severity of the disorder, common treatments may range from physical strengthening exercises, instructive or repetitive practice and drilling, to the use of audio-visual aids.

Speech therapists also provide services for individuals with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties).

our Speech Therapy team

Rachel Widdows

MMediSci, RCSLT, MHPC Speech and Language Therapist

Special Interest : 

About me: Rachels interest in Speech and Language Therapy began as a result of studying modern languages at Durham University. As part of that course she spent a year abroad trying to communicate in different languages. It’s here that Rachel realised that people with communication difficulties must experience a similar sense of frustration when they are unable to fully express themselves, and the great impact that this can have on a person’s sense of identity and self confidence. She decided to become a Speech and Language Therapist to enable those with difficulties with communication to reach their communicative potential. She has had 10 years working in the NHS and private practice as a Speech and Language Therapist, working predominantly with people with communication difficulties resulting from neurological damage. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council.

Outside of work : Walking, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.

Julia Houghton

BMedSci (Hons), RSCLT, HCPC,
Speech and Language Therapist

Specialists Interests :        

About me : Julia qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2003 from the University of Sheffield and has since gained 15 years of experience within the NHS. She has worked across a variety of settings including hospital wards, rehabilitation centres and out-patient clinics. Julia spent her early years as an SLT working for East Wakefield Primary Care Trust with adults with neurological conditions and voice disorders. In 2006, she then moved to Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust where she has worked since at specialist level within the field of acquired brain injury. She has extensive experience in both the assessment and treatment of a broad range of communication and swallowing disorders in adults following traumatic brain injury and other acquired neurological conditions. She is also an accredited SMART assessor and has assessed and treated individuals with prolonged disorders of consciousness. Julia loves working as part of a multidisciplinary team, delivering therapy that maximises an individual’s potential following injury and supporting their carers and relatives during the rehabilitation journey. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Health and Care Professions Council.

Outside of work : Julia can usually be found enjoying family days out, chasing her 2 young children and the family Labrador around the garden, park or Peak District, practicing her baking and piano playing skills or going for a run.

Jennie Lawrence

BSc (Hons),RSCLT, HCPC, Speech and Language Therapist

Special Interest: Speech sound disorder, fluency disorder, developmental language disorder

About me: Jenny first became interested in speech and language therapy when she had the opportunity to shadow another therapist for work experience whilst at college. However, having taken the wrong A Levels to train as a speech and language therapist, she chose to study Japanese at university and had an amazing time spending a year in Japan and learning about different languages. After a few years working in adult education and completing her teacher training, she decided that she would take the plunge and retrain as an SLT as a mature student. Jenny had always worked with paediatrics since completing her training in 2015 and has worked in a range of settings within both private practice and the NHS. She began working with More Rehab in 2021 as a paediatric speech and language therapist, involved in assessing and designing collaborative and functional treatment programs for individuals with a range of communication disorders.

Outside of work:  Jenny will spend most of her time outdoors with her toddler and dog trying to avoid getting tangled up with leads and prams!

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