Adult speech pathology · Darlinghurst, Sydney
Sydney's premier private speech pathology practice
Eastern Suburbs Speech Pathology provides the full spectrum of adult speech pathology, from voice and swallowing to laryngeal and post-cancer communication care, delivered to the highest standard and backed by the latest research. Led by an advanced clinician with a hospital appointment at St Vincent's. Let us care for you and your loved ones.
Credible, covered, close by
What you need to know before you call
Funding accepted
- Medicare (Chronic Disease Management)
- Private Health extras
- NDIS (plan and self-managed)
- Self-funded
Affiliations
- Speech pathology appointment at St Vincent's Private Hospital
- Consultant at The Voice Centre Australia
- University of Sydney academic affiliation
- LSVT-LOUD certified
Location & reach
Consulting rooms at The Dominion, Darlinghurst, with mobile visits across Sydney's inner east, inner west and southern suburbs.
What we treat
Specialist care for the adult voice, throat and swallow
The full spectrum of adult speech pathology, each a named sub-speciality delivered to the highest standard and backed by the latest research.
Voice disorders
Assessment and therapy for muscle tension dysphonia, vocal nodules and polyps, spasmodic dysphonia, gender-affirming voice and professional voice coaching, supported by in-rooms acoustic voice analysis.
Laryngeal dysfunction & chronic cough
Targeted therapy for vocal cord dysfunction, irritable larynx and persistent cough that has not settled with medication.
Swallowing (dysphagia)
Assessment and management of adult swallowing difficulty, including private videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS, a moving x-ray of the swallow).
Head & neck cancer rehabilitation
Voice and swallowing rehabilitation after laryngeal surgery, radiotherapy or a head and neck cancer diagnosis, from a clinician with oncology experience.
Speech, fluency & communication after stroke
Support for adult stuttering, dysarthria and apraxia, and for communication changes after stroke or brain injury.
Accent modification
One-to-one English pronunciation and clarity coaching for working professionals.
We also provide NDIS therapeutic supports and aged care services, including home and residential care facility visits.
Therese Dodds
BA Sp.Th. Hons, CPSP · Director
Meet the Director
Led by an advanced clinician in voice, swallowing and head and neck care
Therese Dodds (BA Sp.Th. Hons, CPSP) founded Eastern Suburbs Speech Pathology in 2014 to deliver the full spectrum of adult speech pathology to a hospital standard, privately. She is an advanced practitioner in voice, laryngeal dysfunction and head and neck oncology. She established the speech pathology service at St Vincent's Kinghorn Cancer Centre and holds a formal appointment as Director of Speech Pathology at St Vincent's Private Hospital Sydney Allied Health Services. She runs fortnightly joint voice clinics with ENT specialist Dr Georgina Harris at The Voice Centre Australia, a combined speech pathology and ENT model not offered by most private practices, and contributes to published research and national conferences through her academic role at the University of Sydney.
- Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP)
- Director of Speech Pathology, St Vincent's Private Hospital Sydney Allied Health Services
- Consultant, The Voice Centre Australia
- Academic affiliation, University of Sydney
- LSVT-LOUD certified
Why ESSP
Hospital experience, in a private setting
The depth you would expect from a hospital voice and swallowing service, delivered privately and without the public waiting list.
Book an appointmentSince 2014
Caring for adults across Sydney
Full spectrum
Every adult sub-speciality, to a hospital standard
St Vincent's
A formal hospital speech pathology appointment
5 service zones
Mobile visits across inner Sydney, plus telehealth
What to expect
Getting started is straightforward
Get in touch
Call the rooms or send an email. We will talk through what is going on and whether a referral is needed, which it often is not.
A thorough assessment
An adult-focused assessment using the right tool for your concern, whether that is in-rooms acoustic voice analysis, a swallowing study or a communication assessment.
A plan built for you
A clear therapy plan with realistic goals, delivered in our Darlinghurst rooms, by telehealth, or at your home or care facility.
Questions, answered
Common questions
Funding, referrals and home visits, explained plainly. If your question is not here, call the rooms and we will talk it through.
0423 660 004Do I need a referral to see a speech pathologist?
Not for most appointments; you can book directly. A GP referral is needed if you want to claim a Medicare rebate under a Chronic Disease Management plan, and some funding pathways ask for one. We will tell you exactly what applies to you.
What funding do you accept?
We work with Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans, private health extras, NDIS (plan-managed and self-managed) and self-funded clients. We will explain the gap and how claiming works before your first appointment.
What conditions do you work with?
We provide the full spectrum of adult speech pathology: voice disorders, laryngeal dysfunction and chronic cough, swallowing (dysphagia), head and neck cancer rehabilitation, communication after stroke or brain injury, and accent modification.
Can you visit me at home or in a care facility?
Yes. Alongside our Darlinghurst rooms, we provide mobile visits across Sydney's inner east, inner west and southern suburbs, plus telehealth where it suits.
Do you help after a stroke or cancer treatment?
Yes. We provide rehabilitation for communication and swallowing after stroke, brain injury, laryngeal surgery and head and neck cancer treatment.
How do I get started?
Call 0423 660 004 or email info@essp.com.au and we will arrange an initial appointment.
Let us care for you and your loved ones
Whether it is your voice, your swallowing, or recovery after a stroke or cancer treatment, we will help you take the next step.