Blast Off
Speech Pathology
Holistic play based speech therapy in Melbourne's West
Specialist clinic working with children & teens for over 18 years
Phaedra
Papachatzi
Certified Speech Pathologist
Hi I’m Phaedra, I’ve been a Speech Pathologist for over 18 years now, working in some amazing places like Melbourne, Singapore, and Athens! Being bilingual, I am pleased to offer my therapy services in both English and Greek. Along the way, I've embraced thinking outside the box when it comes to therapy. I love creating fun, holistic, and child-centred approaches that allow kids to engage and thrive.
Most of my experience has been in public hospitals, early intervention services, and private practices, so I've had the privilege of working with children of all ages and helping them overcome a wide range of communication challenges.
I’m committed to ongoing professional growth, with training in programs like the Sound-Write literacy program, Alex Kelly's Talkabout for social skills, and becoming a certified Hanen member. This has included extensive training in It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words, Talkability, and Learning Language and Loving It.
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Ultimately, my goal is to provide evidence-based, engaging, and personalised therapy that supports each child's communication development in a meaningful way.
Banu
Certified Speech Pathologist
Banu is a qualified speech pathologist with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from Australian Catholic University. She has experience working across schools, private practices, and hospitals, supporting children of all ages with speech, language, fluency, and all forms of communication.
Banu is passionate about helping children build confidence in their communication through fun, meaningful, and individualised therapy. She tailors each session to a child’s unique strengths, needs, and interests. Her approach is neurodiversity-affirming, family-centred, and grounded in play and connection, with a focus on empowering kids and fostering independence.
Outside of work, Banu enjoys travelling, reading, spending time with friends and family, and watching movies with her cat, Mocha.
Zoya
Allied Health Assistant
I hold a degree in Psychology and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Speech Pathology. I’m deeply passionate about working with children and bring a vibrant, compassionate energy to every session. Over the past two years, I’ve worked as an Allied Health Assistant, supporting children with Autism, ADHD, and other developmental needs across clinic, home, and school environments. This hands-on experience has allowed me to develop strong skills in social communication, emotional regulation, and building meaningful connections with each child.
My interests lie particularly in the literacy domain of speech pathology, including phonics. I’m also eager to expand my knowledge in hospital-based speech pathology and contribute to research on complex communication disorders and childhood apraxia.
Outside of work, I’m a creative and adventurous spirit. I love swimming, surfing, painting, and writing. I’m also a very social person who enjoys exploring new places and experiences, which I often bring into my sessions to support children in developing real-world communication and confidence.
Alyssa
Certified Speech Pathologist
Alyssa is an experienced Certified Practising Speech Pathologist who is committed to neurodiversity affirming practice in working with children and their families. She has worked in the schools, community, hospitals and private practice settings.
Alyssa believes in celebrating each child's authentic self while supporting them collaboratively in their individualised goals and intervention. Her areas of experience include speech, language, literacy and social communication. Additionally, Alyssa regularly attends professional development learning, supervision and mentoring.
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Alyssa speaks English and Filipino (Tagalog). Outside of work, she enjoys musical theatre and baking.
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Lou
Admin Manager
Hi, I’m Lou. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and bring a strong background in finance and operations to the Blastoff team. I previously worked as an Accounting Manager in an accounting firm and currently work as an Operations Manager within an NDIS-registered provider.
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At Blastoff, I support the team behind the scenes by managing billing, payment reconciliation, client communications, and a range of administrative and operational tasks. My focus is on keeping systems organised, accurate, and running smoothly so clinicians can focus on what matters most—supporting children and families.
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I’m known for my attention to detail, reliability, and problem-solving approach, and I take pride in contributing to a well-supported, efficient, and family-centred service.
Fadzi
Operations Manager
I’m Fadzi, the Operations Manager at Blast Off Speech Pathology, where I help lead the practice's operations to ensure our services run smoothly and efficiently, supporting high-quality care for children and families. My role focuses on strengthening systems, streamlining day-to-day processes, supporting service delivery, and helping build the infrastructure needed for sustainable growth across our clinic, mobile, school-based, and telehealth services.
My background includes a Bachelor's in Social Science. I bring over a decade of experience in operations, program implementation, service improvement, and outcomes-focused practice. I have led complex operational projects, improving systems and reporting, supporting workforce and service development.
What I value most is creating the conditions for great work to happen behind the scenes, making sure the systems, processes, and operational foundations are strong so therapists can focus on delivering the holistic, child-centred, family-oriented support Blast Off is known for.
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WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT
With over 15 years experience working with culturally & neurodiverse clients with a range of communication issues, Blast Off invests in your child's development using a holistic, play based & family orientated approach.
Play in therapy & why its important
There are a multitude of benefits of play in your child's development - not only does have a significant impact on a child's cognitive and language abilities, it assists in their overall social, emotional, physical growth too.
Evidence based & 100% tailored
Your child's growth & success is our priority. We ensure that everything we do is done with connectedness, understanding, playfulness, and each session is totally tailored to your child's needs.
AREAS WE ARE SERVICING
Caroline Springs, Burnside Heights, Taylors Hill, Deanside, Fraser Rise, Plumpton & Aintree
Services we provide
Mobile Service
We want our clients to thrive in an environment that suits them, that's why we come to you!
Telehealth Sessions
No matter where you are located, we have experience working online to achieve your child's best.
At school assesment
We can come to schools for childrens' initial assessments, reassessments and for funding purposes, making the process as smooth as possible.
On-site
We're on-site in Caroline Springs at our clinic - a space we're sure you and your child will love.
Phaedra has been our son James’ speech therapist for a couple of years now and we cannot recommend her highly enough to any parent seeking her services for their child.
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Her approachability and warm nature make her a natural at what she does and James loves working with her!
She is a true professional and we cannot thank her enough for supporting James in his learning and have loved seeking all of his progress thanks to her dedication & hard work
Mirjana
At Blast Off Speech Pathology, we recognise and respect the Wadawarrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nations as the traditional owners of the land on which we work, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water, and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to their Elders, past, present, and emerging.