Practical support.
Clear guidance.
Regional expertise.

Supporting adults and adolescents across Northern NSW with communication, swallowing and rehabilitation needs.

Two speech bubbles overlapping, one with three dots inside.

Speech Pathology Services

We rarely stop to consider how communication and swallowing happen. When these abilities change, it can profoundly affect a person’s identity, their relationships and their day-to-day quality of life.

  • Adults and adolescents experiencing communication, cognitive, or swallowing difficulties, due to:

    • Acquired Brain Injury – Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (concussion to severe), Hypoxic Injury, Infection or Tumour. 

    • Neurodegenerative Disease – Parkinson’s Disease, Parkinson-like disorders (e.g. MSA, PSP, CBD, DLB), Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia.

    • Functional Neurological Disorder. 

    • Developmental or intellectual disabilities – support for eating and drinking difficulties only. 

    Other diagnoses welcome, please contact us to discuss suitability. 

  • Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of difficulties in:

    • Eating, Drinking and Swallowing – These are highly coordinated processes that rely on many muscles and nerves working together. Difficulties in this process (dysphagia) can affect chewing, swallowing, managing saliva, taking medication and protecting the airway. Speech therapy helps you improve safety, confidence and enjoyment at mealtimes. 

    • Language – Changes in understanding or using words in speaking, writing, reading or gesture. These difficulties can occur after neurological conditions (such as Stroke) and impact everyday communication. 

    • Speech – When our brain and speech muscles don’t work together as they should, changes in speech clarity, smoothness, and coordination can occur. Speech therapy supports stronger, more understandable speech and greater confidence when talking. 

    • Cognitive Communication – Difficulties with thinking skills such as attention, memory, problem-solving and planning can affect how you talk, listen, understand and interact with others. These changes can make it harder to follow conversations, stay on topic, organise your thoughts, or interpret social cues. Speech therapy helps you communicate more effectively, participate in conversations, and manage daily life, work and social interactions.

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Rehabilitation Case Management 

Recovering from a major injury can be complex and overwhelming. Our case management services wrap around you and your loved ones, organising the rehabilitation and services you need to maximise recovery.

    • Adults and adolescents with an acquired brain injury who would benefit from case management and rehabilitation coordination, either through insurance schemes or via self-funding. 

    • We prioritise your goals, provide education about your injury, and coordinate your healthcare team to make the process smoother, clearer and less stressful for everyone. 

    • Over 17 years’ experience coordinating rehabilitation, including case management, discharge planning and client-centred goal setting.

    • Skilled in building collaborative treatment teams, liaising with providers and connecting patients with regional and specialist metropolitan services. 

    Please contact us to discuss whether a referral may be appropriate.

Work with Liesel

Flexible Service Delivery
Clinic (Ballina) · Home · Community Settings · Telehealth

Established Regional Practice
Over two decades of rehabilitation experience in the Northern Rivers

FIM® Credentialled Assessor
Functional Independence Measure

Parkinson’s Voice Therapy
Certified SPEAK OUT!® Provider

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Meet Liesel

Liesel Jeffers

Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist
B Hlth Sci (Speech Pathology) 2002, Grad Dip Business Administration 2023

Liesel has over 20 years’ experience as a clinician, working as a Speech Pathologist and Case Manager in the Northern Rivers, supporting adolescents and adults with acquired brain injury and other complex conditions. She has worked across public and private settings—including inpatient rehabilitation units, palliative care, medical wards, outpatient clinics, and outreach services—and is known for her trusted relationships in the region and her collaborative, practical approach.

She brings expertise in acquired brain injury and progressive neurological conditions, using evidence-based assessment and therapy to achieve meaningful outcomes. Liesel has held senior leadership roles within NSW Health, including managing specialist services such as Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, and Spinal Cord Injury. She is passionate about developing regional services and improving access to specialist care.

With dual expertise in Speech Pathology and Rehabilitation Case Management, Liesel takes a holistic approach, considering communication, cognition, swallowing, psychosocial needs, and physical and everyday function. She has extensive experience coordinating care for people with acquired brain injuries and complex multi-trauma injuries, navigating public health, insurers, NDIS, medical and return-to-work systems. Liesel is known and respected for the collaborative way she works closely with clients, families, and treating teams to support a person’s goals.

Liesel has presented at national conferences and contributed to published research in brain injury rehabilitation. She remains passionate about research and driving innovation in regional healthcare to improve access to excellent care.

Get in Touch

To make an appointment

Call for a brief conversation to discuss your needs, determine suitability and check if a GP referral is required. 

P: 0407 805 175
E: liesel@lieseljeffers.com.au
A: Suite 14, The Boulevard, 70 River St, Ballina NSW 2478 

Got a question? Ask us here