About Us
Our Mission
At Arbutus Speech Therapy, our mission is to provide high-quality, easy access to speech-language (SLP) services throughout the Lower Mainland BC by bringing the clinic to you, where you are, when it matters.
Our Values
Arbutus Speech Therapy prides itself on its core values: Honesty, Hard Work, Reliability & Compassion. Our core values guide our decisions and actions as an organization every day.
Our Vision
Arbutus Speech Therapy’s vision is to be the most effective, convenient and caring group of clinicians in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
Our Team
Zoe Drury-Godden M.Sc R.SLP, SLP(C)
Owner and Registered Speech-Language Pathologist (she/her)Zoe received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia, her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics & Speech Sciences from the University of Calgary and is a Clinical Faculty Member at UBC. She is registered and in good standing with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC,) Speech and Hearing BC and the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
Since 2013, Zoe has been engaged in the field of care and rehabilitation, where she has gained experience in public and private schools, early-intervention classrooms, private speech-language pathology clinics, as well as sub-acute rehabilitation centers. She has extensive clinical experience in the areas of stroke and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation and has worked closely with other healthcare professions including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy. She is also certified to teach English as a Second Language (ESL).
Zoe is experienced in working with Autistic (ASD) children of all ages and is approved as a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP). She is certified in the Hanen More Than Words Program, which helps children under 5 reach their full communication potential. She also has extensive training in treating orofacial myofunctional disorders through ORPP Canada.
Zoe is passionate about helping people, and goes the extra mile to ensure her clients receive the best care possible. She enjoys the connections she makes with her clients and their families, and enjoys seeing the positive impacts that speech therapy brings.
Zoe is also a mother to two twin boys, and draws one her experience as a parent in her practice. When not in session, she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, drinking coffee, and playing volleyball.
Karen Hoang M.Sc R.SLP
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Karen received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from University of British Columbia and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Alberta. She is a registrant in good standing with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (formerly the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia or CSHBC).
Karen has 7 years of experience working with families as a Behavioural Interventionist prior to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. This makes her an asset working with autistic children as well as those requiring extra support within their sessions. Karen is supervised as a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP).
With her extensive training in play-based therapy, Karen’s sessions are fun, engaging, and focus on language development within daily family routines.
Karen is also passionate about adult rehabilitation and has worked with adults with dysphagia, aphasia, dysarthria, and apraxia of speech. Karen has completed 10 hours of the Speak Out & Loud Crowd treatment protocol which is a proven speech rehabilitation program for people with Parkinson disease.
In her free time Karen enjoys cuddling with her rescue dogs, playing with her daughter, and baking bread.
Francesca Brambilla M.Sc R.SLP
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Francesca obtained her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Tor Vergata University in Rome, specializing in Cognitive-Communication rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injury. With over 12 years experience, she has experience in both public health and private settings, gaining experience in assessing and treating pediatric and adult clients affected by various speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders.
Francesca has volunteered at many clinics and associations in the mainland and is licensed as a Speech-Language Pathologist from the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (formerly the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC.
Her sincere enthusiasm for voice and singing inspired her to pursue extensive coursework and workshops focused on the most proven and successful techniques in speech therapy for voice disorders. These methods include Voicecraft, Proel, Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, and the Neira Method.
Francesca takes great pleasure in providing dedicated assistance to individuals seeking to overcome communication challenges, believing in the transformative power of effective communication. She believes that continuing education and professional development are fundamental in providing the best care possible to clients.
In her free time she loves to explore the great BC outdoors, hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. She also has a huge heart for animals and she volunteers for different animal rescue associations in Vancouver.
Emma Cawood M.Sc(A) R.SLP, SLP(C)
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Emma completed her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology at McGill University
after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Sciences at the University of British Columbia.
She is registered and in good standing with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC)
and the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
Emma has worked in both private and acute care settings with adults of all ages and
backgrounds. Areas of practice include dysphagia and swallowing, voice, speech, and
communication.
At Arbutus Speech Therapy, Emma’s focus is on accent modification and professional
communication, drawing from both her clinical expertise and her personal passion for
languages and cross-cultural connection. She speaks English and French fluently, has
conversational Spanish, and is currently learning Mandarin. Her own experiences learning
and adapting pronunciation across languages give her a deep empathy for clients
navigating similar challenges. She brings a warm, approachable presence to her sessions
and is committed to helping each client feel confident and clearly understood in their
communication.
Outside of work, Emma loves to travel and use her languages in real-life contexts. She’s
also an avid runner, home baker, and audiobook listener.
Arianna Sanelli M.Sc R.SLP, SLP(C)
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Arianna obtained a Master of Science in Speech Sciences from the University of British Columbia in 2018 and is a registered speech-language pathologist with the BC College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals and Speech and Audiology Canada.
She is also a member of the Federazione di Logopedisti Italiani (Italian Federation of speech-language pathologists). Arianna offers virtual speech and language therapy and accent modification services. She has over five years of experience working as a school-based speech-language pathologist with children ages 4 to 11 and previously has worked in adult rehabilitation and hospital settings. Arianna is passionate about offering neurodiversity-affirming and culturally relevant services.
Arianna has completed training in the Lidcombe Program for preschoolers who stutter and the P-ESL Accent and Pronunciation Instruction Method.
In her free time, Arianna enjoys spending time with her husband and toddler, bouldering in Squamish and gardening at her local urban farm.
Jan Tessmann M.Sc R.SLP, SLP(C)
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Janice received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Minot State University and Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Washington University in 2009 . She is registered and in good standing with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC,) Speech and Hearing BC and the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
She has a passion for clear, effective, confident communication and specializes in accent reduction, articulation therapy and voice therapy. She has a client-centered and culturally responsive approach, focusing on pronunciation, speech sound accuracy and vocal health while respecting everyone’s unique accent and identity. Therapy is tailored to each client’s goals, whether they are preparing for presentations, interviews, workplace communication, or everyday conversation.
Janice also has extensive training and 16 years experience in swallowing and feeding disorders. She offers swallowing therapy, and support with sensory feeding and picky eating.
Through evidence-based techniques and practical, real-world practice, Janice creates a positive, supportive environment where clients can build confidence and achieve lasting success.
Outside of her practice, Janice enjoys her other jobs as wife, mother and chauffeur to 3 busy girls and her husband Kevin. She can be found cheering at the pool, white knuckling down biking trails or trying to keep up on the ski hill.
Lara Kilbertus M.Sc R.SLP, SLP(C)
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Lara received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia and holds a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Ottawa.
She is a member in good standing with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC,) Speech and Hearing BC, and is registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (formerly the College of Speech and Hearing Professionals of BC or CSHBC.
Lara is a compassionate and versatile pediatric SLP with a passion for empowering communicators of all ages. With dual roles in public schools and private practice, she bridges the gap between clinical expertise and educational support. In her role within the school district, Lara collaborates closely with teachers, parents, and multidisciplinary teams.
Beyond the classroom, Lara works with families in the community to support speech and language skills at home. Here, she tailors individualized interventions for children with diverse needs—whether it’s articulation challenges, language disorders, executive function difficulties, or working on social communication goals. Driven by evidence-based practices, she guides families through personalized therapy plans, fostering growth and confidence.
When not immersed in therapy sessions, Lara enjoys tennis, volunteering with the Yard Garden Project, and savoring a good cup of tea.
Mellisa Moniz M.Sc R.SLP, SLP(C)
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Mellisa Moniz received her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia. She is registered and in good standing with both Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC,) Speech and Hearing BC and the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
Mellisa is a certified provider for PEERS® (The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills), an evidence-based approach for teenagers with autism and other social communication challenges.
Mellisa has experience working with a wide variety of pediatric speech, language and social communication delays and disorders. In practice, Mellisa loves to work with children through play and storytelling to target their speech and language goals.