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.
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.
Sue Wilson M.Sc R.SLP, SLP(C)
Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Sue received her Master of Science degree in Speech Sciences from UBC in 1995. Since then, she has worked in both public health and private practice with clients ranging in age from newborn to senior.
She is a certified member of Speech-Language and Audiology of Canada and is a registered member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (formerly the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professional of BC.) She is also active on the Registry of Autism Service Providers.
She has extensive experience with early intervention, and to that end has taken advanced training in Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk, PROMPT Therapy (Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), SCERTS A Comprehensive Educational Approach for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Introduction to ESDM Early Start Denver Model behavioral therapy. Her approach is centered on encouraging and coaching parents of children with communication challenges with specific techniques and strategies so they can support their child’s language development in fun, playful ways within their daily routines at home.
Sue also takes a special interest in coaching individuals who wish to develop their corporate communication abilities. She is highly motivated to help people improve their confidence in speaking by sharing strategies related to accent modification, voice and breath techniques, the use of body language to impact one’s message, and tools to improve one’s connection to their audience.
She has taken advanced training at the Institute of Language and Phonology and is certified in PESL Pronouncing English as a Second Language. She enjoys helping people improve in areas such as presentation skills, leadership communication, and written communications.
In her free time Sue enjoys dancing, horseback riding, gardening, and playing darts.
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.
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.
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.
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 job in 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.
Ivy Yusi M.Sc R.SLP (C), CCC-SLP
Conditionally Registered Speech Language Pathologist (she/her)
Ivy is a certified member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada and holds conditional registration with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia. She is also a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Beginning her career in the USA, Ivy is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in the State of California, recognized by the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and is credentialed in Speech-Language Pathology Services by the California State Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Ivy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University in 2009, and went on to complete her Master of Science in the same field in 2011.
With nearly 13 years of experience, Ivy has dedicated herself to serving the diverse student population of California’s public schools. She has provided comprehensive support to children facing a variety of challenges, including speech and language issues, social communication difficulties, learning disabilities, autism, and intellectual disabilities.
Her approach includes delivering tailored speech therapy services through both direct and indirect methods in various settings, such as individual sessions, small groups, and whole-class instruction, both in-person and via teletherapy. Ivy has worked closely with classroom teachers, and school personnel to promote literacy and speech-language remediation initiatives, creating a holistic learning environment for students.
She has practical experience with both high-tech and low-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, ensuring that children have access to the tools and support needed to maximize their communication potential. Fluent in English, Tagalog, and Kapampangan, Ivy’s expertise extends to providing comprehensive and functional speech and language assessments and treatments for both native English speakers and multilingual children. Throughout her career, she has engaged with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ivy believes that strength-based, neurodivergent-affirming practices and prioritizing equitable communication access are fundamental pillars in therapy and education. Her mission is to empower children and adults with individualized support for meaningful expression and self-advocacy, fostering autonomy, personal growth, and an improved quality of life. While Ivy enjoys all aspects of speech and language therapy, her greatest passion lies in the areas of articulation and phonology.