Catherine Linnett-Young

Catherine is the current Course Coordinator of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology program. She is employed in a Teaching Specialist (Clinical Practitioner) role in Speech Pathology utilising her 35+ years of experience as a Paediatric Speech Pathologist (specialising in working in early childhood and family teams with families with high levels of vulnerability, social disadvantage and trauma).

She uses this extensive clinical experience in her teaching and engagement of students to provide a 'real world' view of how to work most effectively with families, using a trauma informed, family and student centred approach.

She has worked for Flinders University since 2009.

Catherine is passionate about supporting speech pathology students to become the most enterprising graduates with the best, evidence based practice in working with children with communication disorders and their families in a trauma informed manner.

She is innovative in supporting students to develop a relational focus to their practice as she believes this is at the heart of excellence in therapeutic interactions. Catherine is a Psychodrama trainee through AANZPA (The Australian & Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association), embedding the Psychodrama method in her work. Psychodrama is an applied, expressive and experiential group method focussed on J.L. Moreno’s spontaneity theory, role theory and group work.  

In addition to her teaching within academic topics, Catherine has had extensive experience in the role of Clinical Educator and supports staff in the innovative Interprofessional student clinic at Health2Go.

In 2023/2024, Catherine was engaged as a Project Officer by Speech Pathology Australia to lead and complete the writing of the inaugural position statement and practice guideline for in trauma informed practice for speech pathologists nationally

Catherine also worked as the inaugural Student Engagement Coordinator across all years of the Bachelor and Master of Speech Pathology programs. This provided a crucial role in supporting students learning and engagement in the Speech Pathology programs, providing pastoral care and a link to other supports for student success in their time at University.