Let’s Eat Feeding Therapy is a Newcastle-based private practice providing specialised feeding, swallowing and dysphagia services across the lifespan, from infancy through to older adulthood.
Founder and Speech Pathologist Valerie Gent understands that eating and drinking difficulties can be stressful, whether you are supporting a baby who is struggling to feed, a child navigating mealtimes, or an older adult experiencing swallowing changes. Our goal at Let’s Eat is to empower individuals and families with the knowledge, confidence and practical strategies to understand and respond to feeding and swallowing challenges.
Feeding and swallowing are complex processes involving medical, behavioural, sensory, environmental and developmental factors. We strongly value collaborative, multidisciplinary care and work closely with families, medical teams, aged care providers and allied health professionals to ensure comprehensive assessment and therapy tailored to each individual.
Valerie is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist with more than 20 years’ experience working across the lifespan in feeding, dysphagia, and orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMFT). She is the Director of Let’s Eat! Feeding Therapy and Co-Director of Feeding Therapy Australia. Val published a kid’s book: “But I’m NOT Hungry for my Dinner” which was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Award in 2022.
She also completed a Master of Medical Research exploring the impact of feeding differences for autistic children, graduating with an Award of Excellence in Research Thesis in 2023. Val is currently completing a PhD on a full -time scholarship (2024-2027) at the University of Queensland focusing on Responsive Feeding Therapy. Val is also a guest lecturer at The University of Newcastle and the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). She presents widely both nationally and internationally and is passionate about supporting people of all ages to experience safe, meaningful, and positive relationships with food and mealtimes.
Her research publications are available on ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Valerie-Gent.
More information about her teaching and training can be found at: www.FeedingTherapyAustralia.com.au
Melissa is a highly experienced Speech Pathologist with over 15 years’ experience working across the lifespan in clinical and community settings, including internationally. She supports children across feeding and is passionate about using a neurodiversity-affirming lens. She is known for her warm, practical, and family-centred approach.
Melissa strongly believes that therapy should be about helping people build positive, functional relationships with food and communication whilst all therapists should work collaboratively to create meaningful, sustainable change in everyday life.
Ell is a Speech Pathologist with 5 years’ experience supporting people across the lifespan in NDIS and community settings. She works across communication and feeding, with a strong focus on building trusting relationships and delivering practical, person- and family-centred therapy.
Ell is known for her warm, friendly and collaborative approach, supporting individuals to build functional, meaningful skills for everyday life. She currently mentors’ therapists across Australia in dysphagia and co‑runs the Paediatric FEES clinic, a Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing service, alongside Val and Dr Niall Jefferson (ENT – Newcastle Health Enterprise).
Liz is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist with over 10 years’ experience supporting individuals across the lifespan in community and health settings. She has a strong focus on feeding, communication, and responsive, person-centred care, with particular experience in complex developmental needs.
Liz has extensive experience working within multidisciplinary teams and alongside culturally diverse communities. She is passionate about delivering practical, collaborative support tailored to each individual and family.
Beatrice (Bea) is a Speech Pathologist who works across the lifespan, supporting individuals with communication, feeding, and developmental needs. She brings a strong foundation in evidence-based, practical therapy, with additional experience in paediatric feeding, stuttering, and voice.
Drawing on her background as a disability support worker whilst completing her Speech Pathology degree, Bea provides thoughtful, individualised care. She is known for her warm, engaging style and collaborative approach, supporting meaningful, functional outcomes in everyday environments. Bea is currently on maternity leave from her role at Let’s Eat! Feeding Therapy.
Madeline is a Speech Pathologist with 10 years’ experience supporting individuals across the lifespan, with expertise in working with autistic children and young people. She has worked at ASPECT and in private practice settings, with strengths in functional assessment, AAC and evidence-based intervention.
Madeline takes a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach, supporting communication, feeding, and participation in meaningful ways. She is currently on family leave from her role at Let’s Eat! Feeding Therapy.
Angel is a Speech Pathologist who works across the lifespan, supporting individuals with feeding, communication, and complex needs. Angel moved to Newcastle from the Central West to complete her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle but fell in love with the city and decided to stay. While studying, Angel worked as a disability support worker, with caseloads including dysphagia management, a range of disabilities and complex mental health conditions.
Angel has a strong interest in feeding and nutrition, with a focus on helping people build safe, positive relationships with food while supporting confidence in everyday routines. She brings a thoughtful, holistic approach, considering oral motor skills, sensory preferences, and the broader context of each person’s life. She is passionate about creating practical, supportive strategies that help people learn, grow, and communicate.
Kia Ora Libby! With a Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (Hons) from Massey University, Libby began her career working with Spectrum Care Foundation in Auckland, where she supported people with a range of developmental and disability-related needs. She completed her Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy (Honours) at Massey University in Aotearoa New Zealand and recently moved to Newcastle in 2026.
Libby’s approach is grounded in the Hauora Model of Health, a holistic Māori framework that views wellbeing as a whare (house) supported by four interconnected pillars: physical wellbeing (taha tinana), mental and emotional wellbeing (taha hinengaro), social wellbeing (taha whānau), and spiritual wellbeing (taha wairua). This philosophy underpins her work, recognising that feeding and communication are not isolated skills but are deeply connected to a child’s overall wellbeing, relationships, and sense of belonging.
Libby enjoys working with people across the lifespan and is passionate about providing support that feels respectful, strengths based and meaningful in everyday life.
Lucy is the Receptionist at Let’s Eat! Feeding Therapy and brings a strong background in organisation, customer service and child‑focused work. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and has extensive experience supporting families, children and teams across schools, sporting organisations and community programs.