Adult Services
The Speech Service can help with a variety of difficulties including, but not limited to:
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​Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)
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Difficulties understanding and/or using language
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Acquired brain injury (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury)
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Apraxia of speech
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Cognitive-communication difficulties
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Progressive neurological conditions (e.g. MS, Parkinson's Disease,
Motor Neurone Disease, Cerebellar Ataxia)
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Dementia
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Primary Progressive Aphasia, Fronto-temporal dementia
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Eating and drinking under acknowledged risk
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Voice difficulties
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Stammering
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Functional Dysphagia / Voice / Communication Disorder
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Get in touch today to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your, or your relatives, needs.
Our Adult Services Team
Emma Flax - Founder & Director
Emma works with adults with acquired swallow, speech, communication, cognition and voice difficulties.
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Emma graduated from the University of Manchester in 2013 and founded The Speech Service in 2018. She has extensive experience working within the NHS in a variety of settings such as acute hospital wards, in-patient neurological rehabilitation units, and outpatient and home visits within the community setting.
In addition to her private work, Emma is the Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist at an NHS Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in London which provides in-patient and community neurological rehabilitation services.
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Emma is warm, friendly and professional, and has genuine compassion for her patients. She is available to see clients in their own home or at her clinic in N12. She also offers a tele-health service to see clients virtually.
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Emma is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
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Emma is a recognised provider with a number of healthcare insurance providers such as AXA Health, Aviva and VitalityHealth.
Holly Raad
Holly graduated from University College London (2018) and provides both adult and children services. Holly graduated from University College London (2018). She has gained experience working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties at Queen’s Hospital, Romford.
Working across acute medicine and stroke rehabilitation, Holly has experience working with adults with all types of neurological conditions including stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Holly has experience working alongside Assistive Augmentative Communication services in London working collaboratively to provide high tech and low tech devices for people with severe dysarthria due to conditions such as cerebral palsy and MND.
Holly has worked extensively with people diagnosed with Cognitive Communication Disorder (CCD) providing functional rehabilitation goals in order to promote social communication and returning to employment or education. Holly has a special interest in communication difficulties after stroke (aphasia).
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Holly is registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Katie Stephenson
Katie provides support to adults who have speech, communication and/or swallowing needs.
Alongside working with the Speech Service, Katie works on the acute wards at a NW London hospital, supporting people with progressive neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s, Dementia, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She also has experience working at a neuro-rehabilitation centre supporting individuals post-stroke and following brain injury.
Katie completed her Masters of Science in Speech and Language Sciences at University College London in 2023.
She aims to provide a holistic, person-centred approach, focusing therapy around what matters to the client.
Katie is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Nicki Subel
Nicki works with adults with speech, language and swallowing difficulties.
Nicki has extensive experience working with adult Speech Therapy patients with many different medical and neurological impairments such as Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Stroke, brain injury and Multiple Sclerosis. She has worked with patients in a range of settings; in the community as inpatients and outpatients, on acute hospital wards and in neurological rehabilitation. Alongside her private work with The Speech Service, Nicki works in the NHS and is currently working in a neurological rehabilitation unit, however her rotational role also includes acute medical wards.
Nicki graduated from Macquarie University in Sydney Australia in 2019. She engages in regular Continued Professional Development (CPD) and works with patients to achieve Speech Therapy goals that are important to them, these include supporting them to enjoy food and drink safely and communicate effectively.
Nicki is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy (RCSLT).
Elvira Capone
Elvira is a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with a clinical
focus on adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
Over the past 17 years, she has developed specialist expertise in managing complex dysphagia and communication needs across neurological, respiratory, and palliative caseloads.
She is trained in LSVT® LOUD, Talking Mats, and incorporates counselling approaches into her SLT practice to support emotional adjustment and communication wellbeing.
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Alongside her SLT role, Elvira is also a qualified Complementary Therapist with a current wellbeing post at a Hospice. She is deeply passionate about holistic care and the mind-body connection, and strongly advocates for person-centred, compassionate practice.
Jessica Millet
Jessica graduated from Birmingham City University in 2019 and has worked within the NHS ever since. She has been looking after adults with swallowing and communication difficulties (Dementia, Stroke, Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease).
Jessica has been exposed to different settings working with patients in the hospital and community setting.
While working with adults which has been her main job, Jessica also wants to work with children as she wants to make a difference in the early age of a child’s life.
Adina Lampert
Adina is a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about supporting adults on their communication journey. She has a strong interest in post-stroke and brain injury rehabilitation, and is committed to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives during what can often be a challenging and uncertain time. Adina believes in creating a warm, person-centred environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered to take positive steps in their recovery.
Adina qualified from City, University of London in 2024 and has built valuable experience working within community settings, visiting people in their homes to deliver tailored, practical support. She is driven by the goal of helping each person regain confidence, reconnect with others, and achieve the communication outcomes that matter most to them.
