About the Sligo Speech Therapy Team
Sligo Speech Therapy was established by Faye Godsell in 2012. Since then, it has provided assessment, therapy, training and consultation to families, schools and organisations such as the HSE and Tulsa.
Faye Godsell - Clinical Director
I’m Faye Godsell, Speech and Language Therapist and Owner of Sligo Speech Therapy.
I graduated with a BSc in Speech and Language Pathology, from Queen Margaret’s University, Edinburgh, in 2003. Since then I have been working with children, of all ages, who present with a wide variety of speech, language and social difficulties. I began my career providing supports to teachers and SNA’s in schools for neurodivergent children.
The sea and the mountains drew me back to Sligo where I began work for the HSE Early Intervention Team, playing a key role in establishing this team alongside my esteemed colleagues. My role as a Senior Speech Therapist, enabled me to provide assessment, therapy and parent training to many families over the years.
On the journey for a more balanced life for myself and my family, I set up my private practice in 2011 and feel so blessed to now work in this role, supporting children and their families, in a space where we can work at a pace that is needed for each individual.
I have a particular passion for taking the time to listen to parents describe their journeys, needs and concerns in relation to their children’s wellbeing and communication.
In doing so, I can provide a tailored approach for all, and can support parents to become confident in developing their children’s communication skills in the context of everyday family life.
My love of my job, training and experience over the years lead me in the direction of working with both children and adults, particularly those with speech and/or language disorders, intellectual disabilities, and children with a wide variety of neurotypes. My work is currently divided across these roles, working as a consultant for the HSE, supporting adults with intellectual diabilities, Autism diagnostic work as part of a neuroaffirmative assessment team and clinical work with children and their families in Sligo.
I am a full member of CORU, the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT), past chairperson of the Independent Speech and Language Therapists of Ireland (ISTI) and most importantly, a mummy of two young boys.
Anita Gallagher - Speech and Language Therapist
Hello, I'm Anita Gallagher, a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with over three decades of experience supporting children with a wide range of communication needs. I graduated with a BSc in Speech and Language Therapy from Trinity College Dublin in 1989 and have since dedicated my career to working with children and families across Ireland.
My professional journey began at the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) in Dublin, where I worked with children with communication challenges related to physical disabilities. In collaboration with parents, teachers, and a multidisciplinary team, I supported children with speech and language delays, disorders, and those using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
I later transitioned to a senior therapist role in Sligo, embracing the move from the capital to the scenic northwest. Working with the HSE, I supported children with diverse disabilities across various settings, including preschools, schools, and day services. I was proud to take on the region's first Early Intervention SLT role, helping to grow the local service from one to three therapists.
My commitment to early intervention led me to a dedicated role supporting Autistic children and their families.
I facilitated parent training programmes such as Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk and More Than Words, empowering parents to understand and support their child’s communication development in everyday life.
In the years that followed, I moved into team management, first as an Early Intervention Team Manager in Sligo and later in Donegal—a move shaped by family life and personal connection to the area. During this time, I played a key role in establishing four Children’s Disability Network Teams in line with the national Progressing Disability Services policy.
In 2017, I became the Disability Service Manager for Physical and Sensory Disabilities. In this role, I led services that provided respite care, home support, case management, and Neurorehabilitation for children and adults.
Now, I’m delighted to return to my roots as a practicing Speech and Language Therapist. My work is once again centered on direct, meaningful interactions with children and families—something I have always found deeply fulfilling. I now practice within the supportive environment of Sligo Speech Therapy, where I manage my own caseload and provide therapy for children with communication difficulties related to Autism, Intellectual Disability, and speech/language delays or disorders.
I am a fully registered member of CORU and the Independent Speech and Language Therapists of Ireland (ISTI).