Speech-Language Pathology Staff
Speech-Language Pathology Staff Bios
Pamela Coulter, M.Sc., SLP-Reg, Reg(C)
Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinic Manager
Pamela provides clinical services to adults and children at Shoreline. She has worked in the field of speech-language pathology since 2007 - first as a Communicative Disorders Assistant (conducts treatment under the direction of SLPs), then as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Trent University, an advanced certificate in Interprofessional Stroke Care from Ryerson University, and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Dalhousie University. She is Clinically Certified with Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.
In addition to her work at Shoreline, Pamela is an Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University's SLP program, teaching the course on Fluency Disorders.
Areas of practice: (* = preferred areas)
Adults: stroke* (aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria), stuttering, Parkinson's disease*, voice disorders, gender-affirming communication change, persistent developmental language difficulties
Children: stuttering*, motor speech disorders* (apraxia, dysarthria), developmental language disorder, reading disorders, articulation and phonological delays/disorders
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Margaret Walker, M.Sc., SLP-Reg, Reg(C)
Speech-Language Pathologist & Assistant Manager
Margaret offers speech and language services to children of all ages. Margaret started her career as an SLP in 2010 and has provided therapy to children with various developmental speech and language disorders. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mount Allison University and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Dalhousie University. She is clinically certified with Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.
Areas of practice:
Children: developmental language disorders, language or social communication difficulties (including those on the autism spectrum), speech sound delays and disorders, reading and writing disorders, preschool stuttering
Mary Biggs, M.Sc., SLP-Reg, Reg(C)
Speech-Language Pathologist & SLP Practice Lead
Mary provides clinical services to adults and children at Shoreline. Mary has worked as a speech-language pathologist since 2013, starting her career in Calgary, and moving back to Nova Scotia in 2019. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Linguistics from the University of Ottawa and a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Alberta. She is Clinically Certified with Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.
In addition to her clinical work, Mary has mentored Speech Pathology and Speech Pathology Assistant students through the University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia, and Medicine Hat College.
Areas of practice:
Children: developmental language difficulties and disorders, gestalt language processing, social communication differences (including those on the autism spectrum), speech sound delays and disorders, reading and writing disorders, augmentative and alternative communication systems
Adults: gender affirming voice modification
Elizabeth Hamilton, M.Cl.Sc., SLP-Reg, SLP(C)
Speech-Language Pathologist
Elizabeth has worked as an SLP with the paediatric population since 2013. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Acadia University, a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a Master of Clinical Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western University. She is clinically certified with Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.
Areas of practice:
Children: speech sound delays and disorders, developmental language disorders, augmentative communication, reading and writing disorders
Stephanie Tuck, M.(A).Sc., SLP-Reg
Speech-Language Pathologist
Stephanie joined Shoreline's team in 2023 after graduating with a Master of Applied Sciences in Speech Language Pathology from McGill University’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree with a minor in French from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has been working with children with speech and language difficulties since 2018 as both a speech-language pathology assistant and a behavioural interventionist. Stephanie is a bilingual clinician, providing services in both French and English to children and adults. She is a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.
Stephanie works at both our Kentville and Dartmouth offices.
Areas of practice:
Children: developmental language disorders, speech sound delays and disorders, early language development, motor speech disorders (apraxia and dysarthria), augmentative communication, gestalt language processing, social communication differences and difficulties
Amy Wilde, M.Sc., SLP-Reg, SLP(C)
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amy provides clinical services to children and adults at Shoreline, with a focus on person-directed and family-centred support for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent individuals. Amy began her SLP career in Portland, Oregon, in 2016, working in early childhood intervention, and she began practicing in Nova Scotia in 2022. As an autistic clinician and a parent to two autistic children, Amy integrates her lived experience into a positive, progressive, evidence-based, and trauma-informed approach to therapy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Pacific University, Oregon. She is clinically certified with Speech-Language and Audiology Canada, with a Professional Interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Areas of Practice:
Children: differences in language development and processing, neurodiversity-affirming social and pragmatic communication, augmentative communication systems, early language development, speech sound delays and disorders, literacy
Sara James, M.Sc. (candidate), SLP-Reg
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sara provides clinical services to adults and children at Shoreline. Having completed all requirements for her degree, she is graduating with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Dalhousie University in the summer of 2026, equipping her with knowledge of the most recent advancements in the field of communication sciences and disorders to inform her clinical practice. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Dalhousie University. She is a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.
Sara first joined Shoreline's team as a support volunteer while completing her undergraduate degree. She then returned to complete her final externship as an SLP student in 2026. Now that she has completed her SLP graduate training and is licensed to practice, we are very pleased that she will be continuing with us as a permanent team member.
In recreational settings, Sara has worked with children since 2015. She also has experience with the autistic community, having worked in administration at Autism NS for several years.
Areas of Practice:
Children: differences in language development and processing, neurodiversity-affirming social and pragmatic communication, early language development, speech sound delays and disorders, literacy, early stuttering
Adults: stroke (aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria), voice disorders, gender-affirming communication change
About Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are the health and education professionals who work with people with communication and swallowing disorders and differences when there is an impact on the life of the person (e.g., being understood by others, understanding others, reading, swallowing safely). They provide assessment, diagnosis, support, and treatment in service of people of all ages with communication difficulties.
To practice in Nova Scotia, SLPs must be licensed by the Nova Scotia College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists. They must hold a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology (or Communication Sciences and Disorders). They will also have a Bachelor's degree in a related area that informs their practice such as psychology, linguistics, or neuroscience. SLPs who want to gain advanced skills for research complete their Doctoral degree.
Although people commonly refer to SLPs as 'speech therapists' (and this is fine!) our actual title is 'speech-language pathologist'. We know - the name is terrible. It's similar to how otorhinolaryngologists are commonly called Ear, Nose, and Throat doctors (ENTs). For SLPs, the difference is also rooted in the history of our profession in North America. In the past there was a difference between speech therapists and speech-language pathologists and their scope of practice in diagnosing communication disorders (SLPs had more education and training than STs in order to diagnose). These days, there's no distinction - we're all trained as SLPs and both titles are protected in the legislation governing SLPs.