About CUSP
Meet the facilitators
CUSP is a community-based service providing group interventions for people with acquired brain injury. It was created in 2023 by speech pathologist Rebecca Leeson alongside co-facilitators Michelle Collins and Callum Smith.
Meet the facilitators
The people behind CUSP
Rebecca Leeson
Speech Pathologist · Founder
Rebecca is a speech pathologist with a Master's degree in Human Communication. She created CUSP in 2023 alongside her co-facilitators Callum and Michelle, with a vision for a service that prioritised social connection, creativity, enjoyment and skill-building for people with acquired brain injury. Rebecca brings a calm, steady presence and a genuine sense of care to everything she does. Rebecca has additional training in motivational interviewing, cognitive behaviour therapy and bibliotherapy.
Michelle Collins
Speech Pathologist & Musician
Michelle is wonderfully multi-talented: a speech pathologist, pianist, editor, and soon to complete a Diploma in Counselling. She is one of the most empathic people you'll ever meet, bringing kindness, gentleness and warmth to the group. Michelle's creativity spans art, music and language, and she's known in the group for her humour and clever use of words.
Callum Smith
Musician
Callum has been working with people with acquired brain injury for many years, and was instrumental in the set-up and development of the CUSP programs. A talented guitar player, he loves collaborating with participants to create original songs and musical content, and brings warmth, humour and creativity to every session.
Working together
Facilitating creative groups since 2023
Rebecca, Michelle and Callum have been working together to facilitate creative groups since 2023. We look forward to working with you to develop your skills, confidence and connections with others.
Published research
Evidence behind the warmth
You can read their paper on finding goal focus, and their paper on interventions that aim to increase social participation through recreation or leisure activity.
Read the paper on finding goal focus →
Read the paper on social participation through recreation or leisure →
Come and create with us
Apply, or get in touch to find out which program might be the right fit.
Apply to join