Sonali Haridass
SaLT
HCPC Registration: SL040531
Hello, my name is Sonali, and I am a South African Speech and Language Therapist. I graduated with distinction in Speech and Hearing Therapy from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2016.
My career began at a children’s hospital in Johannesburg, where I gained valuable experience supporting children with complex communication and feeding needs across diverse communities. In 2021, I took a leap of faith and established my own practice in Cape Town, embracing the principles of child-centred care to drive meaningful outcomes. This empowering chapter of my journey ultimately inspired another bold step—transitioning my career to the UK.
At Words First, I’ve found my niche as a Pathway Lead and Clinical Specialist in Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH). In this role, I support therapists across the company to build confidence and creativity in SEMH work, while continuing to deliver direct interventions myself. I take a relational and trauma-informed approach, grounded in the belief that all behaviour is a form of communication. I love meeting students exactly where they are—emotionally, socially, and developmentally—and empowering them with the self-esteem and communication tools needed for lifelong success.
The Words First value that resonates most with me is flexibility, as I believe it goes hand in hand with resilience. I strive to adapt to whatever the universe throws my way and extend that same openness and adaptability to the learners I support.
A book that has had a profound impact on me is Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro—a beautiful reflection on what it means to love and be loved.
