Occupational Therapy
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy services aim to support individuals to achieve life goals through participation and engagement. Support and therapy explores remedial and compensatory strategies to assist individuals with returning to previous or maximal functioning, as well as recommending supports to compensate for any disability in order to enable someone to achieve their goals.
Occupational Therapy goals may be as simple as showering independently once a week, and may become as complex as returning to full time employment. No matter the difficulty of the goal, Occupational Therapy can help individuals achieve their desired function levels.
Occupational Therapists work with clients with all disability types. Some of the most common types of diagnoses we support include:
Mental health: Major Depressive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Psychosocial Disorders: Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Physical Disorders: amputees, Cancer, Diabetes, Arthritis, vision impairment, hearing impairment, Fibromyalgia, paraplegia and quadriplegia
Neurological disorders: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Huntington's Disease, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimers, Dementia, Acquired Brain Injury, Intellectual Disability
Paediatric Occupational Therapy focuses on the development, growth and learning of children. Paediatric OTs help children develop the skills they need to function in day-to-day life, whether that is at home, school or in the community.
They work with children and their families in developing their confidence, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and wellbeing to assist children in becoming as independent as possible with their every day lives and to ensure they are able to engage in meaningful activities.
Paediatric Occupational Therapy
OTs can work with the child or adolescent to build strength and overcome challenges in the following areas:
-
· Whole-body listening
· Following the group plan
· Eye contact
· Flexible and stuck thinking
· Size of the problem
· Hidden rules
· Sharing and turn-taking.
-
· Appropriate communication
· Asking for help
· Asking to play with a peer or within a group
· Eye contact.
-
· Expected and unexpected behaviours
· Deep breathing and sensory strategies to keep calm
· Identifying emotions
· Overcoming adversity
-
· Modulating the body
· Processing the surrounding environment
· Body awareness
-
· Letter formation
· Handwriting speed
· Pencil/pen grip
· Using helper hand
· Utilising dominant hand
· Crossing the midline
-
· Running
· Balancing
· Skipping
· Stable posture
· Catching and throwing a ball
· Riding a bike
-
· Drawing
· Writing
· Cutting with scissors
· Tying up shoelaces
· Fastening buttons and zippers
-
· Focusing attention
· Filtering out irrelevant information
· Visual scanning
-
· Toileting
· Teeth brushing
· Bathing
· Showering
· Brushing hair
· Dressing
· Organisation
-
· Awareness
· Alternating attention
· Flexible thinking
· Focusing on important tasks
-
· Picky/ fussy eating
· Sensory foods
· Meal preparation
· Breaking down the task
· Positioning
· Engagement
Ready to get started?
Have a Question?
Our Occupational Therapists are more than happy to answer any enquiries you have!
Feel free to ask us a question.
Simply fill out the secure form and our team will get back to you.
Alternatively, you can contact us on (03) 4112 1160.
Meet our Occupational Therapy Team
Location: East/South-East Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Complex mental health, home modifications, assistive technologies, home and living assessments.
Over the years, Luke has worked in both the Occupational Rehabilitation space, assisting injured workers to get back to work, as well as in the NDIS space. During this time Luke has gathered a wealth of knowledge and experience working with an extremely broad variety of people in order to assist them with achieving their NDIS and other life goals.
-
Luke has worked with extremely complex clients in the mental health, physical health and paediatric space, completing assessments including Supported Independent Living, Specialist Disability Accommodation, Complex Home Modifications, Assistive Technology, Functional Capacity, and Paediatric Functional Capacity assessments.
Luke specialises in complex mental health however has experience working across all domains of Occupational Therapy within the NDIS.
Location: Eastern Suburbs
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics - mainly with a neurodivergent diagnosis. I enjoy toilet training, school readiness and every day life skills
Over the years, Bec has worked with young children and adolescents with a wide range of abilities and grew a real passion for helping them and their family overcome daily challenges in their home, school and community environments. She is passionate about developmental challenges, sensory integration, emotional regulation and play-based therapy.
-
Bec has experience in both the school setting and navigating NDIS and supporting families to achieve their goals via a holistic, evidence-based and family-centred approach. Her experience includes working with children on the autism spectrum, developmental delays, sensory processing difficulties, developmental coordination disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy and cognitive difficulties among others.
Bec will be servicing the South East Suburbs of Melbourne, with a special interest in Paediatrics.
Location: Inner North, West & East Suburbs of Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Mental Health, Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice, Trauma-Informed Practice, sensory processing, teen/youth and adult populations.
Kaija has gained experience in the NDIS space by working with a range of individuals to address their needs and goals. With a particular interest in Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental challenges, Kaija uses a strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming approach to collaborate with clients and their families.
-
Kaija is passionate about providing individualised and evidence-based therapy. She loves supporting people who experience difficulties with emotional regulation, independent living skills, complex behaviours, leisure participation, sensory processing, and community access. Kaija strongly believes in equity and advocacy, and that all people living with a disability have the right to participate in the activities they want to do and need to do in life.
Location: Inner/East/South-Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs
Areas of Interest: Home and living assessment, Assistive technology, Home modifications and Adult ADL skills.
Zoe has been practicing as a community OT in the NDIS space for over five years. She works to support participants with a range of disabilities to overcome the barriers that are getting in the way of participating in all aspects of everyday life and to create meaningful goals to enrich their health and well-being.
-
Zoe is dedicated to support participants to find ways to do tasks more easily and safely and build their independence as well as supporting their family members or others in their support network with the tools or skills they need. She has gained expertise in various areas of Occupational Therapy in the community setting including psychosocial disability, assistive technology, housing support and needs assessment, home modifications to support participants achieve positive outcomes and live up their full potentials.
Location: South-East Suburbs
Areas of Interest: Working with children and adults who are Neurodivergent and/or have a mental health issues.
Jenny has gained experience working across the lifespan with a diverse range of individuals in the NDIS space. Jenny is passionate about enabling people to lead fulfilling and independent lives by assisting individuals in reaching their life goals using a holistic approach.
-
As an Occupational Therapist, Jenny understands that every individual and their circumstances are different. She prioritises actively listening to the participant and providing individualised and evidence-based therapy to improve outcomes. Jenny has experience in completing functional assessments, housing assessments, Assistive Technology prescription, routine management and developing independent living skills.
Jenny will be servicing the South East region of Melbourne.
Location: South East Suburbs
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics, especially in the area of handwriting, fine and gross motor skills, executive functioning, emotional regulation and social skills
Yan completed their studies at Curtin University and graduated in 2025, with course completion in November 2024. As a graduate, they have already gained extensive experience through 1,000 hours of fieldwork practice, including a three-week placement in aged care, an eight-week placement at a paediatric clinic, and an eight-week placement at Job Access.
-
Yan finds the most rewarding aspect of being an OT is working closely with people to help them achieve goals that are meaningful to them. In the field of paediatrics, Yan enjoys the creativity and playfulness involved in interventions. They often advise others to embrace trial and error, take the first step, and be open to finding new ways of doing things. They believe that not achieving a goal right away or discovering that a strategy isn’t working is all part of the process, as there is always an opportunity to adjust and try again.
Yan encourages self-compassion and appreciation for small improvements, believing that "small steps lead to big progress." They emphasise the power of a positive mindset in overcoming challenges and thriving.
Location: East and South East Suburbs, Bayside and Mornington Peninsula area
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics, Mental Health, Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice.
Matt is a graduate of the Master of Occupational Therapy program at Swinburne University of Technology, having previously completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Throughout their studies, Matt has gained experience working with children, adolescents and adults across a variety of settings including in hospitals, mental health rehabilitation, and within the NDIS.
-
With particular interest in neurodevelopmental challenges and mental health recovery, Matt is passionate about assisting individuals who experience difficulties with emotional regulation, sensory processing, routine management, daily living skills, and social participation.
Matt finds great fulfilment in delivering evidence-based interventions that are tailored to the unique strengths and interests of each client. As an Occupational Therapist, Matt enjoys taking a creative, collaborative, and playful approach to help empower clients and their families to achieve their goals and lead meaningful lives. Matt finds the most rewarding aspect of being an OT is witnessing clients progress towards their goals while developing confidence and independence along the way.
Outside of work, Matt is a passionate St Kilda fan who enjoys watching movies, spending time with their cat, and going for long drives with their partner.
Location: Mornington Peninsula
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics, Mental Health
Annabelle completed her Bachelor of occupational therapy at Australian Catholic University. During her time studying, she gained several years of hands on experience as a Paediatric Allied Health assistant and a disability support worker.
-
Annabelle has a particular interest in working with children and within the mental health space, but she is equally excited by the opportunity to grow and explore the many pathways Occupational Therapy offers. A quote from one of her early supervisors “Occupational therapist bring life to year, not years to life” continues to inspire her approach to practice and her commitment to fostering purpose and wellbeing through occupation.
Annabelle is a firm believer in the power of a positive mindset and aims to embed this philosophy into her future work as an OT.
In her spare time Annabelle enjoys long walks, beach days, exercising, cooking, playing netball, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Annabelle has a particular interest in working with children and within the mental health space, but she is equally excited by the opportunity to grow and explore the many pathways Occupational Therapy offers. A quote from one of her early supervisors & OTs bring life to years, not years to life" continues to inspire her approach to practice and her commitment to fostering purpose and wellbeing through occupation.
Annabelle is a firm believer in the power of a positive mindset and aims to embed this philosophy into her future work as an OT.
In her spare time Annabelle enjoys long walks, beach days, exercising, cooking, playing netball, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Location: ACT and Surrounds
Areas of Interest: Assistive Technology, Home Modifications, Palliative Care, Functional Assessments
Rachel has gained a significant amount of experience working with people living with disabilities over the last few years. Rachel loves helping people get the most out of their lives by supporting them to live more independently and seeing them make improvements over time makes her happy to be part of their journey.
-
As an Occupational Therapist, Rachel has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals from ages 4-65 with physical, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities under the NDIS. She has gained expertise in various areas of Occupational Therapy in the community setting include completing functional assessments, housing assessments, Assistive Technology prescription, routine management, community access, emotional regulation, and independent living skill development. Rachel’s approach to Occupational Therapy is centred on empowering clients to achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives. She believes in taking a holistic approach, considering not only the physical impairments but also the social, emotional, and environmental factors that may be affecting an individual’s ability to engage in meaningful activities.
Rachel is passionate about helping individuals overcome their challenges and achieve their goals and looks forward to continuing to make a positive contribution in the lives of those she works with.
Location: Glen Waverley Region, Cranbourne Region, Dandenong Region, Moorabbin Region, Ringwood Region
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics and Mental Health
Cambell has developed a wealth of experience as a result of his years working with people living with disabilities. Cambell enjoys supporting people in developing their skills and independence which allows them to continue participating within meaningful life activities.
-
As an Occupational Therapist, Cambell has centered his career around improving the lives of individuals living with disabilities across the domains of early childhood through to late adulthood. With a focus on providing services for people living with intellectual, physical and psychosocial disabilities. Cambell’s experience includes completing functional assessments, specialist disability accommodation assessments, Assistive Technology prescription, development of independent living skills, engagement with domestic tasks, facilitating motivation and task initiation, routine management, community access and emotional regulation. Cambell continues to be passionate about empowering clients in leading fulfilling and meaningful lives and as such takes a holistic approach when working with individuals to achieve their outlined goals.
Cambell will be servicing the South East region of Melbourne.
Location: Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics, Home Modifications, Assistive Technology
Janet is passionate about helping people regain their independence, build confidence, and participate in the activities that matter most to them. As an Occupational Therapist, she works with children and adults with a variety of physical, developmental, neurological, and psychosocial disabilities, supporting them to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
-
Janet enjoys getting to know each person she works with and believes that therapy should be practical, meaningful, and tailored to the individual's unique needs and strengths. She has experience supporting clients in areas such as daily living skills, emotional regulation, sensory processing, social participation, community access, assistive technology, and home modifications.
Her most common advice to clients is to trust the progress, emphasizing the importance of patience and persistence. She believes that maintaining a positive mindset and staying committed to goals can significantly improve outcomes.
Outside of work, Janet enjoys reading books, watching movies and TV shows, playing with her cat, and engaging in board games and escape rooms.
Location: Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Mental Health, Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
Graduating from Swinburne University of Technology in 2023, Bob is passionate about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, Bob takes pride in helping individuals engage in their desired occupations and achieve greater independence.
-
A common piece of advice Bob shares is to “pace yourself,” emphasising the importance of patience in the journey toward improvement. Bob encourage individuals to take their time, trust the process, and remain consistent in their efforts.
Outside of work, Bob enjoys cooking, spending time with their cat, and relaxing with their partner - whether it’s watching TV shows or going for a walk.
Location: Inner-North, Inner-East, and Inner-West Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics, Home Modifications, Assistive Technology
Jordan is passionate about empowering individuals through collaborative, client-centred care. With a strong foundation in hospital-based placements, he is now eager to broaden his expertise into paediatrics, home modifications, and assistive technology within PACE’s community setting.
-
Jordan also holds a growing interest in the mental health field and looks forward to integrating this into his future practice.
Jordan thrives on building strong relationships and working alongside clients to achieve their goals.
Location: South-East Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics and Psychosocial.
Sophie is passionate about empowering people in the community to reach their goals and increase their independence in their day-to-day life. Sophie takes a collaborative, playful and strengths-based approach to therapy, ensuring each client feels listened to and understood.
-
Sophie has experience across a variety of settings and populations including hospitals and community, working with people with physical and mental challenges. Sophie finds it incredibly rewarding to help children, adolescents, and adults to live meaningful lives.
As an Occupational Therapist, Sophie thrives on building strong relationships with clients and working together to achieve their goals. Sophie’s favourite part of being an Occupational Therapist is witnessing clients increasing their confidence in their ability to make positive changes in their own life. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys spending time in nature, playing sport, and trying new cafes in new areas.
Location: Outer East/Southeast Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Autism, Attention-Deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson disease.
Rose supports adults with functional independence, daily living skills, home safety and assistive equipment needs. Rose loves her job as she gets to help clients achieve their goals and make a meaningful difference in their daily experiences.
Rose is now accepting Occupational Therapy referrals across the Melbourne region.
-
As an OT, Rose works closely with clients in the community, supporting individuals and their families through the NDIS. Dedicated to fostering skill development, independence, and safety, Rose brings a compassionate and client-centred approach to every session.
With over two years of experience in the field, Rose values collaboration and enjoys being part of a team that prioritises learning and professional growth. The opportunity to contribute to service development and benefit from a strong leadership team is a key reason why Rose chose to join PACE.
A typical day for Rose is ever-changing, making the role both engaging and rewarding. Responsibilities include compiling reports, clinically justifying client needs, and facilitating capacity-building activities such as meal preparation, morning routines, emotional regulation support, and upper limb therapy focused on fine and gross motor skills.
Outside of work, Rose enjoys spending time outdoors in nature, catching up with friends and family, going to the gym, and playing netball. A keen traveller, Rose is always planning the next adventure.
Location: Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne
Areas of Interest: Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
Xuan is an experienced OT who completed their studies at Monash University and graduated in 2021. Xuan is dedicated to helping individuals enhance their independence and achieve their personal goals.
-
Xuan finds great fulfilment in witnessing client progress and believes that consistent practice is the key to success. One of the most common pieces of advice Xuan shares is that "practice makes perfect," encouraging individuals to build confidence and engage in regular practice to improve their outcomes.
Outside of work, Xuan enjoys staying active with badminton and snowboarding, as well as travelling and watching movies.
Location: Bayside and South-Eastern Suburbs
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics and Mental Health
Lucy has experience across a variety of settings and populations including in hospitals, community services and within the NDIS, working with young children through to older adults. Lucy is passionate about assisting individuals to increase their independence and engage in their meaningful activities.
-
As an Occupational Therapist, Lucy enjoys supporting people in identifying and working towards achieving their goals through advocacy and enablement. Lucy takes pleasure in collaborating with participants, families and multi-disciplinary teams to achieve positive outcomes. Lucy takes a holistic approach to wellbeing by addressing all physical, psychological, social and environmental aspects of an individual.
Location: ACT and Surrounds, inc Queanbeyan-Palerang Region, Yass Valley
Areas of Interest: Paediatrics, sensory processing, trauma-informed practice, complex mental health, intellectual disability, neurodivergence, functional capacity building, functional assessments and general therapy.
Jessica brings a rich multidisciplinary background to her work as an Occupational Therapist, holding previous degrees in Communication and Social Work. This diverse foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of the complex social and emotional factors that can impact participation and engagement.
-
With experience working with individuals aged 2 to 65, Jessica is passionate about supporting clients across the lifespan, particularly those navigating sensory processing challenges, trauma histories, intellectual disabilities, or mental health complexities.
Jessica thrives in supporting neurodivergent individuals and takes a strengths-based, client-led approach in all her therapy. She believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to live with purpose, dignity, and independence. She works side-by-side with clients and their families to help them to engage in meaningful activities.
Her Occupational Therapy practice is grounded in a holistic, trauma-informed model that acknowledges not just physical or functional needs, but also emotional, social, and environmental influences. Whether in a home, school, or community setting, Jessica is committed to meeting clients where they are, helping them work towards meaningful goals, and enhancing their capacity in everyday life.
Jessica is deeply driven by her belief in the power of connection, empowerment, and practical support. She finds joy in walking alongside clients as they build confidence, resilience, and new possibilities in their lives.
Location: Mornington Peninsula & Eastern Suburbs
Areas of Interest: Cognitive and Neurological Conditions, Physical Disability, Assistive Technology, Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice, End of Life Care.
Kirsten completed her Masters of Occupational Therapy at Monash University, since then she has had a wealth of experience working within the NDIS.
-
Kirsten has also spent time working overseas gaining experience in physical disability, adaptations, and end of life care.
Kirsten enjoys supporting people to live as independently as possible with dignity and purpose, supporting people to participate in their meaningful activities, and having control in how their care progresses over time.