And here’s the long version:
I love the power of coaching and facilitating change.
I am a Mother, of a 20-year-old young adult, As part of our family we have Rosie a lovely 4-year-old labradoodle, a family overseas, and NZ extended family. I enjoy time in the kitchen & garden, always doing something like small building projects, interior decoration, landscaping, art & craft, and meditation. I love spending time with my family and friends and I am always looking out for opportunities to meet new people.
I like to describe myself as a holistic practitioner, which entails not only Occupational Therapy (OT) for children and adults but a wellbeing coach and myofascial release practitioner. During my work as a holistic practitioner I have been adding meaning to the life of adults, young adults, teenagers and children with physical & neurodevelopmental conditions, injuries, mild mental health and stress-related health problems.
While working in a child development and special needs school my main caseload was between 40-50 clients/students with many other roles within the workplace. My caseload was with students with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and attention hyperactive disorder (ADD, ADHD), Down syndrome, learning & physical disabilities and sensory deficit disorders (SDD). My role as an OT was around assessment & intervention, therapy, adaptive equipment and housing modification funding applications.
I now bring all this knowledge into my private practice, hoping to be able to give more of my time to individual clients.
My passion is to add meaning to my community/tribe and enhance the environment where my clients can thrive and be as independent as possible engaging in preferred activities of daily living (ADLs)
My education in New Zealand:
- Post Graduate Certificate – Digital and Collaborative Learning –– (1 year) Level 8 2020
- Health Science – Effective Supervision in Maori Health – AUT (6 months) – Level 8 – 2017
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy – Otago Polytechnic through Hamilton –(3 years) Level 7 – 2012
- Teaching and Behaviour Support Strategies For Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.by Sue Larkey – 2021
- Certificate in Myofascial Release
- “The Fundamentals & Advanced Upper Body” 2021
- “Advanced lower body” 2022
- “Scars & Adhesions” 2022
- Typical Child Development – Bobath – 2021
- Understanding Normal Movement – Bobath – 2020
- MoH – Basic & Complex Housing Modification Accreditation (2017-2019)
- MoH – Wheeled Mobility & Postural Management Level 1 Accreditation (2017-2021)
- MoH – Wheeled Mobility & Postural Management – Lying Accreditation (2017 – 2021)
- Sensory Integration ongoing upskilling – Assessment & Treatment interventions 2008 – current
- Health & Safety Representative – Site Safe – 2021
- First aid course 2020 (repeat)
- Self-interest and education around trauma-related readings.
- Stages of acculturation of immigrants moving to a new country – 2009
I have worked with young children and adults under the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, as well as privately. My areas of expertise include support worker specialty, myofascial release therapy with a focus on sensory integration, housing environment modifications, equipment provision, and ergonomics. I am a member of the New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapy and registered under the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand.