Emma has been working as an Occupational Therapist (OT) over the past 8 years in Australia and the UK, and has developed a passion for supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of those she works with.
In Occupational Therapy, the word ‘occupation’ refers to anything we do that occupies our time:
- Showering, getting dressed and brushing our teeth are occupations.
- Cooking a meal is an occupation.
- Hiking up the side of a mountain is an occupation!
Our daily occupations contribute to our sense of identity and purpose in life and have a direct influence on our health and wellbeing. At the heart of Emma’s work as a Mental Health OT, she is interested in the interplay between how our mental health (our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, past experiences and memories, self-confidence) can impact what we do, how we spend our time, and how we see ourselves; and likewise how our daily routines may influence our mental health.
Emma offers a warm, calm and nurturing approach in her practice. Drawing upon a range of counselling, coaching and therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, she works with adolescents and adults across a range of areas including:
- Supporting management and recovery from anxiety and depression, stress or burnout.
- Working with individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, affirming individuality, learning social and communication skills, handling bullying, and developing independent living skills.
- Sensory, emotional and behavioural self-regulation.
- Managing chronic health conditions, fatigue and pain, supporting sleep, facilitating graded return to activity.
- Building self-esteem, self-compassion, spiritual well-being, and learning techniques such as mindfulness strategies or nature-connection to support overall health and function.
- Providing functional capacity assessments and supporting people in requests to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Emma also draws upon a lived experience of recovering from an autoimmune condition and the associated impacts on fatigue and mood, the challenges of set-backs or flare-ups, and emotions that arise when we don’t meet our own expectations. The opportunity to walk alongside others to support them wherever they’re at on their health journey is a privilege.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours)
Professional Memberships: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA)