Why choose OUR THERAPIES?

OUR THERAPIES are experienced Occupational Therapists who work in the areas of mental health and psychosocial disability. We work with people across the different stages of life; childhood, youth and adulthood.

We use evidence-based, individualised and creative approaches to support you to achieve your goals.

Our approach is neuro affirming and trauma informed.

We deliver in-person services in the southern metropolitan Melbourne area; Bayside through to the Mornington Peninsula; and South Brisbane Metro

We deliver Telehealth services Australia-wide.

We are Senior Occupational Therapists with 15-20 years’ working experience in the areas of mental health and psychosocial disability, which includes working with complex support needs.

We are Registered with AHPRA, OT Australia and are fully insured.

We provide services for:

• Medicare (Better Access to Mental Health and Chronic Disease Management) – GP or specialist referral required.
• NDIS – Capacity Building (Therapeutic Supports) – self-managed and plan managed.
• Private – Self funded and Health Insurance when eligible (ask your fund if you are registered for OT)

Some of our Therapists have additional qualifications in:

• EMDR Therapy
• Developmental Psychiatry Training
• Sensory Approaches in Mental Health
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Family Therapy
• Family-Based Treatment (eating disorder)
• Misophonia Management.
• Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach

What is an Occupational Therapist (OT)?

An Occupational Therapist is an allied health professional that has completed a recognised Bachelor or Masters level university degree in Occupational Therapy. They complete a minimum number of continuing professional development hours per year in order to meet regulatory requirements set by Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Association (AHPRA).

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy supports people to bridge the gap between where you currently are, in relation to your health and life goals, and where you want to be.

As Occupational Therapists, we understand that all sorts of obstacles can have an impact on your ability to do the things you want and need to do.

Occupational Therapy (OT) aims to help you engage in activities that are meaningful to you. We help you to do what you want, need, or have to do every day. We know that ‘Doing’ promotes good physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

What is an Occupation?

We define Occupation as anything you use your time for ‘doing’.
It is what you want to do e.g. fun, leisure, hobbies.
It is what you need to do e.g. self-care, grocery shopping, cooking, caring for and supporting others, parenting.
It is what you have to do e.g. pay bills, go to work, understand social rules, taking care of things you are expected to do by others.

Why might you see an OT?

If you are you finding that one or more of the following experiences or challenges listed below are getting in the way of doing what you need, want or have to do, you might want to see an Occupational Therapist (OT) for therapeutic counselling and support:

• anxiety
• low mood
• motivation
• poor confidence
• living with difficult past experiences
• identity exploration and building
• cognitive challenges e.g. planning, organisation and problem-solving
• building your social connections and links to your community
• everyday living skills e.g. routine management &/or learning different ways of performing tasks.
• physical challenges, e.g. fine and gross motor difficulties

How might an OT work with you?

Working with you to develop meaningful and achievable goals. This may include assessment to explore and better understand what you may wish or need to include in your OT goals.

Developing or improving your skills in self-care, home management, school and learning skills, emotion regulation skills, sensory processing skills, social skills, etc.

Counselling to address barriers to participating in life the way you want or need to. This may include learning a range of emotion regulation strategies, grounding techniques, and ways of managing and reducing emotional triggers.

Education for you and your family (as required) and caregivers and others through collaborative partnerships and family-centred approaches such as parent coaching.

Use of a range of specific interventions to enhance your performance. Such as incorporating sensory strategies to improve emotion regulation.

Actively practicing the tasks you want to improve.

Do I need a referral to see an OT?

Self Referral Pathway:
No. You may refer yourself directly if you choose these pathways:

• NDIS: Self and plan managed participants.
• Private Health
• Private paying

Medicare Pathway:
Yes. You must attend a GP or Specialist for a Referral:

Mental Health Care Plan

Item #80135 Focussed Psychological Services by an OT, clinic based

Item #91173 Focussed Psychological Services by an OT telehealth

Item #80137 Focussed Psychological Services by an OT to a person other than the patient

Chronic Disease Management Plan

Item #10958

Helping Children With Autism

Item #82025

I am a NDIS participant, can I access support through OUR THERAPIES?

We provide therapeutic supports with the NDIS.

Self-Managed: Yes 

Plan-Managed: Yes 

Agency Managed: No