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Occupational Therapist 

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

Meet Katrina!

Katrina is a mother to three young children, the founder of Sense OT, and Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist. 

Katrina completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2008. A dream in the making, as Katrina has wanted to be a paediatric OT since she was 14 years old! 

Over the past 15+ years Katrina has worked in a combination of private practice and non-for-profit disability agencies, both nationally and internationally, joining the journeys of hundreds of young children (0-18 years) and their families. 

Katrina strives to provide a friendly, approachable, and professional service for her clients, and is passionate about helping families and educators better-understand each child's unique sensory and learning profile, with intention to support optimal inclusion for each young person in their homes and learning environments. 

Prior to graduating from La Trobe University, Katrina worked for various paediatric disability agencies as a personal carer and recreational/respite program leader.  

Since graduating, Katrina's Melbourne-based OT roles have included: Developmental Playgroup Facilitator and Coordinator, Private Therapist, Early Childhood Intervention Key Worker, and Disability Inclusion Support Consultant. In 2011 Katrina ventured overseas chasing her working-abroad lived-experiences in Canada as she secured a Case Manager and OT liaison role at Children's Autism Services of Edmonton, then moving into a Consultant role within the Edmonton Public School Board servicing rural south-east Alberta, Canada, before returning home in 2012. 

In 2021 Katrina joined Monash University in a part-time role as an OT Teaching Associate, supervising 3rd and 4th year OT Students in their clinical placements. 

Sense OT was established in 2021!

Katrina’s professional development and interest areas have seen her participate in the following learnings:

• Neurodiverse-affirming practice (Learn Play Thrive)
• DIR Floortime (Stanley Greenspan)
• Sensory Processing & Emotional Regulation (Winnie Dunn, Genevieve Jereb, Lisa Scott, Suzanne Wakefield, Tina Champagne)
• Handwriting and Fine Motor
• Interoception (Kelly Mahler)
• Zones of Regulation (Leah Kuypers)
• Social Thinking (Michelle Garcia Winner)
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Mental Health Professionals Network: Paediatric Special Interest (Autism) and Engaging Parents of School Aged Children
• Best Practice in Early Childhood Intervention, Family Centred & Strength Based Practice, Inclusive Learning
• Making Sense of Mealtimes: Engaging Your Senses (Gillian Griffiths & Dr. Denise Stapleton)
• Autism & ADHD Conferences: Edmonton 5th Annual Conference (Winnie Dunn, Emily Rubin), Asia Pacific Autism Conference, Brisbane QLD, ADHD Conference VIC.

Occupational Therapist 

Wednesdays & Fridays

Meet Mel!

 Mel is an experienced Occupational Therapist of 14 years and graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Monash University in 2009. Since then, Mel has worked in a variety of roles primarily in public health across acute, subacute and community. Mel brings her friendly, patient, and professional attributes to her clients and their families and we are thrilled to have her join us at Sense OT.

 Mel is also a mum to two young kids and understands the demands and joy that motherhood brings. In her spare time Mel enjoys spending time with her family, walks on the beach, catching up with friends and bike riding. Mel is also a Kingston local and knows the unique environment it offers families. 

Mel’s special interest areas:

• Occupational therapy assessment and analysis including Functional Capacity Assessment
• Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS)/Paediatric Acute onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
• Positive parenting strategies: “The Whole Brain Child” Dr Dan Siegal and Tina Payne Bryson, “Circle of Security” Glen Cooper, Kent Hoffman and Bert Powell and “Discipline without Damage” Dr Vanessa Lapointe

March 2023 - Mel is currently taking bookings for adult and *select paediatric Functional Capacity Assessments. 

Education Specialist 

Meet Chad!

Chad graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Physical Education and Biological Sciences with Honours First Class at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. 

Chad furthered his studies at the University of Melbourne, completing his Master of Instructional Leadership in 2018. Chad's early years in teaching saw him working in diverse settings, including both the public and independent sectors, with experiences in classrooms as well as physical education. Here, he took a special interest in adaptive, positive, and inclusive teaching strategies.

Chad manages a team of emerging and established Education Specialists. His role includes coaching and upskilling his team's knowledge and application of therapeutic teaching strategies, with a focus on safety within learning, as well as inclusion.  Chad's teaching and leadership roles within schools has included both forensic health and youth justice facilities, as well as mainstream education settings. Chad has managed a state-funded program delivering safe approaches and strategies essential for children living in out-of-home care, returning to their education setting. Chad works closely with external youth supports including Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing. 

Chad's role at Sense OT includes leadership and operations support, as well as active consultation for professional development to our therapy team. Chad is an integral behind-the-scenes support for our team and our clients.

Chad's professional development and interests have seen him participate in: 

• Positive Psychology within schools
• Trauma Informed Practice within schools
• Neuroscience and childhood development 
• Inclusive and Safe classroom structures 
• Therapeutic teaching and calm classrooms 
• Quality engagement and teaching strategies 
• Physical Education and wellbeing
• Instructional Leadership
• Leadership coaching and supervision
• Motivational interviewing