Occupational Therapy Team
The GCFC currently consists of the following highly skilled and experienced OT's.
Linda Collier
Occupational Therapist
Linda graduated from The University of Sydney in 2001 in Occupational Therapy. She then went on to complete her Master of Health Science (OT) which was completed in 2006.
During the last 18 years, Linda has completed several training/treatment courses due to a continued commitment to keep up to date on current practices in Occupational Therapy.
Training courses include:
-
“Getting Kids In Sync,” by Genevieve Jereb
-
“New Treatment Perspectives” by Colleen Hacker
-
“Building Blocks for Sensory Integration Course” by Sheila Frick
-
“The Alert Program for Self Regulation” by Carla Cay Williams.
-
“Sensory Defensiveness” (Therapressure© Brushing Protocol) by Patricia and Julia Wilbarger
-
Achieved mastery in the “Basic course of DIR®/ Floortime™
-
Therapeutic Listening© by Sheila Frick
-
Advanced Therapeutic Listening© with Sheila Frick
-
NDT/SI and Play” presented by Lezlie Adler
-
Handwriting Without Tears®
-
“Picky Eaters Vs Problem Feeders: The SOS Approach to Feeding” presented by Kay Toomey
-
STEP-SI” Clinical Reasoning presented by Tracy Stackhouse
-
Certified to administer the Southern Californian Sensory Integration Test (SCSIT)
-
“Gravity in Motion” presented by Eileen Richter
-
“King of Swings” presented by Alex Lopiccolo
-
Profectum conference ‘The Power of Play 2019 in California
-
SoListen® trained
Hannah Edwards
Occupational Therapist
Hannah graduated from The University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) in 2001. Since this time she has worked across a number of paediatric settings including private practice, community health centres and schools with children from 0 – 12 years.
Before joining the team at The Gabrielle Centre for Children in 2012, Hannah was employed by The University of Sydney supporting students on clinical placement and developing opportunities for innovation in paediatric occupational therapy placements.
Over recent years Hannah has remained committed to ongoing professional development and has completed the following paediatric courses:
-
“Getting Kids In Sync,” by Genevieve Jereb
-
“Building Blocks for Sensory Integration Course” by Sheila Frick
-
“The Alert Program for Self Regulation” by Carla Cay Williams
-
"Therapeutic Listening©" by Sheila Frick
-
"Advanced Therapeutic Listening©" with Lynette Bourke
-
“NDT/SI and Play” presented by Lezlie Adler
-
“Clinical Dialogues” presented by Tracy Stackhouse and Beth Osten
-
“The Action is in the Interaction” presented by Mari Caulfield and Kathy Walmsley
-
Camp Jabiru Practicum presented by the Sensory Gym
-
"Understanding Normal Movement for Paediatric Therapists”
-
“Picky Eaters Vs Problem Feeders: The SOS Approach to Feeding” presented by Kay Toomey
-
“Clinical Dialogues” presented by Mary Kawar
-
“STEP-SI” Clinical Reasoning presented by Tracy Stackhouse
-
“Gravity in Motion” presented by Eileen Richter
-
“King of Swings” presented by Alex Lopiccolo
-
"Understanding the Vestibular System: Theory, Anatomy, and Implications for Practice” presented by Sheila Frick
-
“Sensory Processing and the Brain: Using Neuroscience to support clinical reasoning” presented by Shelly Lane
-
“Psycho Sensory Processing Intervention” presented by Kim Bartel
Hannah is committed to supporting children to reach their full potential and is focused on providing family-centred intervention
Meagan McGregor
Occupational Therapist
Meagan completed her BAppSC (OT) and since commencing work she has continued her professional development where she focused most of her practical training across a range of paediatric fields including schools and private practice. She is experienced in working with children who have various challenges associated with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory processing disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders and global developmental delay.
Meagan’s post-graduate training includes
-
“Getting Kids in Sync” presented by Genevieve Jereb,
-
“Building Blocks for Sensory Integration” by Sheila Frick,
-
‘New Treatment Perspectives’ (Colleen Hacker)
-
“How does your engine run: The Alert Program for Self Regulation” by Carla Cay Williams and achieved mastery in the “Basic course of DIR®/ Floortime™”.
-
Therapressure© Brushing Protocol, having completed “Sensory Defensiveness”, presented by Patricia and Julia Wilbarger.
-
Meagan is trained in Therapeutic Listening© under Sheila Frick and Colleen Hacker.
-
Meagan attended “Focus on Treatment Workshop” presented by Sheila Frick as well as training under Patti Oetter including M.O.R.E program and Treatment Intensive with Patti Oetter (Oetter & Richter).
-
Meagan has been attended a training module “Clinical Reasoning and treatment planning for Praxis” under Dr Teresa A. May-Benson and
-
“Sensory Integration: The essentials to understanding the theory, neuroscience and research” under Professor Anita Bundy and Professor Shelly Lane.
-
Meagan is trained in trauma-based therapy having attended ‘Bessell Van Der Kolk’s’ Trauma-informed treatment.
-
Meagan gained a greater understanding of neuroplasticity when she attended Normans Doidge author of ‘The Brain that changes itself’.
-
Meagan travelled to California to attend the annual Profectum conference ‘The Power of Play 2019.
Meagan enjoyed being Camp Jabiru an Australian based camp that aims to combine a typical camp experience with the addition of therapeutic intervention. Meagan has been fortunate to be group leader across a number of years that the camp has been running. Meagan is committed to providing a high calibre of care that is centred around collaborating with families and helping each individual child to be the best that they can be.
Brianna Davidson
Occupational Therapist
Brianna graduated for Australian Catholic University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Brianna has always loved working with children, and after working as a support worker and completing placements during university, was highly motivated to pursue a career in paediatrics to be able to provide support to children and their families.
Brianna began working at the Gabrielle Centre for Children in 2017, and is passionate about supporting children and their families to achieve their goals through a holistic, client centred approach. Brianna has worked with a variety of different children, from infants all the up to teens, who have experienced challenges in all areas of their lives.
Brianna believes it’s important to continue growing as a therapist and further her knowledge so engages in professional development regularly. Some of the training Brianna has received since beginning at the GCFC include:
-
"Therapeutic Listening" by Sheila Frick
-
Camp Jabiru Practicum presented by the Sensory Gym
-
“Gravity in Motion” presented by Eileen Richter
-
“King of Swings” presented by Alex Lopiccolo
-
"Understanding the Vestibular System: Theory, Anatomy, and Implications for Practice” presented by Sheila Frick
-
“M.O.R.E. - Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions”, presented by Patricia Oetter and Eileen Richter.
-
“Sensory Defensiveness” course presented by Patricia Wilbarger and Tracy Stackhouse.
-
“Seeing and Moving- A Visual Vestibular course” and practical presented by Kim Barthel
-
“Handling Intensive and Movement Analysis” presented by Kim Barthel
-
Brianna is passionate about helping children reach their full potential and is excited to continue to learn and grow as a therapist as part of the Gabrielle Centre for Children team.
Mel Halilovic
Occupational Therapist
Mel joined the GCFC in October 2020
Eleanor Lord
Occupational Therapist
Eleanor joined the GCFC in April 2021
Nicole Woods
Occupational Therapist
Nicole Woods (MOT), BAppSC graduated with an undergraduate degree in 2007. She continued her education to complete a Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT), where she focused most of her practical training across a range of paediatric fields including public health settings, schools and private practice. This provided a range of experience in working with children who have various challenges associated with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory processing disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, FASD and global developmental delay. Since completing her Masters in 2007, Nicole has gone on to complete further units of continuing education including:
-
“Getting Kids in Sync” presented by Genevieve Jereb,
-
“Building Blocks for Sensory Integration” by Sheila Frick,
-
"New Treatment Perspectives" (Colleen Hacker)
-
“How does your engine run: The Alert Program for Self Regulation” by Carla Cay Williams
-
Achieved mastery in the “Basic course of DIR®/ Floortime™” and achieved a Level 2 DIR/Floortime training when mentored under the ICDL Foundation.
-
She is also trained in the Therapressure© Brushing Protocol, having completed “Sensory Defensiveness”, presented by Patricia and Julia Wilbarger
-
Nicole is trained in Therapeutic Listening© under Sheila Frick and Colleen Hacker.
-
Nicole attended “Focus on Treatment Workshop” presented by Sheila Frick as well as training under Patti Oetter including M.O.R.E program and Treatment Intensive with Patti Oetter (Oetter & Richter).
-
Nicole attended a training module “Clinical Reasoning and treatment planning for Praxis” under Dr Teresa A. May-Benson
-
Attended Sensory Integration: The essentials to understanding the theory, neuroscience and research under Professor Anita Bundy and Professor Shelly Lane. As well as training in The Listening Program by Advanced Brain Technologies.
-
Nicole extended her understating of Auditory processing with training in The Tomatis Method.
-
Nicole is trained in trauma-based therapy having attended ‘Bessell Van Der Kolk’s’ Trauma-informed treatment.
-
Nicole gained a greater understanding of neuroplasticity when she attended Normans Doidge author of ‘The Brain that changes itself’.
-
Nicole is trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, a program to address problematic feeding behaviours.
Nicole is one of the few Australian Occupational Therapists trained to use and administer Auditory Integration Training (AIT), having been actively mentored and trained by clinicians direct from the U.S.
Nicole enjoyed being involved with the amazing Camp Jabiru an Australian based camp that aims to combine a typical camp experience with the addition of therapeutic intervention. Nicole has been fortunate to be group leader across a number of years that the camp has been running. Nicole also supported Linda Collier in a research program through Sydney University. The program investigated the effects of sensory integration therapy in the school. Committed to family-centred care, Nicole enjoys working alongside a number of therapists who together provide a quality service that supports children and their families.
Jodie Barrett
Occupational Therapist
Jodie graduated from Sydney University and has over 20 years experience in paediatrics. Since graduating she has been pursuing her dream of working with children in a variety of settings including community, hospital and private practice.
Jodie has sought extensive ongoing education and mentoring from highly regarded specialists in areas including sensory integration, auditory integration training, DIR – Floortime Therapy and Neuro-Developmental Treatment handling techniques.
Jodie is passionate about early intervention and enjoys working with infants and their parents, right up to teenagers. She believes in adopting a holistic approach that celebrates the gifts all children provide us. She has experience in working with children with autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, trauma and children with sensory processing disorders. Her passion lies in working with families to help them bring out the best in their child.
Yasmin Spicer
Occupational Therapist
Graduating from the University of Western Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy, Yasmin Spicer is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist of more than 10 years experience.
Yasmin has worked across a range of paediatric occupational therapy areas and has a passion for the family-centred practice and goal-driven therapy supported by the best clinical and academic evidence. Yasmin has training in a variety of specialist paediatric practice techniques and has experience working with children in a range of developmental clinical areas including:
-
trauma-informed care
-
out of home care
-
assessment clinics
-
indigenous partnership programs
-
camp jabiru
-
multicultural health programs
-
neonatal intensive care
-
neonatal follow-up programs
-
early feeding support
-
baby skills groups
-
school-aged therapy
-
starting school programs
-
Yasmin also has experience in supporting parents with disabilities or injuries to adapt skills for effective baby care including adaptive equipment and technique.
Sarah McKeown
Occupational Therapist
Sarah graduated from Sydney University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy). She has always had a passion and love for children and now has the privilege of being able to work with children and their families.
Sarah started working at the Gabrielle Centre for Children in October 2017 and is passionate about helping children reach their goals through client-centred intervention. Sarah and her husband have four beautiful children who keep her busy when she is not at work.
Sarah believes it is important to keep growing as a professional and she continues to further her knowledge with ongoing clinical education. Some of her latest training courses include:
-
Getting Kids In Sync, by Genevieve Jereb
-
Therapeutic Listening© by Sheila Frick
-
Basic course of DIR®/ Floortime™
-
M.O.R.E program and Treatment Intensive by Oetter & Richter
Sarah enjoys working with children of all ages with varying diagnoses and is excited about the future at The Gabrielle Centre for Children.
Thomas Ely
Occupational Therapist
Thomas graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) in 2011. After completing a range of paediatric placements and personal family connections, Thomas became highly motivated to pursue a career supporting the lives of children and young adults.
Thomas has been actively involved in therapy services in a range of different domains, including clinic, home and school settings and facilitating group programs at Camp Jabiru and Beyond Jabiru, Australian based camps that aim to bring a therapeutic approach to a typical camp experience.
Thomas has been personally responsible for working with children with various challenges such as physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory processing disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, FASD and global developmental delay.
Thomas is highly dedicated to furthering his education and has completed the following courses:
-
Therapeutic Listening®: “Listening with the Whole Body” course presented by Lynette Burke.
-
“Sensory Defensiveness” course presented by Patricia Wilbarger and Tracy Stackhouse.
-
“M.O.R.E. - Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions”, presented by Patricia Oetter and Eileen Richter.
-
Sensory Integration: The essentials to understanding the theory, neuroscience and research, presented by Tracy Stackhouse.
-
“Focus on Treatment” workshop, presented by Sheila Frick.
-
A Treatment Intensive with Patti Oetter.
-
“Social Thinking” – Social thinking across the home and school day, Informal dynamic social thinking assessment and core treatment strategies for home and school, presented by Michelle Garcia Winner & Pamela Crooke.
-
Sensory Approach to Arousal Regulation and Developmental Trauma, Presented by Sheila Frick.
-
A View from the Floor (DIR/Floortime Training) By Beth Osten & Chithra Kathiresan.
-
The Traffic Jam in My Brain: A Sensory Processing Approach to Challenges Associated with Autism, ADHD, Learning and Behavioural Differences, presented by Genevieve Jereb.
-
“Current Concepts in Neurodevelopmental Treatment” presented by Lezlie Adler.
-
“NDT From Head To Toe” presented by Lezlie Adler and Kate Bain.
-
“Clinical Reasoning and treatment planning for Praxis” under Dr Teresa A. May-Benson.
-
“Sensory Integration: The essentials to understanding the theory, neuroscience and research” under Professor Anita Bundy and Professor Shelly Lane.
-
Clinical Dialogues with Mary Kawar: Increased knowledge base regarding vestibular system; look for more readings that can support understanding of relevant neuroscience.
-
Clinical consultation with Sheila Frick: Further understanding of the development of postural control.
-
5-Day Treatment Course presented by Sheila Frick, OTR: Improved understanding of the interaction between arousal, motor/postural control, and emotional regulation. Assessment, and identification of gaps in a child’s function as well as, application of strategies.
-
Bone Conduction from the inside out, presented by Sheila Frick.
-
Shifting Gears: Sound and Movement strategies for Sensory Processing Dysfunction, presented by Sheila Frick.
-
Profectum conference ‘The Power of Play’ 2019 California, USA
-
Decoding Autism - From understanding neurobiology to choosing intervention strategies presented by Kim Barthel, OTR 2019