Sarah Reynolds - Occupational Therapist
Born in Cape Town, South Africa. I have lived in various parts of Australia for the past 11 years including Canberra, Newcastle, Moree, Griffith, Queensland and Sydney. I have called the Shoalhaven home for the past 5 years. I love the diversity of the landscape here; beautiful beaches and national parks with lots of walking tracks which appeals to my love for nature.
I find creating activities and doing things with my hands therapeutic such as pottering in soil, cooking, upcycling furniture, creating new therapy resources or gifts for family or friends. I find watching movies, doco’s and food shows a great way to either space out or learn something new. I love all things music including listening to it, singing and attending live shows. I believe my spiritual background has driven my desire to show kindness and compassion to others in life.
I started my career 17 years ago, as an OT practicing in acute hospital settings as well as community settings, and have specialized in the sphere of mental health for the past 8 years. In order to value the uniqueness of each individual’s background and provide evidence-based support to clients, I have expanded my professional knowledge to ensure I have a broad range of tools in my tool kit to share with clients.
I offer comprehensive assessments, reports dependent on your needs as well as ongoing therapy. My strength as a therapist lies in increasing your understanding about your mental health condition, active listening, capacity building and working with you to identify and make use of your existing strengths to achieve your goals in life. I believe in respecting your lived experience and also empowering you with skills and strategies to lead the life you want to live. I do believe my lived experience allows me to have greater empathy and a unique attunement in therapy. I am a firm believer in neuroplasticity; our brain’s amazing ability to adapt.
Photo taken by C Stalhut
Desmore McKinna
Practice Management Assistant (works remotely)
Desmore has a long history of work experience, predominantly in the administration field as organisation, communication and planning has always been some of his strengths in a work environment.
He specialised in Supply Chain Transport Logistics performing administration functions including transport coordination and export of goods, for most of his career.
Within this area of speciality, he completed a number of additional courses, including occupational health and safety courses recognised in PSIRA (Private Security Industry Regulating Authority).
Desmore, has a keen interest in learning more about the medical profession and health-related topics and therefore branching out into medical administration work as a sub-contractor.
With regard to social interests, he is an avid sportsman. In his own words, “I’ll be driving along in my car and suddenly find myself stopping to play cricket, soccer, rugby if I see individuals playing in the local parks. Having attended various live sport events in stadiums, I fully understand the “uniting people” side of sports. It is as if we forget about all our differences while attending an international sporting event.”. He also enjoys the outdoors, engaging in camping and just enjoying the calmness around a night-time camp fire.
His Gallup top 5 strengths are; Activator (being a doer and making things happen), Positivity (having contagious enthusiasm), Includer (making an effort to include those who feel left out), Individualisation (appreciating everyone’s unique qualities) and Harmony (seeking consensus).
Desmore is based in Cape Town, South Africa and will be working remotely in this role, on a part-time basis.
Values & Strengths
Being honest and realistic. Listening with the intent to understand as opposed to listening to respond. Respect and reliability. Fostering hope. Enjoying and sharing humour. Willingness to learn. Collaborative creation and innovation. Valuing difference and individuality. Empowerment and accountability.
Qualifications & Training
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OCCUPATIONAL THERPAY
Further Training
SIL and ILO options 101 for NDIS OT’s
Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation for individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Developing inclusive strategies for students on the autism spectrum
Select and Use Counselling Therapies
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Trauma related disorders
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Creating Synergy – Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference
CBT-E for Eating Disorders
CBT for PTSD Blue knot Foundation: A three phased approached - working therapeutically with complex trauma clients.
Certificate in Life Coaching Develop and use emotional intelligence
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Working with people who have an intellectual disability and dementia
Counselling Skills Training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid
Introduction to Dialectic behaviour therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
Loss Grief and Self-Care
Motivational interviewing
Case management and high complex needs assessment
MENTAL HEALTH SPECIFIC WORK EXPERIENCE
NSW Health - Moree Community Mental Health Clinician and Emergency Department Consult Liaison – 2012
HammondCare – Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DMBAS) Consultant – 2013
Schizophrenia Fellowship (now One Door) – Helping Hands Recreational Program – Coordinator – 2016
NSW Health – Shoalhaven – Sub-Acute Mental Health Unit – Occupational Therapist – 2017
NSW Health – Griffith – Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Specialist Community Service – Community Mental Health Clinician – 2017
NSW Health - Shoalhaven – Sub-Acute Mental Health Unit – Occupational Therapist – 2018
NSW Health – Keep Them Safe initiative – Whole Family Team – Alcohol and Other Drugs Clinician - 2018
Queensland Health – Transitional Mental Health Recovery Service (residential program) – Coordinator – 2019
Headspace – Tweed Heads NSW – Mental Health Private Practitioner – Occupational Therapist - 2020
Headspace – Nowra NSW - Mental Health Private Practitioner – Occupational Therapist – 2021
IOT – Occupational Therapist 2021 - 2022
Therapy Approaches
Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
The mental health recovery model
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Trauma informed practice
Motivational Interviewing
