Sarah Reynolds - Occupational Therapist

A little bit about me

Born in Cape Town, South Africa. I have lived in various parts of Australia for since 2010 including Canberra, Newcastle, Moree, Griffith, Queensland and Sydney. I have lived in and called the Shoalhaven home since 2016. 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. 

Photo taken by M Dawson

My Career

I started my career in 2004, as an OT practicing in acute hospital settings as well as community settings, and have specialised in the sphere of mental health since2012. 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 M Dawson

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 THERAPY (CUM LAUDE) – UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

Additional training in a broad range of therapies and courses:

  • Cert IV in Training and Assessment

  • SIL and ILO applications

  • Inclusive strategies for ASD

  • Assistance animal applications

  • Scooter assessment and training

  • Neurodiversity and driving

  • the use of AI in OT

  • Sensory Modulation

  • Dialectic Behaviour Therapy

  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy

  • Trauma-informed Care

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

  • 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