MEET OUR AMAZING TEAM OF OTS!
Emma Allen
Emma is an experienced, registered and practicing paediatric occupational therapist who has worked with children in home, clinic, hospital and school environments for over 11 years. Emma has worked as an Autism therapist in both one on one and in preschools. ​ Emma has many years experience as a behaviour therapist and uses an approach that promotes secure attachment. Emma believes all children should be heard, respected and given boundaries in a kind way as they learn to regulate their emotions. Emma has completed post graduate courses: "Getting it Write"; handwriting assessment and intervention, M.O.R.E; integrating oral with sensory and postural function, DIR Floortime technique, DIR Floortime 101 presented by ICDL (home of Floortime worldwide), The Alert program, SOS feeding training, "There's a traffic jam in my brain", Genevieve Jereb, Wilbarger therabrushing technique for sensory defensiveness, Supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in mainstream school settings seminar (Autism Spectrum Australia), Sensory processing (Winnie Dunn), Learn to play therapy (Karen Stagnitti), Strategies to develop executive functioning skills at home and in school (Michelle Garcia Winner), psychotherapy and attachment (Dr Allan Schore), Collaborative and proactive solutions (Dr Ross Greene), Calming today's anxious kids (Maggie Dent), The Zones of Regulation, Executive Function in School Students with Learning Difficulties - How can occupational therapy make a difference?, Professional and Clinical Supervision course with OT Australia, NDIS 101 The Basics for Occupational Therapist Providers, Workshop - Learning to Conquer the Wees & Poos - Beyond the Basics and DIR Floortime 2022, Responsive Feeding Workshop 2023. Emma has also completed the OT Australia Supervision program. ​ Emma: Is a trained and registered CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance) provider; evidence based therapy for children with motor difficulties Is a provider of Therapeutic Listening for body awareness, social engagement and sensory regulation. Is trained as a Circle of Security parent facilitator. Is trained in the SOS Approach to feeding. Has completed her level 1 and 2 training in Theraplay intervention and assessment. ' Emma is also a mother to three young children who are constantly teaching, challenging and improving her as a therapist.
Tina Wheldon
Tina is an experienced, registered and practicing paediatric occupational therapist. Tina has over 14 years experience working with children as a paediatric occupational therapist. She has a Masters of Occupational Therapy Studies, and finished head of her year in 2006. Tina ran her own private practice in Brisbane, with a team of OT’s and speech pathologists. Tina has worked on the Autism Outreach Team at Autism Qld, and at the University of Qld Children’s Life Skills Clinic. Tina has expertise in providing services for children with Autism, ADHD, DCD, Developmental Delay and Learning Difficulties. She enjoys working with families on a range of home and school based goals, and worked within a number of private schools in Brisbane. Tina has a passion for presenting workshops to teachers, completing 8 of these for audiences of over 100 teachers. She was also a presenter for Early Literacy Fundamentals (ELF Program). Tina has completed a wide range of professional development courses including; DIR Floortime, MORE (oral motor), Sensory Defensiveness - Wilbarger Therapressure, Listening with the Whole Body, The Alert Program, Traffic Jam in my Brain, Visual Perception Skills in the Classroom, Building Blocks for Sensory Integration, The Brain Science of Language, Learning & amp; Reading, The Sensory Processing Measure, Mealtime Matters Workshop - SOS Approach to feeding, COGMED training, Sensory Processing Treatment Workshop, The Poo Problem, Neuroscience of Learning and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Motor Skills and Postural Control in the Classroom, evidence based approaches for sleep and rest in children, teaching Social Thinking in the preschool and early primary years and DIR Floortime 2022. Tina has also completed the OT Australia Supervision program. Tina is a mother to 2 little girls, and has recently returned to Australia, having lived in NYC for nearly 3 years.
Sophie Culmer Whitlow
Sophie is a paediatric occupational therapist and is registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRHA). Sophie was inspired to become an occupational therapist after working with children in schools as a School Learning Support Officer and then as an early childhood education. Since graduating Sophie has worked with both adults and children across a number of settings. As a paediatric occupational therapist Sophie has worked in both private practice and not for profit organisations. She is passionate about early childhood intervention and giving children the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive. Sophie takes a relationship-based approach to her therapy and believes that acknowledging a child and family's individual differences is important. ​Sophie has experience working with children with ASD, ADHD, SPD, Intellectual disability, DCD, CP, Early Childhood Trauma and other mental health concerns. Sophie is committed to growing and learning as a therapist and has completed the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (Module One), DIR Floortime 101, The Safe and Sound Listening Protocol and attended the Trauma Conference in 2021.
Brenda Mongey
Brenda is a paediatric Occupational Therapist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Brenda completed a Master’s of Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney following her Bachelors of Health Science. Brenda is passionate about working with children and their families to help them engage in the things that are most important to them. She places great emphasis on building rapport and creating a trusting and nurturing environment for children and their families to help them to achieve their goals. Her empathetic and compassionate approach, coupled with her understanding of therapeutic interventions helps to foster positive learning environments. Brenda has been with us for over a year, working in both our administration team and as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. During this time, she has developed her therapeutic skills and gained experience working with children with ASD, ADHD, GDD, intellectual disabilities, and fine and gross motor challenges. Brenda is committed to her professional development and continually seeks to broaden her knowledge and skills by engaging in further education courses, paediatrics workshops, and keeping up to date with current research and therapy practices. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues in the paediatric occupational therapy space to continue to grow and learn.
Sarah Peter
Sarah Peter is a registered paediatric occupational therapist. Sarah completed her studies in Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney, finishing with first class honours and the University Medal. Sarah spent her final year at university as part of a research team writing her thesis about the Aboriginal health, disability, and ageing workforce. Sarah has always been interested in working with children. Sarah worked for three years as a primary school educator in the inner west of Sydney, working with a high number of children from trauma backgrounds. Sarah has experience as an educator caring for children with ASD, intellectual disabilities, ADHD/ADD, ODD and mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Sarah has: - Attended Learn To Play (Karen Stagnitti) Q&A seminars and workshop Boy Play: understanding the influence of gender on play (Karen Stagnitti) - Training in DIR Floortime 101 - Completed her training in Level 1 Theraplay intervention and assessment - Embarking on the Autism Journey workshop Sarah is passionate about using a relationship-development based approach to equip children of all backgrounds with the tools to participate within their social and learning environments.
Mary-Jo Soueid
Mary-Jo is a registered paediatric occupational therapist and completed her studies in Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney. Mary-Jo has always been passionate about working with children and through volunteer and work experience, became motivated to work with children with disabilities. Mary-Jo has a keen interest in early intervention and strives to foster a positive learning environment for all clients. Mary-Jo has been a part of the Playsense team for many years and during her studies was an Occupational Therapy Assistant, working with a diverse group of children through individual and group therapy settings. Mary-Jo has had experience working with children with ASD, ADHD, GDD, intellectual disabilities, anxiety and other mental health challenges. Mary-Jo is eager to broaden her knowledge and is active in engaging in further education to ensure she is able to provide the best support for the children and families she works with. Mary-Jo has completed courses including Introduction to DIR 101, along with course modules; Executive Function and its Application to Occupational Therapy in School Based Treatment, Using DIRFloortime to Support Problem Solving, Traffic Jam in my Brain, Feeding Children with Autism Using the Satter Models, and the Alert program.
Bonnie Moorfield
Bonnie is a paediatric Occupational Therapist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Bonnie completed a Bachelor of Science before completing her Master of Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney. ​ Bonnie worked with children for a number of years as a horse riding coach before joining the Playsense team as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in 2022 whilst completing her studies. During this time, Bonnie gained experience working with children with ASD, ADHD and challenges with fine motor, gross motor skills and handwriting. Bonnie is passionate about providing children with the opportunity to thrive in a positive and nurturing environment. ​ Bonnie is committed to continuing her professional development and further education to broaden her skills and knowledge, and to keep up to date with current research and best practice. She recently completed a four day 'Art of Paediatric Therapy' workshop, and the Traffic Jam in my Brain course to develop her skills in paediatric occupational therapy.
Siead Ronson
Siéad Ronson is a registered paediatric occupational therapist. Motivated to help children with disabilities she found occupational therapy at the end of school and studied her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of South Australia. Throughout her studies Siéad became more motivated to work with children and developed a passion for attachment theory. After completing her degree Siéad started working in a private practice in Adelaide. Working with children from 2 to 18 and their families. Siéad completed a webinar series during this time about toileting and self-regulation. After two years of working across Adelaide’s norther and southern suburbs supporting a range of social, emotional, and motor goals Siéad found new work in the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre in Adelaide. Case managing the minimally verbal classroom Siéad has significant experience in supporting play, regulation, behavioural and motor goals, completing professional development in how to build emotional skills through socio-dramatic play (The Hanen Centre). As well as working alongside speech pathologists and utilising augmentative, assistive communication (AAC) devices. Siead then has worked at Playsense for two years and has experience and passion with the developmental relationship based approached, especially using DIR Floortime, Theraplay principles. During this time, she became a qualified SOS Feeding therapist who can provide individualised feeding therapy to children. Life took Siéad to regional Victoria for 7 months between 2023-2024 where she learnt skills in completing Functional Capacity Assessments, and working with children and families who experience difficulty accessing services. Siéad has also been trained and is a registered Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator. She has experience in running Circle of Security Parent Groups. She is passionate about this model and supporting families through this lens. Siéad also has experience in working with the deaf community and is confident in communicating within this community. Whilst Siéad knows some signs she is still learning Auslan but is confident in the use of interpreters to effectively communicate with both parents and children who are deaf or hearing impaired. Siéad looks forward to continuing her work with Playsense to support a wide range of goals and accessing the NDIS as well as her ongoing learning to continue to provide evidence-based intervention.