Willow Therapy provides Occupational Therapy (OT) services to infants, children and adolescents; ages birth through 12 years. Our child-centred and family coaching frameworks help individuals improve daily living skills, achieve greater independence and connect with communities. We build on individuals’ strengths and utilise individuals interests to give their goals meaning and value.

We provide a mobile service within natural home, childcare/kindergarten and school environments. We work closely with parents/caregivers, educators and other specialists to support relevant and meaningful goals across environments.

The focus of OT is to promote wellbeing, improve function and independence. We support children to participate in all activities that occur within their natural home, school and community environments. These activities include looking after themselves, participating in daily routines, learning, playing, using objects and technology, writing and interacting with others. OT services are based on the goals and needs of each individual child and family.

Assessment: A range of standardised and non-standardised assessments are available and are determined based on the child’s needs and the family’s priorities. Assessments allow the therapist to identify areas of need and establish a baseline with which to monitor progress. Assessment may involve observation, parent/teacher discussion, reviewing previous reports, standardised and/or non standardised testing of your child. Our therapists are experts at making the direct assessment process fun and stress-free!

Intervention: Functional and measurable goals are set in conjunction with families. Intervention includes working directly with the child and/or up-skilling and coaching carers and educators. Inclusion of parents/educators in the session is an important part of facilitating the transfer of skills to the child’s own environments to support long term gains. Strategies used to help develop areas of need are grounded in evidenced based practice with the aim of delivering therapy in a fun and motivating way!

How can OT help your child?

Willow Therapy aims to provide expert, private therapy services to children with a broad range of needs. Assessment and intervention therapy services are aimed at:

• Support self-care skills
• Improving gross and fine motor coordination
• Drawing and prewriting skills
• Handwriting and written expression
• Executive functioning and organisational skills
• Play and social participation
• Sensory processing and emotional regulation
• Transitions e.g. school readiness or high school transitions
• Parent/teacher coaching

Email us or contact us to request our fee schedule.

What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

 Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) also known as Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) or Therapy Assistants are trained to work within a particular scope of practice and undertake the tasks delegated to them by the overseeing Occupational Therapist (OT).

Occupational Therapy Australia (2015) describes Allied Health Assistants as “A person employed under the supervision of an allied health professional who is required to assist with therapeutic and program related activities. Supervision may be direct, indirect or remote and must occur within organisational requirement.”

Willow Therapy offers Occupational Therapy Assistance, which can offer great value within the NDIS for the following reasons:

• Our OTAs are passionate about supporting children (0 – 12 years old) to reach their goals. They are experienced or studying in the following areas:
  • Allied Health, Nursing or Education students studying at university or
  • Hold a Certificate or Diploma in Allied Health Assistance, Disability or Children’s services
  • Hold the required police checks/working with children and certificates
• Willow Therapy encourages and supports further professional development for all our staff. Our director is frequently delivering additional strategies and tips to the team. Including engaging in a reflective practice and developing the skillset for delivering client-centred and evidence-based practice.
• Our OTAs work and operate under the direct and indirect supervision of our lead OT, with support, guidance and resources at their disposal.
• We are great advocates of a collaborative approach, working in partnership with families and your Occupational Therapist. As well as using child-led and strength-based approaches. We focus on a child’s strengths and interests to deliver and achieve therapy outcomes.
• OTA rates in the NDIS are substantially more cost-effective than standard occupational therapy rates, therefore one’s NDIS plan can be maximized with more frequent and ongoing therapy to make the most out of one’s NDIS plan. Additionally, these sessions can even alternate with OT sessions, allowing a participant’s NDIS goals to be one step closer.

OTAs do not replace your Occupational Therapist and cannot make or modify assessments or treatment plans for a child.

OTA sessions are offered between the hours

8am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday

Email us or contact us to request the fee schedule for our OTA rates.

We are proud to be among the select few in the nation providing disability support through a small business, established by an Occupational Therapist. This means that we integrate the fundamental values and principles of OT into our disability support services. Our dedicated team adheres to these values, receiving ongoing guidance on how to best assist our clients. We ensure seamless collaboration between our therapists and support workers, resulting in exceptional service delivery.

Our disability support workers are passionate about empowering children, teenagers and young adults to engage in the daily routines, community, social and recreational activities.

Our support workers have experience in the field and are also qualified to work as Occupational Therapy / Allied Health Assistants. They also hold the required police checks/working with children and certificates.

Community Access

Willow Therapy Support Workers are passionate about supporting engagement in the community, social and recreational activities. Our experienced disability support workers are there to support participation to experience new environments, learn and practice new skills, participate in fun and inclusive activities, and generally improve their quality of life. Families can also enjoy the short respite knowing that their children or teenagers are safe and supported.

Examples of kinds of tasks or activities Support Workers can help with to access the community include:

• Accessing community resources e.g. going to the library, park, playground, cinemas, bowling or special interest outings such as visiting an art gallery/museum or train stations/puffing billy etc.
• Participating in an existing hobby or starting a new one e.g. attending martial arts or dance classes, or art/music lessons, or attending social groups, your support worker can either help take your child to their classes or join in to share their interest and learn right alongside them.
• Participating in physical activity e.g. going for a bike ride or walk, attending personal training/gym sessions or engaging in team or group sports/clubs or need support to attend learn-to-swim classes etc.
• Attending community events e.g. concerts, religious services/Sunday school, holiday programs etc.

Daily Living Assistance

We can support your child with building and improving on activities of daily living and essential life skills. This may include self-care activities, managing and organizing household tasks/chores, learning how to use public transport, going to the shops and/or getting groceries, meal planning and cooking etc.

Disability Supports Sessions have a 2-hour minimum per session + 15 min session notes + travel fees. This support is subject to NDIS price limits and different price guide limits apply depending on the Time of Day and Day of the Week when the support is delivered – refer to our pricing table in the fee schedule for our Support Worker rates.

Email us or contact us to request our fee schedule for our Disability Supports rates.

Willow Therapy can provide online OT and OTA Teletherapy services to children. Teletherapy is the delivery of therapy services at a distance by linking OTs and OTAs to clients, carers, or others, via technology such as web-based videoconferencing.

Teletherapy services include OT assessments, consultation/home programs, parent/teacher coaching and direct intervention. Originally devised to bring much-needed healthcare services to underserved or rural populations, enabling patients to receive care when they might not otherwise be able to. But even for patients who can access care, Teletherapy has its appeal. In today’s modern age, Teletherapy is a wonderful option in terms of convenience.

Evidence shows that the use of Teletherapy technologies can be an effective method within the paediatric population and families were highly satisfied with the Teletherapy outcomes. Willow Therapists can provide services to children all over Australia. Contact us to enquire about Teletherapy and to discuss if this service will meet your child’s needs.

Educational Training/Workshops

We love to share our knowledge with carers and educators! We can deliver short workshops in your educational/community setting on a range of topics including Gross and Fine Motor Development, Prewriting and Handwriting Intervention, Play, Toilet Training, Fussy Eating, School Transitions, Managing Sensory Processing and Emotional Regulation in everyday life. Discuss your training needs with us today!

Our director has delivered training at national department of educational conferences, parent or teacher workshops at childcares, local private and public schools.

Contact us to arrange your training session.

Professional Supervision

Our director Alice Cocis offers professional supervision for paediatric occupational therapists. Alice has mentored and coached paediatric occupational therapists over various public and private organisations, including helping occupational therapists to set up their own private business. She is passionate about imparting her expertise and insights provide guidance for your professional growth.

Enhance your career, discuss in-depth case reviews or clinical/business obstacles and fulfill your OT competency standards through personalized professional supervision sessions. Whether you’re a recent graduate, employed externally, starting your own practice, or self-employed, we offer support tailored to your needs. Investing in supervision is paramount for your continuous learning and developmental journey. As your supervisor, Alice serves as a sounding board, mentor, and career coach. Supervision provides a secure and confidential environment for building clinical and professional skills, developing and defining learning objectives, and reflecting on your experiences. Our focus is on nurturing your resilience, cultivating joy in your practice, and safeguarding your mental well-being as you pursue a career dedicated to assisting others.

Our sessions prioritize the needs of the supervisee and are structured using online agendas, action plans, and record templates. We utilize the Model of Occupational Wholeness (MOW) and other models of supervision to guide our approach. Our supervision sessions are conducted via online videoconferencing and are available to OTs across Australia.

Supervisees are encouraged to take detailed notes during or after the session, which are then reviewed and signed by their supervisor as evidence for their continuing professional development log.

Individual Professional Supervision – 1:1 private and tailored supervision

1 hour online – $190 + GST

Group Supervision – 2 clinicians minimum (share the cost with a colleague) or organisations can book up to 6 clinicians

1 hour online – $100 per clinician + GST

Contact us via email to arrange your supervision session.