Occupational Therapists work with clients of all ages to develop the essential skills required to complete activities of daily living.
Occupational Therapy
Our Occupational Therapist’s support clients to develop fine and gross motor skills and to achieve independence in all areas of their lives. Our team of qualified OT’s can support you to improve daily function and activities. We offer home modifications, equipment prescription, paediatrics, assistive technology, rehabilitation and much more. Our Occupational Therapists offer a comprehensive range of therapy, assessments, and reports for clients of all ages.
Liz Forbes
Occupational Therapist/Director
As one of Dalby Allied Health’s directors, Liz Forbes has over 20 years of experience as a practicing Occupational Therapist after graduating from the University of Queensland. Liz has a strong interest area within the disability and rehabilitation sectors and delivers a range of services to both children and adults. After attending work experience at Mackay Base Hospital, Liz chose Occupational Therapy as her career path due to the diversity of clientele and the ability to support clients to achieve their goals.
Liz has a plethora of experience with equipment prescription, home modifications, falls prevention, supported independent living assessments and pressure care. Liz also sees a variety of paediatric clients to assist with fine motor skills, handwriting, sensory processing, and play-based therapy. Liz is passionate about providing OT services to citizens of the Western Downs and regularly outreaches to Chinchilla and Tara.
Harriet Pearce
Occupational Therapist
Harriet is a new addition to the team at Dalby Allied Health after graduating from the University of Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Harriet was born and raised on a property in Cecil Plains and is passionate about providing Occupational Therapy services to residents of the Western Downs. Harriet sees a range of children and adults to assist clients in developing essential skills to help them navigate daily activities. Harriet is particularly interested in equipment prescription, home modifications, paediatric development and assistive technology.
Harriet regularly outreaches to Jandowae and conducts home visits to a range of surrounding areas. As a valued member of our OT team, Harriet is a firm believer in multidisciplinary practice and regularly collaborates with Allied Health practitioners in the clinic to deliver advanced health outcomes.
Kelly Seng
Occupational Therapist
Kelly graduated from the University of Queensland in 2000 and brings over 20 years’ experience providing paediatric Occupational Therapy services. Kelly has had a lengthy and successful career working in the schooling system for Queensland Education and has recently joined Dalby Allied Health to diversify her practice. Kelly is passionate about providing essential therapy to paediatric clients and regularly services children of the Darling Downs, South Burnett and Toowoomba regions with Queensland Education.
Kelly specialises in working with high needs and paediatric clients and is passionate about equipping children with the ability to complete tasks and expectations of daily living. Kelly is kind, caring and takes a gentle approach to providing therapy for children.
Tara Henning
Tara is an Occupational Therapist and has worked in the industry for over 15 years with children and families within the mental health sector. Tara has had specific training in family work, autism and anxiety, sensory approaches and trauma. Tara is passionate about providing OT services to rural areas and regularly outreaches to Jandowea.
Grace Jackson
Grace started with DAH late 2022 after completing a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. While Studying Grace came to Dalby Allied Health as an OT student and decided to come back full time once she was qualified.
Grace has a passion for working with clients and families to support them to reach their full potential in meaningful activities and facilitate independence in everyday life.
Grace Hinton
Grace finished her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2017 at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has since moved out rurally and loves the township of Dalby. Grace loves working alongside clients and their families of all ages to help them to be as independent as possible and achieve their goals
Indi - Therapy Assistance Dog
Our Occupational Therapist, Tara has undergone training Therapy Dogs Australia with her dog Indi, to be certified as a handler and therapy dog team. Because of this, we are now able to offer Animal Assisted Therapy
What is Animal Assisted Therapy?
Animal Assisted Therapy involves a specifically trained animal (in this case Indi) within the therapeutic treatment approach and plan.
When will appointments with Indi start?
Appointments with Indi will start in January 2023, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Appointments will last for 45min, with 15min at the end of sessions for planning and notes. Therapy blocks will be for 6 months and then repeated subject to availability.
Is there an extra cost for AAT?
No, there is no extra cost.
How will this look if I see Tara and Indi?
Some ways that Indi might interact within our session include:
· Supports engagement - Indi adds a new dimension or experience to the therapy experience which makes it easier to come to therapy
· Provides sensory calming and management of arousal within the therapy space
· Provides distraction and time away from distress during sessions
· Provides opportunities for mindfulness, grounding and relaxation activities with Indi
· Going for walks (providing movement for self regulation) - this is also great for those who are less comfortable with face-to-face therapy situations or who have a more active way of engaging or focusing
· Providing opportunities for psychoeducation about regulation and the stress response when observing Indi’s interactions and responses within the therapy session
· Social skills development - we will notice how Indi responds to our interactions, body language, tone and volume, behaviour in session. We can then use this as a time to notice, problem solve and reproach her in more effective ways. This can then be generalised to other social situations and experiences depending on the client.
· Emotional awareness building - we will Indi’s body language and reactions within a session
· Confidence building strategies
· Understanding and implementing co-regulation
· Building emotional regulation skills
· Indi helps make therapy fun - If we enjoy something we are better engaged, and better able to learn.
Things Tara and Indi can’t do:
· Treat dog phobia
· Assess, report or make recommendations about an assistance dog.
· Visit your school, go on public transport or into public areas that do not admit dogs.
· Be at every appointment. Just like humans, sometimes Indi will be away on sick leave. You will be informed before your appointment about this. You and Tara will continue with regular sessions until Indi is back on board.
· See whole families or multiple children at once. Indi is new to the therapy setting and is not ready yet for the fun (and sometime chaos!) that comes with being around a group of people.
FAQS
Available for appointments Monday - Friday.
NDIS Accredited Providers
No Referral required
Experience with Medicare Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referrals
Available to see clients of all ages from infancy to adulthood.