Our Team
At Ability OT we are committed to providing clinical excellence to our clients. With an established team of experienced therapists - you can be assured that you will be partnered with the occupational therapist to best meet your needs.
We pride ourselves on providing client-centred, evidence based therapy programs to maximise outcomes for our clients. To ensure our skills remain up-to-date, we regularly attend professional conferences and workshops throughout the country. We are active in our profession, offering supervisory services to rural clinicians and students. We are always open to hearing from those who may wish to join our growing team in Brisbane. We welcome OT's from all backgrounds to reach out and start a discussion by emailing recruitment@abilityot.com.au
We pride ourselves on providing client-centred, evidence based therapy programs to maximise outcomes for our clients. To ensure our skills remain up-to-date, we regularly attend professional conferences and workshops throughout the country. We are active in our profession, offering supervisory services to rural clinicians and students. We are always open to hearing from those who may wish to join our growing team in Brisbane. We welcome OT's from all backgrounds to reach out and start a discussion by emailing recruitment@abilityot.com.au
Cathy O'Connor - Director and Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
Cathy graduated from the University of Queensland in 1999 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
Since graduating, Cathy has gained extensive experience working with people with acquired brain injury and their families. She worked for many years in a large metropolitan teaching hospital in the areas of acute neurosurgery and neurology, brain injury inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, acute stroke management, stroke rehabilitation, upper limb rehabilitation and splinting. Cathy gained further experience working at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability and The Wolfson Neurorehabilitation Centre in the United Kingdom. Cathy has additional clinical skills in the area of major home modification and design for people with physical and cognitive difficulties.
Cathy has been the owner and director of Ability OT since 2015. She is committed to delivering clinical excellence to all her clients and ensuring her staff are supported to do the same.
Cathy is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She is registered to provide services to clients participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).She is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, (OTA), The Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI), and is Medicare and DVA registered.
Cathy graduated from the University of Queensland in 1999 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
Since graduating, Cathy has gained extensive experience working with people with acquired brain injury and their families. She worked for many years in a large metropolitan teaching hospital in the areas of acute neurosurgery and neurology, brain injury inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, acute stroke management, stroke rehabilitation, upper limb rehabilitation and splinting. Cathy gained further experience working at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability and The Wolfson Neurorehabilitation Centre in the United Kingdom. Cathy has additional clinical skills in the area of major home modification and design for people with physical and cognitive difficulties.
Cathy has been the owner and director of Ability OT since 2015. She is committed to delivering clinical excellence to all her clients and ensuring her staff are supported to do the same.
Cathy is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She is registered to provide services to clients participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).She is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, (OTA), The Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI), and is Medicare and DVA registered.
Melinda Cooper - Senior Occupational Therapist
Melinda graduated from James Cook University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She has a range of experience working in various settings in QLD, NSW and the UK.Melinda brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in neurological rehabilitation, having specialised in this area of practice for over 15 years. She has worked in acute stroke units, inpatient neurological rehabilitation, public and private community neurological rehabilitation and private outpatient clinics. She is passionate about supporting people with neurological conditions to reach their full potential in everyday life and is particularly interested in helping people to achieve their goals by supporting them to build capacity through education, upper limb rehabilitation, cognitive rehabilitation, fatigue management and activities of daily living retraining. Melinda is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, and is registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Evelyn Ross - Senior Occupational Therapist
Evelyn graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Psychology in 2013. She went onto complete a post graduate Master of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland in 2015. Since graduating, Evelyn has gained extensive experience working with patients with a variety of conditions. She takes a holistic approach in working with her patients, considering the complex interplay of physical and psychological symptomology, that many patients experience. She worked for a private practice for 8 years and specialised in assessing and managing patients with catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputees. During her career she has also developed a wealth of experience in vocational rehabilitation, including work capacity assessments and return to work management. She also holds a special interest and skillset in major and minor home modifications.
Evelyn is registered with AHPRA, is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, a registered provider for NDIS, and a member of Occupational Therapy Australia.
Evelyn graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Psychology in 2013. She went onto complete a post graduate Master of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland in 2015. Since graduating, Evelyn has gained extensive experience working with patients with a variety of conditions. She takes a holistic approach in working with her patients, considering the complex interplay of physical and psychological symptomology, that many patients experience. She worked for a private practice for 8 years and specialised in assessing and managing patients with catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputees. During her career she has also developed a wealth of experience in vocational rehabilitation, including work capacity assessments and return to work management. She also holds a special interest and skillset in major and minor home modifications.
Evelyn is registered with AHPRA, is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, a registered provider for NDIS, and a member of Occupational Therapy Australia.
Belle Keen - Senior Occupational Therapist
Belle graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from James Cook University in 2018 and has worked in various settings, including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and community health within Queensland and the United Kingdom.
Belle is passionate about providing personalized, evidence-based care to help clients regain independence and improve their quality of life particularly within a neurological rehabilitation setting. This includes stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and progressive neurological disorders.
Belle has completed further training as an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessor from the Institute of Driver Health in 2020 and has worked within in this setting focusing on driver health, modifications and retraining associated with brain injury, stroke and dementia. Belle is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Belle is passionate about providing personalized, evidence-based care to help clients regain independence and improve their quality of life particularly within a neurological rehabilitation setting. This includes stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and progressive neurological disorders.
Belle has completed further training as an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessor from the Institute of Driver Health in 2020 and has worked within in this setting focusing on driver health, modifications and retraining associated with brain injury, stroke and dementia. Belle is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
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Jacinta Stokes - Occupational Therapist
Jacinta graduated from The University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Health and Exercise Science with Honours. She went on to complete a post graduate Master of Occupational Therapy from Curtin University, Perth in 2016.
Since graduating Jacinta has gained extensive experience working with people with a variety of conditions, in various settings, including private community practice, community veteran service, acute mental health, acute hospital care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient oncology, transition care, and dementia specific residential care within both Queensland and Perth.
Jacinta is passionate about working alongside clients to achieve their individual goals, including family, friends and various stakeholders to promote an holistic and collaborative team approach.
Jacinta’s interest areas are upper limb, neurological rehabilitation, mental health and complex psychosocial situations.
Jacinta has completed further professional development training in Upper Limb retraining with StrokeEd, Autistic Adults, Spinal Cord Injury with International Spinal Cord Society, Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, Oedema Management and Seating.
Jacinta is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Since graduating Jacinta has gained extensive experience working with people with a variety of conditions, in various settings, including private community practice, community veteran service, acute mental health, acute hospital care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient oncology, transition care, and dementia specific residential care within both Queensland and Perth.
Jacinta is passionate about working alongside clients to achieve their individual goals, including family, friends and various stakeholders to promote an holistic and collaborative team approach.
Jacinta’s interest areas are upper limb, neurological rehabilitation, mental health and complex psychosocial situations.
Jacinta has completed further professional development training in Upper Limb retraining with StrokeEd, Autistic Adults, Spinal Cord Injury with International Spinal Cord Society, Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, Oedema Management and Seating.
Jacinta is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Suzanne Lankowski - Occupational Therapist
Suzanne graduated from the University of Queensland in 2020 with a Masters of Occupational Therapy Studies. She has worked across a variety of community and hospital settings that included both child and adult clients with a range of diagnoses and acute mental health conditions.
Suzanne is passionate about working in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys supporting people in the community with neurological conditions to maximise their independence and achieve their goals. Suzanne embraces a holistic approach to her practice, ensuring she is client-centred and culturally diverse, and values her clients’ priorities.
Suzanne is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Suzanne is passionate about working in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys supporting people in the community with neurological conditions to maximise their independence and achieve their goals. Suzanne embraces a holistic approach to her practice, ensuring she is client-centred and culturally diverse, and values her clients’ priorities.
Suzanne is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Lauren McFayden - Occupational Therapist
Lauren graduated from the Australian Catholic University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
Lauren has had a range of student clinical experiences working in paediatric allied health assessment services, outpatient rehabilitation, as well as hand therapy.
Lauren is passionate about working with people with neurological conditions in order to help them to build their independence and achieve their goals. Her areas of interest include stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurological degenerative conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease.
Lauren is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Lauren graduated from the Australian Catholic University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
Lauren has had a range of student clinical experiences working in paediatric allied health assessment services, outpatient rehabilitation, as well as hand therapy.
Lauren is passionate about working with people with neurological conditions in order to help them to build their independence and achieve their goals. Her areas of interest include stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurological degenerative conditions including Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease.
Lauren is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
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Kelly Pearse - Occupational Therapist
Kelly graduated from the University of Queensland in 2021 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours.
Kelly has a range of clinical experience, working with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Kelly has spent time working in paediatric private practice and has experience in neurological in-patient rehabilitation units and acute care wards. Kelly enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure a holistic approach and improve client outcomes.
Kelly is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Kelly has a range of clinical experience, working with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Kelly has spent time working in paediatric private practice and has experience in neurological in-patient rehabilitation units and acute care wards. Kelly enjoys working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure a holistic approach and improve client outcomes.
Kelly is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Courtney White - Occupational Therapist
Courtney graduated from Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2021.
Courtney has had experience working alongside a people with a wide range of diagnoses and ages in the community. She has knowledge in equipment prescription and skills training with individuals who have sustained acquired brain injuries and those with progressive neurological conditions.
Courtney has a particular interest in supporting those with neurological conditions work towards their goals within their home and community environment. She incorporates a strengths-based and person-centred approach to practice to support those she works with to maximise their abilities.
Courtney is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Courtney has had experience working alongside a people with a wide range of diagnoses and ages in the community. She has knowledge in equipment prescription and skills training with individuals who have sustained acquired brain injuries and those with progressive neurological conditions.
Courtney has a particular interest in supporting those with neurological conditions work towards their goals within their home and community environment. She incorporates a strengths-based and person-centred approach to practice to support those she works with to maximise their abilities.
Courtney is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Emily Bond - Occupational Therapist
Emily graduated from Central Queensland University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours. Emily has had clinical experiences working with children and adults within the community and acute hospital settings. Emily gained experiences supporting individuals who had a variety of conditions, including those who have sustained orthopaedic injuries and neurological disorders including stroke, dementia and spinal cord injuries. Emily is passionate about supporting individuals with neurological conditions, and using a holistic and client-centred approach to support their achievement of their meaningful goals. Emily is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Hannah Twine - Occupational Therapist
Hannah graduated from Griffith University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours. Hannah has had a range of student clinical experience working in an inpatient neurological rehabilitation unit within a regional hospital setting and community mental health. Hannah also has broad knowledge on daily living and mobility aids. Hannah has a strong theoretical foundation and commitment to practice which focuses on increasing engagement in meaningful occupations to enhance health and quality of life. Hannah adopts a client-centred and collaborative approach to support clients to achieve their goals. Hannah is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Eliza Bradford - Occupational Therapist
Eliza Graduated from the University of Queensland in 2023 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours. She has gained a variety of clinical experiences in community practice, school-based paediatrics and in-patient rehabilitation units.
Eliza’s passion is working with people who have neurological conditions to build their capacity towards achieving their goals. Eliza utilises a holistic and person-centered approach to ensure her clients gain the best possible outcomes.
Eliza is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, and is a registered provider for NDIS and Medicare.
Carmen Rooke - Senior Occupational Therapist - Complex Home Modifications
Carmen graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2000 with a Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy). After a few years working in community health in regional NSW, Carmen moved to the United Kingdom. After a few years working in various NHS hospital and community settings Carmen moved into Adult Social Care services and spent many years working in Adult Social Care in London Borough of Bromley and then the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, specialising in in equipment prescription and home modifications. After returning to Australia with her family Carmen has worked in occupational rehabilitation and NDIS settings, and has gained additional skills and qualifications in home modifications. Carmen enjoys working with adults with a range of physical and neurological conditions, particularly in the areas of assistive technology and home modifications.
Carmen graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2000 with a Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy). After a few years working in community health in regional NSW, Carmen moved to the United Kingdom. After a few years working in various NHS hospital and community settings Carmen moved into Adult Social Care services and spent many years working in Adult Social Care in London Borough of Bromley and then the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, specialising in in equipment prescription and home modifications. After returning to Australia with her family Carmen has worked in occupational rehabilitation and NDIS settings, and has gained additional skills and qualifications in home modifications. Carmen enjoys working with adults with a range of physical and neurological conditions, particularly in the areas of assistive technology and home modifications.
Lara Miller – Administration Manager
Lara has an extensive background in Office Administration in Community Services, education and corporate settings. Lara is committed to assisting clients achieve their goals by providing strong administrative support to our Therapists.
Please contact Lara for all new referrals or any other queries about the clinic.
Lara has an extensive background in Office Administration in Community Services, education and corporate settings. Lara is committed to assisting clients achieve their goals by providing strong administrative support to our Therapists.
Please contact Lara for all new referrals or any other queries about the clinic.