Clinical Director/Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Renee has 17 years experience working as an OT with paediatric clients. She works with children with Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, developmental disorders, genetic disorders, learning difficulties and other developmental areas.

As our Clinical Director, Renee provides guidance and training to our therapists and is the first point of call to answer any clinical enquiries from clients, parents and other informal and formal supports.

Outside work Renee enjoys cycling, surfing and spending time with her family.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Sam brings to our team a wealth of knowledge, with thirteen years experience as an OT and over 5 years experience working with NDIS participants. Sam has worked in aged care and metropolitan, rural and international hospitals. He works with adults across a range of diagnosis including physical, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. In his spare time, Sam loves to travel, go to the beach and spend time with his friends and family.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Sonja has 12 years of experience as an OT, working mainly in the hospital setting across a number of wards (brain injury, renal, geriatric) and in day rehabilitation with people with neurological, orthopedic, geriatric and chronic conditions. She was the lead senior clinician in the clinical trial of the Care of People with Dementia and has published a systematic review regarding OT & Parkinson’s Disease. Outside work, Sonja enjoys going to the park, baking and reading.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Ashleigh is based in Gawler and primarily provides OT services in Gawler and surrounds. She has had 12 years experience as an OT, working across aged care and disability sectors. She has experience working with NDIS participants with physical, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. In her spare time, Ash enjoys spending time with her family and keeping fit!

Senior Occupational Therapist

Simon graduated Flinders University with a Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2020. Since then he has had experience working within acute, rehabilitation and community settings across metropolitan hospitals and country settings. Simon joined Thrive in 2023 wanting to work more closely with NDIS participants to achieve their goals and build stronger relationships. Outside of work Simon enjoys playing football, camping across SA, and cooking.

Senior Occupational Therpist

Jessamy has 7 years of experience working as an OT in a community setting with NDIS participants.

Originally from Melbourne, Jessamy relocated to Adelaide in 2023 and joined the Thrive team.

She has a strong interest working with adults with neurological conditions, and has predominantly worked with individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

Jessamy also has experience working with individuals with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities and has previously volunteered in Nepal as an OT in a spinal cord injury centre and rehabilitation hospital. She enjoys learning about new technologies that assist individuals in their daily lives and has completed trauma informed training for developing interoception awareness.

Outside of OT, Jessamy is passionate about yoga and is a qualified Yoga Teacher. She likes to spend time with family and friends (and pets!) and enjoys going to the beach, camping and painting.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Elisha brings to our team 10 years of experience working as an OT in Australia and New Zealand. She has experience working across multiple inpatient settings and outpatient neurological rehabilitation services. Elisha is passionate about providing holistic client centered services to adults living in the community to support individuals achieving their goals. Outside of work Elisha enjoys travelling, time at the beach, pottery and spending time with her family. Elisha primarily provides services through the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Kate brings to our team a wealth of knowledge, with ten years experience as an OT and 3 years experience working with NDIS participants. Kate has worked in a variety of roles across her career, including community aged care, acute community based care, residential aged care, and community mental health across metropolitan and rural settings. She works with adults across a range of diagnoses including physical, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Emma has more than 12 years experience in acute, rehabilitation and community settings including working with paediatric and adult living with a range of abilities. Emma is a mum to 3 children, she has lived experienced supporting her son living with a complex disability who communicates using an with AAC device (Augmentative Alternative Communication). She is passionate about supporting both paediatrics and adults thrive to reach their full potential and supporting their extended support systems. In her spare time you will find Emma spending quality time with her family and friends, keeping fit and loves learning how best to support her clients.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Natasha is an OT with over 12 years experience working in various settings with knowledge of a wide range of conditions. Majority of her career has been spent with adults in aged care and rehabilitation settings, including chronic pain rehabilitation. She also brings experience working with both children and adults with vision loss and blindness. Natasha enjoys supporting clients to feel empowered and knowledgeable, to be able to do more of what is important to them in their day to day lives. Outside of work you will find her listening to a podcast, walking at the beach and spending time with her family.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Gabi completed a Bachelor of Health Science in 2020, and a Master of Occupational Therapy in 2022. She has gained experience in both hospital and community settings.

Gabi is passionate about increasing access to health services in country areas, with a keen interest in helping people to engage with the activities that are meaningful to them.

Outside of work you’ll find her at the beach, spending time with family (including her kelpie), or cooking.

Senior Occupational Therapist

Jess has over 11 years experience in acute, rehabilitation and community settings working with adults with a range of diagnoses including orthopaedic/vascular conditions, geriatric conditions, neurological disabilities and a range of medical and surgical conditions. Majority of her career has been spent working in acute hospital settings and Jess has recently joined the Thrive team in 2024. Jess has a great interest and passion to work with NDIS participants and support them to achieve their goals and develop new skills and greater independence to maximise their health and wellbeing throughout daily life. In her spare time, Jess enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is a mum to two young daughters.

Senior Speech Pathologist

Cassandra graduated Flinders University with a Masters in Speech Pathology in 2021, previously completing her bachelor’s degree in linguistics at the University of Western Australia in 2019. She has experience working with paediatric clients within the community. She has experience working with NDIS participants in a range of areas including: speech, language, literacy, feeding, and dysphagia. In her spare time, Cassandra enjoys cycling, running, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.