Our Occupational Therapy Team

The founder of Ipswich Therapy Centre. 

In July 2017 Deb had a great idea to start a therapy service that had a heart. Since that time Ipswich Therapy Centre has grown quickly to the service we are today. Deb now has a team large team full of OT's, Support Coordinators and Administrative staff. 

Deb feels so privileged and humbled every day that people invite us into their lives to help them live rest and play. It is an absolute honour to help people achieve their life goals and hopefully make their lives a little bit easier.  

Prior to Ipswich Therapy Centre Deb was a very proud Queensland Health Occupational Therapists.  

Deb graduated in 1995 and  headed to Charleville where she worked as a sole practitioner for 2 years – the first day at 9 o'clock she had the keys to her own department, by 5 o'clock that day she finally admitted defeat and asked someone to help her find the light switch.  

Deb then moved to Townsville and gained valuable experience in all areas of OT whilst working in the hospital and mental health unit. Deb went on to specialise in lymphoedema and palliative care. She had the opportunity through scholarships to engage in additional study in this area and completed study tours of similar units in Sydney and NSW. Working in oncology and Palliative care is a something that still is a huge passion for Deb. 

Deb is a level 2 trained lymphoedema specialist and she really enjoys assisting people with end of life cares.  

Since then Deb has worked in a number of rural areas including Ayr, Bowen and Charleville. She has worked at all levels of management in Queensland Health and was the Director of Allied Health in South West for a number of years.

 Whilst in management she always missed working with people individually and would sneak in a couple of appointments for people each week just so she could touch base & see how they are going! 

Most people who know Deb, know that she is still young at heart and while loving lymphoedema and palliative care, she still enjoys all other areas of Occupational Therapy practice – except hand therapy (not her speciality).

 Deb sees a wide range of people from early childhood to elderly people. She loves being an Occupational Therapist and her goal for Ipswich Therapy Centre is that we are a service that really cares, that people who come to us feel heard and that we help in very practical ways to make life worth living!
 

Jen started working with Ipswich Therapy Centre in 2020 & she has made us laugh every day since!  Jen graduated her Occupational Therapy degree at University Queensland in 1986. Jen has worked in mental health & has experience supporting & helping children to adults and elderly people. Jen has also worked out in community, hospital and forensic settings in Queensland Health and headspace. Jen has spent many years in management quality, policy and education in Queensland Health. Jen has also taken her Occupational Therapy skills overseas to the United Kingdom for 12 months to support clients there and to gain more experience.  Jen is mostly Interested in Mental Health and autism, Jen has a broad range of clients, currently her youngest client is 4 and oldest is 65. Jen believes in strengths focused support and believes all behaviours are meeting specific needs & that it is important to look at individuals and families as part of a system.  Jen is currently in the process of setting up a kitchen in our clinic for our clients to have use during their therapy sessions. Jen sees a real importance in showing & teaching clients day to day activities such as reading recipes, preparing food, cooking food & cleaning up.
 

Mandy has been with Ipswich Therapy Centre since 2018, she is one of our very first OTs.   Mandy enjoys working with clients of all ages and backgrounds, using a strengths based and collaborative problem-solving approach.  Mandy has experience working with adults in the areas of assistive technology such as manual chairs and power chairs as well as extensive home modifications (in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries) to ensure people are as independent as possible both at home and in the community. Mandy also enjoys working with children and adults to develop their day to day life skills such as shopping, cooking, gardening, numeracy and completing paperwork. Mandy has also worked extensively with children, including those on the Autism Spectrum, where she helps with emotional regulation, social skills, gross and fine motor skills.  At home Mandy is a wife and mum to two school aged children, one dog, four chickens & four adult guinea pigs. She loves to get away camping and going out on the family boat. 

Yolande started with Ipswich Therapy in January 2023 and we have been so happy

to have her on board. Yolande graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2013. 

Yolande has worked across multiple areas of health and has built expertise working with teens, adults and older adults. 

Yolande has experience working with adults in the areas of oedema management including lymphoedema, complex assistive technology and equipment prescription including manual  and power wheelchairs, and home modifications to maximise access. 

Yolande has worked extensively with adults to maximise their rehabilitation and assist with transitions from hospital to home. 

She also enjoys working with older adults to maximise their independence and has a special interest in supporting quality life in palliative care. 

Additionally Yolande has experience working with teenagers of all abilities to build life skills as they transition to adulthood. She enjoys supporting clients and their families as they adjust and grow together. 

Yolande's passion is finding solutions for each of her unique clients that fits them and the lives that they live. Yolande believes that a collaborative and strength based approach enables creative solutions that lead to sustainable & effective change.

At home Yolande lives with her partner & daughter as well as their dog in a little blue cottage with a big garden. Yolande's passion is spending time with her family, and getting out into her garden & into nature to paint.  

Susie started with Ipswich Therapy Centre in 2019 & she is such an amazing member of our team! Susie is originally from the UK, where she met an Aussie, he thankfully brought her back to Australia and she has been living in Queensland since 2006.  

She enjoys working with adults helping them live independently in their home. 

This includes home modifications and equipment prescription. 

Previously Susie has worked closely with Work Cover, helping people return to work after an injury.

We have had nothing but great reviews for  Susie from her clients & we get those reviews frequently which makes us so grateful to call her part of the Ipswich Therapy Centre team!   

Susie enjoys working with local community groups planting trees and natives and looking after the environment in her spare time. 

Susie also helps with disaster recovery whenever she can & got her hands dirty cleaning up after the recent 2022 floods.  
 

We welcomed Daniele to the Ipswich Therapy Centre in early 2020 and have been so grateful for her ever since!  

Daniele graduated as an Occupational Therapist from University of Qld in 1999.  She worked in Qld Health before heading off on a slow trip around Australia over 5 years working in the Northern Territory, Western Australian and Tasmanian Health Services.  She came back to Ipswich and worked within West Morton Health for over 10 years in community based rehabilitation, post hospital discharge support and community support for people with chronic health conditions. 

Daniele's specialty area is providing OT support for people just transitioning onto the NDIS from hospital rehabilitation programs as well as people who have complex physical disabilities. She has experience in working with adults particularly in the areas of home modifications, assistive technology, and goal-based capacity building. Daniele works with a collaborative practical problem-solving approach. 

Daniele lives on small acreage outside of Ipswich with her husband & 2 school aged children. Her family have 2 cows and a variable number of chickens. She enjoys kayaking, going to the beach and meeting up with friends and family on the weekends. 

 Nick has been with Ipswich Therapy Centre since graduating from James Cook University as an Occupational Therapist in 2018 & we are so grateful he chose us to start his career with.  

Nick has experience working with children, teenagers and young adults and always has a goals-based focus with his therapy sessions. 

He enjoys assisting children with multiple complex disabilities, developmental disorders, and Autism. 

 Nick loves working with families and using a play-based approach & so do his clients.  

Nick’s main interest is assisting his clients to complete functional tasks at home, school and within the community, so he is a very valuable Occupational Therapist .  We are so grateful for what he has brought to Ipswich Therapy Centre.  

Nick comes into the clinic always full of life & is so enthusiastic with all of the children, we are proud to call Nick a part of Ipswich Therapy Centre & how he has helped shape us into the therapy centre that we are. 

Shannyn has been an Occupational Therapist since 2016 & has been with the Ipswich Therapy Centre team for almost 2 years, working mostly in paediatrics.  Shannyn has experience working with babies, young children, and their families, including children with multiple complex disabilities, neuromuscular conditions, developmental disorders, and Autism. Shannyn loves working with families and using a play-based approach. Shannyn’s main interest is early intervention, so she is a very valuable Occupational Therapist for Ipswich Therapy Centre. Shannyn comes into the clinic always full of life & is so enthusiastic with all of the children!  Sometimes, on a good day, she can do some very silly but fun acrobatic tricks on a bicycle!

 Eila graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2021 and joined the Ipswich Therapy Centre soon after.

As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent individual, Eila is passionate about providing children and adults with the knowledge, resources, and strategies she wishes she had access to while growing up. She enjoys working with people from all walks of life, particularly those facing challenges related to ASD, ADHD, mental illness, learning disabilities, and developmental delays, collaborating with clients to develop practical solutions that make day-to-day life easier.

Eila is also a qualified lymphoedema therapist, providing assessments, prescriptions, and management strategies for people who are affected by lymphoedema, chronic oedema and lipoedema. 

Born to an Australian father and a Japanese mother, Eila lived in Japan until age of 7 when she moved to Australia. Eila is fluent in Japanese and enjoys it when others show off their language skills with her! 

Outside of work, she is known for her love of Nintendo games, Pokémon, crafting, and horror movies—Good luck trying to stop her once she starts talking about it!

愛楽 - Eila 

Tinika is a wonderful Occupational Therapist here with us at Ipswich Therapy Centre. She has graduated from Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She loves everything OT and aims to continually improve her knowledge. 

Prior to becoming an OT, Tinika was a veterinary nurse, where she was fortunate enough to work and speak overseas. 

Tinika has experience in various areas including aged care and paediatrics. She has a passion for developing children’s skills and seeing them grow. She aims to focus on and develop a person’s strengths. 

In her free time Tinika likes to watch movies, particularly Harry Potter and Minions, baking, cake decorating and trying to grow her veggie garden.  She has three babies… the furry kind, she has three chihuahua’s that she adores.  

Renee graduated as an Occupational Therapist from Australian Catholic University in 2023. She is very excited to help people achieve their goals and live the lifestyle they wish! 

Renee has some experience working with children with Autism and ADHD however, loves working with people of all ages and areas. She has experienced placements in palliative care wards, paediatrics, forensic mental health, and NDIS community settings. 

Renee has always lived on property locally but has recently moved into Ipswich with her partner, daughter, dog and two cats. She enjoys reading, arts and crafts, exercise of all kinds, and socialising with family and friends. 

Lisa is of of our amazing Occupational Therapists. She has experience working with people with trauma, specifically children. Lisa believes in a trauma-informed approach and is motivated to ensure the safety of her clients and everyone involved.  

Lisa loves working with children with Autism, helping with sensory integration, emotional regulation, social skills and gross and fine motor skills. Lisa also gives mum and dad some strategies to help life at home. 

Lisa is an amazing mother and goes above and beyond for her everyone in her life, friends and family. She enjoys the little things in life and is always finding new fun activities.