I am an Associate Lecturer within the School of Allied Health and Human Performance at Adelaide University, with more than 25 years of experience in mental health occupational therapy across public and private, hospital and community settings. My clinical career has included assertive case management, case management, specialist mental health homeless services, psychosocial rehabilitation and occupational rehabilitation, as well as leadership as a Principal Occupational Therapist.
Until recently, I worked in private practice, subcontracting to a work injury provider to deliver specialist occupational therapy services for agencies including WorkCover, SAPOL, DVA and the NDIS. This experience continues to inform my teaching and connection with contemporary mental health and occupational rehabilitation practice.
My teaching focuses on mental health occupational therapy and preparing students for recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and occupation-focused practice. My teaching philosophy is grounded in relational and social constructivist approaches, with an emphasis on learning through collaboration, dialogue, reflection and clinically authentic experiences. I use active learning strategies, including scenario-based learning, simulation and lived-experience perspectives, to develop students’ clinical reasoning, therapeutic communication and professional confidence.
My educational interests include clinical reasoning, active learning, authentic assessment, inclusive teaching, sensory approaches and emerging educational technologies. I am trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and am a member of Occupational Therapy Australia.
Across my academic and professional work, I am committed to strengthening the connection between occupational therapy education and contemporary mental health practice.