Meet the Team

  • Sandra, Occupational Therapist

    I believe it’s impossible to be grumpy whilst jumping on a trampoline, eating mangoes or cuddling puppies. In fact, cuddling puppies would be my dream job. So bringing my dog Rosie to work comes pretty close!

    I’ve worked as a Mental Health OT for over 10 years, yet when I developed Depression myself, I realised how different knowledge is compared with the understanding that comes from lived experience. I also deeply felt the disconnect between our modern lives and what our biology needs to thrive.

    Addressing the underlying reasons for trauma and advocating for systemic change is something I see as part of our role as health professionals. I’ve also experienced how therapeutic taking purposeful action can be.

    Getting in the ocean helps me wash all my problems away. All the activities we do here at NTCC are part of my own self-care practice, and I hope they help you too. Let’s play and laugh our way to better mental health; because life is for living to the full!

    AHPRA Registration number: OCC0002666993

    Image thanks to Nina Hamilton Photography.

  • Rosie our Cavoodle Companion Dog

    Rosie’s superpower is giving cuddles and making you feel loved. She has perfected the puppy dog eyes; we dare you to resist her charms!

    If you need a dose of ‘Vitamin Rosie’, let us know. She can come along to dog-friendly spaces.

Why it works

Outdoor Healthcare is an evidence-informed, wholistic intervention that includes the key elements required for improved mental health;

1. Nature-contact

2. Social relationships

3. Physical activity

4. Psychological care

It’s an approach where we leave the therapy session feeling better in body and mind.

Early life trauma is known to impact brain development, and therefore a neuro-developmental approach is necessary in building emotional regulation. By engaging in play-based experiential learning and combined with restorative environments, we work with our body’s capacity to grow and heal.

Studies have shown that our brains have ‘neuro-plasticity’ throughout our lives, meaning the ability to form new neural pathways (especially during the teenage years when our brains are in a phase of rapid growth that continues till the age of 25). By allowing nature and nurturing interactions to fill developmental gaps, we can literally change our mind. This is why it’s important to create environments and experiences of safety, co-regulation and healthy connection; as our bodies need felt experiences for neurological growth to occur.

Our model is grounded in trauma science research, whereby we engage in outdoor activities first to help regulate our nervous system. Then once calm and engaged, we create a nurturing and safe group environment for emotional support and teaching mental health care.

We believe that each individual has their own inner expert, and we facilitate the process of empowerment so that we can each lead our own recovery.

Through authentic belonging within the group, we learn we are not alone, we are accepted and appreciated for our own uniqueness, and that we are all co-learners in this journey called life. This emotional safety forms the foundation for mental health recovery.

You can read more about the proven benefits of nature for our health in media reports HERE , HERE , HERE and HERE.

Our values

We are committed to child safety and a respectful therapeutic environment.

Our services are client-led, where we co-work towards meaningful goals for each person.

Our approach is informed by trauma and neuro-developmental research. For this reason we offer opportunities for therapeutic play and healthy connection; which includes stability, emotional safety, co-regulation, positive regard and most importantly, fun.

Feedback is always welcomed and helps inform our services.

We value diversity and inclusivity.

Our staff are AHPRA registered and have Working with Children clearance.

Outdoor activities carry an inherent risk, for which we have safety strategies in place. We are fully insured for outdoor healthcare and are First Aid certified.

We are members of, and engage in ongoing education with Outdoor Health Australia.

We are a smoke, alcohol and drug-free working environment. Thank-you for respecting our staff and participants in this regard.

Caring for our mental health the fun way

Individual, group & family Occupational Therapy for ages 12+.

NDIS (Plan or Self Managed) & DCJ. Based in Umina Beach, Central Coast, NSW.