What is an Occupational Therapist?

An Occupational Therapist (OT) is an Allied Health Professional who supports a persons everyday function and performance, when it’s needed. You’ll find OT’s in a range of settings and supporting individuals across a number of areas. Your occupations are what you do everyday and include such things as mother, wife, sibling, daughter, friend, colleague and employee. An OT works in partnership with you to support you with functional and practical strategies to meet the demands of your occupations. Environmental changes or adaptations are often needed and your OT will work with you towards your goals of occupational performance across the occupations impacted. Supports may include such things as understanding sensory processing differences, executive functioning differences, and supporting emotional regulation as they impact on your ‘occupations’.

What can I expect from a session?

Sessions are 1:1 discussions, firstly to find out more about you and your reasoning behind seeking out OT support. The session/s then delve into the areas of need, working through the main occupations being impacted on a daily basis. Support and coaching is provided to develop functional goals set together, talking through accountability and what is achievable based on capacity. Sessions are supportive and have you at the centre of the conversation. There will be practical supports worked on throughout the sessions.

How many times will I need to see an OT?

Sessions are completed in blocks and 5-6 sessions are generally recommended. If fewer sessions are needed thats great! At times, sessions may continue for longer depending on support required. The aim is for you to learn strategies, for you to better understand your individual strengths and areas of need, or that of your child, and to learn how best to advocate for what you need so we’re not needed long term!

If an assessment is requested or recommended, additional sessions may be required.

What is the frequency of the OT sessions?

Depending on your individual goals, frequency of sessions will be discussed. options being weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

What is the cost?

Initial OT session 1.5hrs: $330

Subsequent sessions 1hr: $220

Reporting: TBA on request

Travel (if needed- charged at 30mins of 1hr): $110

Can I claim any of the cost?

Options for claiming back are personal, but may include:

• Private health

• Medicare

• NDIS- self managed

Sessions are to be paid on the day using eftpos and you can claim back any eligible payments. A report will be invoiced separately if required and will be paid upon receipt of the report.

Do you offer services outside business hours?

Availability is currently offered within business hours. As changes occur, this page will be updated.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Please read through your service agreement for our cancellation policy.

Do you support children?

Yes, there may be times that we work with a child and parent to build the capacity of the parent/carer to further understand their child and their needs. A parent coaching approach is utilised while supporting through the child’s goals.

Do you do home visits?

Yes we do, within Sydney’s Hills District. Travel fees apply to any home visit completed.

What’s better tele or in-person?

It’s personal preference. For some individuals they prefer a tele service (phone call or video call) as it fits in with their learning style, their communication style, and can be done from anywhere so its more flexible. In-person can be great and also suits some people. personal preference- it will be the same service delivered just in different ways.

How does Supervision for other OT’s work?

Please contact us for more details on how we can support you as an occupational therapist through clinical supervision.

Who do you work with?

At Functional Me Occupational Therapy, we support women of all ages. We support those who may have a diagnosis themselves, those who are struggling with environmental pressures and demands and can’t seem to keep up or get on top of things, and we also support those women who may be caring for a young person with a diagnosis and just want to access some supports for themselves. There may also be times we work with you and your child to meet their everyday occupations when this impacts on the family. Specialty is in the areas of Autism and ADHD.

Can kids be in the session?

Yes absolutely. They are part of your family! If your child is home they can be present for the session.

Do I have to live in the Hills District?

For any face to face session, yes, or be prepared to travel to the Hills District. Tele appointments, you can live anywhere as its a virtual session.