Michelle Cloete

Michelle is a paediatric occupational therapist with almost 25 years of experience and a genuine enthusiasm for working with children that continues to motivate her every day. Originally from South Africa, she moved to Brisbane with her young family in 2013 in search of new opportunities and adventure. Michelle works with children across a wide age range, from infants through to adolescents, supporting them to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

As a trained Circle of Security Parenting facilitator, Michelle is passionate about working collaboratively with parents and families. She takes a holistic approach to therapy, recognising that a child’s needs are best understood within the context of their family life. Michelle appreciates the complexity of family systems and understands that, at times, parents require as much support as their children. She strongly values collaboration with schools and other allied health professionals as an essential part of a child’s therapy journey.

Michelle has experience in supporting children with:

• Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Sensory processing and regulatory disorders
• Attachment and relational difficulties
• Sleep issues
• Feeding difficulties related to sensory processing challenges
• Behavioural and emotional difficulties related to regulatory problems
• ADHD
• Developmental Coordination Disorder and other developmental delays
• Learning difficulties
• Postural and motor planning problems

• Certified Sensory integration therapist
• Certified Circle of Security Parenting facilitator
• Mental Health Endorsement through OT Australia
• Developing Pretend Play Skills in Children – Advanced (by Karen Stagnitti)
• Cognitive Orientation Occupational Performance workshop (CO-OP)
• Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol
• Sensory Defensiveness: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach, (presented by Patricia and Julia Wilbarger),
• Masterclass: Diagnosis of ASD in Children and Adolescents
• Instructors Course in Neuman-Neurode’s Baby Postural Exercises
• Infant Sensory Integration Training
• Working With The Younger Child: Observation and Treatment of the 0-4 Year Old
• Introduction to DIR/Floortime Approach
• Cranio Sacral Therapy Level 1
• Integrated Listening Systems Provider

Michelle predominantly takes a developmental approach which is child lead and strengths based, where she looks at developing self confidence, insight and skill. Her goal is to equip the child and parents to problem solve, adapt, and develop skills to manage the challenges they are facing in the moment as well as those in the future.

Her sessions combine play with sensory motor activities in the sensory gym to provide a fun and motivating environment for the children to develop their skills. She also does skill building activities such as fine motor tasks, handwriting practice, games and activities to develop executive function skills as well as explicit teaching of social skills and regulation skills.

Michelle believes in engaging the parents in the session where possible and sees parent support and coaching as being an integral part of a child’s therapeutic journey. She has an interest in attachment theory and provides knowledge and guidance to help parents understand their child’s behaviour and needs so they are better equipped to manage the challenges of day-to-day life with their children.

If you are looking for a therapist who will take things at your childs pace, honouring where they and your family are at, then she is a good fit for you. She is collaborative, gentle yet boundried and helps children learn important skills, cognitive and developmental, that will help them navigate the world in a purposeful and meaningful way for them.

Collaboration, insight development and empowering families is important to her and one of her goals in the therapeutic process.

Born into a Portuguese family living in South Africa Michelle was exposed to many different cultural norms and customs during her life. Though her family celebrated Portuguese traditions, food, language and culture, she was a part of the greater melting pot of cultural diversity that is the Rainbow Nation. As a result, she enjoys meeting people of different cultures and is open and sensitive to different cultural norms and expectations when working with families.

Michelle loves nature and enjoys going for long walks in parklands, fields and forests. She loves music, dancing and being with others in an authentic way, all the important things really! She is an avid problem solver, puzzle builder, sudoku solver and conundrum conqueror. She loves her family and is always enthralled by the curiosity, bravery, unique insights and strengths of her children.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts you or the therapist may find that you are not a good fit. If your therapist feels that he or she is not best suited to you, he/ she will discuss this with you and recommend a more appropriate therapist.

If you feel that your therapist is not a good fit within the first three sessions, simply discuss this with our admin team who will find a more suitable therapist.