AT A GLANCE
Locations
Aspley
Qualifications
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Graduate Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma of Business Administration, & Bachelor of Arts
Area of Focus
ASD, ADHD, Play, Sensory Difficulties, Social Skills, Executive Function, Feeding, Handwriting
Services
Individual sessions, Parent coaching, Mobile community visiting, School/ Kindy visits
Kara completed her occupational therapy studies at the Australian Catholic University. Before becoming an occupational therapist, Kara trained as a teacher and then worked in the areas of education and arts policy, and organisational development. Kara particularly loved supporting staff to learn new skills and adjust to change, and coaching managers to develop their leadership skills.
Over the years Kara has experienced a great many changes in her own life, and brings the compassion and understanding she has gained into her work as an occupational therapist. Kara has a gift for accepting people exactly where they and helping them feel welcome, valued and supported.
Kara has provided high level advice to governments on children’s education and how to engage children in arts and culture. In the school environment, Kara has worked with children to improve their writing skills, focus on learning, and develop their social skills. Kara works closely with school staff wherever possible to make sure that children are supported in practical ways by a caring and cooperative team.
As well as working in school settings, Kara has experience working with children in their homes and in the community to help them do the things they want and need to do. For example, she has helped children and parents work out ways to problem-solve together, how to complete everyday tasks like teeth cleaning without tears, how to enjoy play, and how to make friends. She also works with families to address fussy eating and restricted diets. Kara helps children learn to enjoy a wide range of foods in a step-by-step, playful way and helps parents work out how to transform mealtimes into calm and enjoyable family times.
In all her work, Kara uses a family centred, trauma-informed approach to help children feel safe, seen, valued and understood.
Kara has completed professional development in the following:
- Motivational Interviewing for Allied Health practitioners (2021)
- DIR Floortime 101 (2022)
- Learn to Play, Karen Stagnetti (2023)
- Family centred practice
- Trauma informed approaches
- Learning through play
- Coaching
Kara was born on Wiradjuri land in country New South Wales and grew up in western Sydney. She moved to Brisbane at the age of 13 and has lived in the area for most of her adult life, apart from two years when she worked for the National Health Service in Scotland. Kara loves to travel and has spent time exploring Britain, South America and Asia.
Kara is a big kid at heart and loves playing, laughing, learning new things, watching others grow, and snuggling up with a good book and her dog Luna. She delights in being near the sea, in the garden or amongst the trees.
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.