Meet Our Team
Kate Woods
Director and Senior Occupational Therapist
Bachelor Occupational Therapy/Applied Science (Deakin) University
Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Kate Woods has had wide experience working alongside many teams, schools and allied health professionals. Her passion is liaising with teachers, parents and her Senior OT team, seeing the benefits of therapy in a practical and tangible way.
Kate has enjoyed building valuable relationships with her schools over the past years and enjoys the support that she is able to offer to parents and teachers alike. Kate specialises in the area of sensory regulation and the flow on affect to development of positive behavioural habits. Kate loves engaging with children and helping to be a cheer leader for their development.
Ilona Pruscino
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University.
Ilona Pruscino graduated Monash University with Honours and comes to Connecting OT with well-rounded placement experience. Her passion lies with empowering others to live more fulfilling lives adopting a family centred approach. She aims to promote independence and engagement with her children who experience a range of diagnoses and developmental delays. Ilona’s gentle and caring personality allows her to build rapport with her kids so easily. We are very lucky to have her apart of the Connecting OT team.
Lauren Stasi
Senior Occupational Therapist
Bachelor Health Sciences (Latrobe) University
Masters Occupational Therapy (Latrobe) University
Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Lauren Stasi is one of our fabulous occupational therapists at Connecting OT. Lauren comes to us with not only her degree in Occupational Therapy Masters that she has completed at La Trobe University. Aside from this Lauren has always had a passion for working with children and this is evident in her past roles working as a tennis coach, working to look after her young cousins and even in her free time Lauren chooses to take her younger cousins out and look after them as she believes that relationships with children and being a positive role model is one of the most important facets of child development.
At Connecting OT Lauren is excelling in areas such as working with the really young little children. She has an absolute eye in her ability to support children as young as 2 and 3, as they are working to develop sensory diets and up skill in terms of all the splinter skills that are needed to support that child feeling success and having positive behaviour patterns in their crèche and kinder. Lauren has a really kind and caring demeanour and that is evident in the way that she works with the children as they always adjust quickly to her and thus are in a positive place to be making key gains. Lauren also does a lot of work with primary school aged children, working to support handwriting development and gain success in the general classroom environment. She is also a very generous therapist when it comes to encouraging the children and thus obtains great results.
Tessa Octigan
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University.
Tessa Octigan is she comes to us with extensive expertise in sensory regulation, fine motor development and social aspects. She studied a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University.
Tessa brings a relaxed and organic approach to the team and she has been able to create great relationships with kids of all ages. We are extremely lucky to have Tessa on board at Connecting OT.
Gabbie Smethurst
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from Monash University
Gabbie Smethurst is one of the most caring people in the world, her volunteer experience speaks volumes in terms of her level of integrity and attitude in doing everything she does the best of her ability. She has personal experience that has prompted her professional career and she has had great experience in her university placements. As a part of her research honours program she published an article titled on “Families’ reflections after one year using the National Disability Insurance Scheme”, therefore is able to relate to our families and everything they go through.
Bree Thatcher
Occupational Therapist
Bachelor of Science, University of Melbourne
Master of Occupational Therapy, Monash University
Bree comes to us with great experience in guiding individuals into overcoming obstacles to reengage in their daily activities. She understands the importance to connect with the family and medical team of each individual in order to achieve all goals with a holistic approach. Bree has engaged in multiple volunteer programs which highlights her giving and caring attributes. She is highly experienced working within the NDIS guidelines and builds rapport with her patients easily. We look forward to connecting her wealth of knowledge with you and your family.
Alexandra Boys
Occupational Therapist
Monash University - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Alexandra Boys comes to us with great experience, she has worked extensively with children of all capabilities through her placements and volunteer endeavours. Alex graduated from the Occupational Therapy Honours Program at Monash and although a recent graduate has proved to be an excellent therapist to the families she is working with, and we are extremely lucky to have her at Connecting OT. Her warm nature and positive attitude have been extremely beneficial to creating great rapport with all her children.
Keeleigh Grant
Office Manager/Allied Health Assistant
Bachelor in Osteopathy
Currently studying a Masters of Occupational Therapy
Keeleigh Grant is an invaluable member of the Connecting OT team. She keeps everyone on track, scheduled and in touch! Keeleigh is a highly organised individual with amazing communication and integrity. Our families are so grateful for everything she does.
Keeleigh has completed a Bachelor in Osteopathy, she is currently studying a Masters of Occupational Therapy and we welcome her abilities as therapy assistant. Keeleigh is loving having hands on time with children to support their OT goals, she is a natural and our families and children adore her!
Amy Barklamb
Administration/Accounts
Currently studying a Masters of Occupational Therapy at Monash University
Amy Barklamb is currently studying Masters of Occupational Therapy at Monash University. She has extensive experience at Monash Health, she brings amazing energy and passion to our admin team. Communication and staying calm are her corner stones and she is excited to connect with our families as we continue to journey together.
Jasmine Kinghorn
Administration
Currently studying Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honour) at Monash University.
Jasmine Kinghorn is an integral part of our administration team, she is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honour) at Monash University.