ABOUT
Mobile occupational therapy for young people
Optimal Outcomes OT
Occupational therapy at Optimal Outcomes OT is underpinned by its core values: engage, establish, empower.
vanessa
about
vanessa RICHARDS
Thank you for reaching out and contacting Vanessa Richards at
Optimal Outcomes OT.
Vanessa is an Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of experience working with young people and their families so they can experience success in the activities that are important to them.
She provides occupational therapy to promote mental and emotional health and wellbeing for children, teenagers and their families.
She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registration number: OCC000250949 and holds a current Working with Children Check.
ABOUT VANESSA
Thank you for reaching out and contacting Vanessa Richards at Optimal Outcomes OT.
Vanessa Richards is an Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years of experience working with young people and their families so they can experience success in the activities that are important to them.
She provides occupational therapy to promote mental and emotional health and wellbeing for children, teenagers and their families.
She believes everyone is unique and has many strengths that can be drawn upon to help them achieve their goals. She is inclusive, neuro-affirming and non-judgemental. You can be assured that working with Vanessa, you will be valued and safe.
Vanessa applies her skills and knowledge to support young people and families to promote mental health and wellbeing. She works with young people who have challenges associated with anxiety, mood, emotional regulation, sensory differences, behaviour, school attendance and their associated impacts on occupational participation and family functioning. She is experienced with working with young people and their families with a history of trauma or disruptions in attachment.
Vanessa is an occupational therapist and owns Optimal Outcomes OT. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registration number: OCC000250949 and holds a current Working with Children Check.
Vanessa graduated from La Trobe University in 1992 as an Occupational therapist. She later completed a Master of Teaching at the University of Sydney in 2012 and a Master of Special Education (Inclusive and Special Education) at Monash University in 2016.
In addition to her work as an Occupational Therapist, Vanessa has held Leading Teacher positions in both primary and secondary schools.
Her background as both an OT and a teacher has given her a deep understanding of child development, the establishment of short and long term life goals and a range of effective strategies to achieve those goals.
Vanessa is an active member of Occupational Therapy Australia and is a regular participant in the following special interest groups:
- National paediatric OT
- National OT mental health
- National OT infant mental health
- Neurodivergent affirming practice
- Animal assisted practice
- Yoga mindfulness and body based movement
