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Everything You Need to Know

Quick, clear answers to the most common questions about OT by the bay 

How long does my child need Occupational Therapy for?

There is no set time frame for seeing an Occupational Therapist.  I can advise once the initial assessment has been conducted but generally, I see participants up until they have achieved their goals.  Every participant is different and achieves their goals within different timeframes. A participants progress is monitored and reviewed regularly and frequent discussions with parents and teachers are conducted to track progress.

Pricing 

In line with the NDIS guidelines the session rate is $193.99 per hour + travel time as per NDIS guidelines.
Indirect / Non face to face services (resources, report writing, therapy liaison) is also billed at $193.99 per hour. 

For private fees please email me for details. 

What to expect during the on-boarding process? 

​Firstly you will complete the referral form which will be sent to you via email, followed by: â€‹
Initial Appointment
Your child’s journey begins with a comprehensive 1–1.5 hour intake session. During this appointment, we explore your child’s strengths, challenges, and support needs. This helps us understand your family and identify the most suitable assessment pathway.

Assessment
Next, I will complete an assessment with your child to gain insight into their functional abilities across key developmental areas. These results form the foundation for meaningful therapy goals, which we develop collaboratively with you and your child.

Therapy Sessions
We then begin ongoing therapy sessions tailored to your child’s unique needs, interests, and goals. Sessions are fun, engaging, and fully individualised. After each visit, you’ll receive a brief progress update along with practical ideas to help support your child’s learning and development at home.

Are you NDIS registered? 
No however I am still able to service participants that are self managed or plan managed through the NDIS 

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy?

The canine partner may be involved in all therapy sessions, or may be involved in only some, or part, of the sessions, depending on the therapeutic goals and plan.
There are many potential benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy. Some of the common benefits are listed below:

· Reduces anxiety – the presence of a friendly animal reduces the physiological symptoms of anxiety (increased heart rate, breathing, high            blood pressure etc.), allowing participants to feel more comfortable in therapy.

· Interaction with animals can provide a sense of peace, purpose, companionship, and love

· Develops empathy, sharing, and care-giving capabilities.

· Builds self esteem and confidence. 

· Increasing verbal communication and development of social skills. 

· Helps participants share traumatic experiences in an emotionally safe way.

· Teaches appropriate behaviour with animals, and consequently, with other people.

· Helps participants become more motivated for exercise and fitness.

· Helps calm clients both emotionally and physiologically

· Dogs are non-judgemental and provide unconditional love, they assist in increasing engagement and rapport between therapist and client

Who is suitable for Animal Assisted Therapy? 

Anyone can engage in AAT as long as they do not have any serious phobias or allergies to the animals present.  Therapy dogs are great for treating dog phobias, however this needs to be the treatment goal, and can take some time.

How long do sessions last?

The session will go for 50 minutes (face to face) plus 10 minutes of clinical report writing is required at the end of each session to document progress made. 

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What age range do you work with? 

Primarily children and teens from around 7-16 years old, though this is not a rigid cutoff. The suitability of therapy for your child will be determined through a consultation.

My details: Claire Fitzpatrick

 Warners Bay and surrounds

Phone

Email

0478895455 

Core values

My mission is to create a safe engaging space where participants can connect authentically, explore their strengths, and develop confidence through meaningful activity and engagement with nature. 
Guided by core values of balance, compassion, authenticity and empowerment . I aim to foster resilience, independence and lasting personal growth

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