Rebecca has over 30 years of experience in the field of occupational therapy, with clinical expertise across a broad range of specialty areas, including work with both adults and children.
Rebecca began her career in 1993 in the field of mental health before transitioning to home visiting and environmental modification, followed by spinal cord injury rehabilitation. In 2002, she established a private practice, where she and her team provided acute treatment services to two major private hospitals and community-based rehabilitation services to clients with a diverse range of complex diagnoses. These included physical conditions such as spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, burns, multi-trauma, vision and hearing impairments, as well as various neurological disorders including cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, multiple sclerosis, stroke, functional neurological disorders, and chronic pain conditions.
In addition to physical diagnoses, Rebecca is well-versed in the psychological aspects of occupational therapy. Her background in mental health has provided a solid foundation for the assessment of psychological injuries such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder; enhancing her ability to address the complex interplay between physical, cognitive, and psychological conditions. This dual expertise is particularly significant, as many clients with physical or brain injuries often experience concurrent psychological challenges.
In 2008, Rebecca began working in the area of medico-legal reporting, where the role of the occupational therapy medico-legal report is to define and detail the functional impact of a particular injury or illness on the claimant, and to comment on the care and equipment required as a result of the impairment(s). Rebecca is passionate about her role as an expert witness in this field, and her diverse skill set and experience enable her to effectively and comprehensively assess all areas of a person's injury or illness, particularly when there are dual diagnoses or pre-existing conditions.
Rebecca is actively involved in the occupational therapy profession, having served as President of the OT Association WA from 2010 to 2014. She has mentored and supervised numerous students and staff through her occupational therapy practices. During her time as President of OTAWA, Rebecca was proactive in increasing the minimum hours for professional development required for registration and continues to maintain her own learning across a broad range of practice areas.
