Kirstin is an experienced Occupational Therapist with a special interest in Mental Health, who qualified in South Africa in 2005. She lived and worked in London prior to settling in Sydney in 2009. Her experience includes acute inpatient, rehabilitation and community settings. Kirstin has worked across various Prince of Wales Hospital acute mental health inpatient units, including intensive care, and more recently began working in the private sector, providing OT services to NDIS participants with a psychosocial disability (since 2019). She is thoroughly enjoying working with the Verve OT team who recognise and value clinical expertise, in order to achieve optimal results for their clients.
Kirstin works collaboratively and compassionately with her clients and their families/ carers, by supporting them to develop the skills they need to empower themselves, in order to live their best lives. Areas of proficiency include working with adults who have diagnoses of Schizophrenia, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and/ or Anxiety. She has a growing interest in advocating for and respectfully supporting Neurodiversity (particularly clients on the Autism Spectrum), and their unique functional and sensory needs. Kirstin is committed to ongoing professional development, learning from those with a ‘lived experience’, and regularly engages in training, courses and conferences, to ensure adherence to current best practice.
Kirstin is able to assist NDIS participants and their families/ carers with identifying appropriate levels of support and accommodation needs (SIL/ SDA), as well as building capacity with respect to functional and vocational skill development. Kirstin works to support positive engagement with all her clients, including the use of sensory approaches to support emotional regulation and enable improved participation in day-to-day and meaningful activities.
Kirstin is a mum to two young active boys who keep her on her toes! Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking (usually with the youngest member of the family!), appreciating nature (often using photography) and the outdoors.
