Occupational Therapy: The roots of The Wild Orange Tree

Occupational therapy is the foundation of everything I offer at The Wild Orange Tree.

Occupational therapists are qualified health professionals who support people to engage in the everyday activities that are meaningful and important to them when illness, injury, disability or life experiences create barriers. We call these everyday activities “occupations” – the things that occupy our time, energy, identity and sense of purpose.

This is where my business name comes from: The Wild Orange Tree. The “O” and “T” are a gentle reminder that occupational therapy is at the heart of all my work.

Motherhood, womanhood and significant life transitions present us with some of the most complex occupational changes we will ever experience. They shape how we move, think, feel, relate, care for others and care for ourselves. It is why occupational therapists are increasingly recognising the importance of supporting women’s and maternal health.

As an occupational therapist, I always begin by understanding the whole person in front of me. Your body does not exist separately from your environment, your relationships, your history, your culture, your expectations or the roles you hold. Your physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual selves are interconnected and influence the way you participate in daily life.

We explore:

• Who you are and the roles you hold.
• What matters most to you.
• What feels difficult, stuck or out of alignment.
• How your experiences have shaped the way you show up in everyday life.
• What changes might support you to live with greater connection, confidence and vitality.

The additional approaches I have trained in – such as pelvic health, somatic practices, body-based therapies, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, parts work and other mind-body modalities – are not separate from my occupational therapy practice. They are tools that deepen my understanding of your experience and support my clinical reasoning.

I am always asking:
How does this experience impact your ability to participate in the life you want to live?
What meaning does it hold for you?
What changes might create more ease, connection and possibility in your everyday life?

For example, pelvic health strategies and soft tissue therapy may support you to return to intimacy, movement, exercise or caring for your child with greater comfort. Exploring your values may help you make decisions that feel aligned despite external expectations. Understanding your nervous system or sensory profile may help you respond differently to overwhelm. Mental health strategies can help unhook the unhelpful thoughts that make you spiral or freeze. Body-based approaches may support connection with your pelvic space, healing after birth or understanding how trauma impacts the body.

My role is not to tell you what wellbeing should look like. Together, we explore what you want your life or mothering experience to look and feel like, what is currently getting in the way, and what meaningful changes may support you moving forward. Not everyone realises that occupational therapists support feminine life transitions, and sometimes a different perspective is exactly what is needed.

All appointments at The Wild Orange Tree are offered as occupational therapy sessions and may be eligible for Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebates.