About Sara
Supporting children with warmth, curiosity and connection.
Hi, I'm Sara.
I'm so glad you're here. I know reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, and choosing the right therapist is a big decision. My hope is that by the time you've finished reading this page, you'll have a sense of not only how I work, but who I am.
For more than 13 years, I've had the privilege of supporting children, young people and their families through the ups and downs of everyday life. Every child is different, which is why I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. I take the time to understand each child's strengths, interests and challenges so we can work together towards goals that are meaningful for them and their family.
One of the things I love most about occupational therapy is that it looks beyond behaviour. Every behaviour tells us something, and I'm passionate about helping families understand the "why." When we understand what's driving a child's behaviour, we can stop focusing on changing the child and start building the skills, supports and environments that help them thrive.
My approach is play-based, collaborative and neurodiversity-affirming. I believe parents and caregivers are the experts in their child, so therapy isn't something that happens for one hour each week—it works best when we work together. Whether we're celebrating a breakthrough, navigating a challenge, or problem-solving over a cup of coffee, my goal is always for families to leave feeling supported, understood and hopeful.
Outside the clinic, you'll usually find me spending time with my husband, cooking for family and friends, or with our dogs—who probably feature in more conversations than they should! I also love creating calm, welcoming spaces, which is why I wanted Move Play Learn to feel more like walking into a home than a traditional therapy clinic.
The moments that stay with me aren't always the big milestones. They're the child who orders their own lunch for the first time, joins in with friends at school, brushes their teeth without a battle, sleeps in their own bed, or finally finds the words to say how they're feeling. Those everyday wins can have a profound impact on a child's confidence and on family life, and they're the moments I feel incredibly lucky to be part of.
I genuinely believe every child deserves to feel capable, understood and valued for who they are. It's a privilege to be invited into that journey, and I look forward to meeting yours.
A few things about me...
☕ There's a good chance I'm holding a coffee.
🐶 I'll stop to say hello to every dog I meet.
🛒 I genuinely enjoy grocery shopping.
📦 My Amazon cart and I have an ongoing relationship.
📚 I get way too excited about stationery.
🍝 I don't know how to cook for just two people.
👅 Something not many people know about me: I unconsciously fold my tongue inside my mouth when I'm tired.
Why I Became an Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapy became personal for me long before it became my career. I've seen firsthand the difference the right support can make, not just for the person receiving therapy, but for their whole family. I've seen how much can change when someone truly believes in a child, looks beyond the diagnosis, and takes the time to understand what they're communicating. Those experiences shaped the therapist I wanted to become.
I believe a diagnosis is one part of a person's story it should never become their whole story. While a diagnosis can provide understanding, guide supports and explain why someone experiences the world differently, it should never limit expectations or define who someone is. Every child has strengths, interests and their own unique way of experiencing the world.
I became an occupational therapist because I wanted to help children and families find hope, celebrate progress, and discover that with the right supports, strategies and people around them, incredible things are possible.
Why Paediatrics
I honestly can't imagine doing anything else.
Children are wonderfully honest, creative and resilient, and no two are ever the same. One of my favourite moments is seeing a child realise,
"I can do this" . Watching that spark of confidence grow, sometimes after weeks, months or even years, is something I'll never get tired of.
Just as importantly, I love working alongside parents and caregivers. Families spend far more time with their child than I ever will, and I believe therapy is most powerful when it continues beyond our sessions together.
Some of the children I'm most passionate about supporting are those who have been labelled as "challenging". They are often the children who have spent the most time being misunderstood. I love taking the time to understand what's underneath the behaviour, because every child is communicating something. When we understand the why, everything starts to change.
Why Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
I believe neurodiversity is a natural part of being human. My goal isn't to change who a child is. Instead, I want to understand how they experience the world, help others understand them too, and work together to build environments where they can be successful while being authentically themselves.
I don't see children as "naughty," "defiant" or "attention-seeking". I see behaviour as communication. Every behaviour tells us something, and when we slow down and become curious rather than reactive, we often discover a child who's doing the very best they can with the skills, supports and experiences they have.
What Motivates Me
I'm motivated by hope.
Some families arrive feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or worried that nothing is working. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping families realise there is a way forward.
Progress doesn't always happen overnight, and it doesn't always look the way we expect, but every small step matters. Watching a child believe in themselves, seeing a parent breathe a little easier, or hearing a family say, "Things feel different now", is what keeps me passionate about what I do.
What Families Can Expect
From the moment you walk through the door, I want you to feel welcomed, heard and never judged.
My first priority is getting to know your child and your family, not just reading reports or focusing on a diagnosis. Every therapy plan is tailored to your child's strengths, interests and goals, because no two children are the same.
You can expect therapy that is practical, meaningful and individualised. We'll celebrate strengths, work through challenges together, and focus on the things that matter most to your family. You'll probably find me sitting on the floor building obstacle courses, playing games, laughing with your child, solving problems together and celebrating every little success.
Most importantly, you'll never be doing it alone.
My Collaborative Philosophy
I often tell families that I only see a small snapshot of your child's life. You're there for the school mornings, bedtime routines, tricky afternoons, exciting milestones and all the moments in between. You're the expert on your child.
My role is to bring occupational therapy knowledge, fresh perspectives and practical strategies. Your role is to bring the deep understanding of who your child is. Together, we create supports that work in everyday life, not just in the therapy room.
I also believe I'm just one part of your child's team. The best outcomes happen when families, educators, therapists and other professionals work together towards shared goals, with your child at the center of every decision.
What I Hope Every Family Leaves With
Everything I do comes back to one simple belief: every child deserves to be seen for who they are, understood for what they're communicating, and supported to participate in a life that feels meaningful to them.
I don't take myself too seriously. I laugh a lot, celebrate the little wins just as much as the big ones, and, more often than not I'm probably not wearing socks. But I take the privilege of supporting children and families incredibly seriously.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. If you think Move Play Learn might be the right fit for your family, I'd love to meet you and hear your story.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
— Maya Angelou
As an occupational therapist, this quote truly guides my practice. I strive to work in this way every day, ensuring that every person I support feels heard, valued, and empowered throughout their therapy journey.
My Mission
To help every child feel understood, every family feel supported, and every step forward feel possible,
as the most meaningful therapy doesn't end when the session does.
What Might a Session Look Like?
No two sessions look the same, because no two children are the same.
Your child might be building an obstacle course, creating something with their hands, solving a challenge, exploring sensory experiences or chatting while playing a game. Whatever captures their interest becomes an opportunity to build meaningful skills.
We follow your child's lead while working towards goals that matter to your family, creating a space where children feel safe, understood and excited to come back.
Therapy often looks like play — but every activity has a purpose.
Play-Based
Children learn best when they're engaged, curious and having fun.
Child-Led
Every session is guided by your child's strengths, interests and goals.
Purposeful
Every activity is thoughtfully chosen to build meaningful skills for everyday life.
Collaborative
We work alongside parents because meaningful progress happens together.
Meet Ollie, Our Four Legged Team Member
(only attends selected appointments)
Every great clinic needs a four-legged team member, and ours is Ollie; a friendly black Labrador with an endless supply of enthusiasm, a very waggy tail, and an uncanny ability to know exactly when someone needs a cuddle.
Ollie attends selected appointments by request or when it's the right fit for a child. For some children, having a calm, familiar dog nearby can help them feel more relaxed, confident and comfortable in the therapy environment.
Whether he's greeting families at the door, quietly supervising a session from his favourite spot on the floor or accepting well-earned pats, Ollie has a wonderful way of helping children feel at ease.
Don't worry if dogs aren't your thing. Ollie only joins sessions with prior discussion and your consent.
Ollie's Fun Facts
🧸 Favourite toy: Anything with a squeaker
🥕 Favourite snack: Carrots! And anything he thinks he's allowed to eat.
🐾 Favourite thing to do: Making new friends!
❤️ Superpower: Ollie can make like a weighted blanket with the command "heavy"
⚠️ Warning: Side effects of meeting Ollie may include death by 1,000 kisses 💋🐶
Meet Amy
Amy looks after all the admin behind the scenes at Move Play Learn. If you've called, emailed or asked a question about getting started, chances are you've spoken with her. She's usually the first point of contact, helping families navigate that first step and keeps things running smoothly so Sara can focus on your child. A few things about Amy:
Always has a cappuccino within reach
Spends her downtime upside down on an aerial hoop
Loves helping families feel sorted before they've even walked in the door
Therapy that feels safe, meaningful and genuinely fun
The moment you walk through the door, I want you and your child to feel welcome.
Move Play Learn was thoughtfully designed to feel calm, inviting and child-friendly, more like a welcoming space than a traditional therapy clinic. Whether your child is ready to jump straight into play or needs a little extra time to settle in, they'll be supported at their own pace, without pressure or expectations.
Every toy, game, obstacle course and sensory resource has been carefully chosen with purpose. While therapy often looks like play, every activity is thoughtfully designed to build confidence, develop everyday skills and support meaningful participation at home, at school and in the community.
Above all, I hope every child feels safe to be themselves, and every family leaves feeling just a little more confident, connected and hopeful than when they arrived.
Ready to take the first step?
Get in touch and we'll chat about your concerns. We'll decided whether Move Play Learn is the right fit. Together we'll build a therapy plan tailored to your child.
Building a brighter future for children, one step at a time.
Move Play Learn acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
