Private occupational therapy in Hertfordshire

Claire is an expert paediatric occupational therapist based in Hertfordshire. She travels around the South East of England visiting families, including Buckinghamshire and Essex and also parts of London. She has completed various postgraduate courses, including a qualification in sensory integration and training in the Alert Programme which is particularly successful for children with ADHD. Claire is also trained in the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS).

Claire has spent much of her career in child and adolescent mental health services and has experience working with children with behavioural difficulties, eating disorders, psychosis, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD and self harming behaviour. Currently, Claire is at a special school working with children with learning disabilities. She provides intervention to support children in reaching their maximum potential, including help with handwriting, motor planning and sensory integration techniques.

As an independent OT, Claire works with children and families in their home or school environment. Having assessed their needs, Claire will develop a bespoke treatment package for the child which will involve parents, teacher or carers where necessary. She ensures that the treatment sessions are engaging and work towards the child reaching their personal goals.

Claire is a member of the Sensory Integration Network and the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections for Children, Young People and Families.

Lone is an expert paediatric occupational therapist who treats children at home, in nursery and at school. She is based in Hertfordshire, travelling to the areas of in Essex and North London visiting children and their families. She is qualified in both Bobath and Chailey approaches, as well as being trained in advanced sensory integration techniques and using the CO-OP approach.

Qualifying in 1996, Lone has spent her career working in UK statutory services, in schools and also independently in private practice. She previously worked in Denmark treating children with severe learning difficulties in various special schools.

Lone works with children with a variety of clinical needs, assessing functional and sensory or motor difficulties. She has experience helping children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome and mild to profound learning difficulties. This includes supporting children with postural needs, prescribing the right equipment and offering advice to ensure safe use.

Lone aims to enhance a child's independence and functional ability and will include family, carers or teachers into putting together a personalised treatment plan. To ensure the care she is providing to families is of the highest standard, Lone maintains professional development through her membership of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections in Children, Young People & Families and Independent Practice.

Sarah is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in housing and equipment and moving and handling. She is based in Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

Sarah qualified at the University of Northampton in 2009 and has extensive experience in Social Care, assessing adults and children in their own homes for equipment, minor works and major adaptations.

Sarah has experience working with a broad range of conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Acquired Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delay, degenerative neurological conditions, stroke, heart conditions, Parkinson's Disease.

Marie is a Paediatric OT based in Bedford, East Anglia. She has been practising in this field for over 20 years, offering specialist advise and treatment for children and their families in both a home and school setting. Marie specialises in Sensory Integration, supporting children with routine activities such as dressing, eating, learning, and socialising. Marie has worked extensively with children with both clinical and complex needs, helping with motor, functional, and sensory skills.

Marie is a CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance) Practitioner, meaning she focuses on collaborative goal setting and allowing the child’s individual needs to direct their therapy. Her aim is to enable a child to develop the practical and sensory skills to safely and confidently undertake self-care tasks. This involves assessing their ability to move around independently and perform physical activity, but also their fine motor skills such as how they tie shoelaces, use zips and buttons, and their handwriting.

Marie has a particular interest working with pre-school age children, promoting sensory-based play, supportive positions for play, and appropriate equipment to enhance function and development. Marie can recommend small equipment provisions and home adaptations to enhance a child’s progressions. In particular, Marie is trained in the Chailey approach to Postural Management. Her approach to therapy involves working collaboratively with children, their families, and schools to set goals and ensure every child meets their full potential.

Marie is a member of two specialist sections at The Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Children, Young People and Families and Independent Practice.

Lisa is a Housing & Equipment specialist based near Milton Keynes, visiting clients across Bedfordshire and the rest of East Anglia. Practicing as an Occupational Therapist for over 10 years, Lisa has worked with a wide range of clients, covering conditions such as brain injury, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s, and many more. Lisa’s aim is to provide expert advice on home adaptations and equipment provisions to meet the client’s needs.

Lisa conducts home assessments to establish what a client’s current and potential future needs are. This could be related to access in and out of the home, bathroom accessibility, or the ability to conduct activities of daily living. Based on the client’s needs, Lisa’s recommendations might include minor or major home adaptations, aids and equipment to support everyday tasks, and tailored support to ensure the client is confident at home.

Lisa is also experienced offering advice on Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) assessments and Personal Independence Payments (PIP), aiming to provide a holistic programme of therapy.

Sarah’s extensive career in OT has seen her work with children and young people with a broad range of physical disabilities, social and emotional difficulties including, autism, ADHD, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain injury, and sensory processing difficulties. Sarah assesses and treats behavioural difficulties, fine and gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and postural management, to ensure that a child’s every need is addressed.

Sarah is SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test) certified, positioned to help children in any setting, whether at home or at school. She offers a holistic assessment, working collaboratively with families and other professionals, to ensure the best possible outcome for every child.

Since qualifying as an OT in 2008, Sarah is committed to her continual professional development. She completed a Sensory Integration qualification in 2012, leading to a MSc in 2014. Sarah also delivers training and mentoring with the Sensory Integration Education Network and the Advanced Practitioner training.

Based in Cambridgeshire, Lucy provides independent occupational therapy assessments to clients in the areas of Cambridge, Huntingdon, Peterborough and St. Ives, as well as visiting Norfolk and Suffolk. She specialises in rehabilitation, seating & postural management and equipment, treating adults with those particular needs.

Currently working as professional lead occupational therapist within the NHS, Lucy works with clients with physical, learning and mental health needs. She provides assessments and intervention to clients to maximise their current skills, develop new skills and build on new coping strategies to support them in their everyday life. Lucy uses the Assessment of Motor Process skills (AMPS) to guide her interventions.

Visiting clients at home, Lucy provides intervention that is based on the client's functional goals. This includes providing expert advice on specialist equipment and seating that would increase the client's independence in their own environment. Lucy is also able to deliver accredited postural care training to families and carers.

Qualifying as a speech and language therapist in 1983, Sharon has specialised in working with children and young adults at home and in school. She travels within Essex and Hertfordshire visiting clients, including the areas of Basildon, Grays, Colchester and Chelmsford.

Sharon has extensive experience in the field of paediatrics, spending her early career working for the NHS in mainstream and special schools, a child development team and a neonatal unit. Now working independently, Sharon provides assessments and treatment programmes to children in their own environment.

Sharon is experienced in the assessment and management of communication and language difficulties from birth to adolescence. She has a special interest in eating and drinking difficulties (dysphagia) in which she has completed post qualifying training. Providing a detailed treatment plan, Sharon provides direct therapy and training to parents, carers and teachers to enable them to implement the programme of intervention when Sharon is not there.

Sharon is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and is committed to maintaining clinical standards by continuous learning, following best practice and adhering to evidence based practice.

Working with both children and adults, Rachel provides expert occupational therapy in a home or school environment. She specialises in rehabilitation, providing assessments and treatment to clients with a variety of clinical needs and conditions. Rachel is based in Hertfordshire, travelling to Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and St. Albans, as well as into London visiting clients and their families.

Since qualifying in 2006, Rachel has worked for the NHS, for charities and also in private practice, including within a specialist residential eating disorder service providing clients with individual therapy sessions and facilitating a weekly life skills group. She treats children with neuro-developmental conditions, as well as both adults and children with mental health needs.

Rachel uses a number of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and sensory integration, in which she has completed postgraduate qualifications. Ensuring her client is at the centre of her care, Rachel works with the client and their family to help them regain functional independence and reach personal goals.

Rachel is committed to her professional development and is a member of several specialist clinical practice groups. This allows her to keep her skills and knowledge up to date and relevant to current practice.

Susie is based in Hertfordshire and delivers independent assessments to clients in their homes in areas of Watford, St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead. She specialises in neurological rehabilitation, as well as providing support with seating & postural management and moving & handling.

Susie's main experience comes from acute medical and community based rehabilaition, having specialised in stroke and neurological assessment and rehabilitation. She has carried a complex caseload of clients with cognitive impairments, as well as working with older adults experiencing falls and dementia.

Providing comprehensive and client centred assessments, Susie ensures all of her client's needs are met. Within her intervention plan, she focuses on improving her client's quality of life and overall independence within the home and community. This can include upper limb rehabilitation, cognitive assessment and treatment planning, including memory, and psycho-social issues. Susie also prescribes adaptations and equipment to maximise independence and support to a client with carrying out their daily life activities.

Susie believes it is important to work closely with her client's carers and families to make sure their goals are being met.

Helen is a specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist. She has experience of working with children with a wide range of difficulties. She enjoys providing therapy intervention for children with complex neurological conditions having worked as a therapist for the PACE Centre, a charity providing expert therapy and schooling for children with neurological motor disorders.

Helen has further training in Sensory Integration through the University of Ulster and has also completed the Therapeutic Listening Quickshifts course. She also works with children with fine motor and handwriting difficulties, undertaking holistic assessments and treatment programmes.

Helen is experienced in working with children with co-ordination difficulties and is able to use a variety of treatment approaches. She has undertaken further training to provide evidence based assessment and treatment programmes, and is a Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Therapy (Co-Op) Certified Practitioner.

Helen is a highly skilled and experienced occupational therapist specialising in the field of neurology.

She qualified from Oxford Brookes University and has worked in acute, rehabilitation and community settings working closely with a variety of other healthcare professionals. She has taken a particular interest in cognitive assessment and rehabilitation.

With post qualifying training in Bobath techniques as well as Splinting and Casting and Posture and Seating, Helen works with clients to help them achieve their goals by providing tailor made therapy programmes.

Karen is based near Watford, visiting clients across London and the Home Counties. With extensive experience in Housing & Equipment, Karen can recommend basic and complex home adaptations, including extensions. Whether a small piece of equipment or large adaptation, Karen’s aim is to help a client regain and maintain independence at home. Karen works with adults with a wide range of physical disabilities, brain and spinal injuries, and conditions such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, and motor neurone disease.

Through her rehabilitation programmes, Karen seeks to recommend practical strategies to overcome common issues such as getting in and out of the home, personal care and dressing, cooking and cleaning. These measures aim to help reduce the risk of falls, increase mobility, and build confidence. Karen can also advise on Seating & Postural Management, recommending suitable seating and standing aids.

Karen can advise and support clients through DFG Assessments, understanding the process and what is required. Karen is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections for Independent Practice and Housing, and has also completed additional qualifications in Housing Adaptations and Design.

Based in Watford, Lucy is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist with extensive experience in both the private and community sectors. Lucy visits children at home or school settings, across London, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. She works with children with a wide variety of conditions and abilities including, cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s syndrome, and dyslexia. Lucy also specialises in sensory integration and conductive education.

Lucy aims to maximise a child’s development potential, focusing on how a child can safely and confidently conduct activities of daily living, such as dressing, washing, and feeding. This includes working on gross and fine motor skills, balance and coordination, and postural management. Lucy also works with children and their families to develop a practical daily routine, setting manageable tasks and goals. Lucy is experienced working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring that every child receives coordinated support from experts across various professions.

Lucy is a member of The Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ specialist section, Children, Young People & Families (RCOT-CYPF).

Based in Suffolk, Jen provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients. She travels to local areas such as Felixstowe, Ipswich, and Sudbury visiting clients at home, as well as travelling further afield to London, Hertfordshire and homes in Yorkshire. She specialises in a number of areas of occupational therapy, including rehabilaition, seating & postural management and housing & equipment.

Jen has spent her career working in acute wards, rehabilitation units, for social services and also in private practice. She has always held a varied caseload, treating clients with conditions such as chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, CFS/ME and Arthritis. She has a special interest in chronic pain and fatigue management, having provided group therapy on relaxation and sleep hygiene.

Jen works collaboratively with clients, family members and carers to ensure that the most appropriate equipment, seating solutions and housing adaptations are provided to enable her client to live as independently as possible. She also provides expert advice and guidance on work-related issues, having gained experience working at a vocational rehabilitation centre.

Jen likes to keep her clinical knowledge up to date, maintaining her professional memberships of The College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Sections in Independent Practice and Neurological Practice.

Lynn is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with 24 years post-graduate experience. She works with children in school and home settings carrying out goal based occupational therapy assessments and intervention. She has specialist skills in paediatric assessments, including School Amps (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills) and is an Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration(SI) having successfully completed levels 1-4 Sensory Integration training.

Lynn devises treatment programmes tailored to the assessed needs of the individual child. She uses Ayres Sensory Integration assessment and treatment approaches and works with parents and teaching staff to empower them to implement strategies and activities at home and in the child’s setting.

She is skilled in writing reports detailing the assessment, outcomes and treatment recommendations, including reports for Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals. She also delivers training to schools and parents on topics including sensory processing.

Rachel is an expert Hand Therapist, practising in Occupational Therapy for over 10 years. Rachel has worked extensively with both long-term conditions and trauma, enabling clients to maximise function in their hands and upper limbs. Rachel is based in Peterborough and visits clients across East Anglia, including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire.

Rachel is highly skilled to help with various hand traumas such as, fractures, dislocations, amputations, ligament damage, and arthritis. Therapy with Rachel typically includes the development of a personalised exercise programme, pain management, splinting (static and dynamic), and the utilisation of small aids.

Rehabilitation of the hands and upper limbs provides clients with the skill to carry out self-care tasks such as dressing and washing, and domestic activities such as cooking and cleaning. Through effective pain management and advice on how to adapt activities, clients can regain independence and control over their lives.

Rachel is a professional member of The British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT) and regularly undertakes their specialist courses.

Qualifying as an occupational therapist in 2002, Louise has specialised in rehabilitation for adults and children. She has a special interest in sensory integration and has completed postgraduate training at Masters level in this area. Working independently, Louise visits clients at home, travelling in and around Essex and the surrounding counties.

Louise currently works for the NHS with people with high functioning autism and uses her advanced skills to meet their sensory needs. This includes helping them develop skills for the workplace, gain employment and also prepare them for university.

Louise develops goal orientated treatment packages for her clients, delivering these at home or in school. The plan focuses on the client reaching their maximum potential and becoming as independent as possible in daily activities.

Louise is currently a member of the Sensory Integration Network and the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section in Independent Practice.

Michaela completed her BSc(Hons) in Occupational Therapy in 2011 and since graduating has worked in both the charitable and public sector. Michaela has specialised in Paediatric Occupational Therapy and has further developed specialist knowledge in the field of Sensory Integration through post graduate training and clinical experience.

Working holistically Michaela helps children develop their skills and confidence to achieve their full potential and supports parents and carers in helping them gain knowledge and understanding of their child's difficulties through this process.

Michaela continues to develop her skills and knowledge through academic study, and peer learning and is a member of the Sensory Integration Network and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Michaela is based in Essex and covers Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk areas.

Having qualified in 1993, Jacquie has a vast experience of occupational therapy, having worked in a number of settings including acute hospital wards, inpatient, outpatient and community based services.

More recently she has specialised in rehabilitation for clients who have experienced traumatic brain injury, particularly focusing on the management of cognitive and behavioural difficulties, fatigue management and the use of technology to enable increased participation in valued activities, including vocational rehabilitation.

In 2004 Jacquie completed a post graduate certificate in postural management and have participated in neurological clinics within the wheelchair service. She has developed specialist skills in upper limb management and rehabilitation, she is able to advise re. the management of tonal issues, provide hand splints and is trained in assessment for and fitting of the Saeboflex.

Chantelle is an Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience. Based in Watford, Chantelle visits clients across London, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. She specialises in neurological rehabilitation, having worked with clients with an extensive range of differing conditions including, acquired brain injury, stroke, spinal injury, and multiple sclerosis. Chantelle can also provide housing assessments and recommendations.

Chantelle focuses on functional and cognitive rehab, with the aim to develop a client’s physical and mental wellbeing and capability. This is designed to enable the client to regain and maintain independence at home and, when appropriate, return to work. Chantelle is AMPS (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills) trained, offering comprehensive advice and treatment. She is also trained in splinting to support function and movability.

Chantelle also assists with Housing & Equipment adaptations and provisions, designed to improve the client’s accessibility and mobility in the home. Her aim is to support a client to stay in their own home for as long as possible, ensuring that they have all of their needs covered and can confidently and comfortably live at home.

She is experienced advising clients on fatigue management, ensuring they develop a beneficial routine and sleep patterns, undertake relaxation techniques, and set daily goals.

Debra provides expert occupational therapy to clients in London, as well as visiting homes in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex. She specialises in housing & equipment, moving & handling and seating & postural management for both children and adults. Working collaboratively with the client, their family and carers, Debra provides a tailored treatment programme which aims to increase independence and improve quality of life.

Since qualifying in 2006, Debra has worked in a variety of health and social care settings, including inpatient, community and the private sector. She has provided care to clients with various physical and neurological conditions, such as brain injury, cerebral palsy, arthritis, stroke and dementia.

Visiting the client in their home environment, Debra is able to identify the individual’s needs and can recommend minor or major adaptations as appropriate. This could include facilities such as wet rooms, wheelchair accessible kitchens, ramps, through floor lifts or hoist systems, as well as grab rails, stairlifts and adaptive equipment. She works closely with carers, surveyors, architects and contractors to ensure that the adaptations meet the current and future needs of the client and to reduce the risk of injury and falls.

Alongside housing and equipment, Debra also provides expert advice and guidance on seating & postural management. Debra prescribes chairs with specialist accessories and functions such as a vertical lift, riser function, recline function or tilt in space. She encourages and advises on good seating support, training carers and families on the risks of poor skin integrity and pressure sores, as well as safe manual handling and transfers in the home.

Through her work, Debra aims to promote independence and reduce risk by enabling the client to have safe access to all essential facilities and to be safe within their home.

Qualifying as a speech and language therapist in 2010, Debbie provides expert assessment and treatment to children and young adults at home, in school or at nursery. She visits children and their families in the London area, working collaboratively with parents and carers to ensure the child reaches their maximum potential. Debbie is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

Having gained experience working in the NHS and private sector, Debbie provides therapy to children of all ages with mild, moderate and severe communication needs. She supports children with the development of speech, as well as focusing on attention, listening and social skills. She provides fun and motivating therapy, working with a child to maximise their speech and language use and increase their independence. Therapy includes sensory stimulation, intensive interaction strategies and building on self-esteem.

Working holistically, Debbie provides training to parents, teachers and teaching assistants so they feel confident communicating with children and young adults with additional needs.

Qualifying as an occupational therapist in 2011, Meera specialises in rehabilitation and moving & handling. She has completed post qualifying training, including a masters degree to support her clinical practice. Visiting her clients in their own environment, Meera travels to areas of Berkshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire, as well as homes in London.

Meera has experience treating clients with long term neurological conditions, as well as supporting older adults and end of life care. She completes detailed assessments with her clients using a variety of approaches, including using the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) to meet goals and record an individuals intervention. She aims to optimise their function in meaningful activities and promote quality of life.

Treating her clients at home, Meera will involve family members and carers to ensure that they are appropriately trained and that intervention can continue when Meera is not there. This includes providing moving and handling plans, specifically offering advice on positioning and complex equipment, aiming to improve her clients independence at home and in the community.