About Us

Welcome to Pottsville Occupational Therapy, where we are dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages to live their fullest lives through personalised and compassionate occupational therapy services. We believe in a holistic approach to therapy, that considers the physical, emotional and environmental factors that impact your daily life.

Our Principal Occupational Therapist has over 15 years' experience in multiple practice areas. Whether you have a child working to develop essential skills for school, are an adult striving to regain independence after an injury or illness or are a senior looking to maintain your quality of life, we are here to support you every step of the way. We offer a wide range of services tailored to meet your unique needs, including paediatric occupational therapy, hand therapy, adult rehabilitation, sensory integration and more.

At Pottsville Occupational Therapy, we prioritise convenience, flexibility, collaboration, communication and personalised services. We work closely with clients, families, caregivers and other health professionals to develop individualised treatment plans that address your specific goals and concerns. Our goal is to make therapy accessible and enjoyable for you and your family, so you can focus on what matters most – achieving your therapy goals and living life to the fullest!

We are a mobile service operating in Pottsville, NSW and the surrounding area from Byron to Burleigh. We offer sessions in the community (including school, pre-school, work and home), where clients can be seen in a setting that is most comfortable to them. This also promotes the transference of skills from therapy into practice.

Thank you for considering Pottsville Occupational Therapy for your therapy needs. We look forward to partnering with you to help you achieve your goals and live life to the fullest.

About Pottsville Occupational Therapy

Our Principal Occupational Therapist

Karly Carter

As a Senior Occupational Therapist with over 15 years experience, Karly has significant experience within the hospital, private and community settings. Karly’s diverse skillset and experience means she is well equipped to work with a wide and complex array of clients to achieve optimal outcomes and maximise their engagement in meaningful occupations.

In addition to her significant experience across general acute inpatient and outpatient settings, Karly’s experience across paediatrics, hand therapy and plastics (including burns and scar management), allows her to provide exceptional services across these areas. Karly is skilled and experienced at providing the full spectrum of occupational therapy services across the lifespan in hospital, private and community settings.

From a personal perspective, Karly is a mother of neurodiverse children and wife of a veteran, giving her a level of understanding to therapy that is built on both her professional experience and lived experiences. Her philosophy is based on life being a journey with unexpected twists and turns, moments of triumph and moments of doubt, but above all, it's a journey filled with love, acceptance and growth. She believes in advocating for her clients, fighting for their rights and creating a world that embraces neurodiversity. It's about challenging stereotypes, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities to thrive.

Credentials:

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

• AHPRA registration

• Working with Children Check (NSW)

• Blue Card (Qld)

• Current National Police Check

Our Therapy Dog

(In Training)

Teddy

At Pottsville Occupational Therapy, we recognise the benefits that can be offered to clients by the utilisation of therapy and support animals. For that reason, Teddy is a new addition to our team and will soon begin Therapy Dog training. Once his training has been completed, Teddy looks forward to offering his services as a Therapy Dog during select occupational therapy sessions.

Therapy dogs have been shown to offer numerous benefits in the provision of occupational therapy services to both adult and paediatric clients. For adults, therapy dogs can significantly reduce stress, anxiety and depression, which can enhance the overall therapeutic environment. The presence of a therapy dog can also improve social interactions, motivation and engagement in therapy sessions, leading to better adherence to treatment plans and improved outcomes in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

For paediatric clients, therapy dogs can provide emotional support and comfort, making it easier for children to participate in therapeutic activities. The dogs can help create a more engaging and less intimidating therapy environment, which is particularly beneficial for children with developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders or trauma. The interaction with therapy dogs can improve social skills, increase confidence and provide a sense of companionship, which can be crucial in achieving therapeutic goals .

For both adults and paediatric clients, therapy dogs can also serve as motivators for physical activity, encouraging clients to perform exercises and tasks that might otherwise be challenging. The non-judgmental and affectionate nature of dogs helps in building rapport between the therapist and the patient, fostering a more collaborative and positive therapeutic relationship.

Have Any Questions?

If you have any questions about our services and how we can support you or your family, please feel free to contact us.