Advertise on podcast: OT Coaching Confidential

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce is joined by Bobby, an occupational therapist in the process of returning to paediatric practice after spending eight years overseas working across health coaching, strength and conditioning, and other roles outside occupational therapy. After allowing his registration to lapse, Bobby made the decision to return to Australia and to OT but quickly discovered that coming back to the profession involved far more than simply submitting a registration application. Over the past several months, he has invested heavily in professional development, completed extensive shadowing and mentoring, navigated the AHPRA re-registration process, and approached his return with a clear goal: not simply to become registered again, but to become the best therapist he can be. Together, we explore what it really looks like to return to occupational therapy after significant time away, how much the profession and employment landscape have changed, and why taking ownership of your own professional development matters at every stage of your career. We explore: Returning to occupational therapy after eight years away from the profession Navigating AHPRA re-registration, recency of practice requirements, and the uncertainty within the process The time, financial investment, professional development, and shadowing involved in preparing to return Why starting the registration process earlier can make a significant difference Finding your way back into professional networks and learning when you have been disconnected from OT for years Using mentoring, professional development, shadowing, and professional communities intentionally Choosing your next OT role based on values, supervision, support, and opportunities for growth Looking beyond recruitment language to understand what a workplace actually values What meaningful supervision and support can look like for a returning therapist Taking responsibility for your own professional development rather than expecting your workplace to provide everything Curiosity, lifelong learning, and knowing your scope as foundations for becoming an exceptional therapist Why access to skilled clinicians, observation, and therapeutic role models matters Recognising when a plateau might actually mean you need a new challenge or opportunity to grow Key takeaways: If you are considering returning to OT, start exploring the registration process early, it may take considerably longer than expected Returning after time away does not mean starting from zero; experience from other roles and stages of life can shape the therapist you become You do not need to accept the first role available simply because you are returning to practice, take time to understand what support, supervision, and workplace culture actually look like Ask prospective employers what a typical day or week looks like and what separates therapists who thrive in their organisation from those who do not Good supervision needs to be more than a promise; look for clarity around frequency, structure, joint sessions, and how support will change over time Professional growth requires personal responsibility, workplaces can support your development, but they cannot own it for you Exceptional therapists remain curious, recognise what they do not know, seek out people who know more, and become increasingly confident about the boundaries of their own scope Learning how you learn best helps you invest your professional development time and money more intentionally You do not need to know exactly where your career is heading before taking the next step; curiosity, connection, and intentional action can open opportunities along the way Mentioned in this episode: AHPRA and the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia re-registration and recency of practice process Occupational Therapy Australia, including professional development, interest groups, resources, and professional practice advisors The Art of Paeds The OT Coach Hub and professional mentoring The OT Coach Australia's training on choosing your next OT role Michelle Bihary's work around lifelong learning and professional development Recruitment support for allied health professionals Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you would like support as you return to practice, navigate your next career step, or continue developing as a clinician, visit The OT Coach Australia to explore how we can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I’m joined by Luana, a paediatric occupational therapist who stepped into private practice 12 months ago after almost a decade working across clinical practice, leadership and education. Now running a mobile paediatric practice in a regional community, Luana has gone from wondering where her referrals would come from to managing a full caseload and a growing waitlist. Together, we explore what happens when the challenge is no longer finding enough work, but deciding how you want your service to show up for your community. We unpack different ways of supporting families beyond ongoing one-to-one therapy, creating clearer referral and intake pathways, and valuing your expertise when opportunities arise outside traditional clinical work. We explore: Moving from managing a waitlist to thinking about how you want to service your community Creating referral pathways that gather the right information before families reach your waitlist Rethinking weekly and fortnightly therapy as funding models change Assessment pathways, one-off consultations and other alternatives to ongoing therapy Designing a caseload around the way you actually want to practise Using parent education, workshops and school consultation to support your broader community Deciding when offering your expertise for free is worthwhile and when it needs to be paid Moving beyond the NDIS hourly rate when pricing consultation and professional learning Using daily, half-day and consultation rates to value your time more intentionally Thinking about pricing from the top down: how much you want to work, what the business needs to earn, and what your services need to cost Key takeaways: A growing waitlist doesn’t automatically mean you need to fit more one-to-one clients into your week Families sitting on a waitlist are not yet active clients, and your systems need to reflect that boundary Asking better questions at referral can reduce administration while helping you identify the right clients for your service Families may benefit from an assessment, one-off consultation or practical recommendations without immediately entering ongoing therapy Service delivery should be based on what is clinically indicated, rather than simply continuing the weekly or fortnightly models we have become accustomed to Free professional opportunities can still have value when you are clear about the intention and return, whether that is community connection, marketing, referrals or professional fulfilment Consultation and training are different service offerings from therapy and do not need to be priced at the same hourly rate Knowing what you want your business to earn and how much you want to work can help you price services more sustainably Mentioned in this episode: My Murphy’s Single Session Therapy approach and training Community and parent education as an alternative way of supporting families Regional grants to fund community education initiatives The Sole Trader Hub at The OT Coach Academy Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I'm joined by John, an occupational therapist who made the move from vocational rehabilitation in New Zealand to complex psychosocial NDIS practice in Australia, and who is now stepping into leadership as an OT team leader.  After seven years as an occupational therapist and one year in a leadership role, John reflects on the transition from being a confident clinician to supporting others to grow. Together, we explore the challenge of teaching skills that have become second nature, balancing clinical work with leadership responsibilities, and discovering that authentic leadership isn't about becoming someone else, it's about becoming more intentional in how you lead. We explore: Transitioning from clinician to team leader while continuing to grow clinically Why being an excellent OT doesn't automatically prepare you for leadership Helping therapists develop clinical reasoning by making your own thinking visible Time management, billable hours, and supporting sustainable ways of working Creating systems that improve report writing, supervision, and professional development Leading former peers while finding your own authentic leadership style Supporting staff wellbeing alongside quality clinical outcomes Continuing your own professional development while mentoring others Key takeaways: Leadership is a separate professional skill that deserves intentional development The knowledge that feels instinctive to experienced clinicians often needs to be unpacked before it can be taught Authentic leadership creates stronger supervision relationships than trying to imitate someone else's style Time management and billable practice are professional skills that can be learned and supported Good supervision helps therapists understand why they make clinical decisions, not just what to do Sustainable leadership balances staff wellbeing, clinical quality, and organisational needs Professional growth doesn't stop when you become a leader, it simply shifts focus Mentioned in this episode: Michelle Bihary's Reflective Supervision and Leadership Training Sarah's Billable Time Workshop (Verve OT Learning) The Reflective Competence Model (available in The OT Coach Resource Library) The OT Coach Professional Development Planning Resources Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you'd like support through supervision, leadership mentoring, reflective practice, or professional development, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I'm joined by Katie, an occupational therapist with a background in acute, rehabilitation and hospital practice who is building a completely new area of occupational therapy in maternal health.  After experiencing the transition into motherhood herself, Katie recognised a gap in the support available to women recovering from Caesarean birth. Drawing on both her clinical expertise and lived experience, she's now developing a private practice that combines occupational therapy, education and digital resources to support mothers physically, emotionally and practically through one of life's biggest transitions. Together, we explore what it really takes to build a business around an idea that doesn't yet have a roadmap and the difference between having a great clinical concept and creating a service people can access, understand and value. We explore: Identifying an emerging area of occupational therapy practice through lived experience Moving from hospital practice into private practice and business ownership Building referral networks before asking for referrals Defining an ideal client and positioning a service outside traditional OT pathways Designing a client journey that balances education, therapeutic support and sustainable service delivery Using AI as a strategic thinking partner for business planning, marketing and content creation Creating scalable digital resources alongside one-to-one clinical services The practical foundations of private practice, including pricing, Medicare, business systems and client onboarding Key takeaways: Some of the best business ideas begin by solving a problem you've experienced yourself. Creating a new area of practice requires just as much clarity around service design as it does clinical expertise. Building genuine professional relationships comes before building referral pathways. Confidence often follows action not the other way around. AI can become a valuable thinking partner when used for planning, strategy and idea development, not just content writing. A well-designed client journey helps transform knowledge into a sustainable and valuable service. Building a niche business is about testing, refining and learning not waiting until everything feels perfect. Mentioned in this episode: Sensational Start to Setting Up in Private Practice (Verve OT) – A workshop covering pricing, business foundations, funding pathways and setting up a sustainable private practice. Digital Picnic – Practical training and education for building an intentional social media strategy. Claude AI & ChatGPT – Using AI tools as strategic thinking partners for business planning, marketing and content creation. Ready to Boss Legal – Legal templates and resources for Australian online businesses and private practice owners. Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you'd like support through supervision, business mentoring or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I'm joined by Harry, an occupational therapist working in paediatrics while also holding a pastoral leadership role within his church community. After taking seven years to complete his occupational therapy degree and spending much of his early adulthood mentoring young people, Harry reflects on the transition into professional practice and the challenge many early career therapists face: knowing they are helping clients, but not yet feeling confident explaining exactly why what they are doing works. Two years into practice, Harry is beginning to recognise that many of the relational skills, instincts, and experiences he brings to therapy are not separate from occupational therapy, they are part of it. Together, we explore what happens when lived experience, therapeutic use of self, and professional frameworks start to come together, and how confidence often grows from learning the language behind work you are already doing well. In this conversation, we explore: Bringing previous mentoring, youth work, and pastoral experiences into occupational therapy practice Understanding therapeutic use of self as a genuine clinical skill Clarifying intervention approaches and helping families understand why particular strategies are being chosen Moving beyond one-off supervision questions and towards intentional three-month therapy planning Identifying how you learn best and seeking supervision and professional development opportunities that align with your learning style Navigating uncertainty about future career pathways, including paediatrics, assistive technology, home modifications, and assessment-focused roles Key takeaways Confidence often develops from recognising and naming skills you already possess Being naturally good at connecting with people is a valuable therapeutic skill, not simply a personality trait Supervision, training, and mentoring serve different purposes, and it is okay to ask directly for the support you need Intentional reflection and short-term planning can make complex caseloads feel more manageable You do not need to decide on your long-term career direction early in practice, curiosity and exploration are part of professional growth Mentioned in this episode The Art of Paeds Training The Client Snapshot Tool   Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce is joined by Jessica, a paediatric occupational therapist who built her own private practice from the ground up and is now navigating what it takes to lead well without losing herself in the process. With close to a decade and a half in paediatrics, including a foundational stint at a larger multi-site practice with strong mentoring and supervision, Jessica reflects on how that early model continues to shape the way she trains and supports her own team today. Now leading her practice alongside her husband, she shares openly about the boundaries she's had to build with staff and with herself, the discomfort of renegotiating long-standing relationships as the business has grown, and learning to see profit as something that protects her team rather than something to feel guilty about. We explore The personal experience that shaped Jessica's path into occupational therapy Moving from clinician to business owner, and the boundaries that takes Setting boundaries with staff, and with herself, as a heart-led leader The shift in long-standing staff relationships from personal to professional Why being a great clinician doesn't automatically make you a great supervisor Reframing profit as protective rather than something to feel guilty about Building a team culture where ongoing learning is the expectation, not optional Key takeaways Caring deeply about your team doesn't mean ignoring the financial reality of running a business Being an excellent clinician and being an effective supervisor are different skills, and the second one needs to be taught Staff don't carry the same risk or emotional investment in the business that you do, and that's not a reflection of how much they care A safe boss still holds boundaries, even when it's uncomfortable Documenting your values and ways of working makes it easier for new staff to buy in from day one Mentioned in this episode Michelle Bihary's work on lifelong learning and professional development: michellebiharyhealth.com Gerda's episode "Dealing with Rejection as a Practice Owner" on The Private Practice Success Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oJg7RLtlvynXtIcPIsILM The Business Hub Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

This week I am joined by C, a paediatric OT working in a subcontracting role, and we talk about what happens when you love the clinical work but the systems around it are slowly wearing you down. In this episode we discuss: Finding your clinical niche and why specialising can be a protective factor Moral burnout and the difference between caseload overwhelm and systems overwhelm Navigating anticipated NDIS changes with your existing clients Becoming the primary anchor for complex families and what to do about it The "extra extra" - above-and-beyond work that isn't contracted or contained Written communication load and how to manage it with a neurodivergent caseload Termly planning as an energy management tool Professional development pathways toward mental health OT endorsement Key takeaways: Specialising aligns your PD, supervision, and clinical reasoning - it is protective, not limiting Moral burnout has a different source to caseload burnout - naming it matters A priority pyramid helps you define your role within a client's care team intentionally Responsiveness becomes a liability when it is the reason families value you A brief acknowledgement response is often enough - not every email needs a full reply Termly planning does not need explicit goals - it can be your own internal orientation for each family The OTA mental health OT training builds boundary frameworks, not just clinical content Mentioned in this episode: Michelle Bihary - moral burnout: michellebiharyhealth.com OTA Mental Health Foundations training: otaus.com.au/cpd-and-events/cpd/mental-health-foundations Client Snapshot Tool: theotcoach.au/otcoachlibrary If this episode resonated and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I'm joined by Chris, an occupational therapist running his own small private practice specialising in home modifications and assistive technology. Chris has been working for himself full-time since 2023, building steadily from a standing start during COVID into a practice with subcontractors, a full-time VA, and a part-time support person. Now, with his first full-time employee, a new graduate OT is about to start, Chris is stepping into a new chapter of his business and a new identity as a clinical leader. Together, we explore what it really looks like to grow a small OT practice intentionally, and what it takes to bring on and support a new graduate well. We explore: Building a small OT practice from the ground up in the NDIS and aged care space The realities of recruiting in a challenging market, even when you are doing everything right The difference between onboarding an experienced therapist and genuinely teaching a new graduate Training versus supervision, and why they are not the same thing Building clinical reasoning, not just clinical tasks Documenting competency in a way that supports both the new grad and the practice Structuring your week to absorb the demands of leadership without burning out Using existing systems and team members more strategically as you grow What it means to think clearly about the business you are actually trying to build Key takeaways: Recruiting is hard even when you are doing everything right - persistence matters more than strategy in the current market Bringing on a new graduate is a leadership transition, not just a hiring decision Training and supervision are different functions and need to be held separately Teaching clinical reasoning requires making your own thinking visible, not just delegating tasks Competency frameworks do not have to be complex - a simple sign-off checklist goes a long way A dedicated onboarding block, even just two weeks, can reduce the pressure of trying to do everything at once Growth requires a clear vision of what you are building, not just a desire to be bigger Employer brand starts with having a team to show Mentioned in this episode: Gerda Muller's podcast on building a self-running business Verve OT training modules for foundational NDIS knowledge ATSA and competency framework development in the assistive technology space The Health Professionals and Support Services Award and what changes at the middle management tier mean for small practices Using a VA strategically to manage contractor check-ins and reduce clinical leadership load Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.

In this final episode of OT Coaching Confidential Season 5, I’m joined by Rochelle, an experienced paediatric occupational therapist who has recently taken a significant next step in her business journey. After years of building a strong trauma-informed paediatric caseload as a sole trader, Rochelle has just transitioned into company structure and brought on her first employee. What sounds exciting on paper also brings a very real shift in identity, workload, and responsibility. Alongside holding her own long-term caseload of children and families with complex trauma backgrounds, Rochelle is now navigating onboarding, supervision, service agreements, business systems, payroll, and the invisible emotional load of becoming the person responsible for both clients and another therapist. This conversation explores what happens in those first few weeks after your first hire, when your clinical work remains full but the business suddenly demands a whole new layer of leadership and structure. We explore: Transitioning from Sole Trader to Company Structure Onboarding and Supervising a First Therapist Building a Caseload Intentionally Rather Than Reactively The Emotional Load of Trauma-Informed Paediatric Practic Boundaries Around Phone Calls, Emails, and Crisis Communicatio Balancing Client Care with Business Sustainabilit Planning Systems for Future Growth Including Clinic and Admin Support Key takeaways: Your First Hire Changes Your Role as Much as Your Business Supervision Needs Clear Structure and Intentional Tapering Responsive Care Does Not Mean Being Constantly Available Boundaries Protect Both Clinician Wellbeing and Service Quality Sustainable Growth Requires Systems Before Expansion Mentioned in this episode: The Master Timetable / Paper Planning Tool The OT Coach Business Hub Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au  to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I’m joined by Marie, an experienced occupational therapist who has recently transitioned from hospital and community mental health into private practice. With over 15 years of experience, Marie reflects on the shift from structured public health roles into the autonomy of private work. While the transition has brought flexibility and creative freedom, it has also introduced new challenges particularly around business systems, financial management, and the invisible load of admin. Together, we explore what it really looks like to build a sustainable mental health OT practice while balancing clinical care, business responsibilities, and personal life. We explore: Transitioning from public mental health roles into private practice The emotional and cognitive load of managing admin, finances, and systems independently Navigating payment boundaries and discomfort around money conversations Structuring caseloads across NDIS, Medicare, and private clients Letting go of work streams that don’t align (e.g., functional capacity assessments) The tension between flexibility, family life, and financial sustainability Using tools (like AI and practice software) to reduce admin burden The difference between “being the therapist” and “running the business” Key takeaways: A smooth clinical transition doesn’t always mean a well-structured business foundation Discomfort around money is common and requires clear, consistent systems Not all work streams are worth keeping, alignment matters more than opportunity Admin overwhelm is often a mix of clinical and business tasks, not just “extra work” External accountability (deadlines, supervision, structure) supports follow-through Autonomy is powerful but requires intentional boundaries and decision-making AI and digital tools can reduce cognitive load when used intentionally Sustainable practice comes from aligning workload, income, and lifestyle priorities Mentioned in this episode: Halaxy practice management system (invoicing, Medicare, client management) ChatGPT and AI tools for documentation, planning, and communication “She’s on the Money” podcast (financial literacy and planning) The concept of separating you from the business when setting boundaries Virtual assistants vs. clinical admin realities Financial planning, payroll setup, and income structuring for private practitioners Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au  to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce is joined by Sophia, an experienced occupational therapist who is navigating early private practice while holding the weight of past system reform, identity shifts, and changing personal priorities. With over a decade of experience across government disability services, hospitals, schools, and child development teams, Sophia reflects on how previous large-scale funding changes continue to shape her response to uncertainty today and how those experiences have also deeply strengthened her clinical reasoning and adaptability. Now running a small private practice alongside motherhood, she shares openly about reclaiming joy and creativity in her work, redefining professional success, and building a service that aligns with her values rather than external expectations. We explore Living at a point of clinical mastery and why familiarity can feel unsettling The emotional imprint of past system reform and how it resurfaces during current NDIS uncertainty Identity shifts as OT becomes part of life rather than the whole of it Neurodiversity-affirming, relational, and nervous-system-informed practice Transitioning from government services into values-based private practice Navigating Medicare, NDIS, and private funding without shrinking clinical ambition Contracting, intentionality, and clarity in parent-focused work Holding space, slowing down, and trusting professional judgement Building sustainability without pressure to grow faster than feels right Key takeaways Feeling unsettled at a point of competence is often a sign of growth, not failure You don’t need to know everything before stepping into private practice Intentional contracting supports confidence, boundaries, and clinical clarity Presence and relationship are powerful therapeutic tools Success in private practice can be defined by alignment, flexibility, and values not just income or growth Mentioned in this episode Alyce’s Caregiver Capacity Framework The Therapy Conversation Planning Tool Contracting and intentionality in therapy delivery Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, reflective practice, or business mentoring, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Jane, an experienced occupational therapist working in a Grade 3 leadership role within the public health system while also running her own private practice. After more than twenty years working across clinical roles, Jane recently stepped into a leadership position supervising a growing occupational therapy team. While continuing her own clinical work privately, she now also supports supervision, service development, and team leadership within a public health setting. This conversation explores the realities of stepping into leadership as an occupational therapist. Many therapists find that the transition from clinician to supervisor brings a new set of challenges, including navigating difficult conversations, supporting team development, and balancing competing responsibilities across clinical and leadership roles. Jane shares openly about the complexity of holding these roles while maintaining strong relationships within the team. We explore: The transition from clinician to leadership roles in occupational therapy Supervising and supporting a growing team Navigating difficult conversations within the workplace Balancing clinical work, supervision, and service development Supporting team performance while maintaining positive team culture This episode highlights how leadership in allied health often evolves gradually as therapists take on greater responsibility for supporting colleagues, developing services, and shaping team environments. Key Takeaways Stepping into leadership often changes the nature of work from primarily clinical to a combination of supervision, service development, and team support. Difficult conversations are a normal part of leadership and often become easier when supported by clear systems and expectations. Regular check-ins and structured supervision can help create space to address small challenges before they grow into larger issues. Supervision approaches often need to adapt to the different learning styles and experience levels of individual therapists. Leadership roles often require therapists to balance multiple responsibilities while supporting the growth and development of others. Mentioned in This Episode Michelle Bihari – Supervision and Leadership Training   Toni Knight – Wellbeing for therapists    Situational Leadership Model for adapting leadership style to clinician experience   Zoom AI Companion for supervision summaries and documentation Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Mary, an occupational therapist running her own private practice across several rural towns. After stabilising her caseload and building systems that support sustainable rural service delivery, Mary finds herself asking a new question. Not how to build a practice, but how she can best serve her community beyond individual therapy sessions. Working in regional areas often means therapists see the gaps in services very clearly. Schools needing support, education assistants feeling overwhelmed, and limited access to professional development and therapy services. Mary shares how she is beginning to explore new ways to contribute to her community, including developing educator workshops that support school staff to better understand regulation, behaviour, and practical strategies for supporting students. We also explore the role rural therapists can play in growing the future workforce, including hosting student placements and increasing awareness of rural practice opportunities. This conversation reflects a common shift many therapists experience after building a stable service. Once the day-to-day clinical work is running well, new possibilities begin to emerge around education, mentoring, and community support. We explore: Moving from building a private practice to expanding community impact Supporting educators and school staff through workshops and training The realities and opportunities of rural occupational therapy practice Hosting student placements and strengthening the future workforce Recognising the expertise that comes from building a service independently Key takeaways Building a sustainable clinical caseload often creates space to explore broader community initiatives. Supporting the adults around the child can have a powerful impact on outcomes for children. Rural therapists often hold valuable knowledge about community needs that can inform education and training programs. Student placements can play an important role in increasing awareness of rural practice and strengthening local services. Therapists working independently may underestimate the expertise they have developed through building and sustaining a service. Mentioned in this episode: Educator workshops and school-based training Student placements in rural communities Master timetable and structured scheduling approaches for rural practice Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Paige, an occupational therapist working in adult mental health and psychosocial disability within the NDIS. Paige reflects on her pathway into OT, including beginning her career in NDIS LAC and community roles before moving into clinical mental health practice and establishing herself as a sole trader. With several years in practice, she shares how her early experience shaped her tolerance for complexity, her ability to manage open work streams, and the systems she now relies on to work sustainably. As her clinical work has consolidated, Paige finds herself at a point of professional recalibration. The conversation explores her growing interest in supervision, not as an add-on to clinical work, but as a distinct professional role that requires intention, structure, and clarity. Together, Alyce and Paige unpack how supervision mirrors good clinical practice: understanding the person in front of you, setting clear goals, recognising strengths, identifying areas for growth, and choosing when to teach, guide, or reflect based on developmental stage. They also discuss the importance of time containment, boundaries, and pacing, particularly when supporting others alongside a busy clinical caseload. We explore: Transitioning from NDIS LAC and community roles into clinical mental health OT Managing complexity, open work streams, and non-face-to-face demands Building systems that support focus, pacing, and sustainability Clarifying scope and role boundaries in mental health OT Stepping into supervision and navigating confidence shifts Treating supervision as a distinct professional service Using structure and time boundaries to support effective supervision Knowing when clinicians need teaching, guidance, or reflective space Key takeaways: Early career experiences strongly influence how clinicians manage complexity later on Sustainable mental health practice relies on structure and pacing, not just clinical skill Supervision works best when it is intentional, structured, and clearly bounded Different clinicians require different types of support at different stages Confidence often follows action, rather than preceding it Supporting others highlights professional knowledge we often underestimate Mentioned in this episode: Michelle Bihari and her work on supervision and contracting Occupational Therapy Australia Mental Health Capability Framework https://otaus.com.au/resources/mental-health-capability-framework  The Client Snapshot Tool The Supervisors Space, a peer thinking and reflection space for supervisors run by Alyce and Claire Britton. Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.

In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce is joined by Ruby, an experienced occupational therapist working across a broad regional caseload while building her sole trader business alongside part-time hospital work. Ten years into her OT career and around 18 months into self-employment, Ruby reflects on what it has been like to grow quickly without a clear structure to hold the work. With paediatrics, driving assessments, NDIS work, and support at home all sitting under one business, she finds herself overbooked, stretched thin, and carrying too many competing priorities at once. Together, Alyce and Ruby unpack how overwhelm can emerge when growth outpaces planning. Rather than framing this as burnout, the conversation focuses on workload volume, blurred boundaries, extensive travel, and the absence of a clear plan for how different types of work fit together. This episode is a grounded, practical conversation for therapists who are established in private practice but feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of their caseload, unsure how to create clearer structure, and wanting to work in a way that feels more contained and sustainable. In this episode, we explore • The realities of regional practice and the impact of long travel days • Holding a mixed caseload and the cognitive load of constant context switching • How rapid growth can lead to overwhelm without clear systems • Treating reports, planning, and admin as protected clinical work • The tension between flexibility and sustainability in sole trader life • Making values-aligned decisions about scope, income streams, and capacity   Practical recommendations discussed: • Using a master timetable to group similar work and reduce cognitive load • Protecting non face to face time so reports and planning are not booked over • Planning leave and catch-up time intentionally using a yearly calendar • Narrowing clinical scope to improve sustainability • Completing a time and task audit before seeking admin support • Staying connected with peers or mentors to avoid holding decisions internally   Resources mentioned: • Getting the Admin Support You Actually Need – a workshop focused on clarifying support needs before outsourcing admin Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.