Meet Peta, the heart and soul behind Coast Rehab! With over 30 years of experience in the disability sector, Peta is an incredibly passionate and dedicated therapist. Her mission is to build a team of innovative and skilled clinicians who can provide excellent support to people with disabilities on the Central Coast.
Before founding Coast Rehab, Peta worked at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, where she helped children and adults with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions. During her time there, she developed a special interest in powered wheelchair mobility and even published and presented on this topic at state and national levels.
Today, Peta leads a talented and diverse team of therapists at Coast Rehab. She continues to work with people with motor neurone disease and other neurological conditions, always striving to stay on top of the latest assistive technology to help her clients live more fulfilling lives. Peta's commitment to her work is truly inspiring, and she's an invaluable asset to the disability community.
As a leader, Peta recognizes the importance of providing ongoing education and support to her team, and she is committed to fostering a culture of learning and growth within our company. She regularly shares her knowledge and expertise with her team and encourages them to pursue continuing education opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping or she can be found at the beach playing with her dog, Banjo.
Meet Sally, our amazing Physiotherapist Team Leader here at Coast Rehab! With over 20 years of experience delivering high-quality services to people with disabilities, Sally is an incredibly skilled and passionate physiotherapist.
Sally has worked with a wide range of clients, including those with cerebral palsy, brain injury, spinal cord injury, progressive neurological disorders (including MND, MS and PD) and palliative care. Her expertise allows her to provide tailored interventions to meet the unique needs of each client.
Whether you need help reducing falls, managing pain, or even getting into hydrotherapy, Sally has the skills and experience to assist you. She is an excellent communicator who believes in a multidisciplinary team approach to assisting people in achieving their goals. Her dedication to her clients is truly inspiring, and she goes above and beyond to ensure they receive the best possible care.
As our Physiotherapy Team Leader, she plays a vital role in guiding and supporting our team of physiotherapists, ensuring that they have the resources and guidance they need to provide the highest quality care to our clients. Her guidance and support are invaluable to our team, and we are constantly impressed by her ability to bring out the best in her colleagues.
In her spare time Sally can be found ferrying her 3 kids from one activity to the to the other, she loves spending time outdoors at the beach, riding bikes, camping with her husband and kids. A rare treat is sitting quietly reading a good book or two!
Meet Deirdre, our wonderful Occupational Therapy Team Leader here at Coast Rehab! Deirdre has been a highly valued member of our team for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.
Deirdre is a highly skilled occupational therapist, having qualified from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, in 1998. With extensive experience providing assessment and intervention services for people with neurological conditions, Deirdre has developed specialty skills in assistive equipment prescription, complex wheelchair seating and positioning, pressure care, manual handling, and SDA prescription.
But it's not just her technical expertise that sets Deirdre apart. She is also incredibly passionate about quality service development and advocacy for the role of occupational therapy in assisting people with disabilities to achieve their goals. Her dedication to her clients is truly inspiring, and she goes above and beyond to ensure they receive the best possible care.
As a team leader, Deirdre is responsible for supporting our clinical team to expand and develop their clinical knowledge and evidence-based practices. Her leadership skills are outstanding, and she has an incredible ability to inspire and motivate her team. She is a true asset to our organization, and we feel incredibly lucky to work alongside her.
In her spare time Deirdre loves hanging out at the beach with her husband and three boys or enjoying a glass of wine with friends.
Meet Laura, the friendly face of our admin team! She's the one who answers all enquiries and helps connect people with the right therapists to assist them. With over 10 years of experience in practice management, Laura is a pro at ensuring that our practices run smoothly and efficiently. Her passion for working closely with everyone ensures that positive experiences are achieved all around.
Laura is a master of organization and loves nothing more than ensuring that everything is running like clockwork. She's committed to making sure that our clients receive the best possible care and that our therapists have the support they need to provide the highest quality services.
While Laura has been working in Sydney all her life, she's now proud to call the Central Coast home since 2015. Her move to Coast Rehab was a much-needed sea change that has allowed her to continue to give back to the community while also having more time at home with her young family.
Overall, Laura is an essential part of our team and we're so grateful to have her on board. She keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes and ensures that our clients and therapists have everything they need to succeed.
In her spare time she loves spending time with family and friends, especially her partner and 2 young kids. In her down time she enjoys a glass of wine, a rainy afternoon and a good book.
Meet Hollie, one of our occupational therapists on the team who graduated from La Trobe University in 2011. Hollie's passion for helping our clients with complex needs is truly remarkable. She provides support to individuals who have spinal cord injuries, progressive neurological disorders, and physical disabilities that require specialist care.
Hollie's commitment to professional development is outstanding. She has honed her skills in seating, manual and powered mobility, bed assessments, and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) assessments. To stay up-to-date with the latest advances in assistive technology, Hollie attends industry-specific training, webinars, and conferences regularly.
One of the things that make Hollie special is her dedication to mentorship. As a fieldwork supervisor, she works closely with students to provide them with valuable on-the-job training. She is always eager to share her knowledge and expertise to help others grow in their careers. In addition to her work, Hollie is a member of ARATA (Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association). She is actively involved in the community, advocating for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.
In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, hiking and biking, often spoiling the team with her delicious creations.
Meet Helen, one of our occupational therapists who received her qualification in the UK in 2007. She has since worked in a range of clinical settings in both the UK and Australia, including acute care, rehabilitation, and community care. With her vast experience, Helen has had the opportunity to work with clients at different stages of their journey, including those with neurological conditions, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and aged care.
Helen's clinical expertise lies in providing assessment and intervention services for people with complex needs, particularly in the areas of assistive technology prescription, falls prevention, complex wheelchair seating, and pressure care. She is a natural problem solver who uses her knowledge and experience to create tailored solutions for her clients.
Helen is passionate about helping people achieve their goals and enhance their quality of life, and her caring and empathetic approach puts her clients at ease and helps them to feel supported throughout their therapeutic journey. Helen is committed to providing the highest standard of care to every individual she works with. She takes pride in her work and is dedicated to ongoing professional development, ensuring that she stays up-to-date with the latest interventions and advances in her field.
In her spare time she spends a lot of it wrangling her two young kids but also enjoys the beach, camping, travelling and catching up with friends.
Meet Sophia, who qualified as an Occupational Therapist from the Australian Catholic University in 2019. Sophia was previously a professional surfer on the World Surf League World Qualifying Series prior to pursuing a career in occupational therapy. Sophia moved from Sydney to start her career as an occupational therapist in the hospital system on the Central Coast, where she gained diverse clinical experience in the acute and rehabilitation setting. She has worked with people with neurological conditions, amputations and aged-related conditions.
Sophia is passionate about providing high quality, person-centred and evidence based occupational therapy services. Sophia values the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to therapy and enjoys working collaboratively with other health professionals to help clients achieve their individualised goals. Sophia has developed a strong interest in neurological rehabilitation and evidence based upper limb therapy. Sophia is dedicated to professional development and regularly attends courses to ensure that she is up to date with the latest research.
In her spare time, she enjoys surfing, rock climbing, hiking, reading and spending time with her family/friends.
Meet Ilne, one of our occupational therapists based in the northern end of the Coast. Ilne is originally from South Africa, where she qualified as an Occupational Therapist from the University of Pretoria in 2004. Since then, she has worked in various clinical settings across South Africa, England, and Australia, gaining a wealth of experience in physical disability, community care, acute care, palliative care, elderly rehabilitation, and aged care.
One of Ilne's passions is manual handling. She obtained her Moving and Handling: Preparation for Trainers qualification at Greenwich University in 2010. She has a genuine interest in helping her clients improve their mobility and manage their daily living activities safely and efficiently.
Ilne's approach is truly comprehensive. She develops personalized intervention plans based on evidence-based practice, using clinical assessments, problem-solving skills, reasoning skills, and knowledge of current intervention strategies. Her goal is to help her clients achieve their full potential and improve their quality of life. Ilne takes the time to get to know her clients and build a strong rapport with them. Her caring nature and dedication to her work are just a few of the things that make her an exceptional occupational therapist.
In her spare time, she loves spending time outdoors with her husband and 3 young boys. She loves tennis and has been to all 4 grand slams.
Meet Lauren, a dedicated physiotherapist who brings a wealth of expertise from her background in exercise and sports science, having graduated from the University of Sydney in 2006. With a diverse clinical experience spanning rehabilitation, community-based therapy, and acute care, Lauren's journey has led her to a passion for neurological physiotherapy.
Lauren's unwavering dedication lies in helping individuals rediscover their passions and pursuits. Specialising in guiding those living with stroke, amputations, Parkinson's Disease and other neurological conditions, she collaborates closely with her clients to craft personalised programs that align with their goals and needs. Drawing from her exercise science background, Lauren expertly tailors routines that empower her clients to reclaim their valued activities.
Lauren’s collaborative spirit shines as she seamlessly integrates with multidisciplinary teams, consistently striving for optimal outcomes. Beyond her clinical prowess, Lauren's genuine empathy and compassion create a reassuring environment, fostering trust and comfort for those she cares for. With an unwavering commitment to her professional growth, Lauren remains at the forefront of her field, continuously absorbing the latest research and developments. This dedication ensures that her clients receive the highest standard of care, tailored to their unique journeys.
In her spare time Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 kids, going to the beach, bike riding and bushwalking through our beautiful National Parks.
Meet Joanne, she is an Accredited Practising Dietitian graduating with a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Sydney. She is a member of the Dietitians Association of Australia. Joanne joins our team with over 17yrs of practice and has experience in a wide range of clinical areas including neurology, palliative care, oncology, renal, diabetes, heart health, respiratory disease, gastroenterology, surgical, ICU and food allergy/intolerance.
Having worked in both public and private institutions and more recently the private sector she has a good understanding of the health system and extensive experience working within a multidisciplinary team. Her service extends outside of hospital wards to include outpatient clinics, group education programs and community home based consultations.
She has extensive experience in neurological disorders such as Stroke, Motor Neuron Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s as well as Rehabilitation and Transitional Care. With a strong interest and background in nutrition support and enteral feeding she will be able to provide our clients with expert advice on meeting their nutritional needs with the assistance of oral supplements and supplemental/PEG feeding. She is focused on providing evidenced based practice and a high quality caring service.
Meet Nicole, she is an experienced Speech Pathologist with a Bachelors degree in Speech Pathology (Honours Class 1) from the University of Newcastle.
She has extensive experience delivering speech pathology services to people with disability, working across both not for profit organisations and the private sector.
Nicole has worked with people experiencing conditions including cerebral palsy, progressive neurological disorders, brain injury and genetic disorders.
Nicole as a special interest in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and swallowing assessment and intervention. She strives to provide evidence based and person-centred support to her clients and believes that everyone deserves to be heard and recognised.
Nicole is a certified practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia.
Meet Chrisi, she is an experienced Speech Pathologist with a special interest in neurological disorders impacting speech, language and swallowing. Chrisi provides assessment and intervention for adults with neurological disorders, such as stroke, Motor Neuron Disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's.
She is committed to providing client-centred, evidence based intervention to people who are experiencing difficulties with their speech, language or swallowing, and offering support and education to both clients and their families. Chrisi also has an extensive knowledge of augmentative communication systems for people who are losing their speech.
Chrisi is a Certified Practicing Member of Speech Pathology Australia and is a member of Australian Aphasia Association and Motor Neurone Disease Australia.
