Meet Darcie

Darcie is a passionate and neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapist who is dedicated to supporting children and young people to build confidence, develop independence, and celebrate what makes them unique. She utilises a trauma-informed, strengths-based and interest-led approach to therapy, recognising that every child has their own strengths, needs, and ways of experiencing the world. Darcie completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Charles Sturt University in Albury-Wodonga in 2024.  

She has experience working with children and young people aged 3–18 across both metropolitan and rural settings, supporting a wide range of goals within areas such as fine motor development, sensory processing differences, play skills, self-care skills (such as toileting and dressing), emotional regulation/co-regulation, executive functioning, visual-motor skills, PDA profiles, healthy relationship development and self-advocacy, school readiness and school participation, puberty education, and developing work-related skills (such as CV development and job seeking support).  

Darcie prioritises rapport building, child-led therapy and co-regulation, incorporating each child's interests and motivations to create engaging, meaningful and goal-focused sessions. She values working collaboratively with families and providing parents and caregivers with education and practical strategies to support their child's development across everyday environments. She also enjoys collaborating with other therapists and professionals to ensure a consistent, coordinated approach.  

As a neurodivergent person herself, Darcie brings lived experience and a personal understanding of how different neurotypes can shape everyday experiences. She is passionate about helping young people to better understand themselves, recognise their strengths, and feel supported in being authentically themselves, whilst also educating parents and carers of how best to support their child. She is committed to ongoing professional development and continuing her professional development to ensure her practice is informed by current evidence-based approaches. 

Outside of work, Darcie enjoys spending time with animals and her dog, attending live music events, watching the AFL, spending time with friends, playing video games, and watching movies and TV shows. She loves learning about children and young people's passions and finding creative ways to incorporate these into therapy, making sessions fun, motivating and meaningful.  

Darcie's training and qualifications: 

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy  

• Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)  

• Experience administering and scoring assessments including the Vineland-3, Beery VMI, Sensory Profile 2, PEDI-CAT, Brown EF/A, Schoodles, Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile and Developmental Test of Visual Perception 

• Experience using Kelly Mahler's "The Interoception Curriculum®" 

• Co-running Puberty Plus group therapy sessions focused on educating young autistic girls about body changes, social relationships, menstruation, hygiene, emotional changes and puberty. 

• Planning and running group therapy sessions focused on educating children on emotional regulation, sensory regulation and self-advocacy