About
Meet your therapist
Hi, I'm Ayah.
I am an experienced Occupational Therapist and the founder of Nurturing Start Occupational Therapy. I have been practising since 2013, after completing my Occupational Therapy degree in New Zealand.
Over the years, I have worked across a range of areas including mental health, physical rehabilitation, paediatrics and community-based occupational therapy. These experiences have shaped the way I work today and have helped me develop a broad understanding of how occupational therapy can support people at different stages of life.
What I enjoy most about occupational therapy is getting to know the person behind the referral. I want to understand what is important to them, what is working well, what feels difficult, and what they would like to become more confident or independent in.
My approach is warm, practical and person-centred. I believe therapy should feel meaningful and relevant to everyday life, rather than being something that only happens within a therapy session.
Support
Who I support
I support children, adolescents and adults with a range of needs, including:
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Sensory processing and regulation
- Emotional regulation
- Executive functioning, including planning, organisation, attention and memory
- Handwriting and school participation
- Daily living and self-care skills
- Building routines
- Social and community participation
- Functional independence
- Confidence in everyday activities
I also have experience supporting people with Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Down syndrome and other developmental or functional needs.
One thing that is very important to me is recognising that no two people are the same. A diagnosis may help explain certain challenges, but it does not define the person. I take time to understand each person’s individual strengths, needs, environment and goals before deciding what support may be most helpful.
As a mother, I also understand how busy and demanding everyday family life can be. This has influenced the way I practise. I want the strategies I recommend to be realistic, achievable and able to fit into everyday routines.
When working with children, I value parents and caregivers as an important part of the therapy process. You know your child best, and your knowledge of their strengths, challenges, routines and personality is incredibly valuable.
When working with teenagers and adults, I focus on what is meaningful to the individual and what they want to achieve in their own life. This may involve developing independence, improving participation at school or work, building routines, managing everyday tasks, or feeling more confident in the community.
I believe some of the best outcomes happen when everyone works together. Where appropriate, I collaborate with families, educators, support workers and other health professionals so that strategies can be used consistently across everyday environments.
I created Nurturing Start Occupational Therapy because I wanted to provide a service where people feel comfortable, listened to and supported.
My goal is not simply to focus on what someone finds difficult. I want to help people recognise their strengths, build practical skills and find strategies that make everyday life feel more manageable and meaningful.
For me, occupational therapy is about helping people participate in the things that matter to them and supporting greater independence, confidence and connection at every stage of life.
Not sure where to start?
Get in touch to discuss what support you’re looking for and whether occupational therapy may be the right fit — no referral required to make an enquiry.