Professional supervision for community mental health OTs
A warm, reflective space to strengthen your clinical reasoning, explore complex work and develop a way of practising that is thoughtful, neuroaffirming and sustainable.
Tessa provides one-to-one supervision for occupational therapists working with neurodivergent adolescents and adults in community mental health settings.
Supervision may be helpful if…
• You are supporting clients with complex and overlapping needs
• You want to strengthen your mental health OT clinical reasoning
• You find it difficult to translate assessment and formulation into occupation-based intervention
• You want your practice to be more neuroaffirming
• You are questioning deficit-based or compliance-focused approaches
• You want to explore sensory needs, executive functioning, regulation and participation in context
• You are navigating complex relationships with families, support workers or care teams
• You feel responsible for solving everything for the people you support
• You are affected by the emotional weight of your clinical work
• You want clearer professional boundaries without becoming disconnected or rigid
• You are trying to explain the distinct role of occupational therapy to other professionals
• You want to build a practice that is effective without becoming unsustainable
Tessa’s Supervision Philosophy
Tessa is an experienced mental health occupational therapist, educator, and supervisor. Her practice is grounded in community-based OT, supporting neurodivergent adolescents and adults with a neuroaffirming and LGBTQIA+ / queer-affirming lens. Her supervision style is warm, curious, reflective, and collaborative—emphasising that there is no one 'correct' answer, but rather a space to slow down and understand the person in context.
Clinical reasoning and intervention
- Assessment and formulation
- Occupation-based goals
- Strengthening reasoning
Neuroaffirming practice
- Masking and burnout
- Sensory needs and regulation
- Questioning deficit models
Community mental health
- NDIS-related reasoning
- Working in context
- Complex multi-agency liaison
Adolescent and adult practice
- Identity and belonging
- Transitions to adulthood
- Sustainable daily living
Therapeutic relationships
- Professional boundaries
- Emotional responses
- Identity-aware practice
Identity and sustainability
- Role clarity
- Workload and capacity
- Sustainable professional life
What a session may look like
Sessions are flexible and reflective, designed to adapt to your current needs. Whether exploring a specific case or focusing on your own professional identity, the space is yours.
• Checking in on current priorities
• Exploring a client or clinical situation
• Reviewing assessment or formulation
• Identifying the OT contribution
• Reflecting on therapeutic relationships
• Ethical and scope questions
• Practical next steps
• Workload and wellbeing review
Supervision may be suitable for…
- Qualified OTs working in community mental health
- OTs supporting neurodivergent adolescents or adults
- Practitioners seeking reflective external supervision
- OTs wanting to strengthen neuroaffirming practice
- Those interested in sustainable professional development
Supervision is not a replacement for…
- Line management or mandatory workplace supervision
- Legal, emergency, safeguarding, or crisis advice
- Personal therapy
- Employer, regulator, or insurer clinical governance
- Transferring responsibility for clinical decisions
Start your supervision journey
The process is simple and reflective. First, complete the enquiry form sharing your current role and what you are sought in supervision. Tessa will review the clinical fit, and if appropriate, an initial session and agreement will be arranged.
Common Questions
Who is this supervision suitable for?
Qualified occupational therapists working with neurodivergent adolescents or adults in community-based mental health settings. This includes those in private practice, community health, or NDIS-funded roles.
Can you support both new graduates and experienced OTs?
Yes. For early-career OTs, we might focus more on clinical reasoning and building confidence. For experienced OTs, sessions often shift toward deep reflection, identifying systemic barriers, and sustaining authentic practice.
How does external supervision differ from workplace line management?
Line management focus on performance, workload, and organizational policy. Tessa’s supervision is a reflective external space focused on your clinical growth, emotional wellbeing, and professional identity, independent of your employer.
Is supervision available via telehealth?
Yes, all sessions are available via Zoom for occupational therapists across Australia. [Insert details about in-person availability if applicable].
Does this count toward my CPD documentation?
Typically, yes. Attendance records and reflections from supervision can often be used to meet AHPRA CPD requirements. It is recommended to check specific registration requirements for your context.
What happens if we determine we are not the right fit?
The enquiry process is designed to ensure alignment. If Tessa is not the right fit for your needs, she will endeavour where possible to provide details for other supervisors who may be suitable.