Therapy assistant sessions in MelbourneÂ
Extra time to practise the skills that matter to you, at home and out in your community, with a therapy assistant I supervise.
Some of my clients now have the option of sessions with a therapy assistant (TA). It's a way to get more practice time, in the places where skills actually get used, while I stay your occupational therapist the whole way through.
TA sessions start in early 2027.
- A therapy assistant (TA) helps you practise the goals in your therapy plan.
- Your TA is an occupational therapy student who works for my practice.
- I plan the sessions, supervise your TA and stay responsible for your therapy.
- Sessions are about 2.5 hours, at home or out in the community.
- You can say no, ask for changes, or stop at any time.
- Your information stays private.
- It's for NDIS participants who are plan-managed or self-managed.
- To ask about it, email admin@ourmindfulyouth.com.au
What TAs do and don't do
TAs do help you practice goals, give you more time to work on things, and report back to me about how things are going. TAs don't do new assessments, change your therapy plan, give clinical advice, or provide crisis support. If you need a change to your plan, you still talk to me about that in our regular sessions.
How I supervise
I am legally and clinically responsible for everything the TA does. I meet with your TA every week to discuss your progress and plan the next sessions. I also read the notes from every session they have with you. We still keep our regular sessions too, so I can see for myself how you are going.
Safety and child safety
Your safety is the most important thing. TAs follow all the same safety policies that I do, including the Child Safe Standards. They are trained in how to support you if you feel overwhelmed and they have a direct way to contact me during your session if they need to.
Driving and transport
TAs are not able to drive you in their own cars. If your session involves going somewhere, we can walk, use public transport together, or use a taxi/rideshare that you pay for. Practising using these transport options can be a goal in itself.
Your choice and consent
You always have a choice about working with a TA. You can meet them first to see if you feel comfortable. If you start sessions and decide you don't like it, you can stop at any time. You can also ask for changes to how the sessions happen. My goal is for you to feel in control of your therapy.
Privacy
Your TA only has access to the information they need to do their job. They follow the same strict privacy rules as I do. They write notes about your sessions in the same secure system I use, and they don't share your information with anyone else without your permission, unless there is a safety risk.
Funding and costs
TA sessions are charged at a lower hourly rate than OT sessions. This is based on the NDIS Price Guide for 'Therapy Assistant - Level 2'. It's for NDIS participants who are plan-managed or self-managed. Using a TA can help your NDIS budget go further while still getting the professional support you need.