Our Team
Nicola Stampa (Castlemaine)
Managing Director & Principal Occupational Therapist
Nicola completed a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at The University of Melbourne with a focus on Developmental & Behavioural Psychology before deciding to follow in her mother Clare’s footsteps and become an Occupational Therapist, completing a Masters of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University.
Nicola has completed a Professional’s Certificate in the ‘DIR Floortime’ model, a play-based and relationship-focused approach with strong evidence for supporting children with ASD and a range of social-emotional challenges. She has completed further training in the CPS model with Dr Ross Greene, the CO-OP approach for co-ordination challenges and Kim Barthel’s ‘Becoming A Behaviour Detective’. Nicola has also trained as a Teacher of Children’s Creative Dance & Yoga at Mangala Studios and so brings her passion for music, movement and creativity to her work as an Occupational Therapist.
Nicola is now only providing mobile therapy services to Castlemaine and surrounding areas on Mon, Wed & Thurs. She continues provide supervision and training to our clinical team.
Sophie McNally
Occupational Therapist
Sophie is qualified with a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Psychology and Psychophysiology) and a Masters of Occupational Therapy from Swinburne University. Prior to becoming an Occupational Therapist, Sophie gained experience working with children experiencing a range of disabilities as an Allied Health Assistant. Sophie is enthusiastic about being able to provide therapy in a creative, fun and child focused manner to enable children to engage more fully in their lives.
Sophie has completed further training in the ‘Handwriting Without Tears’ approach and Mona Delahook’s ‘Beyond Behaviours’, as well as a ‘Tuning Into Kids’ facilitator. She has completed a Professional’s Certificate in the DIR Floortime model, a play-based and relationship-focused approach with strong evidence for supporting children with ASD and a range of social-emotional challenges.
Sophie works at the clinic on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. She provides mobile therapy services on Fridays and fortnightly on Thursdays.
Nikita Shastri
Occupational Therapist
Nikita completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University. She is an enthusiastic person who loves working with children and their families to build therapy intervention into everyday routines, and to help empower children to achieve their goals and dreams.
She is committed to providing evidence-based and strengths-based therapy in an engaging and fun learning environment to deliver the best possible outcomes. Nikita is a certified CO-OP therapist, Tuning Into Kids group facilitator and has completed other courses in Social Thinking, handwriting intervention, sleep, toilet training, and Kelly Mahler’s ‘interoception curriculum’.
Nikita works at our Box Hill clinic Mondays, Tuesdays. She provides mobile therapy services on Wednesdays.
Isla Borland
Occupational Therapist
Isla is qualified with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Australian Catholic University. She is enthusiastic about utilising music, play and creative approaches when working with children and their families to build their independence and confidence, and to help empower them to reach their goals.
She has completed further training in executive functioning, PDA, and utilising cognitive-based therapy frameworks to deliver creative arts interventions that address specific learning and developmental needs of children.
Isla works at our Box Hill clinic on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. She provides mobile therapy services weekly on Wednesdays and fortnightly on Thursdays.
Sarah Roediger (Castlemaine)
Early Intervention Specialist
Sarah is qualified with a Bachelor of Teaching and Diploma of Art Therapy, with over a decade of experience working with children in areas including teaching, case management, community development and crisis support.
Sarah is dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children and families. Working alongside parents, caregivers, and other service providers to foster an atmosphere conducive to learning, growth, and overall well-being. She is passionate about employing creative methodologies such as movement, music, play and art, while collaborating with children and their families.
Sarah provides mobile early intervention services to Castlemaine and surrounding areas on Mondays & Wednesdays.
Clare Edgecome
Senior Clinical Supervisor & Occupational Therapist
Clare Edgecome graduated with a B.Sc (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She has completed extensive training in Sensory Integration Therapy (SI) including techniques such as Therapeutic Listening. She is also trained to use the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding. She is trained in ‘DIR Floortime’ therapy, a treatment technique specifically developed for children with ASD.
As the OT team’s senior clinical supervisor, Clare shares her expertise through in-service training, coaching, seminars and supervision. Please note that Clare is working in a supervisory role only and not available for appointments.
Karyn Maguire (Castlemaine)
Therapy Assistant
Karyn is a qualified Naturopath, with over a decade of experience as a home-school teacher, supporting neurodiversity and complex needs. She is well versed with dyslexia, dysgraphia and learning difficulties.
She loves supporting children in fun, playful and creative ways, helping build self-confidence and meaningful connection, so they can be the very best people they can be on their journey through life.
Karyn provides mobile Therapy Assistant services on weekdays in Castlemaine.
Dezeree Pearl
Early Intervention Specialist & Counsellor
Dezeree is qualified with a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, and a Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has many years of experience providing play-based therapy to children as a school-based counsellor, as an ‘I CAN Network’ program facilitator and in educational support roles.
Dezeree is passionate about providing children and families a nurturing and supportive space which aims to meet their needs for learning, growth and care. Her aim is to support their independence and boost confidence, ultimately empowering them to achieve their goals.
Dezeree provides early intervention and counselling services at our Box Hill clinic on Wednesdays and Fridays. She provides mobile therapy services on Thursdays.
Bella Ritoli
Therapy Assistant & Administration Assistant
Bella is currently studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Deakin University. She has many years of experience working alongside children of all ages in an engaging and playful manner as a nanny and babysitter.
She is am passionate about working alongside children to support them in achieving their goals, while building their confidence and independence.
Bella currently provides mobile Therapy Assistant services on weekdays and weekends. She also provides part-time administration support at the Box Hill clinic.
Cath Addison
Therapy Assistant
Cath has been working with children since 1992, across a range of roles including co-educator at local and specialist kindergarten, family day care provider, kindergarten inclusion support assistant and administration in a specialist school. She holds a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate 3 Allied Health Assistance and Certificate 4 in Disability.
Cath enjoys collaborating with the therapy team at Baobab Therapy, she is focussed on assisting children to reach their goals by implementing therapist's plans centred upon play-based activities.
Cath provides mobile Therapy Assistant services on weekdays.
