Our Team

Nicola Stampa

Managing Director & Principal Occupational Therapist (Castlemaine)

Nicola completed a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at The University of Melbourne with a focus on Developmental & Behavioural Psychology before 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’. She is a certified provider of the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP). 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 provides mobile therapy services to Castlemaine and surrounding areas on Tues, Wed & Thurs, and from our Castlemaine clinic on Tuesdays fortnightly. She provides supervision and training to the whole clinical team.

Isla Borland

Occupational Therapist (Melbourne)

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 DIR Floortime, 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.

Charmaine Lewis

Early Intervention Therapist (Castlemaine)

Charmaine holds a Bachelor of Teaching and a Master of Education from Melbourne University, where she pursued her interests in student wellbeing and the science of learning. She has over 20 years of experience working with children of various ages and abilities, including as a classroom teacher, integration aide, and drama specialist.

She has completed training in the Berry Street Education Model, a trauma-informed framework designed to help children strengthen self-regulation skills, form positive relationships, and build their capacity for learning. She has also completed training in the 'DIR Floortime' approach, a play-based and relationship-focused approach with strong evidence for supporting children with ASD and a range of social-emotional challenges.

With a keen interest in the performing and visual arts, nature and mindfulness, together with her strong commitment to providing positive child-centred care, Charmaine strives to create experiences that encourage children to thrive. She is passionate about using engaging, compassionate and evidence-based strategies to collaboratively support young children to build resilience, navigate their emotions, and develop essential skills for lifelong growth and well-being.

Charmaine provides mobile therapy services to Castlemaine and surrounds on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, as well as clinic sessions fortnightly on 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.

Becky Walls

Nature-based Social Group Facilitator (Castlemaine)

Across two decades of working with children, Becky’s practice has evolved from the structure of the classroom to the open bush, where she now mentors through game, play, and the magic of the natural world. A qualified primary teacher with eight years of nature-based mentoring experience across camps, schools, and homeschooling communities, she brings a warm, playful approach that helps children build social skills, confidence, and emotional regulation through meaningful connection with place.

Trained in Forest School practices and currently deepening her skills through playwork training, Becky is passionate about the therapeutic power of play. Her mentoring style is gentle, strengths-focused, and child-led—creating supportive environments where every child can explore, belong, and thrive.

Karen

Administration Assistant (Melbourne)

Karen is a dedicated Administrator at Baobab Therapy, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the clinic runs smoothly while supporting the team in providing innovative, high-quality therapy services to families.

Karen has a background in allied health and two small children herself, so she brings great empathy with the joys and challenges of the parenting journey, as well as a thorough understanding of allied health practice. Karen approaches each family's unique needs with compassion and a deep commitment to their well-being.