Ms Kirsten Taylor (she/her)

Kirsten brings warmth, practicality, and curiosity to her work with people. Her practice is grounded in occupational therapy and enhanced by her training and experience in a range of mental health approaches including acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, Gestalt counselling skills, pain education, and intentional peer support. 

Kirsten often draws on an occupational therapy framework called PEO (Person Environment Occupation). This framework helps people to explore what changes might be supportive to their wellbeing. For example, in the personal realm - what thoughts and feelings could use some time, care, and attention? Is there a role for self-compassion? Which emotional regulation, problem-solving, and communication skills could be useful? In the environmental realm we might take a look at sensory supports, the supportiveness of relevant relationships, and whether there are limiting societal norms that could be challenged. In the occupational realm, we might consider how to modify the way a task or life role is carried out. We might also experiment with pacing and energy-use strategies that promote a better, more sustainable fit between a person and their activities or responsibilities. 

Areas of Practice

Mental Health

●  Anxiety

●  Depression

●  Trauma

●  Panic

●  Stress

●  Life transitions

●  Adjustment - including adjustment to parenting, caregiving, disability, and chronic health issues. 

●  Grief and Loss - including bereavement, but also loss of roles, relationships, or plans.

●  Carer Stress

●  Emotional regulation

●  Sensory challenges

●  Body-image concerns, using a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach

●  Eating Disorders

ADHD/Autism

●  Neurodivergent wellbeing and mental health

●  Making sense of a diagnosis or self-identification

●  Exploring identity, belonging, and intersectionality

●  Autistic and/or ADHD Burnout - support and prevention

●  Sensory assessment and supports

●  Mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation

●  Modifying tasks and routines

●  Support with executive functioning strategies

●  Support with relationships, communication skills, boundaries, and self-advocacy

●  Workplace or educational accomodations

●  Parenting or caregiving in a neurodivergent family

Persistent Pain and Chronic Health Conditions

Kirsten has training and clinical experience in supporting people who experience persistent (chronic) pain. Persistent pain often involves a process called central sensitisation - a fancy term meaning that what started the pain (for example, an injury) isn’t the only thing that is keeping the pain going, and chronic activation of a person’s nervous (or protective) system may be playing a part. Kirsten supports people to explore a biopsychosocial understanding and approach to their pain experience, empowering them to develop self-compassion and self-management strategies.

It is important that clients seeking support with persistent pain have had comprehensive assessment and investigation by medical practitioners and specialists to rule out significant and ongoing physical contributors to pain, which may require further medical or allied health input. 

People living with ongoing conditions such as arthritis, EDS, and hypermobility syndrome can still gain benefit from biopsychosocial approaches to pain management, especially if they are well supported by their medical and allied health care team and have a good understanding of their condition. 

Kirsten also supports people living with persistent dizziness, ongoing concussion symptoms, and chronic fatigue syndrome utilising a biopsychosocial approach. 

Assessment

Kirsten contributes to ADHD and/or autism assessments alongside other practitioners on the assessment team. 

Background

Kirsten was born and raised in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and is a Pākehā (white New Zealander) who had a bicultural education and upbringing. She has written about that experience here. In addition to training as an occupational therapist, Kirsten completed studies in popular music and is a musician and writer. She has lived experience of caregiving, queerness, and neurodivergence. She also has experience of mental health challenges including anxiety, post-natal depression, and eating disorder recovery. 

Professionally, Kirsten has worked in a range of practice areas including community mental health and outreach services, wellbeing coaching, suicide bereavement, hospital and outpatient services for people with physical health conditions, mental health for older adults, pain management, student wellbeing, and private practice. She has experience in facilitating group programs and delivering educational workshops. 

Qualifications and Training

Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy (Auckland University of Technology)

Bachelor of Popular Music (Auckland University)

Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Australian Psychological Society)

Explain Pain (Neuro Orthopaedic Institute Australasia) 

Introduction to Narrative Practice (Dulwich Centre)

Sensory Modulation (Occupational Therapy Australia)

Occupational Therapy for Adults with ADHD (Occupational Therapy Australia)

Gestalt Counselling Skills (Gestalt Therapy Australia)

Registration and Memberships

Fully Registered Occupational Therapist - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Full Member of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA)

Mental Health Endorsed Occupational Therapist (OTA)

Medicare Provider (Medicare)

Fees

Clients may be eligible for rebates for sessions if they have a:

●  Mental Health Care Plan

●  GP Management Plan (also known as Chronic Disease Management Plan)

●  Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan