In this episode, Dr. Áine O Dea and Jen Trzeciak delve into the complexities of imposter syndrome, particularly within the context of occupational therapy. They explore how imposter syndrome manifests, its psychological underpinnings, and its impact on professionals despite evidence of success. The discussion highlights the importance of organisational support, cognitive reappraisal, and the role of coaching and supervision in managing these feelings. They also touch on the broader implications of imposter syndrome as a symptom of systemic issues like burnout and compassion fatigue.
If you are interested in finding out more about the upcoming 'How to set up in private practice' course, please follow this link: https://radianceconsultinghub.com/courses-events/
In this episode, we’re delighted to welcome Rhiannon Crispe, occupational therapist, coach, speaker, and founder of the OT Lifestyle Movement. Based in Australia, Rhiannon has become widely recognised for her work in advocating for occupation as lifestyle medicine and for supporting OTs across the world to reconnect with their professional identity, values, and purpose.
Rhiannon shares her personal journey of stepping into private practice, the challenges she faced with burnout and misalignment, and how she rediscovered her passion for occupational therapy. We explore her documentary work, her conversations with some of the giants of our profession, and her drive to strengthen our collective voice by reclaiming the language of occupation.
A highlight of this conversation is Rhiannon’s introduction of the Burn-In Model a powerful, visual framework co-created with Michelle Lukan to help OTs and other professionals move from burnout towards “burning in”: living and working in alignment, reigniting their flame, and embracing the meaningful occupations that light them up.
This is an inspiring conversation about identity, resilience, and the future of occupational therapy one that will encourage you to reflect on your own flame, your gifts, and what it means to truly live and practice in alignment.
In this episode, Jen Trzeciak and Dr Áine O’Dea are joined by Jessica Kennedy, an innovative occupational therapist, entrepreneur, and businesswoman who has reshaped howtherapy can reach families, schools, and communities.
Jessica’s career has taken her from working with children and young people in Australia and Ireland to founding My OT & Me. Building on this success, Jessica co-founded Gabadoo, apioneering telehealth service that provides timely, tailored occupational therapy and speech and language therapy consultations for parents and teachers. Through Gabadoo, Jessica and her team are reimagining how we support schools, teachers, and families by offering coaching, consultation, and practical, individualised strategies that can be implemented in real time.
In this conversation, Jessica shares her journey into entrepreneurship, the evolution from hands-on home andschool-based practice to innovative telehealth models, and the lessons she’s learned along the way about participation, sustainability, and building capacity for those who support children every day.
Join us as we explore how Jessica is using creativity, technology, and occupational therapy values to drive meaningful change in practice.
Gabadoo - Access to Occupational Therapy & Speech Therapy within hourshttps://myotandme.com
In this episode, we’re joined by Jill Martin, a UK-based occupational therapist with a career spanning over three decades in mental health. From her early days in NHS psychiatry to delivering a powerful TEDx talk on the hidden magic of OT, Jill has been a passionate advocate for the profession and its unique role in supporting recovery.
After experiencing burnout within the NHS, Jill retrained in coaching and psychology but soon returned to her OT roots, realising the depth, regulation, and holistic impact of occupational therapy was what people really needed. In 2020, alongside her business partner Nikki Green, she co-founded Purpose People, a thriving independent practice now home to a 30-strong team of OTs and OT assistants, supporting adults with mental health needs across London.
In this conversation, Jill shares her journey of stepping outside the traditional boundaries of OT, the challenges and rewards of building a private practice, and the importance of standing tall as occupational therapists in a world that often overlooks our value. Her passion for community, creativity, and clinical integrity shines through, offering both inspiration and practical insights for OTs everywhere.
Today, we welcome Jane Brown from Jane Assists, who speaks about her journey from an emergency nurse to podcast production. Jane discusses the benefits of podcasting, highlighting how it supports clinicians in practiceby sharing information and knowledge with clients, as well as creating social media content. She shares how her services have helped to take the pain out of podcasting for busy health professionals or those who are nervous aboutstarting. To find out more about Jane, check out the links below.
In today’s episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Carlyn Neek, an occupational therapist, coach, and host of The Brave OT Podcast. Carlyn is the founder of Balance Works, whereshe helps OTs and other helping professionals rediscover joy, purpose, and balance in their work and life. With over two decades of experience, she blends her clinical expertise with coaching strategies to support those who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out in their careers.
In our conversation, Carlyn shares openly about her own brave step, thinking beyond the OT world and exploring how occupational therapy perspectives can reach the wider public. We dive into how OTs can own what we know, translate our professional wisdom into practical, meaningfulstrategies for everyday living, and start conversations about thriving without the hustle.
Whether you’re an OT seeking inspiration in your own practice or simply curious about how occupational therapy thinking can transform wellbeing, this episode is full of encouragement and ideas.
So grab a cup of tea and join us as we chat with Carlyn about bravery, balance, and bringing OT wisdom to the world.
OT Personal & Professional Development Coach | Carlyn Neek | Balance Works | Home
In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast, we welcome Sarah Gannon Governey, a Senior Occupational Therapist. Sarah shares her journey of becoming an author. She has always been passionate about reducing ableism in the disability sector. Over seven years ago, her first child, Ciara, was born with a rare genetic condition called CHARGE syndrome. Sarah discusses her journey parenting a child with a disability and navigating health services. She describes the impact of dual sensory loss as Ciara is Deaf-Blind, and how in Ireland, dual sensory loss (deaf-blindness) is not currently recognised as a disability.
More importantly, she tells us about the new books that she has just published with her daughter, Ciara. The book “Just See Me” is a beautifully engaging picture book that aims to promote inclusion and break down barriers to understanding disability. The book is available from all major bookstores.
The Anne Sullivan Centre for people who are deafblind
Private Practitioner Networking Summit
In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast, we are honoured to welcome internationally renowned occupational therapist, teacher, speaker, and author Kim Barthel. With over 40 years of experience, Kim is celebrated worldwide for her pioneering work in blending neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and occupational therapy. Her mission is to support the healing of people and communities by deepening our understanding of the brain, behaviour, and the power of human connection.
In our conversation, Kim shares her journey from clinician to international educator and business owner, a path marked not by rigid planning but by courage, intuition, and trust in her calling. We discuss the evolution of private practice, the challenges and the learning that come with stepping outside traditional models, and the importance of cultural sensitivity when working across countries and contexts. Kim reflects on the role of resilience, fierce love, and relational approaches in Irish occupational therapy, offering encouragement for Occupational Therapists to embrace their values and approach their work with curiosity and compassion.
This inspiring dialogue serves as a reminder of how our profession can evolve when we ground ourselves in being, doing, belonging, and becoming, both for our clients and for ourselves.
https://www.kimbarthel.ca/
Welcome to Season 5! Your hosts Jen Trzeciak and Dr. Áine O Dea are delighted to introduce the fifth season of the Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast, focusing on innovation, pushing boundaries and global perspectives, within the field of occupational therapy.
We have an exciting lineup of guests, including occupational therapists and other professionals from Ireland and abroad. So please tune in every Sunday for the next 8 weeks!
In this sneaky extra episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, hosts Jen Trzeciak and Aideen Ruttledge discuss Aideen's decision to step back from the podcast after four successful seasons. >tearful sobs from Jen!!!<
We reflect on our journey, the growth of the podcast, and the importance of community within the occupational therapy field. Aideen shares her reasons for leaving, emphasising the need for work-life balance and the desire to pass the baton to Dr. Aine O'Dea, who will continue the podcast's mission.
The conversation highlights the significance of support, collaboration, and the evolving landscape of occupational therapy in Ireland.
Thank you and Fare Well to Aideen and Fáilte (welcome) to Áine (pronounced AwwnYa)!
Get in touch at irishotpodcast@gmail.com
Summary
In this conversation, Sorcha Rice, an autistic occupational therapist, shares her insights on Pathological Demand Avoidance / Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA) from a neuroaffirmative perspective. She discusses her personal experiences growing up with PDA, the impact of environmental factors on neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of understanding and supporting children with PDA in educational settings. Sorcha emphasises the need for a shift in parenting and teaching strategies to accommodate neurodivergent needs, advocating for a focus on autonomy and reducing demands. She also provides practical tips and resources for parents and educators to better support children with PDA.
Summary
Today we interview Michelle Murray from Anchor Therapy, who discusses the importance of executive functioning skills in young people, particularly those facing mental health challenges and neurodiversity. The conversation covers various aspects of executive functioning, including assessment methods, strategies for supporting transitions, emotional management, and the social challenges faced by young people. Michelle emphasises the need for compassionate understanding of executive functioning difficulties and the importance of creating supportive educational environments. Practical strategies for organisation and focus are also shared, making this episode a valuable resource for parents and professionals alike.
Summary
In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, hosts Jen Trzeciak and Aideen Ruttledge interview Niall Kirrane, a clinical specialist in occupational therapy within Ireland's National Gender Service. Niall discusses the multidisciplinary approach to transgender healthcare, the role of occupational therapy in supporting individuals exploring their gender identity, and the challenges faced by young people in this journey. The conversation also covers key terms related to gender identity, common myths and misconceptions, and practical tips for supporting young people and their families.
In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, hosts Jen Trzeciak and Aideen Ruttledge welcome Lorraine Madden, an educational psychologist, to discuss school-based anxiety. Lorraine shares her personal experiences with anxiety in school and provides insights into the symptoms, contributing factors, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health. She emphasises the importance of understanding the unique needs of neurodivergent children and offers practical tips for parents and educators to support children experiencing anxiety. The conversation highlights the significance of building safe environments and fostering connections to help children thrive academically and emotionally.
In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, Aideen Ruttledge and Jen Trzeciak welcome Sarah Sproule, an occupational therapist and sex educator. They discuss the importance of open conversations about sexuality, particularly with teens, and how occupational therapy can play a role in facilitating these discussions. Sarah shares her journey into sex education, the challenges of discussing sexuality in a cultural context filled with misconceptions, and the need for accurate, shame-free information. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for young people to explore their sexual orientation and the necessity for therapists to engage in self-regulation and personal growth to effectively support their clients.
In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, Hannah Daly, a specialist occupational therapist and advocate for neurodiversity, shares her personal journey navigating education and professional life with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism. She discusses the importance of understanding individual sensory needs, the evolution of awareness in educational settings, and the challenges faced during her transition to university. Hannah emphasises the significance of advocacy, self-identification, and the use of assistive technologies to support neurodivergent individuals. The conversation culminates in key takeaways about inclusivity and the value of every individual's experience.
Season 4 of the Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast focuses on some of the challenges faced by teenagers and young people. We hear from OTs and other health professionals about different approaches to support. This season will provide helpful insights for both parents and those working with young people.
Teresa Foley, a children's occupational therapist and founder of Shooting Stars Private Clinic, discusses specialized feeding therapy for children with complex feeding challenges. She emphasizes the importance of normalizing the challenges of parenting and providing practical tips and advice.
Teresa explains that feeding difficulties can range from neophobia (fear of certain foods) to picky eating to problem eating. She highlights the need for a neuroaffirmative approach, meeting children where they're at, and focusing on slow, safe, and consistent changes. Teresa also mentions the benefits of family meals and the importance of reducing guilt and judgment around feeding difficulties.
Find Teresa at :
https://www.thefeedingtherapist.co.uk/
or follow her on https://www.instagram.com/shooting_stars_ot/
Key Takeaways:
Grace Magennis, an occupational therapist and founder of Sensory Submarine, shares her journey of creating play experiences for children. She emphasises the importance of play in child development and highlights the benefits of sensory play. Grace provides tips for parents on incorporating play into their busy schedules and offers advice on supporting children with sensory processing challenges. She also shares a heartwarming success story of a child with complex medical needs who found joy and socialization through sensory play.
For more visit: https://www.thesensorysubmarine.com/ Key takeaways
In this episode clinical nurse specialist Ann Costigan discusses the topic of toilet training and constipation in children. She shares her expertise and provides practical tips and advice for parents.
Ann emphasises the importance of recognizing constipation in children, understanding the signs of readiness for toilet training, and addressing regression and bedwetting. She also debunks the myth of toilet training in two days and highlights the need for an individualised approach.
Listeners are can reach out to Ann for further information and consultation at: https://www.instagram.com/pooandtheloo/
Key Takeaways:
