Meet the team
Meet our Brisbane and Sunshine Coast based team of mental health occupational therapists & social workers
We are both clinic and community based, offering both solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We boast an expert team of occupational therapists, social workers and highly valued administrative staff. Our close-knit team facilitates a personable experience for you, and those who support you.
As therapists, we each take a holistic approach to our own daily lives, so we can best support you. Our mental health private practice ensures each person feels understood, supported and heard. Outside of our professional roles, we share a collection of passions and interests that fill our individual cups. We make space and practice self-care as a team, via creative play which has a positive impact on all who we interact with and every one of clinicians brings a unique approach to the role based on their professional and personal life experiences.
Communication and collaboration in our community is key to our growth and success, and these team-building tasks and activities are a fundamental part of working at DIWPOT.
We draw on a range of occupational therapy and psychological strategies to help you build self-awareness and learn how to cope with your daily life. We offer an individualised and practical approach towards understanding your challenges and the impact these have on your ability to do what is important in your daily life.
Who are we?
Aaron Tysoe
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons)
Managing Director & Mental Health Occupational Therapist
OTA mental health endorsed (Better Access To Mental Health Initiative)
Aaron founded Do it with Purpose Occupational Therapy after working as a registered occupational therapist for the public sector in Brisbane. As a community mental health occupational therapist, Aaron supported and advocated for people living with serious mental illness to enhance their health and wellbeing and continue working toward their goals.
Aaron was drawn to the mental health field following his first university placement in an inpatient mental health facility. ‘The variance of mental health presentations and the general lack of understanding of psychosocial illness is what really captivated me and my desire to learn more and develop the skills required to support people to reengage in everything that is meaningful to them.”
Aaron is passionate about integrating his accumulating knowledge of mental wellness, and his lived experience to support individuals to build and use their strengths to create a life full of meaning and purpose. He has a special interest and passion for adult mental health and enjoys supporting individuals to develop the skills to live more independently; learn to deal with stress and emotions; develop and maintain structure and routine and re-engage with their community.
Why DIWPOT?
Prior to 2020, I envisioned creating a community-based occupational therapy practice with a pivotal focus on supporting people living with mental illness.
As a boutique practice, we have the flexibility and opportunity to provide a tailored, personalised and client-centered service for our clients. Each and every one of our selected team members uphold the DIWPOT values and mission statement to provide exceptional care and support. Their personality, unique strengths and interests enable our clients to be paired with a practitioner that best aligns with their individual needs.
Get to know Aaron
Me as Music: Electronic dance music
Me in 5 words: Confident, resourceful, driven, compassionate, curious.
Me in Emoji: 🏖️🎧🏋️📚✈️
Me as Fruit: A tomato. Didn’t expect that, did you?
Beach or Bush?: BEACH 💯
Clare Barret
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Clare brings with her over 10 years of experience working as a Mental Health Occupational Therapist within various Qhealth teams, including Forensic, Homeless Mental Health, Mobile Intensive Rehabilitation and Adult Community Mental Health. Clare also spent 2 years as Complex Care Coordinator focusing on improving service integration and advocating for increased supports for those living with complex mental health issues and psychosocial disability.
Clare has an extensive range of occupational therapy specific & mental health assessment and therapy skills including dialectical behaviour therapy, cognitive remediation therapy, mindfulness and sensory modulation.
Clare is a down-to-earth therapist who endeavours to bring a compassionate, non-judgemental and holistic approach when working with all people. She aims to foster hope and motivation, in order for people to draw on their unique strengths, interests and supports to do the things they need and want to do, and live a meaningful and connected life.
For leisure, Clare enjoys playing music and going to the park with her family and dog.
Why DIWPOT?
Working with a fun, creative and passionate group of people to support others in finding solutions, drawing on their interests and building on their strengths to live a meaningful life.
Get to know Clare
ME AS MUSIC: Musical theatre, or folk.
ME IN 5 WORDS: Outgoing, genuine, quirky, compassionate, thoughtful.
ME IN EMOJI: 🎵😍🏕️☺️🧘
ME AS A FRUIT: Mango!
BEACH OR BUSH?: Bush!
Caroline Phillips
Master of Occupational Therapy
Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Situated on the Sunshine Coast, Caroline provides specialised mental health Occupational Therapy services to the Sunshine Coast and beyond. Caroline completed her Masters in Occupational Therapy at Latrobe University, Melbourne in 2010.
Caroline has over 14 years of public sector experience working in mental health in both community and inpatient settings across Queensland’s Gold and Sunshine Coasts, and in Broome and Fremantle in Western Australia.
Caroline predominantly works with adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties including anxiety, mood disorders, anger/ emotional dysregulation, trauma and psychosis.
Caroline is passionate about mental health and enjoys working with people to optimise their functioning with the aim of assisting them to obtain personalised recovery goals. She utilises a range of different tools, assessments and therapies that assist her clients in improving routines, sleep, and thinking patterns; recognising triggers and early warning signs; and identifying positive coping skills. Caroline can also help people to develop interests and hobbies, form meaningful connections with others and hone skills necessary for people to fulfil their roles in daily living at home, work or in leisure pursuits. Caroline also values the input of, and is committed to working closely with family and care givers to help ensure continuity of care in the home and community.
Outside of work Caroline enjoys spending time with her young family, going to the beach, cooking, travel and art.
Why DIWPOT?
It is so inspiring to work with a small, dedicated team of therapists who are client centred, innovative and committed to enhancing individuals’ lives.
ME AS MUSIC: Revisiting old music from childhood and school days 🙂
ME IN 5 WORDS: Genuine, outgoing, compassionate, caring and creative
ME IN EMOJI: ❤️🌞🏖️✈️🎨🤿
ME AS A FRUIT: Mango
BEACH OR BUSH?: Both but especially the beach…
Kathleen Zammit
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapist
Kath is an experienced Mental Health Occupational Therapist, with over 10 years working within various Queensland Health teams, including adult community mental health, inpatient mental health units and early psychosis.
Kath is dedicated to supporting individuals to grow in their capacity to live a meaningful and productive life, appreciating the support network and environments available to them. It is a privileged role that continues to energise and motivate her in her working career. She has interests in cognitive functioning and supporting student and new graduate occupational therapists as they navigate their early career.
Why DIWPOT?
The opportunity to work for a small, supportive team of passionate clinicians in a flexible working environment.
Get to know Kath
ME AS MUSIC: Classical
ME IN 5 WORDS: Calm, Determined, Kind, Considered, Genuine
ME IN EMOJI: 🎶🥰👩🏻🍳🌿🧑🧑🧒🧒
ME AS A FRUIT: Raspberry
BEACH OR BUSH?: Beach
Winsome Carnegie
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons)
Occupational Therapist
Winsome Carnegie is an accredited occupational therapist and she currently practises in the Brisbane and Moreton Bay Region. Winsome graduated from the University of Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2017. She is experienced in the areas of residential and community aged-care, home modifications and equipment prescription. Winsome is also a registered provider with The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and accepts DVA referrals for home safety assessments. She also has expertise in providing in-home assessments and she provides capacity building therapy services for clients with both physical and psychological health challenges.
Previously, Winsome worked in the residential aged-care setting and her roles included leading and supervising a team, completing Allied Health referrals, mobility reviews, ACFI, equipment provision, pain management, supervising new physiotherapy and occupational therapy graduates, and liaising with the facility management and General Practitioners.
Winsome has always had an interest in the mental health field and draws on her training and life experience to support adults with physical and psychosocial difficulties. Winsome is passionate about supporting people and believes that regardless of the client’s life circumstances, everyone has the right to reach their full potential in life.
Why DIWPOT?
The team is very supportive, and the work is very flexible.
Get to know Winsome
ME AS MUSIC: Rock & Roll (the soundtrack of my childhood), 80’s, country – anything but Rap!
ME IN 5 WORDS: Caring, Understanding, Innovative, Honest, Loving.
ME IN EMOJI: 🙂🤔🙃🎵🎨
ME AS A FRUIT: Apple!
BEACH OR BUSH?: Beach.
Nicola Kuhlmann
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons)
Occupational Therapist
Nicola Kuhlmann is a dedicated occupational therapist who earned her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from the University of Queensland in 2022. Nicola brings a wealth of experience in equipment prescription, working with individuals facing neurodivergent, neurodevelopmental, and physical conditions. Her expertise extends to capacity building with both paediatric and adult populations in the NDIS space.
With a background in Residential Support Work at Mater Young Adult Health Centre in the AOD space, Nicola has cultivated a passion for aiding young people dealing with mental health conditions and problematic substance use.
Nicola’s introduction to occupational therapy in mental health occurred during her university placement with Queensland Health in community mental health. Collaborating within a multidisciplinary team, she found fulfilment in supporting individuals to achieve their goals, explore personal motivations, and connect with the most suitable services for their unique needs.
Advocating for a strengths-based and person-centred approach, Nicola firmly believes the community serves as an ideal context for fostering positive change. Nicola is committed to addressing the often-stigmatised and misunderstood nature of psychosocial disability through collaboration with clients and communities, along with advocacy and education initiatives. Her goal is to initiate positive transformations and bring about a greater understanding of psychosocial disabilities.
Why DIWPOT?
It has been my dream to work with a small team of passionate and supportive people who share common goals, provide an amazing and individualised service to clients, and facilitate the professional and personal growth of clinicians.
Get to know Nicola
ME AS MUSIC: 80s synth, indie and rock!
ME IN 5 WORDS: Open-minded, conscientious, zany, sincere, creative.
ME IN EMOJI: 😆🤧🏋️♀️☕🧵
ME AS A FRUIT: Plum!
BEACH OR BUSH?: Beach!
Amar Mesalic
Master of Social Work
Social Worker
Amar is an experienced social worker, with over 5 years’ experience working with participants on the NDIS across various roles. Amar works with adults of all ages and specialises in working with participants presenting with severe and persistent mental illness including depression and anxiety, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders. Amar also has speciality in working with participants with backgrounds of trauma and Acquired Brain Injury.
Amar is influenced by critical social work theory, systems theory and post-structuralist ideology. Critical social work theory emphasizes the importance of challenging social inequalities, advocating for systemic change and promoting social justice. Systems theory provides a framework for understanding the complex interconnections within social systems, enabling a holistic approach to problem-solving. Poststructuralist ideology emphasises questioning traditional power structures and promoting equal opportunities and access for all.
By integrating these theories and models, Amar ensures that every individual he works with is empowered and connected to their community.
When Amar isn’t at work, he enjoys spending time with his partner and his two Labradors, and watching and playing sports.
You can contact Amar via mobile on 0426 862 074 or via email at amar@doitwithpurpose.com.
Why DIWPOT?
Amar has always been passionate about working with a small team of like-minded individuals within the mental health sector.
Get to know Amar
Me as Music: It might depend on my mood that day
Me in 5 words: compassionate, committed, persistent, thoughtful, conscientious
Me in Emoji: ♂️🎮🦮📺🌯
Me as fruit: A ‘what fruit am I’ quiz told me I was an apple.
Beach or bush: Can I say both?
Sophie Tscheppera
Master of Social Work / Master of Counselling
Social Worker
Sophie is an experienced social worker and counsellor providing treatment and support to individuals and couples with a variety of psychological health presentations. With over nine years of experience, Sophie believes in building a collaborative therapeutic relationship that acknowledges each person’s individual experiences, challenges and strengths.
Sophie’s therapeutic approach is grounded in a trauma-informed framework drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-focused practice, Systems Theory and Attachment Theory. She is also able to offer Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
Sophie welcomes a wide range of health presentations and focuses therapy on providing best practice and evidence-based approaches. Her areas of interest include:
- PTSD and Complex PTSD
- Anxiety and stress disorders
- Identity and self-esteem
- Grief and loss
- Anger issues
- Substance abuse issues
- Adjustment and transition difficulties
- Self-confidence difficulties
- Working with current or ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
Get to know Sophie
Me as Music: Jazz
Me in 5 words: curious, genuine, driven, loyal and caring.
Me in Emoji: 🧑🧑🧒🧒🧘♀️👩🍳✈️🏞️
Me as fruit: Passion fruit
Beach or bush: Beach, everyday!
Gillian Adams
Project-based Administration
Gillian Adams (Gill) provides a range of administrative services to the Do it with Purpose team. Gill has many years of experience in executive and administrative support, most recently as an Executive Officer at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Within DIWP OT, Gill is currently using her experience of governance, planning, compliance, analysis, risk management, incident management, human resources management and health and safety to document and structure our practices into policies and procedures.
Gill has a strong belief that effective communication underscores much of what we do in our professional lives. Distilling our practices into a documented form calls on her expertise in Science Communication.
Outside of work, Gill lives in green Buderim amid the trees and kangaroos with her husband (Peter) of over 40, and a motely collection of pets. (A homage to her first degree as a Veterinary Surgeon).
Why DIWPOT?
Having known Aaron for many many years, I love that I can use my skills to support a worthy cause, and people I care about.
Get to know Gillian
ME AS MUSIC: If I had to choose…probably pop music.
ME IN 5 WORDS: Knowledgeable, supportive, compassionate, stubborn, loyal.
ME IN EMOJI: 😀👍🎯💕💐
ME AS A FRUIT: Pink Lady Apple…sweet, crisp – and a little bit tart!
BEACH OR BUSH?: Bush.
Damien Campbell
Administrator
Damien provides administrative services for the DIWP OT team to assist their effective work with participants and other service providers.
Damien has worked in the health industry for over 10 years and having taken up a career as a remedial massage therapist. He therefore brings a wealth of experience in the effective administration of health services.
Why DIWPOT?
The flexibility of working hours, plus a friendly, vibrant team.
Get to know Damien
ME AS MUSIC: Acoustic ANYTHING
ME IN 5 WORDS: Caring, Lively, Ambitious, Determined, Funny.
ME IN EMOJI: 😂🏋️🫶🤪🌴
ME AS A FRUIT: Orange
BEACH OR BUSH?: …why not both?!