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5 Best Occupational Therapists in Adelaide Guiding Clients Through a Healthy Recovery

  • Qualifications - The therapists must be accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and have at least 5 years of experience.
  • Patient care - The staff should provide personable and warm care.
  • Fairness of rates - Their rates should be reasonable given the complexity of the therapies provided and the length of sessions.
  • Availability and location - Their clinic should be easy to visit and should have many appointment schedules available.

Seeing my father recovering from a car accident and having limited mobility for months was excruciating. It made me feel helpless to see him unable to do his favorite activities like gardening.

Fortunately, our woes were slowly lifted after his doctor’s referral to try occupational therapy. Here, patients with limited mobility, physical disabilities, and mental disabilities are provided rehabilitation and aid to help them function and do everyday activities.

If you’re scouting for an occupational therapist for you or your loved ones, check out the best ones in Adelaide here.

Adelaide Hand Therapy

adelaide-hand-therapy

Services: Therapy for arthritis, dislocations, fractures, elective surgery, ligament injury

Address: 83 Kensington Rd, Norwood

Website: https://www.adelaidehandtherapy.com/

Contact Details: +61 8 8232 1788

Business Hours:

  • Monday-Friday: 9 AM-5 PM
Facebook reviews score5/5
Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Qualifications5/5
– Years of experience5/5
– Track record5/5
Patient care5/5
– Warmth5/5
– Communication5/5
Fairness of rates4/5
Availability and location5/5

Adelaide Hand Therapy specializes in treating hand-related injuries. This includes common issues of ligament injury, tendonitis, and hand trauma. 

They have five main occupational therapists who collectively have over 50 years of experience. They’re notable for being very active in providing research on occupational therapy and for their active teaching roles in local universities.

Recovery from athletic injuries is one of their offerings, and they have many regulars who avail of their service for sprains, fractures, and more. In addition, they’re good at dealing with chronic issues like carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s disease.

Communication is also their strength given how well they explain the recovery process and the treatments they administer. 

That said, they don’t provide occupational therapy specifically to address behavioral issues. Their services are also pricey.

Pros

  • Good for hand-related cases
  • Over 50 years of collective experience
  • Specialty includes athletic injuries and chronic diseases
  • Excellent client communication

Cons

  • Does not provide occupational therapy for behavioral issues
  • Pricey

    Have been very helpful in my recovery

    “I had a very good experience after fracturing my middle finger.

    The hand exercises have been very helpful in my recovery & the explanations of why they are required was also very helpful.

    Feedback on my progress, with measurements of the amount of movement I had regained each visit also encouraged me to keep doing the exercises.”

    Kevin| Google Review

    Belinda is exceptional

    “Belinda is exceptional, she has made all our appointments pleasant. Explains everything in detail, easy to reach if needed. Reception staff are friendly. Highly recommend Belinda.

    Leanne| Google Review

    Better Rehab

    better-rehab

    Services: Occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, positive behavior support

    Website: https://betterrehab.com.au/

    Address: Suite 1, Level 4/98 Prospect Rd, Prospect

    Contact Details: +61 8 7170 5195

    Business Hours:

    • Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM-5 PM
    Facebook reviews score 4.6/5
    Google reviews score4.8/5
    Total reviews4.5/5
    Score consistency 4.7/5
    Qualifications5/5
    – Years of experience5/5
    – Track record5/5
    Patient care4.5/5
    – Warmth5/5
    – Communication4/5
    Fairness of rates4.5/5
    Availability and location5/5

    Better Rehab provides one of the most well-rounded occupational therapy services all over Australia. Their services include occupational therapy for both physical and behavioral needs.

    Founded in 2017 by Rachel Brimblecombe, the organization was made to bring high-quality therapy services without too much bureaucracy. They successfully meet this vision by providing a streamlined and convenient way for availing their services.

    They have a large team of therapists with varied training backgrounds including speech pathologists, physiotherapists, positive behavior therapists, and exercise physiologists. All have solid years of experience. 

    Their representatives communicate well, especially during feedback sessions. They are also friendly and warm.

    In terms of downsides, however, they sometimes take a couple of days to respond to their website query form. Their rates are also a bit high. 

    Pros

    • Well-rounded services
    • Good for both physical and behavioral needs
    • Large team of therapists
    • Communicates feedback well

    Cons

    • Pricey
    • Sometimes takes a couple of days to respond to website form

      My physio Lauren was excellent

      “My physio Lauren was excellent, took her time to explain, demonstrate and review all my exercises, gave me options and followed up very regularly. When it is time for the other knee I hope Lauren is available. Extremely happy with the service.”

      Patrick| Google Review

      My husband Trevor was incredibly impressed with the service

      “My husband Trevor was incredibly impressed with the service, communication, the positive and helpful feedback and ongoing renewed exercise program provided by his physio, Luke.”

      Sue| Google Review

      Everyday Independence 

      everyday-independence

      Services: Occupational therapy, speech pathology, group programs, positive behavior support, physiotherapy

      Address: Building 3, Level 1/32-56 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Mile End

      Website: https://www.everydayind.com.au/

      Contact Details: +61 1300 179 131

      Business Hours:

      • Monday-Friday: 9 AM-5 PM
      Google reviews score4.6/5
      Total reviews4.5/5
      Score consistency 4.6/5
      Qualifications5/5
      – Years of experience5/5
      – Track record5/5
      Patient care4/5
      – Warmth5/5
      – Communication3/5
      Fairness of rates5/5
      Availability and location5/5

      Everyday Independence emphasizes a team-based recovery process where multiple therapists including occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and physiotherapists are assigned to those who will need them. 

      It was founded in 1997 by Leanne Healy as a center for comprehensive therapy services. They provide both physical and mental therapy needs and have a good track record.

      It also helps that they have English, Mandarin, Arabic, and Vietnamese speakers on their team. 

      In addition, they have 76 branches all over Australia, making them highly accessible. 

      That said, they’ve had cases of being late to initial meetings. Also, they sometimes deliver quotation emails a couple of days after your inquiry. 

      Pros

      • Team-based recovery method
      • Founded in 1997
      • Has English, Mandarin, Arabic, and Vietnamese speakers
      • 76 branches all over Australia

      Cons

      • Sometimes late to initial meetings
      • Slow quotations

        Everyday Independence has been very easy to deal with

        “Everyday Independence has been very easy to deal with, great communication, reminder services and great access to different specialists in OT, speech, music therapy that my son has needed access to. My son and I were lucky enough to be paired up with Keren Hayes from Everyday Independence as his key worker and words simply cannot explain how much impact Keren has had in my son’s life. Her professionalism, experience, friendliness, follow through and hands on experience has really improved my son’s life. My son is non verbal and has cerebral palsy, autism and ADHD and he’s had to overcome a lot of adversity in his life so far and Keren has really helped with this. She is experienced in sign language, communication apps and device knowledge. She has made social stories to help my son’s anxiety with changes in his life. Music is my son’s language and Kerens teaching background in Music has been invaluable to my son’s learning experience. The relationship she has built with him is beautiful and their connection allows him to learn and experience things differently.”

        Kim| Google Review

        Excellent at supporting children

        “The services provided by Everyday Independence are exceptional. I am delighted to learn and integrate the key worker model to support children at my center. Veronica has been excellent at supporting children and putting her heart out to go an extra mile to support both myself and a teacher and the children to obtain a successful outcome for the children.”

        Pachani| Google Review

        OTFC Adelaide

        otfc-adelaide

        Services: Assessments, occupational therapy, professional development

        Website: https://otfcgroup.com.au/

        Address: 254 Waymouth St

        Contact Details: +61 8 8410 4522

        Operating Hours:

        • Monday-Saturday: 8 AM-5 PM
        Facebook reviews score4.8/5
        Google reviews score4.8/5
        Total reviews4.3/5
        Score consistency 4.8/5
        Qualifications5/5
        – Years of experience5/5
        – Track record5/5
        Patient care5/5
        – Warmth5/5
        – Communication5/5
        Fairness of rates4/5
        Availability and location4.5/5

        OTFC is an excellent choice for children’s therapy due to its expertise in this area.

        It’s one of the longest-running occupational therapists in Adelaide, operating for over 30 years. They primarily use the Ayres Sensory Integration® method backed by the American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

        Following this method, they provide obstacle courses and sensory stimulation tools that are child-friendly. Their staff is trained to handle children with different mental disorders and disabilities like autism. 

        In addition, they’re skilled at providing telehealth consultations and therapy sessions that can help children apply their learnings at home. 

        When it comes to downsides, however, their fees are a bit high. Also, their slots are limited.

        Pros

        • Specialty is children’s occupational therapy
        • Over 30 years in operation
        • Well-designed clinics
        • Good at telehealth consultations and therapy

        Cons

        • Pricey
        • Limited slots

           Forever grateful for the time, dedication and care they took

          “Dino and Eleni saw my son 18 years ago. Little did I know how much they impacted him into his future.

          I will be forever grateful for the time, dedication and care they took. They changed his life. Much respect 💙”

          Yvette| Google Review

          Thank you for delivering great customer service.

          “Jordan at OTFC & the Admin crew are wonderful! Thank you for delivering great customer service. My son thoroughly enjoyed his first block & has gained a whole heap of practice strategies. Thanks!”

          Lisa| Google Review

          Williams Occupational Therapy

          williams-occupational-therapy

          Services: Occupational therapy for driving

          Website: https://www.williamsot.com/

          Address: 191 South Rd, Mile End

          Contact Details: +61 466 592 891

          Operating Hours:

          • Monday-Friday: 9 AM-5 PM
          Google reviews score5/5
          Total reviews4/5
          Score consistency 5/5
          Qualifications5/5
          – Years of experience5/5
          – Track record5/5
          Patient care5/5
          – Warmth5/5
          – Communication5/5
          Fairness of rates5/5
          Availability and location4/5

          Williams Occupational Therapy provides occupational therapy and assessments to help those with disabilities or those recovering from a disease to be able to drive.

          It was founded by Brad in 2011, and he is aided by a team of experienced occupational therapists and driving instructors.

          They’re notable for having many driving assistance technologies that make driving easier for their clients, including driving chair modifications, wheelchair ramps, and more.

          In addition, their therapy options are flexible for different types of vehicles, may it be light or heavy cars, motorcycles, or machinery.

          Their focus on occupational therapy for driving, however, limits their range of services.  This also makes them not compatible with children.

          Pros

          • Occupational therapy to learn/relearn driving
          • Provides driving assistance technology 
          • Flexible for different types of vehicles

          Cons

          • Limited range of services
          • Not for children

            Such an amazing team

            “Such an amazing team, both Heather and Brad have helped me regain my drivers license with the use case of hand controls. They very quickly made me feel at ease. I recently upgraded my wheelchair with a lot of help from Kat. She was truly amazing with her knowledge and professionalism. The whole team at Williams OT are simply incredible. I would definitely recommend them to anyone.”

            Jamie| Google Review

            Their team is fully equipped

            “Their team is fully equipped with trained and highly skilled professionals. Brad, Gianni, Heather and Kelly are wonderful people and masters in their field. Thanks guys for your help in getting my driving license.”

            Gurvinder| Google Review

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