ND
OT
Bec Secombe
(MHlthScOT, BAppScOT, GDipArtTher)
Occupational Therapist
Arts Psychotherapist
External Clinical Supervisor/Mentor
The
Welcome
Hi, I am Bec; an AuDHDer OT, artist, nature enthusiast and cat mum.
After 20 years of journeying with neurodivergent children, parents and families as an Occupational Therapist & Arts Therapist, I too began to identify as having a multiply neurodivergent brain and became late-diagnosed in life.
It makes sense why I found it so much easier to communicate and express myself with written word, movement, art, metaphor, poetry and sensory glimmers!
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I support children, adults, families, teachers, psychologists, social workers, OTs, support workers and allied health assistants in neurodiversity affirming practice. I also create affirming resources (see ND PEOPLE here) and facilitate a space for neuro-affirming OTs to centralise resources and collaborate in a safe space. I have lived experience of life- long chronic illness and understand the interplay of chronic fatigue, POTS, MCAS, fibromyalgia, cancer, migraine and neurodivergence.
At the heart of my work lies a deep commitment to honouring each individual's unique identity. I believe in creating spaces where you can truly belong in who you are, what you do and how you express yourself.
My greatest joys come from art making, creative writing, and witnessing the journey of neurodivergent self-acceptance.
And of course, I have a soft spot for fiddleheads, the furled frond of a fledgling fern, the start of new life!
MY STORY
Built upon the premise that as human beings we cannot fully exist in our world without meaningful engagement in activity, Occupational Therapy grew out of the human rights and moral treatment movements post WW1 and developed as a profession leading up to the 1980's.
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Occupation began to be known as having a beneficial impact on physical, emotional and spiritual well-being (Hall 1910; Meyer 1977; Reilly 1962).
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Occupational therapy now exists alongside, but not within the medical model. In fact there's a whole branch of inquiry, Occupational Science, dedicated to understanding the inherent potential and possibilities around how humans occupy their time and why this matters.
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OTs listen for what is most important to people, and we are trained to examine the entire human system, which is the container within which we exist.
We identify enablers and barriers for doing what you:
- love to do,
- need to do,
- have to do in your life.
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In this way, an occupational therapist is a facilitator of person-centred change, and the receiver is the change agent themselves.
Throughout my career I have
intertwined the arts & holistic health
in clinical practice, a passion which remains steadfast
some 20 years later. I am also an avid learner, which has led me to start 8 university degrees (I've finished three, I promise!)
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Although I've dipped in and out of formalised OT roles, I've always pursued work that aligns deeply with advocacy for those who experience the world outside of the neuro-majority. These roles have included being the first OT to work full time in a school in South Australia, a fly in-out OT with remote Australian first nations communities, a volunteer OT in the disability arts in Cambodia, as well as ​​​the inaugural Access and Diversity coordinator for Adelaide Fringe, an aquatic therapist, an arts & spirituality centre manager, university clinical educator, TAFE lecturer, muralist, editor and keynote speaker!
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This rich experiential trajectory has led me to a deeper understanding of self, place and how I want to show up in the world.
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My Story
I am committed to deep reflection, ongoing learning, relational repair and growth and invite feedback and transparency in our work together.
QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS
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Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy- Paediatrics), 2014
Sydney University (2 years full time)
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Graduate Diploma of Arts Psychotherapy, 2016
Ikon Institute, Adelaide (2 years full time)
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Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy), 2003
University of South Australia (4 years full time)
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Cert 2, Live Production Theatre and Events, 2010
TAFE SA
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In addition, partial completion of:
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Bachelor of Visual Arts - Adelaide College of the Arts, 2016
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Bachelor of Fine Arts - Adelaide Central School of Arts, 2010
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Bachelor of Intercultural Studies - Tabor College, 2004
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Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Curatorial Design) - Adelaide University, 2005
AHPRA Registered (Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency) see here
Mental Health Endorsed with OTA see here
Full Member of OTA (Occupational Therapy Australia) see here
Member of OTSI (OT Society for Invisible Disability) see here
Affiliate member of LOAPAC (League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues) see here
Sensory
Listening with the Whole Body - Therapeutic Listening (Sheila Frick, 15 hours, 2009) The Listening Program (Links to Learning, 12 hours, 2006) The Alert Program for Self-Regulation (Carla Cay Williams,13.5 hours, 2006) Vestibular Activation (Mary Kawar, 15 hrs, 2005) Rhythmic Movement Training level 1 & 2 (21 hours 2016) ​Understanding Sensory Processing (Positive Partnerships, 2hrs, 2022) Three steps to Improving Interoception (Kelly Mahler 4 hrs 2021) Thriving Children and Move to Learn (Clare Crew 7 hours 2016) M.O.R.E (Motor Oral Respiration Eyes, 16 hours 2015) There’s a Traffic Jam in My Brain (Gen Jereb, 7 hours, 2010) Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Treatment - an Integrated Approach (Sydney Uni- Reinie Corder and Anita Bundy, 35 hours 2010) The Listening Program - Refresher (Tracey Butler, 15 hours 2009) Sensory Processing, Theory to Practice (Colleen Hacker, 30 hours, 2009) Sensory Profile School Companion (Melinda Cooper, 2 hours, 2008) Praxis - Sensory and Social Dimensions (Sydney Uni, Chris Chapparo, 30 hours 2008)
Paediatric
Oral Eating and Drinking Support (Emma Grace & Emma Noll- 3.5 hours, 2009) Critical Issues-Developmental Disability (Sydney Uni, School of Disability Studies, 2009) Promoting and Assessing Play (Sydney Uni, Anita Bundy - 22 hours, 2008)
Mental Health
ACT for Adolescents (Russ Harris 6 weeks, 2021) Introduction to Family Therapy (Bouverie Centre, 32 hrs, 2021) Becoming a Behavioural Detective - (Kim Barthel 8hrs, 2021) Interoception and Poly Vagal Theory (Kim Barthel, 14hrs, 2023) Kids Yoga Teacher Training (Kids Yoga SA, 21 hrs, 2017) Kids Yoga Advanced (Kids Yoga SA, 21 hrs, 2019) Peaceful Kids (Georgina Manning 14hrs, 2017) ACT for Perfectionism and People Pleasing (Russ Harris, 6 weeks, 2024) Carrots and Sticks - (Justin Coulson 3hrs, 2022) CPS Model - Introduction and advanced (Ross Greene, 42 hrs, 2022) CPS Pre- Certification - 10 weeks Exploring and Applying Psycho-Sensory Trauma Interventions and Trauma informed Practice (Kim Barthel 12.5 hrs, 2021) Art Therapy Trauma and PTSD (Glenda Needs, 3 hrs, 2017) Art Therapy refresher key concepts (Glenda Needs, 2023) The Science of Happiness University California Berkley (6 weeks, 2017) 'Rising Strong, Brene Brown (Journeez, 8 weeks, 2017) Daring Greatly, Brene Brown (Journeez ,8 weeks, 2017) Mindful-Self Compassion workshop (Tina Gibson 3 hrs, 2017)
Social-emotional
The Action is in the Interaction - Floortime DIR (Kathy Walmsly, 2020) Holistic Circus Therapy (Jill Maglio 20 hours, 2018) Floortime DIR (Kathy Walmsley, 15 hours, 2008) Implementing Intensive Interaction (Mark Barber, 7 hours, 2008) Inaugural Australasian Intensive Interaction Conference (Mark Barber et al, 15 hours, 2008)
Neurodevelopmental
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia 2025 Webinar: Affirming Ways to Support Social & Peer Interactions! Adina Levy Aug 2025 FCAs for psychosocial disability and autIstic adults by OTSI June 2025 Neuroaffirming Social Skills (Reframing Autism 3 hrs, 2022) PDA Space Summit 2023 Autistic Girls and Women (Attwood and Garnett 5 hrs, 2022) PDA and Autism (Attwood and Garnett, 2022) Autism Summit: Occupational Therapy Edition (Holland Bloorview) Critical Care and Recovery for Anxious, Demand Avoidant Children (Kristy Forbes) Yellow Ladybugs Conference, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Sensory Health and Autism Summit (STAR Institute, 2023) Tasmania ADHD Conference, 2023 Autism Level Up, 2023 Positive Partnerships sensory webinar, 2022 Autistic Women Exploring Late Life Diagnosis, Supports & Beyond (The ND Hub 2022) Autistic Joy and Passionate Interests (Ausome Training, 2023) Autism and Mental Health (Curtain University, Wenn Lawson 4 weeks, 2023) Professional Certificate Neurodivergent Affirming Practice (DivergAntz, 2022) Autism and ADHD in Adulthood (3 hrs Reframing Autism, 2023)
Other
Learn- Do-Teach Values Exploration by Rebecca-Rae Hodgson Sept 2025 Navigating billable Time in the NDIS by verve Learning June 2025 Preparing the Soil: Foundational Marketing & Systems for Private Practice Aug 2025 Rhythm to Recovery Facilitator training Nov 2025 Model of Human Occupation (12 months program, 2021) The Becoming Collective (12 month program, 2023, 2024, 2025) Writing Right (Protea Therapy 2 hrs, 2023) TEDX Adelaide, 2017 Growing your Wellness Business (Tanya Wilson, 3 hrs, 2017) Evidence-Based Decision Making (Sydney Uni, School of Physiotherapy, 2009)
