Barefoot Therapy | Paris Purcell
Occupational Therapy
Barefoot Therapy is an occupational therapy service located on Darkinjung Country delivering holistic occupational therapy from infants to young adults either face to face or online. Barefoot Therapy has a strong focus on parent/carer coaching, support and education. At Barefoot Therapy, occupational therapy is delivered in the child or young person’s natural environment, where they live, play and learn, which aligns with best practice. Barefoot Therapy is committed to providing evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based and collaborative occupational therapy, working closely within a dedicated and supportive team to ensure the best outcomes.
Paris Purcell, founder of Barefoot Therapy, is an experienced Occupational Therapist with a passion for working with children, young people and their families in what they find most meaningful.
Our Services
-
Face to face or online via Telehealth. This includes consultation, short term intervention and longterm intervention at a frequency that is determined between both the family and therapist.
-
Barefoot Therapy is able to conduct a variety of assessments and provide assessment summaries or a client specific written report that may be needed. This includes Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA).
-
Barefoot Therapy offers specific education and consultation to parents, educators and other health professionals at request.
-
Barefoot Therapy prides itself on being an experienced Occupational Therapy Service with clinical supervision being offered to other Occupational Therapists or health professions. Please enquire via the contact form for more information.
-
Medicare - Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM) obtained by a GP provides 5 partially funded sessions each year for patients who have a medical condition or symptoms that last longer than 6 months requiring support from a multidisciplinary team. Please obtain a CDM from your GP who will send this to Barefoot Therapy to sign under the Team Care Arrangement. The rebate you will receive for each visit under a CDM is approximately $60, unless you have reached the Medicare safety net, at which point the rebate is increased to a higher percentage of the total cost of the service (often 80% – 100% of the total cost, depending on the individual circumstances).
Private Health Insurance - Many Private Health Policies include allied health professionals. If you have Private Health Cover please check your policy.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - Only self managed or plan managed participants are accepted at Barefoot Therapy through NDIS.
Barefoot Therapy pricing is in line with the most up to date pricing (2024/2025 Pricing Guide) set by NDIS.
Fees:
$145.49 for 45 minutes consultation/therapy
$193.99 for 1 hour consultation/therapy
Areas of Practice and Referral Examples
-
Infants, children and families
Adolescents and young adults
Carer/parent support, coaching and education
Educators and the wider multidisciplinary team in case conferences and collaboration
-
Self Care independence (toileting, hygiene, mealtimes, dressing, showering)
Life skills (budgeting, community access, cooking)
Managing transitions and daily routines
Fine and gross motor skills
Handwriting and classroom participation
Play and social skill development
Sensory regulation and emotional development
Executive functioning skill development
Nature play
-
Infants may be referred to an OT for various concerns. Some common referral reasons include:
Motor Development Concerns
Delayed milestones (e.g., not rolling, sitting, crawling, or standing at expected ages)
Poor muscle tone (low or high tone affecting movement and posture)
Difficulty with tummy time (discomfort, crying, or inability to lift head)
Weak grasp or difficulty holding onto objects
Poor coordination or asymmetry in movements
Self Care Challenges
Struggling with transitioning to solid foods
Gagging, choking, or refusing textures
Difficulty using a spoon or finger feeding
Positioning and posture during mealtimes
Sleep routine challenges
Sensory Processing Challenges
Overreaction to touch, textures, or certain clothing
Difficulty tolerating loud sounds or bright lights
Seeming unaware of pain or seeking excessive movement
Trouble calming down when upset (difficulty with self-regulation)
Cognitive and Play Skills Delays
Limited interest in toys or difficulty engaging in play
Difficulties with object exploration (e.g., not reaching for or manipulating toys)
Lack of curiosity or reduced engagement with the environment
-
Toddlers may be referred to an OT for various concerns. Some common referral reasons include:
Fine Motor and Hand Skills Delays
Difficulty using hands for play (e.g., stacking blocks, holding crayons)
Trouble using a pincer grasp (thumb and index finger) to pick up small objects
Avoiding activities that require hand use (e.g., puzzles, turning pages in books)
Struggles with hand strength (e.g., difficulty opening containers, holding utensils)
Gross Motor and Coordination Issues
Difficulty walking, running, jumping, or climbing
Frequent falling, clumsiness, or difficulty balancing
Poor coordination with two-handed tasks (e.g., catching a ball, using both hands for play)
Sensory Processing Concerns
Overreacting to certain textures (e.g., refusing to touch messy or sticky substances)
Avoiding or seeking out movement (e.g., constantly spinning, crashing into things)
Sensitivity to sounds, lights, or clothing textures
Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine
Feeding and Mealtime Difficulties
Strong food preferences or refusal to eat certain textures
Mealtime participation
Difficulty using a spoon, fork, or open cup independently
Self-Care and Daily Living Skills Delays
Challenges dressing or undressing (e.g., putting on shoes, pulling up pants)
Difficulty with toilet training or recognizing when they need to go
Unable to wash hands or use utensils appropriately for their age
Challenges with sleep routines
Social and Play Skill Concerns
Difficulty engaging in pretend play or interacting with peers
Prefers to play alone and struggles with turn-taking or sharing
Limited engagement with toys or difficulty staying focused during play
Emotional Regulation and Behaviour
Frequent meltdowns or difficulty calming down
Struggles to follow simple instructions or routines
Gets easily frustrated with new tasks and avoids challenges
-
Children may be referred to an OT for various reasons. Some common referral reasons include:
Fine Motor and Handwriting Difficulties
Poor pencil grasp or trouble holding a pencil correctly
Difficulty with handwriting (e.g., letter formation, spacing, speed)
Trouble cutting with scissors or manipulating small objects
Weak hand strength (e.g., struggles to open containers, use zippers or buttons)
Avoidance of writing or fine motor tasks
Gross Motor and Coordination Issues
Difficulty with balance, coordination, or motor planning
Clumsiness, frequent tripping, or struggling with playground activities
Trouble with jumping, skipping, or riding a bike
Poor posture or difficulty sitting still for extended periods
Sensory Processing Concerns
Overly sensitive to sounds, textures, lights, or certain fabrics (e.g., avoids messy play, refuses certain clothing)
Seeks excessive movement (e.g., constantly spinning, crashing into objects, climbing excessively)
Avoids or craves deep pressure (e.g., avoids hugs or seeks tight squeezes)
Difficulty tolerating noisy environments (e.g., covering ears, becoming overwhelmed)
Emotional Regulation and Behavioural Challenges
Frequent meltdowns or difficulty calming down when upset
Struggles with transitions, routine changes, or unexpected situations
Difficulty following instructions or maintaining focus
Becomes frustrated easily and avoids challenging tasks
Difficulty expressing emotions appropriately
Social and Play Skills Concerns
Struggles to playing with peers
Difficulty understanding social cues and interactions
Self-Care and Daily Living Skills Delays
Struggles with dressing (e.g., buttons, zippers, tying shoes)
Difficulty with toileting independence
Trouble using utensils, opening food packaging, or drinking from an open cup
Avoidance of hygiene tasks (e.g., brushing teeth, hair washing, bathing)
Executive Functioning and Attention Difficulties
Transitioning during routines
Difficulty staying on task or following multi-step directions
Trouble organising materials (e.g., backpack, schoolwork)
Easily distracted or has trouble completing tasks independently
Poor problem-solving or difficulty adapting to new challenges
Feeding and Mealtime Concerns
Limited food preferences or extreme food aversions
Gagging or choking frequently while eating
Refusing to eat certain textures or types of food
Participating in mealtime
-
Adolescents may be referred to an OT for various reasons. Some common referral reasons include:
Fine Motor and Handwriting Difficulties
Illegible handwriting that affects schoolwork and confidence
Poor grip on a pencil, fatigue when writing, or slow writing speed
Difficulty using tools such as scissors, rulers, or typing on a keyboard
Poor hand strength affecting daily tasks (e.g., opening containers, buttoning clothes)
Gross Motor and Coordination Issues
Difficulty with balance and coordination (e.g., struggles with sports, riding a bike)
Clumsiness or frequent tripping/falling
Poor posture affecting school performance (e.g., difficulty sitting upright for long periods)
Challenges with activities requiring hand-eye coordination (e.g., catching or throwing a ball)
Sensory Processing Challenges
Overly sensitive to textures, sounds, lights, or smells (e.g., avoids certain clothing, struggles in noisy classrooms)
Seeks excessive movement (e.g., fidgeting, rocking, difficulty sitting still)
Avoids or craves deep pressure (e.g., dislikes hugs, or constantly seeks tight clothing or weighted blankets)
Overwhelmed in busy environments (e.g., malls, concerts, crowded classrooms)
Managing Emotions
Difficulty managing emotions, frequent outbursts, or meltdowns
Struggles with coping strategies for stress, anxiety, or frustration
Low self-esteem due to difficulties with school tasks or social interactions
Challenges adapting to changes in routine or transitioning between tasks
Mental health impacting daily function and school performance
Difficulty coping with stress and pressure from academic or social demands
Executive Functioning and Attention Difficulties
Struggles with organisation and time management (e.g., forgetting homework, missing deadlines)
Difficulty following multi-step instructions
Challenges planning and prioritising tasks (e.g., breaking down large assignments)
Easily distracted or has trouble focusing in school
Poor problem-solving or difficulty adapting to new situations
Social Skills and Peer Interaction Difficulties
Struggles with social interactions, making or maintaining friendships
Difficulty understanding social cues and non-verbal communication
Avoidance of group activities or social situations due to anxiety or lack of confidence
Struggles with self-identity, confidence, and self-advocacy
Self-Care and Daily Living Skill Challenges
Difficulty with personal hygiene (e.g., brushing teeth, showering, managing body odour)
Struggles with dressing (e.g., tying shoes, choosing appropriate clothing for the weather)
Struggles with sleep routine
Challenges with money management, budgeting, or using public transportation
Difficulty preparing meals and using kitchen tools safely
Academic Challenges
Difficulty completing written assignments or taking notes efficiently
Struggles to stay focused in class and follow instructions
Poor organisation of school materials (e.g., messy backpack, lost assignments)
Difficulty using technology for schoolwork (e.g., typing, using assistive devices)
Vocational Readiness and Independent Living Skills
Struggles with job applications, resumes, or interview skills
Difficulty understanding workplace expectations and time management
Challenges with independent decision-making and problem-solving
Needs support in transitioning to post-school life, such as paid employment