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

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