Meet The Staff
Colleen Hacker, MS, OTR is the owner and clinical director of The Sensory Gym. She has over 20 years of experience in paediatric occupational therapy, and she is recognized as a master clinician both in the United States and in Australia. Her primary areas of expertise include sensory integration and sound therapy. Additionally, Colleen is working on her clinician’s certificate in the DIR® model of treatment (“Floortime™”) developed by Stanley Greenspan, M.D. and Serena Wieder, Ph.D. However, she has extensive training in a multitude of areas related to paediatric occupational therapy and child development and believes that an eclectic approach allows more individualized, holistic treatment can occur, tailored to each unique child, family and situation.
Colleen was educated in Texas and Virginia, holding a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Texas Medical Brach in Galveston, Texas and an advanced clinical master’s degree in paediatric occupational therapy from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. Her career spans over 20 years of practice in paediatric occupational therapy in settings including neonatal intensive care, early intervention, public schools, rehabilitation, public health settings, and private practice. She has focused her efforts in the field of sensory processing theory and treatment and is considered to be a leading practitioner in the field.
Colleen has had the opportunity to be mentored by leading clinicians in the field of sensory integration Her direct mentors include Patti Oetter, Pat Wilbarger, Julie Wilbarger, and Sheila Frick. She has also received extensive mentoring with Beth Osten and Sherri Cawn in the DIR® approach. Colleen has a passion for learning in order to provide the most effective, current and meaningful therapy services possible to children and their families. Colleen feels very fortunate in her career path and attempts to “give back” what she has been given by ensuring that her staff has a high level of training and by participating with a network of Sydney-based therapists in monthly study group sessions.
Colleen’s real passion is being with the children. She recognizes the power of belief and the role it plays in making a difference in outcomes. She is committed to providing the highest quality of services possible to children and families. This quality extends to the clinic spaces she designs, to the quality of the staff she employs and trains, and to the level of continued learning she expects from herself and from her staff.
Hayley Wallace, BAppSc(OT) graduated from Sydney University in 2008. Hayley has always had a keen interest in paediatrics and working with children with special needs. Hayley is driven by the potential in each child, and helping them realise their best. She believes in individualised treatment approaches and helping the family maximise their children’s potential in every aspect of life.Hayley is passionate and motivated about continuing her education. Hayley has a completed courses in sensory integration including “Getting Kids In Sync,” by Genevieve Jereb, “New Treatment Perspectives”, presented by Colleen Hacker, “Building Blocks for Sensory Integration Course” presented by Sheila Frick, “The Alert Program for Self Regulation” presented by Carla Cay Williams. She is also trained the Therapressure© Brushing Protocol, having completed “Sensory Defensiveness”, presented by Patricia and Julia Wilbarger. Hayley is trained in Therapeutic Listening© under Sheila Frick and Colleen Hacker. Hayley is also interested in early movement patterns and their impact on the child’s development. She has attended a course in the NDT/Bobath approach to Oral Motor, Feeding and Respiratory Coordination, presented by Rona Alexander.
Hayley is committed to a developmental approach in her work. She has completed her Infancy and Early Childhood Training Course - DIR®/Floortime™, presented by Dr Stanley Greenspan. She completed training courses with Georgina Ahrens, and Advanced Training Courses presented by Kathy Warmsley and Mari Caulfield. As well as Advanced Training Workshops facilitated by Beth Osten.
As well as Conferences in Regulatory Sensory Processing, presented by Rosemary White and Stanley Greenspan, and Workshops on ‘Meltdowns’ and ‘Autism through the Lifespan’, presented by Stanley Greenspan. Hayley has also had the opportunity to be mentored by leading clinician in the field of DIR® approach, Beth Osten.
Kate Morris, BAppSc (OT), graduated from Sydney University in 2006 with an aspiration to continue working with kids with special needs. Kate originally developed a keen interest and passion for working with kids with special needs whilst working as a swimming teacher, and later spent several weeks helping develop therapy programs at an orphange in South America for disadvantaged children.
Kate has a desire and commitment to support every child to grow within themselves and better face the challenges in everyday activities, whilst continually providing families with the support and foundations to aid their own child's progressions. In every therapeutic journey, Kate is committed to ensuring a family centred approach and recognises the importance of collaboration between the family, teachers and treatment providers. Kate has a keen interest in working with children in the clinic and community environments. Kate is continually motivated every day by the progress made by the children she treats.
Kate acknowledges every day how fortunate she is to work with such a dedicated team of therapists and to have had the opportunity to attend many courses. This has truly had a huge impact on Kate’s skill level and ever-growing passion in therapy. She looks forward to many more opportunities of continued professional development to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. Kate has completed a number of courses including “Getting Kids In Sync” by Genevieve Gereb, “New Treatment Perspectives” presented by Colleen Hacker, online “Basic Course of DIRÒ/FloortimeÔ” presented by Stanley Greenspan, “Building Blocks for Sensory Integration” presented by Sheila Frick, “The Alert Program for Self Regulation” presented by Carla Cay Williams. Kate is trained in the Therapressure© Brushing Protocol, having completed “Sensory Defensiveness” presented by Patricia and Julia Wilbarger; and in Therapeutic Listening©, presented by Sheila Frick and Colleen Hacker. Kate has also completed "Oral Motor, Feeding/Swallowing & Respiratory Coordination Function in Children with Neuromotor Involvement" presented by Rona Alexander. More recently, Kate completed "Astronaut Training: A Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual Protocol" presented by Sheila Frick and Mary Kawar, "M.O.R.E Integrating the Mouth with Sensory & Postural Functions" presented by Patricia Oetter and Eileen Richter, and “NDT/SI and Play” presented by Lezlie Adler.
Lara Kowald, BAppSc(OT) graduated from the University of Sydney in 2007 with the desire to work in the paediatric field of occupational therapy. Growing up with a family member and close friend with autism, she has always had a special interest in working with children with special needs. Through her university studies and clinical placements in paediatric settings, Lara became passionate about working with children on the autism spectrum and those with sensory processing disorders. She is dedicated to supporting families and helping their children reach their full potential in order to actively participate in everyday activities.
Lara is excited to be a therapist at The Sensory Gym and is constantly amazed by the progress made by each individual child through the therapeutic process. It is this progress, along with enthusiasm and commitment, that drives Lara to be a better therapist.
Lara ensures that she is educated in the most recent treatment approaches through continued professional development. She has attended various DIR®/Floortime™ introductory courses presented by Georgina Ahrens, as well as Mari Caulfield and Kathy Walmsley. Lara has attended several courses associated with sensory integration including “Getting Kids in Sync” presented by Genevieve Jereb, “New Treatment Perspectives” presented by Colleen Hacker, "Building Blocks for Sensory Integration" presented by Sheila Frick and "How does your engine run: The Alert Program for Self Regulation" presented by Carla Cay Williams. She is trained in the Therapressure Protocol, having attended the "Sensory Defensiveness" course presented by Patricia and Julia Wilbarger and also Therapeutic Listening, having completed "Listening with the Whole Body" presented by Sheila Frick and Colleen Hacker. Lara participated in "Oral Motor, Feeding/Swallowing & Respiratory Coordination Function in Children with Neuromotor Involvement" presented by Rona Alexander. More recently she completed "Astronaut Training: A Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual Protocol" presened by Sheila Frick and Mary Kawar and "M.O.R.E Integrating the Mouth with Sensory & Postural Functions" presented by Patricia Oetter and Eileen Richter.
Jodie Barrett, BAppSc(OT) graduated from the University of Sydney in 1998. She has worked with children in various hospital, community and private settings since graduating. Her passion involves working with families and empowering both the parents and children in the therapeutic process. Jodie has enjoyed various training courses which have included "Assessing Play: ToP to TOES" presented by Anita Bundy, "Getting Kids in Sync” presented by Genevieve Jereb, "Building Blocks for Sensory Integration" by Sheila Frick, "How does your engine run: The Alert Program for Self Regulation" by Carla Cay Williams and achieved mastery in the "Basic course of DIR®/ Floortime™". Jodie also has a special interest in consulting with schools on the importance of play and sensory integration on a child's development and how we can meet these needs within the current curriculum and school environment.
At home, Jodie is the mother of two young children and she enjoys every moment spent with them. She is of the firm belief that all children are special and should be provided with the opportunity to play, develop relationships and a strong belief in their own self value as a valuable contributor to both the family and society in general.
Nicole Woods (MOT), BAppSC graduated with an undergraduate degree in 2007. She continued her education to complete a Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT), where she focused most of her practical training across a range of paediatric fields including public health settings, schools and private practice. This provided a range of experience in working with children who have various challenges associated with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory processing disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders and global developmental delay. Since completing her Masters in 2007, Nicole has gone on to complete further units of continuing education including "Getting Kids in Sync” presented by Genevieve Jereb, "Building Blocks for Sensory Integration" by Sheila Frick, 'New Treatment Perspectives' (Colleen Hacker) "How does your engine run: The Alert Program for Self Regulation" by Carla Cay Williams and achieved mastery in the "Basic course of DIR®/ Floortime™". She has also been mentored in the principles and concepts of the Therapressure Brushing Protocol, 'Listening With the Whole Body' (Therapeutic Listening®), & M.O.R.E program (Oetter & Richter). Committed to family centered care, Nicole aims to ensure she provides individuals and families with endless possibilities for growth and development.
Erin Myers BAppSc (OT), graduated from Sydney University in 2010. Erin’s experience as a tennis coach has driven her motivation to peruse a career in paediatric occupational therapy. Erin has a strong desire to help build and improve foundation skills of children and to enhance their abilities to function in life’s daily challenges. Erin has a keen interest in developing home programs for children and their parents.
Erin has a dedicated commitment to professional development to ensure treatment methods are current and up to date. Erin has completed “Sensory Defensiveness” course presented by Patricia Wilbarger and Tracey Stackhouse and is trained in the Therapressure© Brushing Protocol. Erin has also completed the course “M.O.R.E. - Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions”, presented by Patricia Oetter and Eileen Richter, and attended the “Focus on Treatment” workshop presented by Sheila Frick. She has also completed the ‘Listening with the Whole Body’ Course presented by Lynette Burke. Online courses include “The Traffic Jam in My Brain: A Sensory Processing Approach to Challenges Associated with Autism, ADHD, Learning and Behavioural Differences”, presented by Genevieve Jereb. Erin is mentored DIR®/Floortime™ principles.
Erin is passionate around every child she treats and works tirelessly with the child and their families to reach their full potential.
Anna Hill - BAppSc (OT) Hons, graduated from The University of Sydney in 2010. Anna has always had a keen interest in paediatrics and gained experience working with children with special needs throughout her undergraduate studies. She completed a number of clinical placements in paediatrics, and was employed in a student Occupational Therapist position implementing home programs with children – Anna was inspired by these experiences and was highly motivated to continue working in the field of paediatric occupational therapy. Anna completed her honours research project on risk tolerances in children’s everyday play experiences, and presented the findings from her study at the 2011 Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference.Anna is committed to continuing professional development - she attended the “Sensory Defensiveness” course presented by Patricia Wilbarger and Tracey Stackhouse and is trained in the Therapressure© Brushing Protocol. Anna has also completed the course “M.O.R.E. - Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions”, presented by Patricia Oetter and Eileen Richter, and attended the “Focus on Treatment” workshop presented by Sheila Frick. In 2010, she completed the online course “The Traffic Jam in My Brain: A Sensory Processing Approach to Challenges Associated with Autism, ADHD, Learning and Behavioural Differences”, presented by Genevieve Jereb. Anna has also been mentored in the principles and concepts of “Listening with the Whole Body” (Therapeutic Listening®), and DIR®/Floortime™. Anna is excited to join the team at The Sensory Gym and looks forward to working together with children and families to help realise their full potential.
Meagan McGregor - BAppSc (OT)Meagan moved from the border town of Corowa in regional NSW to pursue tertiary studies at The University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in November of 2009 and soon after this headed overseas to live and travel with an Australian family as an aux pair for their two daughters. “My travelling and living with a family overseas has given me a well rounded perception on the importance of using a family centred approach to treatment. It gave me the opportunity to see just how integral a child’s role is in the family. I didn’t realise at the time, but looking back now, I can say with confidence that those two girls have had a huge influence on the therapist that I am now”.
Meagan is very passionate about ensuring that she has the appropriate knowledge and skills needed to guide the treatment that she practices. She is committed to ongoing professional development and to date has completed training in DIR/Floortime, M.O.R.E Integrating the Mouth with Sensory and Postural Functions, Sensory Defensiveness and a Focus on Treatment Workshop.
Meagan commenced working at The Sensory Gym in November of 2010, and is very happy to be beginning her career at such a well established practice alongside such a dedicated team of therapists. “There is something so wonderful about coming in each day and feeling as if you are greeting great friends. The warmth, energy and uniqueness of each of my kids is incredibly infectious. Each week, I see these children conquer their own challenges and do the most amazing things, with their families supporting them to be the very best that they can. It is work that truly makes my heart smile, and I look forward to my continued involvement in supporting the children and their families who come to seek services at The Sensory Gym”
The Sensory Gym Team
