Meet Alyce

Hi, I'm Alyce

For as long as I can remember, it has been my mission to help occupational therapists thrive, not just survive, in their professional roles.

Whether you are growing your confidence as a therapist, stepping into leadership, or building a business, I am here to support your growth every step of the way.

Through guided learning, practical workshops, team education, and one-on-one mentoring, my work is all about helping you become the occupational therapist you truly want to be.

GET TO KNOW ME

My mission is to fill in the gaps between education and practice, empowering occupational therapists to grow their confidence and achieve their professional goals.

How it all began...

Growing up with small business owners in my family, I was drawn to the complexities of running a business early on. During university, I worked with our family’s engineering business where I developed their quality assurance system and assisted with compliance, laying the groundwork for a structured, service-focused approach.

When I became a paediatric OT, I was dedicated to building my clinical skills and deepening my understanding of the profession. With this foundation, I dreamed of one day creating a practice that would support both the therapists on my team and our local community.

My early career in various private practices gave me a behind-the-scenes look at different ways of delivering paediatric care – an experience that proved invaluable. In 2017, I launched Sensational Start OT where I had the privilege of supporting 15 therapists as they began their paediatric careers, establishing a therapy assistant program and expanding our services across three clinics. In 2024, I pivoted fully to The OT Coach Australia, bringing with me the insights and lessons from my time at Sensational Start.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges new therapists face when entering the profession without sufficient clinical support, resources or training. Occupational therapy is highly complex and I believe every client deserves care from a well-trained team. This belief fuels my mission to inspire, educate and support OTs across Australia.

I offer a comprehensive range of support services – from professional supervision and mentoring to workshops, training packages and resources – all designed to empower OTs to thrive professionally and deliver outstanding care. My systematic approach helps allied health business owners and therapists alike to build services aligned with their values, develop strong teams and achieve their goals.

I’m here to share the knowledge, connections and guidance I wished I’d had at the start of my journey – so that every OT can feel confident, supported and equipped to make a meaningful impact.

SO HOW DID I GET HERE?

Well, it has certainly been a BUSY couple of years...

The short:

The long:

I graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2011 and went straight in to the private paediatric OT world! I spent the first 5 years of my career working in various practices and building my clinical skills.

From 2017 to 2024, I led Sensational Start Occupational Therapy, a family-centred paediatric practice that grew from a single therapist into a three-site service supporting hundreds of children and families across the Hunter and Central Coast. The practice became known for its hybrid service model, offering both in-clinic and community-based therapy to meet families where they were and achieve meaningful outcomes in everyday life.

Over seven years, the service employed more than 50 occupational therapists, therapy assistants, and administrative staff, supported through strong systems, reflective supervision, and a values-driven workplace culture. Beyond individual therapy, Sensational Start offered a range of community programs including drop-in sessions, school-based programs, teacher training, and parent workshops, helping to build capacity and inclusion across the local community.

The practice also developed structured therapy assistant and student programs, designed to enhance accessibility for families and support the development of future occupational therapists.

During this time, I also coordinated the Paediatric OT Local Interest Group (2016–2019), fostering peer mentoring and shared learning opportunities for therapists in the region.

In 2018, I developed The Art of Paediatric Therapy through Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), which has since been delivered to hundreds of occupational therapists nationwide. My ongoing commitment to the profession has included serving as a committee member, presenter, and panelist at the OT Exchange Conference in 2020 and returning as a speaker in 2024.

Building on this experience, I launched The OT Coach in 2022, a platform dedicated to educating and connecting occupational therapists and business owners through mentoring, supervision, and practical training. I am also the host of OT Coaching Confidential and co-host of OT Unplugged, two podcasts that share real conversations and insights to help therapists grow with confidence and clarity.

In 2025, I brought a long-time vision to life with the launch of The OT Coach Academy: Paediatric Hub, a space that brings together everything developed throughout my career. The Academy supports paediatric OTs to reflect, grow, and feel connected in their work, continuing the mission that began years ago at Sensational Start.

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

That depends on what you're after

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A kind message from Kate M...

I’m about to celebrate three years of running my own business as a paediatric occupational therapist. From the very beginning, I sought mentorship from Alyce, who has been a true fountain of knowledge and a shining light. She has provided guidance across both the clinical and business sides of my practice and helped me stay up to date with the ever-changing NDIS space.

Alyce is a genuine, supportive, and highly experienced OT and human. I feel extremely fortunate to have benefited from her wisdom and encouragement. She has gone above and beyond — welcoming me into her own practice, Sensational Start, and allowing me to observe her team, which was invaluable as a rural solo OT navigating imposter syndrome.

Alyce has always been approachable, responsive, and generous with her time — even answering questions outside our scheduled sessions. I can also highly recommend her courses; they’re engaging, practical, and of exceptional quality.

Alyce, you are a legend! Thank you so much for your expertise, guidance, support, and friendship.