DIRECTOR

Our Director, Bridget Sneesby established Newcastle Occupational Therapy Practice in 2016. Bridget graduated from Newcastle University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours. She completed her postgraduate study in driving in 2015 and is an RMS approved driving assessor. Bridget has more than 12 years of experience in a range of clinical settings, including rehabilitation in private hospitals, community, disability and driving.

Working in a broad range of clinical settings has given Bridget extensive experience working with people with varying needs including neurological, orthopaedic, neurodiversity and mental health. Bridget is a dedicated OT who is passionate about empowering and assisting people to optimise and achieve their independence and own unique goals to ultimately achieve an increased quality of life.

Bridget is also a busy mum to three young boys and enjoys spending time with her family and drinking a hot coffee in the morning.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Kath Leishman is a senior Physiotherapist with 24 years of experience after graduating from University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.

Kath has worked across a wide variety of hospital and community settings, working closely with her clients in the fields of Orthopaedics, Neurological and Cardiorespiratory rehabilitation and chronic pain conditions.

Kath is passionate about connecting with her clients and empowering individuals to return to their best selves paying every attention to their specific needs, securing best outcomes and meeting their goals.

Kath also enjoys dance, aerobics, walking and gardening…and rarely says no to a sweet treat.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Ingrid is a highly experienced therapist with over 25 years of experience across a diverse range of hospital and community settings both in the UK and Australia including mental health, inpatient rehabilitation, orthopaedics and community aged care. Ingrid is passionate about working with adults with disabilities and complex medical conditions, enabling them to achieve their individual goals by using a client centred approach. Ingrid is committed to improve her client’s quality of life and provide them with a sense of achievement.

When Ingrid is not working, she enjoys exercise and spending time with her family and friends.

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Justine is an extremely experienced Physiotherapist with 30 years of clinical experience. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Applied Science/Physiotherapy in 1994. Since then, Justine has gained extensive experience and worked in several senior positions in many clinical areas of Physiotherapy. These include inpatient rehabilitation, musculoskeletal private practice, post-surgical orthopaedic conditions, neurological disorders, burn injury recovery, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, chronic pain, community aged care and the NDIS.

Justine is dedicated to assisting clients to achieve their personal physical best. She enjoys working closely with each individual client, identifying goals and adopting a client centred approach to achieve these goals.

In her spare time Justine enjoys staying active and spending time with family, friends and her beloved dog!

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Jodie graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2007 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Jodie has extensive experience working in inpatient rehabilitation and private practice with adults recovering from stroke, limb amputation, orthopaedic injuries and neurological conditions, as well as individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.

Jodie is passionate about supporting clients in their own environments, to rebuild their capacity to achieve their goals. Jodie enjoys problem solving and supporting clients to the best of her ability, to enable them to engage in activities that are important to them. Jodie ensures she works collaboratively with the therapy team including Coordinators of Support, Support Workers and Allied Health professionals to achieve the best outcomes for clients’ needs.

Jodie enjoys spending time with her family, going for bike rides, swimming and cooking.