Start with what's actually not working.
You don't need to arrive with the right diagnosis, the right therapy language or a perfectly written goal.
Tell me what's happening and what you'd like to be different.
That's usually a more useful place to start.
What can occupational therapy help with?
01. SCHOOL PARTICIPATION
Learning, classroom engagement, writing, organisation, transitions and accessing the school day.
02. ANXIETY & AVOIDANCE
When worry, overwhelm, perfectionism or avoidance gets in the way of doing something that matters.
03. EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
Starting tasks, planning, organising, remembering, managing time and following through — at school, work, home or in the community.
04. REGULATION & WELLBEING
Understanding what's contributing to dysregulation and developing practical strategies, skills and supports that work in everyday life.
05. INDEPENDENCE & EVERYDAY LIFE
Building skills for routines, technology, transport, work, community participation, organisation and taking greater responsibility for everyday life.
Practical without ignoring the emotional.
Occupational therapy is about function, but the practical and emotional parts of life aren't separate.
My counselling background also informs how I work.
For Schools
Sometimes the best place to understand what's getting in the way at school is at school.
I can observe what's happening, work directly with students, provide individual or small-group intervention, and work with teachers and wellbeing staff on changes that can actually be used during the school day.
Not sure which applies? That's fine. Tell me what's happening and I'll point you in the right direction.
Different people need different things.
A diagnosis can be useful, but it doesn't tell us everything about what a person needs.
Sometimes the environment needs to change. Sometimes useful skills can be built. Often, good support involves both.
The aim isn't to make someone look more “typical”. It's to work out what actually helps this person participate, cope and become as independent as realistically possible.
Occupational therapy grounded in real life.
I'm Neil Locke, an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and ACA-registered Counsellor. I also have lived experience of autism, ADHD, anxiety and OCD, and I'm a parent.
I work with children, adolescents and adults, including neurodivergent people and people with intellectual or developmental disability.
My approach is straightforward: understand what's actually getting in the way, change the environment where that helps, build useful skills where that helps, and practise for the life the person actually needs and wants to live.