The Mindful OT is passionate about facilitating the growth and development of clinicians – but we do it differently!
Our online courses are practical, evidenced based, and delivered to you via an OT framework – which WE know, is simply THE best approach!
The Mindful OT is more than just a chance to grab some professional development points – it’s transformational support provided to OTs, by an OT.
The Mindful OT recognises an individual’s ability to thrive when exposed to the right conditions, and as such, is committed to:
Leesa received a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy through the University of QLD in 2003, and is certified in Training & Assessment and Mental Health First Aid. Leesa is an accredited NLP Practitioner, Somatic Coach and Yoga Teacher.
Leesa has been employed as a Senior Clinician, Supervisor and Operations Manager. She has also worked in Quality Assurance, Clinical Excellence, Product Management, Research, Learning and Development and Risk Management.
For over 20 years, Leesa has practiced across a range of contexts, which have included but are not limited to:
During her career, Leesa has been mentored by some of OTs finest people, but has also studied under private coaches, specialist doctors, neuroscientists, NLP practitioners and psychotherapists.
From the outside, my life looked kinda perfect. I was a highly respected and experienced OT and worked in the field of my choosing. I had an amazing husband, beautiful children and fabulous friends. But… all was not as it seemed.
I’d been hospitalised for burnout. I’d struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clinical depression and anxiety. I was tormented by repressed emotions. I suffered with an eating disorder for over 30 years. I was highly self-critical and experienced low self-esteem.
I felt chained to my desk – often working after hours and on days off just to meet my own unrelenting expectations, before slipping into a pool of guilt for neglecting my family.
I was becoming disenchanted with my profession and starting to question whether a career change was in order. Day after day, I felt like I was simply “going through the motions’’. I was emotionally vacant and approaching a point of professional and personal exhaustion. I was essentially sleepwalking through my life. I desperately wanted to be happy but couldn’t shake the unnerving sense of disconnection that I felt from all the things that were most important to me. I realised I wanted more.
In discovering how to apply mindfulness through an OT framework, I’ve learnt a new way to live. To work. To BE. I’ve gained the ability to process my emotions and self-regulate. I’ve successfully overcome burnout, mental illness and a lifetime eating disorder. The holistic approach to life that I now follow, aligns beautifully with my occupational roles and affords me a sense of ease, joy and intention. And this is precisely what I want to share with you!
As OTs, we’re well positioned to help others. It’s our jam. Problem is, we don’t typically offer this same level of compassion to ourselves – not because we don’t want to, but because we’re unsure of how to. And that my friend, is where I come in!
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