The team behind the work.

Kathryn is the Clinical Lead Psychotherapeutic Occupational Therapist at Purpose People Ltd, where she supports adolescents, young people, adults and parents experiencing a wide range of mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges. Her work particularly focuses on neurodivergent clients, neurodivergent parents and parents of neurodivergent children, alongside those experiencing anxiety, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, stress and difficulties with functioning in everyday life.

Trained in Australia, Kathryn has built her career across NHS and private mental health services in both the UK and Australia, working within inpatient and community settings, complex care, older adult services and specialist programmes for OCD, anxiety and depression. Alongside her clinical work, Kathryn contributes to the ongoing development of the service at Purpose People, offering clinical insight, reflective thinking and peer support to colleagues across the practice.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) sits at the centre of Kathryn’s clinical approach. She has undertaken advanced specialist training across the breadth of ACT practice and has integrated ACT into her occupational therapy work throughout her entire career. Her approach combines deep therapeutic understanding with practical real-world strategies that help people build sustainable change, increase flexibility and reconnect with what matters most to them.

Kathryn is known for her warm, grounded and collaborative style, helping clients navigate complexity with compassion, clarity and practicality. Her work integrates occupational therapy with evidence-based therapeutic approaches including ACT, DBT-informed practice and compassion-focused approaches, always tailored to the individual needs of the person and family she is supporting.

Sophie is an experienced clinician who began her career journey as a carer for local authority mental health services in 2013. Since qualifying as an Occupational Therapist in 2017, she has worked in the NHS, independent practice, and in university education. Her clinical work has spanned mental health, forensic psychiatry, neurodivergence, learning disabilities, neurology, and older adults. She has particular expertise in supporting late-diagnosed neurodivergent people with co-occurring mental health challenges. Alongside her work for Purpose People, she also works for the NHS as a Dementia Assessment Clinician and is in training to work within an NHS ADHD assessment service.

Drawing on her foundational knowledge in occupational science and theory, Sophie’s work focuses on helping people understand the relationship between their occupations and their health and wellbeing. She is passionate about the benefits of an occupation-focused approach and has completed further training and supervision in occupational formulation. Sophie also draws on her training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including ACT targeted for ADHD, depression and anxiety, and trauma. Alongside this, she is a trained coaching practitioner and is developing her skills in ecosensory-informed practice. This additional training strengthens her approach and allows her to use the title of Psychotherapeutic Occupational Therapist.

Sophie is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). Her work with clients takes a human and practical approach that is holistic, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming. She brings lived experience and humour into her sessions, helping to build a sense of safety and teamwork.

Outside of work, she can be found engaging in her own meaningful occupations, such as spending time in nature, travelling, or exploring creative projects.

Jolandi is a qualified Occupational Therapist with 35 years of experience in mental health. After earning her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree in South Africa, she worked across a range of mental health settings, including private practice, before moving to the UK in 2005. Over the past 21 years, she has developed, managed and evaluated treatment programmes in the UK, with a focus on outcome measures, service evaluation and strengthening the evidence base for occupational therapy. She has also provided treatment for adults and adolescents in community, inpatient and third-sector settings. In 2024, she established her independent practice, offering treatment, clinical supervision and training.

Jolandi is committed to evidence-based assessment and treatment, with occupation at the centre of her work. Over the course of her career, she has moved away from a purely medical model and embraced an approach that is client-centred, collaborative and occupation-focused. She supports clients to explore their identity, recognising that this is central to meaningful occupation and that occupational therapy is as much about ‘being’ as it is about ‘doing’. Having trained with Sue Parkinson on several occasions and implemented Occupational Formulation into the services she managed, she now offers training and supervision in Occupational Formulation.

Her practice covers a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, eating disorders, ADHD and autism. She also has specialist knowledge and experience in trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD. Jolandi completed post-qualification training in DBT through Behavioural Tech, LLC and holds a Certificate in Eating Disorders accredited by the University of Brighton. She is also qualified as a Life Coach and NLP practitioner, and has completed training in Motivational Interviewing, Sensory-Enhanced Yoga for Self-Regulation and Trauma Healing, and Sensory Modulation. As a Licensed Sensory Intelligence practitioner, she integrates sensory-informed approaches into her work to help clients understand their unique sensory profiles.

Advocating for occupational therapy is an important part of her work. Through public speaking, training and education, she helps others understand the value and impact of holistic, integrative occupational therapy.

Vignesh Vyas is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist, and a certified ADOS-2 and ADHD Assessor with extensive experience across a range of clinical settings. He has worked within CAMHS, Local Authorities, Mental Health inpatient units, and Recovery Colleges, supporting individuals with diverse and complex needs.

His specialist research area is Therapeutic Filmmaking — an innovative, solution and goal-focused approach he developed that integrates occupational therapy with the creative process of filmmaking. This method empowers individuals to reflect on their experiences, develop insight, and foster personal growth through storytelling and filmmaking.

Vignesh presents his work internationally and publishes research on Therapeutic Filmmaking and post-traumatic growth.

Nabela is an experienced HCPC-registered mental health occupational therapist with over eleven years of clinical experience across healthcare services, dedicating the last eight years to occupational therapy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology alongside a master’s degree in occupational therapy, providing her with a strong academic and clinical foundation in research, the mind, mental health, evidence-based practice, and a range of therapeutic approaches and modalities.

Throughout her career, Nabela has worked across diverse settings including CAMHS, eating disorders, dementia care, learning disabilities, neurology, forensic services, acute care, and inpatient rehabilitation. She has extensive experience supporting individuals with depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, ASD, psychosis, CPTSD, eating disorders, and mood disorders.

Nabela is trained in occupational formulation and goal-setting, sensory integration, and evidence-based interventions including MANTRA, RO-DBT, and CBT-E. Her therapeutic style is collaborative, thoughtful, and person-centred, with a focus on helping individuals reconnect with meaningful occupations, establish sustainable routines, and work towards goals that enhance wellbeing and quality of life.

Outside of her professional role, Nabela enjoys playing sports, practising yoga and Pilates, and cooking. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

Jacqui Russon joined Purpose People in October 2025 as an associate Mental Health Occupational Therapist and DBT Therapist. Registered with the HCPC and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, she completed her BSc in Occupational Therapy at the University of Cape Town in 2007 and spent the early part of her career in private mental health treatment centres in Cape Town and Johannesburg, working with adults and adolescents across eating disorders, personality disorders, substance misuse and behavioural addictions, autism spectrum disorder, and general mental health difficulties, later moving into supervisory, training and advocacy roles including radio and television work.

Ongoing learning is one of Jacqui’s core values, and her practice is shaped by a deliberately interdisciplinary base of training: she is a qualified TRE practitioner, a certified MARI (Mandala Assessment Research Instrument) practitioner, has completed group analysis training through the Institute of Group Analysis in the UK, and holds a Postgraduate Degree in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. In December 2025 she completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy at Bangor University and is now accredited with the Society for DBT, UK & Ireland. Since emigrating to London in 2022 she has worked across NHS and private inpatient settings for adults with personality disorders, eating disorders and general mental health difficulties, and currently serves as acting Therapy Lead for an inpatient eating disorder unit.

Giving back is a thread that runs through Jacqui’s work, from co-designing a youth life-skills programme in South Africa to her ongoing mental health advocacy through podcasts and committee service with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. She brings to Purpose People a clinician’s depth across complex presentations, a leader’s instinct, and an advocate’s commitment to supporting her clients toward a meaningful life worth living.

Amy is an Occupational Therapist with a deep commitment to supporting children, young people, and adults to thrive in everyday life. Beginning her career in mental health, she now specialises in paediatrics, bringing a uniquely holistic lens to her work, one that recognises how closely emotional wellbeing, sensory experience, and daily function are intertwined.

She provides thorough assessments and, where appropriate, tailored recommendations for intervention. Her practice spans a wide age range, from children as young as two through to adults, and she works closely not only with the individual but with the wider family system, helping parents and carers put meaningful support in place at home. She regularly liaises with schools, teachers, and other professionals to ensure recommendations translate into real, consistent support across every environment a child moves through.

Amy has significant experience as part of multidisciplinary teams completing autism assessments for both under-fives and older children, and she is ADOS-2 trained, enabling her to contribute to assessments for children and adults alike. She holds a particular specialist interest in neurodevelopmental assessment for those whose presentations are more complex or easily missed, including individuals who mask, who have been overlooked by previous services, or whose profiles don’t fit conventional patterns. Her approach is thoughtful, curious, and unhurried, allowing the full picture to emerge.

Underpinning her professional expertise is genuine lived experience supporting neurodivergent children and adults, which informs the warmth, respect and depth of understanding she brings to every family she works with. Outside of her practice, Amy can usually be found walking in nature, horse riding, dancing, or listening to music. These passions reflect what she values most in her work too: movement, connection, and the freedom to be fully oneself.

Greta-Mae McDowell is an Occupational Therapist who trained and qualified in New Zealand and later relocated to the UK in 2023. She has experience across acute inpatient and community mental health services within both public and private healthcare settings in New Zealand and the UK.

She has a specialist interest in OCD and related disorders, delivering CBT-informed Occupational Therapy including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), alongside functional assessment and ADL-focused rehabilitation. Her work focuses on supporting individuals to re-engage with everyday activities and build confidence through structured, meaningful change.

Greta-Mae has worked with individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health presentations, including anxiety, depression, and neurodivergent profiles, within specialist multidisciplinary teams. She is particularly skilled in translating therapeutic interventions into practical, real-world strategies that support independence and long-term recovery.

She works collaboratively with clients, using warmth, humour, and a straightforward style to support and appropriately challenge avoidance and unhelpful patterns. Her approach combines compassion with thoughtful challenge, encouraging clients to step outside their comfort zone and build confidence and self-belief through doing.

Greta-Mae is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

Bridget Brooker-Payne trained as an Occupational Therapist in Exeter, qualifying in 1993. She has worked in various clinical settings including elderly rehab and acute mental health services. Predominantly though, she has worked with children and young adults in acute hospitals, community teams and schools. Her experience covers a broad range of working with children with physical disabilities and conditions, neuro-developmental and neurodiverse challenges. She has completed post-graduate training in sensory integration theory and practice, standardised assessments and the cognitive orientation to occupational performance (CO-OP) approach. She is currently working towards her certification for the CO-OP and her Level 2 in Coaching.

Having joined Purpose People in 2023, she has been keen to both apply her experience and to expand her learning and professional development within mental health Occupational Therapy, often working in the support role as a senior Occupational Therapy Assistant delivering bespoke treatment sessions. She has embraced the opportunity to learn and develop her skills and is committed to the core values of the Occupational Therapy profession delivering effective, goal-focused and caring treatment sessions to all her clients.

Richa is a compassionate and friendly Occupational Therapist with eight years of experience in mental health across both community and inpatient settings. She is fully registered with the HCPC and RCOT and is an active member of the RCOT mental health community.

Her background includes serving as an NHS care coordinator and assessment clinician, supporting individuals aged 14–65 experiencing first-episode psychosis. Her areas of specialty include neurodiversity, psychosis, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and personality disorders. She is skilled in delivering evidence-based interventions such as CBT and DBT-informed techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, psychosocial education, and goal setting.

Richa holds additional qualifications in Behavioural Family Therapy and Compassion-Led Therapy. She is qualified to screen and assess Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD using NICE-approved instruments, such as the ADOS-2, and is experienced in mentoring and training OT students. As a member of the Autism Network for Professionals (ANP), she is deeply committed to providing personalised, neuroaffirming occupational therapy.

Her professional journey began in special educational needs and CAMHS inpatient care, and she has since worked with individuals across the lifespan. These experiences have shaped her holistic and collaborative approach to empowering clients and increasing their autonomy. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys yoga, food, and music. Her toddler also keeps her busy and on her toes.

Shannon is a registered and qualified Occupational Therapist (BSc Hons) and has previous experience across hospital, clinical, academic, and non-profit settings in Cape Town, South Africa. She later relocated to the UK and worked in an NHS community mental health team, providing assessments, completing duty work, being a care coordinator, and delivering individual and group interventions for a range of mental health conditions.

Shannon also has experience in adult social care and reablement services, where she managed a team of specialist mental health workers and supported individuals with a variety of social care needs. This included assistance with personal care, nutrition, establishing daily routines, accessing community resources, and maintaining a safe home environment. To deepen her expertise, Shannon completed a BA (Hons) in Psychology, deepening her understanding of psychological theory and practice. Her professional approach is person-centred and goal-oriented, with a strong emphasis on engaging clients in meaningful activities that support their wellbeing and independence.

Shannon is passionate about mental health and personal development, with a growing interest in coaching. Outside work, she enjoys travel, time with family and friends, reading, photography, animals, and exercise.

Vicki is a mental health Occupational Therapist with nearly 30 years of experience, having qualified in 1996 following her training in Edinburgh. Her career has been rooted in adult community mental health, working across a broad range of conditions and client groups.

In recent years she has developed a specialist focus in first episode psychosis, bringing a practical, recovery-oriented approach to her work with individuals and their families. Vicki has a great passion for animals and strongly values the role they can play in supporting recovery and well-being.

Chloe is a registered Occupational Therapist with over 18 years of experience working across a broad range of mental health settings, including inpatient forensic services, community mental health, and primary care.

Her work is grounded in Occupational Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), supporting people to understand themselves with greater compassion and less self-criticism, and to reconnect with what matters most in their lives. She integrates psychological and body-based approaches to support emotional regulation, identity, and meaningful daily living.

Chloe is also a qualified yoga teacher and Sensory Intelligence Practitioner, with a strong focus on the relationship between the nervous system, sensory experience, and mental wellbeing. This informs a trauma-sensitive, embodied approach to supporting change.

She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

Beth is a senior mental health occupational therapist and qualified coach with extensive experience supporting adults across NHS and private settings. She works with people who are feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or stuck, often high-functioning professionals whose mental health, energy, or confidence has been affected by long-term stress, neurodivergence, or major life transitions.

Beth has particular expertise in supporting neurodivergent adults, including those with ADHD, where burnout, emotional exhaustion, and difficulties with focus, boundaries, and self-expectations are common. She also specialises in working with older adults, supporting mental health, identity, and everyday function through later-life change, loss, or adjustment.

Her approach is warm, collaborative, and practical, combining occupational therapy with coaching to help people understand themselves more clearly, rebuild sustainable routines, and reconnect with what matters most. Beth works in a strengths-based and non-judgemental way, supporting clients to move from survival mode towards greater balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose in daily life.

Weronika is a qualified and registered Occupational Therapist with clinical experience across a wide range of NHS and private healthcare settings. She has worked in both inpatient and community mental health services, bringing a compassionate and person-centred approach to every aspect of her work.

Weronika has specialist knowledge and experience in working with individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Autism, gained through her work in dedicated specialist units. In addition, she has supported clients with a variety of diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, and dementia.

Passionate about empowering individuals to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, Weronika focuses on identifying what matters most to each person. She supports clients in regaining independence and improving their quality of life through purposeful engagement in everyday activities. Her therapeutic approach incorporates elements of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), tailored to meet individual needs. Weronika is also a registered NLP Practitioner.

Weronika is registered with the regulatory body Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

Jose is a dedicated mental health occupational therapist with experience spanning rehabilitation, acute mental health wards, and community-based care. He has worked extensively across both national service and private sector settings, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the mental health continuum.

Having supported individuals in rehabilitation and acute psychiatric environments, Jose brings valuable insights to his current role on a community mental health team. He is passionate about empowering individuals to develop practical skills for daily living, fostering independence, and supporting holistic recovery. Jose collaborates closely with clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to create personalised interventions that address unique challenges and promote lasting wellbeing.

Athena is a highly experienced paediatric Occupational Therapist who qualified in 2004 and has spent over 20 years supporting babies, children, young people and families across NHS services, charities, private healthcare and independent practice.

She specialises in neurodivergent development, including autism, ADHD, DCD (dyspraxia), executive functioning and sensory processing differences that may impact everyday function. Athena works with children from the early years through to young adulthood, helping them develop the skills, confidence and supports they need to participate meaningfully in the activities that are important to them.

Athena is committed to neuro-affirming, evidence-based practice and takes a strengths-based approach that recognises each young person’s unique profile, interests and ways of engaging with the world. Her work spans assessment, intervention, consultation and training, to support participation across home, education and community settings. She has extensive experience supporting sensory processing and emotional regulation, working collaboratively with young people, families and educational settings to develop practical strategies that promote participation, confidence, well-being and resilience. Athena also draws upon the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, supporting children and young people to develop problem-solving skills, self-awareness and independence in achieving their own meaningful goals.

Alongside her clinical work, Athena holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Neurological Occupational Therapy and in Higher Education (PGCE-HE) and has taught modules on child development, cerebral palsy, early years practice and neurodevelopmental therapy approaches. She has held leadership roles and is passionate about ensuring that interventions are meaningful, measurable and informed by the best available evidence. Athena has extensive experience in the use of standardised assessments, including the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, the Movement ABC-3, handwriting assessments, visual perceptual assessments and sensory processing assessments, which are used to inform comprehensive diagnostic and functional reports.

Athena has contributed to national clinical guidance as a member of the NICE Guideline Development Group for Cerebral Palsy, helping to shape evidence-based recommendations for children and young people. She remains passionate about translating research into practical, individualised support for children, young people, families and professionals.