The Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast

In today’s episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Carlyn Neek, an occupational therapist, coach, and host of The Brave OT Podcast. Carlyn is the founder of Balance Works, whereshe helps OTs and other helping professionals rediscover joy, purpose, and balance in their work and life. With over two decades of experience, she blends her clinical expertise with coaching strategies to support those who may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out in their careers.In our conversation, Carlyn shares openly about her own brave step, thinking beyond the OT world and exploring how occupational therapy perspectives can reach the wider public. We dive into how OTs can own what we know, translate our professional wisdom into practical, meaningfulstrategies for everyday living, and start conversations about thriving without the hustle.Whether you’re an OT seeking inspiration in your own practice or simply curious about how occupational therapy thinking can transform wellbeing, this episode is full of encouragement and ideas. So grab a cup of tea and join us as we chat with Carlyn about bravery, balance, and bringing OT wisdom to the world.The Brave OT PodcastOT Personal & Professional Development Coach | Carlyn Neek | Balance Works | Home

In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast, we are honoured to welcome internationally renowned occupational therapist, teacher, speaker, and author Kim Barthel. With over 40 years of experience, Kim is celebrated worldwide for her pioneering work in blending neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and occupational therapy. Her mission is to support the healing of people and communities by deepening our understanding of the brain, behaviour, and the power of human connection.In our conversation, Kim shares her journey from clinician to international educator and business owner, a path marked not by rigid planning but by courage, intuition, and trust in her calling. We discuss the evolution of private practice, the challenges and the learning that come with stepping outside traditional models, and the importance of cultural sensitivity when working across countries and contexts. Kim reflects on the role of resilience, fierce love, and relational approaches in Irish occupational therapy, offering encouragement for Occupational Therapists to embrace their values and approach their work with curiosity and compassion. This inspiring dialogue serves as a reminder of how our profession can evolve when we ground ourselves in being, doing, belonging, and becoming, both for our clients and for ourselves. https://www.kimbarthel.ca/Kim's workshop in CorkPrivate Practitioner Networking Summit

In this sneaky extra episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, hosts Jen Trzeciak and Aideen Ruttledge discuss Aideen's decision to step back from the podcast after four successful seasons. >tearful sobs from Jen!!!< We reflect on our journey, the growth of the podcast, and the importance of community within the occupational therapy field. Aideen shares her reasons for leaving, emphasising the need for work-life balance and the desire to pass the baton to Dr. Aine O'Dea, who will continue the podcast's mission. The conversation highlights the significance of support, collaboration, and the evolving landscape of occupational therapy in Ireland. Thank you and Fare Well to Aideen and Fáilte (welcome) to Áine (pronounced AwwnYa)!Get in touch at irishotpodcast@gmail.com

In this conversation, Sorcha Rice, an autistic occupational therapist, shares her insights on Pathological Demand Avoidance / Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA) from a neuroaffirmative perspective. She discusses her personal experiences growing up with PDA, the impact of environmental factors on neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of understanding and supporting children with PDA in educational settings. Sorcha emphasises the need for a shift in parenting and teaching strategies to accommodate neurodivergent needs, advocating for a focus on autonomy and reducing demands. She also provides practical tips and resources for parents and educators to better support children with PDA.

In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, hosts Jen Trzeciak and Aideen Ruttledge welcome Lorraine Madden, an educational psychologist, to discuss school-based anxiety. Lorraine shares her personal experiences with anxiety in school and provides insights into the symptoms, contributing factors, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health. She emphasises the importance of understanding the unique needs of neurodivergent children and offers practical tips for parents and educators to support children experiencing anxiety. The conversation highlights the significance of building safe environments and fostering connections to help children thrive academically and emotionally.

In this episode of the Irish Occupational Therapy podcast, Hannah Daly, a specialist occupational therapist and advocate for neurodiversity, shares her personal journey navigating education and professional life with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism. She discusses the importance of understanding individual sensory needs, the evolution of awareness in educational settings, and the challenges faced during her transition to university. Hannah emphasises the significance of advocacy, self-identification, and the use of assistive technologies to support neurodivergent individuals. The conversation culminates in key takeaways about inclusivity and the value of every individual's experience.

Teresa Foley, a children's occupational therapist and founder of Shooting Stars Private Clinic, discusses specialized feeding therapy for children with complex feeding challenges. She emphasizes the importance of normalizing the challenges of parenting and providing practical tips and advice. Teresa explains that feeding difficulties can range from neophobia (fear of certain foods) to picky eating to problem eating. She highlights the need for a neuroaffirmative approach, meeting children where they're at, and focusing on slow, safe, and consistent changes. Teresa also mentions the benefits of family meals and the importance of reducing guilt and judgment around feeding difficulties.Find Teresa at :https://www.thefeedingtherapist.co.uk/https://shootingstars.ie/or follow her on https://www.instagram.com/shooting_stars_ot/Key Takeaways:​Feeding is a core occupation and encompasses sensory, developmental, and relationship aspects.​Differentiate between picky eaters and problem eaters, and adopt a non-judgmental approach.​Assessment for feeding difficulties should ideally be done as part of a multidisciplinary team.​Consider a neuroaffirmative approach and focus on family meals, consistency, and slow, safe changes.​Resources like the Magical Mealtimes online course can provide support for parents.