New PossibilOTs

In this episode of New PossibilOTs, host Mahek is joined by Sylvia, Manager of Therapy Services at OT Helping Children and an experienced paediatric occupational therapist who spent nearly two decades working in Rome, Italy. Together, they explore the complexities of working internationally as an OT – from navigating cultural differences and healthcare systems, to registration processes, language...

In this episode of the New Possibilities Podcast , Mahek is joined by Heidi Cornwell, speech pathologist and director of Talk Time Speech Pathology, to explore how allied health professionals can foster effective collaboration across disciplines. They discuss practical strategies for communication, managing overlap in care, using clinical judgment, and supporting families through complex milestone...

How do we genuinely meet families where they're at — especially when the system feels overwhelming? In this heartfelt and insightful episode, host Mahek sits down with Nicki Powell — parent, NDIS and disability advocate — to explore what families really need from health professionals after a diagnosis. From grief and overwhelm to navigating the NDIS, Nicki offers practical wisdom for occupational...

In this special episode of the New PossibilOTs podcast, Mahek sits down with Lisa Hughes, Founder and CEO of OTHC, to explore her inspiring 30-year journey in paediatric occupational therapy. From the early days of launching her own private practice to mentoring the next generation of OTs, Lisa shares a wealth of insight drawn from both personal experience and professional growth. Lisa opens up ab...

In the final episode of the New Grad Series, Mahek and Larissa chat with Courtney Schultz, a new graduate occupational therapist working in paediatrics. Courtney shares her first-year experiences at Occupational Therapy Helping Children, including navigating imposter syndrome, building confidence, and learning to manage a full caseload. She discusses the value of strong workplace support, supervis...

In this episode, as part of the New Grad series, Mahek and Larissa take you through the essentials of working as an occupational therapist within the NDIS. While the NDIS is constantly evolving, this episode focuses on the core knowledge every new graduate or OT new to Australia  needs to begin navigating this space with confidence. Website:   https://newpossibilots.com.au/podcast/ Instagram:  htt...

In this episode of the New PossibilOTs podcast, Mahek and Larissa dive into the world of workplace dynamics, sharing insights on how to build strong relationships within your OT team and collaborate effectively with other health professionals. From finding your confidence in team meetings to managing multidisciplinary collaborations, they offer practical tips for new grads stepping into the field...

In this episode of the NewPossibilOTs podcast, Mahek and Larissa dive into the essentials of professional development for new grads and OTs transitioning into new roles. They explore how to make the most of supervision and mentoring opportunities, offering tips on clear communication with supervisors, setting meaningful goals, and bringing practical cases to sessions for deeper learning. Packed wi...

What are the best ways to build and manage your caseload as a new OT? In this episode, Mahek and Larissa dive into everything that comes along with handling a new or inherited caseload, offering tips on time management, organisation, and goal-setting. They also discuss the importance of rapport-building with clients and families, how to manage imposter syndrome, and ways to develop confidence in c...

Starting your first job as an occupational therapist can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this episode, Mahek and Larissa kick off a new series dedicated to supporting new graduate OTs and those transitioning into new roles. They discuss the lifestyle changes that come with full-time work, the importance of setting boundaries, and strategies to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Tune in fo...

This is an episode not to be missed! The New PossibilOTs podcast hosts Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari welcome Chanelle Newman, the host of the "Raising Autism" podcast, to discuss her experiences as a parent of a neurodiverse child. Chanelle shares her journey, beginning with her son's unofficial autism diagnosis two years ago and the official diagnosis a year later.   Chanelle's experiences wit...

This episode of New PossibilOTs features the final instalment of the series: Supporting Emotional Regulation. Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari explore function behind behaviour. They discuss the importance of a collaborative approach involving the child's school, home, and caregivers to understand and address the factors contributing to dysregulation. The discussion centres around the interplay of...

In this episode of the New PossibilOTs podcast, Mahek and Larissa delve deeper into Supporting Emotional Regulation within a team of health professionals. Building on their previous discussion, they explore how various professionals, including occupational therapists, psychologists and speech pathologists collaborate to support children's emotional regulation. Through examples from their own pract...

The New PossibilOTs podcast kicks off a new series this week - Supporting Emotional Regulation. Mahek and Larissa look at the role of occupational therapy (OT) in emotional regulation, particularly when working with children. They discuss the importance of regulation as a fundamental skill for engaging in daily activities and stress the need to address regulation concerns collaboratively with the...

In the third and final episode in this series of New PossibilOTs, Mahek and Larissa dive into the multifaceted world of paediatric occupational therapy (OT). While acknowledging variations in clinic focus, they discuss their commitment to functional participation across all areas of a child's life, collaborating with families and other professionals to achieve holistic goals.   Throughout the disc...

In this episode of New PossibilOTs, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari dive deeper into understanding child development and its practical implications in occupational therapy (OT) interventions. By examining real-life examples and discussing the role of developmental milestones in goal setting and intervention planning, Mahek and Larissa highlight the nuanced approach required to support children wi...

Welcome back to the New PossibilOTs podcast with Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari. In this episode, they kick off their first series focused on understanding the paediatric population, as they investigate the intricacies of child development. With Mahek and Larissa both being paediatric occupational therapists (OTs), they emphasise the importance of grasping the broader context of child developmen...

On this episode of NewPossibilOTs, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari, delve into the concept of neurodiversity affirming practice in occupational therapy, emphasising their evolving understanding and commitment to learning from lived experiences. Acknowledging their position as neurotypical individuals, they stress the importance of continuously updating knowledge and embracing collaborative approa...

Join Mahek and Larissa in this episode of New PossibilOTs, where they unravel the world of professional development for aspiring paediatric practitioners. They emphasise the critical task of choosing relevant resources and provide their signature tips from utilising podcasts and blogs for informal learning, to seeking supervision to enhance skills, and accessing free research papers through platfo...

In this New PossibilOTs podcast episode, hosts Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari candidly explore the challenges faced by occupational therapists (OTs), aiming to validate their shared experiences across different levels and settings. They discuss the emotional impact of their profession, detailing what constitutes a "good" or "bad" day, and sharing personal anecdotes about unexpected challenges in...

New PossibilOTs is back with the first episode of 2024! Hosts Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari are also back, exploring the practice of parent coaching. Parent coaching is a method to empower and educate parents to best support their child and facilitate success across different environments and daily routines.  The discussion revolves around the various scenarios where parent coaching becomes cru...

Welcome back to the New Possibilities podcast! In this episode, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari continue to explore the expanding realm of telehealth in paediatric occupational therapy (OT). Building on their previous discussion, they dive into practical tips and strategies for successful telehealth sessions. They cover key considerations, from choosing the right platform with features like scree...

In a world where technology is rapidly evolving and transforming the way we live, this episode of New PossibilOTs sees Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari explore the dynamic landscape of paediatric OT through the lens of telehealth.  They discuss the benefits, barriers and strategies associated with this evolving practice. Mahek and Larissa highlight the advantages of telehealth, emphasising its abi...

Welcome back to the New PossibilOTs podcast! In this episode, Mahek and Larissa are again delving into the intricacies of collaboration.   This episode centres around working with other health professionals. Building on their previous discussions about collaboration, they highlight the unique dynamics involved in teaming up with health professionals compared to educators. Mahek and Larissa explain...

Due to the popularity of Episode 8, Community Based OT, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari have decided to delve further into this and chat specifically about working collaboratively with educators.   And whilst they stress the importance of building collaborative relationships with educators, they also emphasise that everyone involved with the client – parents, educators and occupational therapists...