OT Coaching Confidential - Real conversations. Real growth. Real therapists. Real world. OT Coaching Confidential is a mentoring podcast for occupational therapists and allied health professionals who want honest insight, genuine reflection, and the reassurance that they are not navigating this work alone. Each episode is a real, unscripted one-on-one mentoring session between host Alyce Svensk and an anonymous guest. An honest conversation about where they are right now, what they are working through, and what it looks and feels like to grow as a therapist and professional. Topics span the full breadth of practice life: clinical complexity, building confidence, managing a caseload, stepping into leadership, navigating private practice, career transitions, and everything in between. You will find: Real mentoring conversations grounded in everyday practice Thoughtful questions and gentle reframes that shift perspective Practical strategies you can take straight back into your week Space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with why you do this work Whether you are just starting out, deep in the complexity of clinical work, or building something of your own - there is something here for you. Hosted by Alyce Svensk, paediatric occupational therapist, coach, and founder of The OT Coach Australia. Want to be a guest? Being a guest on OT Coaching Confidential is a real mentoring session with Alyce and your story could be exactly what another OT needs to hear. Guests remain completely anonymous, so you can speak openly and honestly about where you are in your journey. Apply here: https://www.theotcoach.au/podcast-1
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce is joined by Jessica, a paediatric occupational therapist who built her own private practice from the ground up and is now navigating what it takes to lead well without losing herself in the process. With close to a decade and a half in paediatrics, including a foundational stint at a larger multi-site practice with strong mentoring and supervision, Jessica reflects on how that early model continues to shape the way she trains and supports her own team today. Now leading her practice alongside her husband, she shares openly about the boundaries she's had to build with staff and with herself, the discomfort of renegotiating long-standing relationships as the business has grown, and learning to see profit as something that protects her team rather than something to feel guilty about. We explore The personal experience that shaped Jessica's path into occupational therapy Moving from clinician to business owner, and the boundaries that takes Setting boundaries with staff, and with herself, as a heart-led leader The shift in long-standing staff relationships from personal to professional Why being a great clinician doesn't automatically make you a great supervisor Reframing profit as protective rather than something to feel guilty about Building a team culture where ongoing learning is the expectation, not optional Key takeaways Caring deeply about your team doesn't mean ignoring the financial reality of running a business Being an excellent clinician and being an effective supervisor are different skills, and the second one needs to be taught Staff don't carry the same risk or emotional investment in the business that you do, and that's not a reflection of how much they care A safe boss still holds boundaries, even when it's uncomfortable Documenting your values and ways of working makes it easier for new staff to buy in from day one Mentioned in this episode Michelle Bihary's work on lifelong learning and professional development: michellebiharyhealth.com Gerda's episode "Dealing with Rejection as a Practice Owner" on The Private Practice Success Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oJg7RLtlvynXtIcPIsILM The Business Hub Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.
This week I am joined by C, a paediatric OT working in a subcontracting role, and we talk about what happens when you love the clinical work but the systems around it are slowly wearing you down. In this episode we discuss: Finding your clinical niche and why specialising can be a protective factor Moral burnout and the difference between caseload overwhelm and systems overwhelm Navigating anticipated NDIS changes with your existing clients Becoming the primary anchor for complex families and what to do about it The "extra extra" - above-and-beyond work that isn't contracted or contained Written communication load and how to manage it with a neurodivergent caseload Termly planning as an energy management tool Professional development pathways toward mental health OT endorsement Key takeaways: Specialising aligns your PD, supervision, and clinical reasoning - it is protective, not limiting Moral burnout has a different source to caseload burnout - naming it matters A priority pyramid helps you define your role within a client's care team intentionally Responsiveness becomes a liability when it is the reason families value you A brief acknowledgement response is often enough - not every email needs a full reply Termly planning does not need explicit goals - it can be your own internal orientation for each family The OTA mental health OT training builds boundary frameworks, not just clinical content Mentioned in this episode: Michelle Bihary - moral burnout: michellebiharyhealth.com OTA Mental Health Foundations training: otaus.com.au/cpd-and-events/cpd/mental-health-foundations Client Snapshot Tool: theotcoach.au/otcoachlibrary If this episode resonated and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I'm joined by Chris, an occupational therapist running his own small private practice specialising in home modifications and assistive technology. Chris has been working for himself full-time since 2023, building steadily from a standing start during COVID into a practice with subcontractors, a full-time VA, and a part-time support person. Now, with his first full-time employee, a new graduate OT is about to start, Chris is stepping into a new chapter of his business and a new identity as a clinical leader. Together, we explore what it really looks like to grow a small OT practice intentionally, and what it takes to bring on and support a new graduate well. We explore: Building a small OT practice from the ground up in the NDIS and aged care space The realities of recruiting in a challenging market, even when you are doing everything right The difference between onboarding an experienced therapist and genuinely teaching a new graduate Training versus supervision, and why they are not the same thing Building clinical reasoning, not just clinical tasks Documenting competency in a way that supports both the new grad and the practice Structuring your week to absorb the demands of leadership without burning out Using existing systems and team members more strategically as you grow What it means to think clearly about the business you are actually trying to build Key takeaways: Recruiting is hard even when you are doing everything right - persistence matters more than strategy in the current market Bringing on a new graduate is a leadership transition, not just a hiring decision Training and supervision are different functions and need to be held separately Teaching clinical reasoning requires making your own thinking visible, not just delegating tasks Competency frameworks do not have to be complex - a simple sign-off checklist goes a long way A dedicated onboarding block, even just two weeks, can reduce the pressure of trying to do everything at once Growth requires a clear vision of what you are building, not just a desire to be bigger Employer brand starts with having a team to show Mentioned in this episode: Gerda Muller's podcast on building a self-running business Verve OT training modules for foundational NDIS knowledge ATSA and competency framework development in the assistive technology space The Health Professionals and Support Services Award and what changes at the middle management tier mean for small practices Using a VA strategically to manage contractor check-ins and reduce clinical leadership load Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you would like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. The OT Coach Australia. Where therapists come to grow.
In this final episode of OT Coaching Confidential Season 5, I’m joined by Rochelle, an experienced paediatric occupational therapist who has recently taken a significant next step in her business journey. After years of building a strong trauma-informed paediatric caseload as a sole trader, Rochelle has just transitioned into company structure and brought on her first employee. What sounds exciting on paper also brings a very real shift in identity, workload, and responsibility. Alongside holding her own long-term caseload of children and families with complex trauma backgrounds, Rochelle is now navigating onboarding, supervision, service agreements, business systems, payroll, and the invisible emotional load of becoming the person responsible for both clients and another therapist. This conversation explores what happens in those first few weeks after your first hire, when your clinical work remains full but the business suddenly demands a whole new layer of leadership and structure. We explore: Transitioning from Sole Trader to Company Structure Onboarding and Supervising a First Therapist Building a Caseload Intentionally Rather Than Reactively The Emotional Load of Trauma-Informed Paediatric Practic Boundaries Around Phone Calls, Emails, and Crisis Communicatio Balancing Client Care with Business Sustainabilit Planning Systems for Future Growth Including Clinic and Admin Support Key takeaways: Your First Hire Changes Your Role as Much as Your Business Supervision Needs Clear Structure and Intentional Tapering Responsive Care Does Not Mean Being Constantly Available Boundaries Protect Both Clinician Wellbeing and Service Quality Sustainable Growth Requires Systems Before Expansion Mentioned in this episode: The Master Timetable / Paper Planning Tool The OT Coach Business Hub Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I’m joined by Marie, an experienced occupational therapist who has recently transitioned from hospital and community mental health into private practice. With over 15 years of experience, Marie reflects on the shift from structured public health roles into the autonomy of private work. While the transition has brought flexibility and creative freedom, it has also introduced new challenges particularly around business systems, financial management, and the invisible load of admin. Together, we explore what it really looks like to build a sustainable mental health OT practice while balancing clinical care, business responsibilities, and personal life. We explore: Transitioning from public mental health roles into private practice The emotional and cognitive load of managing admin, finances, and systems independently Navigating payment boundaries and discomfort around money conversations Structuring caseloads across NDIS, Medicare, and private clients Letting go of work streams that don’t align (e.g., functional capacity assessments) The tension between flexibility, family life, and financial sustainability Using tools (like AI and practice software) to reduce admin burden The difference between “being the therapist” and “running the business” Key takeaways: A smooth clinical transition doesn’t always mean a well-structured business foundation Discomfort around money is common and requires clear, consistent systems Not all work streams are worth keeping, alignment matters more than opportunity Admin overwhelm is often a mix of clinical and business tasks, not just “extra work” External accountability (deadlines, supervision, structure) supports follow-through Autonomy is powerful but requires intentional boundaries and decision-making AI and digital tools can reduce cognitive load when used intentionally Sustainable practice comes from aligning workload, income, and lifestyle priorities Mentioned in this episode: Halaxy practice management system (invoicing, Medicare, client management) ChatGPT and AI tools for documentation, planning, and communication “She’s on the Money” podcast (financial literacy and planning) The concept of separating you from the business when setting boundaries Virtual assistants vs. clinical admin realities Financial planning, payroll setup, and income structuring for private practitioners Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce is joined by Sophia, an experienced occupational therapist who is navigating early private practice while holding the weight of past system reform, identity shifts, and changing personal priorities. With over a decade of experience across government disability services, hospitals, schools, and child development teams, Sophia reflects on how previous large-scale funding changes continue to shape her response to uncertainty today and how those experiences have also deeply strengthened her clinical reasoning and adaptability. Now running a small private practice alongside motherhood, she shares openly about reclaiming joy and creativity in her work, redefining professional success, and building a service that aligns with her values rather than external expectations. We explore Living at a point of clinical mastery and why familiarity can feel unsettling The emotional imprint of past system reform and how it resurfaces during current NDIS uncertainty Identity shifts as OT becomes part of life rather than the whole of it Neurodiversity-affirming, relational, and nervous-system-informed practice Transitioning from government services into values-based private practice Navigating Medicare, NDIS, and private funding without shrinking clinical ambition Contracting, intentionality, and clarity in parent-focused work Holding space, slowing down, and trusting professional judgement Building sustainability without pressure to grow faster than feels right Key takeaways Feeling unsettled at a point of competence is often a sign of growth, not failure You don’t need to know everything before stepping into private practice Intentional contracting supports confidence, boundaries, and clinical clarity Presence and relationship are powerful therapeutic tools Success in private practice can be defined by alignment, flexibility, and values not just income or growth Mentioned in this episode Alyce’s Caregiver Capacity Framework The Therapy Conversation Planning Tool Contracting and intentionality in therapy delivery Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, reflective practice, or business mentoring, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Jane, an experienced occupational therapist working in a Grade 3 leadership role within the public health system while also running her own private practice. After more than twenty years working across clinical roles, Jane recently stepped into a leadership position supervising a growing occupational therapy team. While continuing her own clinical work privately, she now also supports supervision, service development, and team leadership within a public health setting. This conversation explores the realities of stepping into leadership as an occupational therapist. Many therapists find that the transition from clinician to supervisor brings a new set of challenges, including navigating difficult conversations, supporting team development, and balancing competing responsibilities across clinical and leadership roles. Jane shares openly about the complexity of holding these roles while maintaining strong relationships within the team. We explore: The transition from clinician to leadership roles in occupational therapy Supervising and supporting a growing team Navigating difficult conversations within the workplace Balancing clinical work, supervision, and service development Supporting team performance while maintaining positive team culture This episode highlights how leadership in allied health often evolves gradually as therapists take on greater responsibility for supporting colleagues, developing services, and shaping team environments. Key Takeaways Stepping into leadership often changes the nature of work from primarily clinical to a combination of supervision, service development, and team support. Difficult conversations are a normal part of leadership and often become easier when supported by clear systems and expectations. Regular check-ins and structured supervision can help create space to address small challenges before they grow into larger issues. Supervision approaches often need to adapt to the different learning styles and experience levels of individual therapists. Leadership roles often require therapists to balance multiple responsibilities while supporting the growth and development of others. Mentioned in This Episode Michelle Bihari – Supervision and Leadership Training Toni Knight – Wellbeing for therapists Situational Leadership Model for adapting leadership style to clinician experience Zoom AI Companion for supervision summaries and documentation Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Mary, an occupational therapist running her own private practice across several rural towns. After stabilising her caseload and building systems that support sustainable rural service delivery, Mary finds herself asking a new question. Not how to build a practice, but how she can best serve her community beyond individual therapy sessions. Working in regional areas often means therapists see the gaps in services very clearly. Schools needing support, education assistants feeling overwhelmed, and limited access to professional development and therapy services. Mary shares how she is beginning to explore new ways to contribute to her community, including developing educator workshops that support school staff to better understand regulation, behaviour, and practical strategies for supporting students. We also explore the role rural therapists can play in growing the future workforce, including hosting student placements and increasing awareness of rural practice opportunities. This conversation reflects a common shift many therapists experience after building a stable service. Once the day-to-day clinical work is running well, new possibilities begin to emerge around education, mentoring, and community support. We explore: Moving from building a private practice to expanding community impact Supporting educators and school staff through workshops and training The realities and opportunities of rural occupational therapy practice Hosting student placements and strengthening the future workforce Recognising the expertise that comes from building a service independently Key takeaways Building a sustainable clinical caseload often creates space to explore broader community initiatives. Supporting the adults around the child can have a powerful impact on outcomes for children. Rural therapists often hold valuable knowledge about community needs that can inform education and training programs. Student placements can play an important role in increasing awareness of rural practice and strengthening local services. Therapists working independently may underestimate the expertise they have developed through building and sustaining a service. Mentioned in this episode: Educator workshops and school-based training Student placements in rural communities Master timetable and structured scheduling approaches for rural practice Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Paige, an occupational therapist working in adult mental health and psychosocial disability within the NDIS. Paige reflects on her pathway into OT, including beginning her career in NDIS LAC and community roles before moving into clinical mental health practice and establishing herself as a sole trader. With several years in practice, she shares how her early experience shaped her tolerance for complexity, her ability to manage open work streams, and the systems she now relies on to work sustainably. As her clinical work has consolidated, Paige finds herself at a point of professional recalibration. The conversation explores her growing interest in supervision, not as an add-on to clinical work, but as a distinct professional role that requires intention, structure, and clarity. Together, Alyce and Paige unpack how supervision mirrors good clinical practice: understanding the person in front of you, setting clear goals, recognising strengths, identifying areas for growth, and choosing when to teach, guide, or reflect based on developmental stage. They also discuss the importance of time containment, boundaries, and pacing, particularly when supporting others alongside a busy clinical caseload. We explore: Transitioning from NDIS LAC and community roles into clinical mental health OT Managing complexity, open work streams, and non-face-to-face demands Building systems that support focus, pacing, and sustainability Clarifying scope and role boundaries in mental health OT Stepping into supervision and navigating confidence shifts Treating supervision as a distinct professional service Using structure and time boundaries to support effective supervision Knowing when clinicians need teaching, guidance, or reflective space Key takeaways: Early career experiences strongly influence how clinicians manage complexity later on Sustainable mental health practice relies on structure and pacing, not just clinical skill Supervision works best when it is intentional, structured, and clearly bounded Different clinicians require different types of support at different stages Confidence often follows action, rather than preceding it Supporting others highlights professional knowledge we often underestimate Mentioned in this episode: Michelle Bihari and her work on supervision and contracting Occupational Therapy Australia Mental Health Capability Framework https://otaus.com.au/resources/mental-health-capability-framework The Client Snapshot Tool The Supervisors Space , a peer thinking and reflection space for supervisors run by Alyce and Claire Britton. Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce is joined by Ruby, an experienced occupational therapist working across a broad regional caseload while building her sole trader business alongside part-time hospital work. Ten years into her OT career and around 18 months into self-employment, Ruby reflects on what it has been like to grow quickly without a clear structure to hold the work. With paediatrics, driving assessments, NDIS work, and support at home all sitting under one business, she finds herself overbooked, stretched thin, and carrying too many competing priorities at once. Together, Alyce and Ruby unpack how overwhelm can emerge when growth outpaces planning. Rather than framing this as burnout, the conversation focuses on workload volume, blurred boundaries, extensive travel, and the absence of a clear plan for how different types of work fit together. This episode is a grounded, practical conversation for therapists who are established in private practice but feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of their caseload, unsure how to create clearer structure, and wanting to work in a way that feels more contained and sustainable. In this episode, we explore • The realities of regional practice and the impact of long travel days • Holding a mixed caseload and the cognitive load of constant context switching • How rapid growth can lead to overwhelm without clear systems • Treating reports, planning, and admin as protected clinical work • The tension between flexibility and sustainability in sole trader life • Making values-aligned decisions about scope, income streams, and capacity Practical recommendations discussed: • Using a master timetable to group similar work and reduce cognitive load • Protecting non face to face time so reports and planning are not booked over • Planning leave and catch-up time intentionally using a yearly calendar • Narrowing clinical scope to improve sustainability • Completing a time and task audit before seeking admin support • Staying connected with peers or mentors to avoid holding decisions internally Resources mentioned: • Getting the Admin Support You Actually Need – a workshop focused on clarifying support needs before outsourcing admin Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, I’m joined by B, an experienced paediatric occupational therapist navigating a demanding and uncertain season of practice. After eight years as an OT and nearly five years running her own business, B reflects on the emotional load of long-term paediatric NDIS work, the pull toward creative and entrepreneurial projects, and the challenge of holding multiple professional roles at once. While she remains committed to clinical work, she’s questioning what kind of OT work feels sustainable and meaningful moving forward. We explore: Sitting at a point of clinical mastery where work feels familiar but draining The cumulative impact of relational, family-centred paediatric work Balancing NDIS-funded therapy with content creation and product development Delegation, boundaries, and the emotional pull to say yes to referrals Clarifying scope and expectations when working with families Key takeaways: Feeling tired or uncertain can be a sign of growth, not failure Narrowing focus does not mean closing doors permanently Clear boundaries and contracting support long-term sustainability Relational, family-centred work carries both meaning and emotional load Mentioned in this episode: Alyce’s Caregiver Capacity Framework (also available in Adapting Therapy to Support the Family workshop ) The Therapy Conversation Planning Tool , for structuring complex or emotionally charged conversations Like-Minded Bitches Drink Wine (Facebook group), for product-based and entrepreneurial business development Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Elsa, an experienced occupational therapist with over 15 years across hospital, community, leadership, and NDIS practice. Elsa shares her journey from working within structured hospital systems overseas, into community-based roles in Australia, followed by leadership and management positions, and more recently stepping into solo private practice. With a strong background in adult services, equipment prescription, and home modifications, she reflects on how her clinical experience has shaped the way she approaches private work with clarity, boundaries, and realistic expectations. This conversation explores what it looks like to start private practice later in your career, not from urgency or pressure, but with intention and self-awareness. Elsa speaks openly about cognitive load, scope clarity, admin overwhelm, and the importance of building systems that support both the clients and the therapist behind the service. We explore • Long-term career evolution and changing professional priorities • Starting private practice after years of clinical and leadership experience • Choosing clinical work that aligns with strengths and energy • Managing cognitive load, admin, and decision fatigue • Using a master timetable to support capacity and decision making • Planning time, PD, and rest as part of sustainable practice Key takeaways • Starting private practice later allows for clearer scope and stronger boundaries • Clinical experience supports more confident and ethical decision making • Cognitive load increases quickly in solo practice without intentional structure • A master timetable can significantly reduce mental load • Good intentions need systems to be sustainable Resources mentioned in this episode Master timetable Sensational Start to Private Practice Getting the Admin Support You Actually Need Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or reflective practice, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you.
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce sits down with Ezra an occupational therapist and small practice owner who’s committed to doing leadership differently. Ezra’s service supports clients across mental health and disability, and she’s actively mentoring both a new grad and early-career OT. With strong values and a reflective approach, she’s created a workplace where learning is intentional and supervision is embedded not tacked on. But as the business grows, so do the demands. Ezra is navigating the reality of holding others, managing her own caseload, and leading a service all while asking, what does sustainable leadership actually look like? We explore: Supporting early career therapists in real, sustainable ways Building rhythms and systems that reduce mental load Honouring psychological safety and emotional wellbeing Supervision, reflection, and protecting your own growth as a leader Key takeaways Supporting early career therapists takes structure, not just availability Supervision and reflection need protected time not just good intentions Sustainable systems must support the leader too Psychological safety matters for clients and clinicians Mentioned in this episode Michelle Bihari – Supervision & Leadership Resources Client Snapshot Tool - download here Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like support through supervision, business mentoring, or leadership development, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. To express interest in being featured on a future episode of OT Coaching Confidential, apply at www.theotcoach.au/podcast-1
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce Svensk shares a real mentoring conversation with Kane - a thoughtful OT who has transitioned from paediatric clinical work into supervision and management. Together, they unpack what it looks like to support early-career therapists, hold professional boundaries, and navigate the realities of leadership in private practice. Kane reflects on finding balance between helping and over-helping, how to manage reports and proofing while still seeing clients, and the art of having tricky conversations with clarity and care. This conversation explores the real learning curve of supervision. How to lead with purpose, support growth without losing yourself in the process, and keep your work grounded in empathy and reflection. You’ll Hear About • The shift from clinician to supervisor and manager • Supporting early-career therapists without over-helping • Contracting clearly with supervisees and families • Balancing caseloads, reports, and leadership responsibilities • Building confidence for difficult conversations • Using the Caregiver Capacity Scale to adapt therapy to fit each family’s capacity Key Takeaways Supervision isn’t about having every answer it’s about creating space for reflection, learning, and growth. Boundaries and clarity are essential for sustainable leadership. Frameworks like contracting, structured feedback, and the Caregiver Capacity Scale help therapists tailor support that fits both clients and teams. Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like to work with Alyce Svensk through mentoring, supervision, or professional development, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. To express interest in being featured on a future episode of OT Coaching Confidential, apply at www.theotcoach.au/podcast-1 .
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce Svensk shares a real mentoring conversation with Al - a mature-age graduate whose path to occupational therapy began with degrees in writing and marketing, and evolved through a pivot into the health field during COVID. Together, they unpack Al’s discovery of OT after exploring nursing, how a youth mental health placement cemented his clinical fit, and the ongoing challenge of finding roles that value the full scope of occupational therapy. Al shares how enforced reflection, systemic observation, and critical thinking have shaped his practice along with a desire to work in settings that see OT as more than just functional assessments. This is a thoughtful and validating episode for any therapist questioning fit, navigating scope limitations, or figuring out how to practise meaningfully in systems that don’t always understand what we do. You’ll Hear About • Al’s transition from the creative industries to the health space • Discovering OT through patterns of thought and problem-solving in nursing • The power of a youth mental health placement to confirm clinical direction • Navigating misalignment in roles where OT is misunderstood or undervalued • Using solo reflection time as an unexpected form of supervision Key Takeaways You don’t need to fit a traditional mould to thrive in this profession. Finding your clinical “home” often starts with noticing what feels like a mismatch. And reflective practice isn’t extra — it’s foundational. Mentioned in this Episode • Robbie B – The Online OT for mental health OT training pathways and a supportive professional community • How to Choose Your Next OT Role - a practical workshop by Alyce Svensk & Nikki Cousins to help you evaluate supervision, scope, and service alignment when navigating career choices Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like to work with Alyce Svensk through mentoring, supervision, or professional development, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. To express interest in being featured on a future episode of OT Coaching Confidential, apply at www.theotcoach.au/podcast-1
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce Svensk shares a real mentoring conversation with Hazel a mature-age early career OT who brings deep lived experience, clarity, and care to her sole trader practice. Together, they unpack how her journey into OT was shaped by 18 years of parenting and caregiving, how she built strong systems to support her growth when supervision was limited, and why she’s now prioritising sustainability over scale. Hazel has developed a small, structured service that works for her family and honours the kind of therapist she wants to be. This is a reflective and reassuring episode for any OT wondering if it’s possible to grow your practice slowly, intentionally, and without burning out. You’ll Hear About • Returning to OT as a mature-age student with a long-held professional goal • Navigating early roles with supervision gaps and building your own systems • Designing a part-time, term-based practice that protects energy • Reframing supervision and parent coaching to reflect your own style • Using structure and boundaries as tools for growth not limitation Key Takeaways Sustainable practice isn’t second-best it’s often the most intentional form of success. You can grow clinical confidence without rushing and your values can lead the way. Mentioned in this Episode ✔ The Art of Paediatric Therapy – for paeds clinical confidence and structured planning ✔ The OT Coach Academy – Paediatric Hub – for weekly support and practical resources ✔ Sensational Start to Private Practice – for finances, systems, and service foundations ✔ Caregiver Capacity Scale – to reflect and communicate around family engagement ✔ Paper-based timetables, bounce-back emails, and realistic admin planning strategies Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like to work with Alyce Svensk through mentoring, supervision, or professional development, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. To express interest in being featured on a future episode of OT Coaching Confidential, apply at www.theotcoach.au/podcast-1
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, Alyce Svensk shares a real mentoring conversation with Ella, a paediatric and young adult OT who brings deep intentionality to her solo practice. Together, they unpack how chronic illness shaped her career journey, why she’s redefining supervision and professional development as business essentials, and how she’s navigating the tension between flexibility and financial sustainability. This is a grounded, reflective episode for any therapist seeking to do private work differently and sustainably. This episode provides space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the kind of therapist you want to be. Whether you’re early in your career, leading a team, or building your own service. You’ll Hear About • Building a solo practice that protects energy and supports long-term sustainability • Reframing PD and supervision as essential business overheads • Exploring new business offerings that are nourishing, not just billable • “What if your business was a job you’d actually want to apply for?” Key Takeaways You don’t need to follow a traditional path for your practice to be successful, but you do need to be clear on what success looks like for you. Treating learning, reflection, and support as business essentials (not luxuries) can help you sustain your work and yourself long term. Mentioned in this episode Beki Eakins for inspiration around diversifying your OT income through supervision and training offerings. Find her podcast and offerings at www.bekieakins.com Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Supporting occupational therapists and allied health professionals to build confidence, clarity, and connection through mentoring, supervision, workshops, and The OT Coach Academy. If this conversation resonated with you and you’d like to work with Alyce Svensk through mentoring, supervision, or professional development, visit www.theotcoach.au to explore how The OT Coach Australia can support you. To express interest in being featured on a future episode of OT Coaching Confidential, apply at www.theotcoach.au/podcast-1
In this episode, we chat with Nikki an early career OT who’s navigating her first year in practice with confidence, reflection and a clear sense of direction. After entering the profession with previous experience in the disability sector, Nikki began working as a contractor before moving into sole trader work offering a well-defined service. Now, she’s intentionally seeking an employed role that offers strong supervision and collaborative learning – building both roles side-by-side to grow her skills in a sustainable way. We explore: The realities of stepping into private work earlier than planned What to look for in supervision and team culture Navigating confidence, capability and scope in the first year Building referral networks and professional visibility The balance between autonomy and ongoing learning This is a thoughtful and grounded conversation about early practice, professional identity, and choosing growth with intention. Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Alyce Svensk is an experienced paediatric occupational therapist, business mentor and founder of The OT Coach Australia. She supports therapists at all stages of their career whether you're just starting out, building a business or redefining your next chapter. Through The OT Coach Australia, Alyce offers career mentoring, business Solutions Sessions, and ongoing support through clinical supervision, business mentoring and sole trader guidance. Need support with your next step in practice or business? Explore your options at www.theotcoach.au
In this episode of OT Coaching Confidential, we meet Tanya an experienced OT who made the shift from public health to private work in search of better balance and flexibility. What started as a handful of clients quickly snowballed into a full-blown service, a small team of contractors, and the realities of running a business. Tanya shares honestly about the challenges of scaling without a clear plan, navigating financial pressures, juggling clinical and business demands, and learning to set stronger boundaries in service delivery. We talk about managing complex psychosocial caseloads, the limitations of non-attendance policies in outreach services, and why working on the business is just as critical as working in it. Together we unpack strategies for purposeful delegation, identifying admin support needs, and carving out protected time to refocus. This conversation is a must-listen for any OT navigating growth in their private practice. Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia Alyce Svensk is an experienced paediatric occupational therapist, business mentor and founder of The OT Coach Australia. She supports therapists at all stages of their career whether you're just starting out, building a business or redefining your next chapter. Through The OT Coach Australia, Alyce offers career mentoring, business Solutions Sessions, and ongoing support through clinical supervision, business mentoring and sole trader guidance. Need support with your next step in practice or business? Explore your options at www.theotcoach.au
In this episode, we meet Michelle, a regional paediatric OT who transitioned from burnout in a large organisation to building her own therapy service. We explore the early years of business setup without clear mentorship, and the challenges of managing a long-term stagnant caseload while juggling a full-time mobile therapy load and motherhood. Together, we unpack strategies for sustainable practice: Shifting to term-based therapy planning Using contracting conversations with families to define what therapy is and isn’t Introducing goal-specific caseload mapping (top-down, bottom-up, holding space) Building in protected non-face-to-face time and defining when and why we do the extra Identifying whether admin should be outsourced or simply restructured Michelle reflects on her goals for the next chapter and what she’d do differently if she were starting again. Resources mentioned throughout: Master timetable Brought to you by Alyce Svensk at The OT Coach Australia. Alyce Svensk is an experienced paediatric occupational therapist, business mentor and founder of The OT Coach Australia. She supports therapists at all stages of their career whether you're just starting out, building a business or redefining your next chapter. Need support with your next step in practice or business? Explore your options at www.theotcoach.au
