Staff

Nikki Cousins is the Director of Action Occupational Therapy. She specialises in wheelchair prescription, seating and positioning, complex home modifications and complex clients. She has over 18 years experience supporting clients with neurological and physical conditions. Nikki has presented at national conferences, including ATSA, OTA and OSS, and delivers training in areas including sensory processing, supported decision-making, and daily living skills (check out the Training section of the AOT website for more info!). She is a board member and Secretary of ARATA and a strong advocate for evidence-informed, person-centred practice. Nikki also enjoys supervising and mentoring clinicians, navigating complex cases and is the co-host of the OT Unplugged podcast, where she shares insights on contemporary OT practice in the NDIS context. In her spare time, Nikki’s husband and three sons keep her busy and active. In addition to spending time with friends and family, she also enjoys travel, bushwalking, swimming, Lego and experiencing the many delights of the Hunter Valley!

Megan obtained her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Newcastle, Australia in 2003. She is an Occupational Therapist with experience working in the Hunter and the Illawarra regions and has enjoyed working in inpatient, rehabilitation, community, and specialist home modification Occupational Therapy roles. Megan has a keen interest in home modifications, equipment prescription, and assisting people to find solutions suited to their individual needs that will help improve independence, safety and quality of life. She has the qualifications required by the NDIS for assessing for and prescribing complex home modifications. Megan was excited to join Action Occupational Therapy in April 2018 and is currently working part time. She is happy to be part of such an enthusiastic, positive, client-focused and experienced team. Outside of work, Megan loves spending time with her husband and their two sons, and as a self-titled “bee enthusiast” Meg enjoys creating a haven for bees in her garden!

Sophie graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2019. Sophie is local to the Hunter region, growing up in Nelson Bay before relocating to Newcastle when joining the Action OT team in 2020. Sophie's passion for advocacy, problem-solving, science, and health is what led her to a career in occupational therapy. Sophie focuses her practice on Neurological Conditions and has experience in equipment and wheelchair prescription, home modifications, and management of neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke. In her spare time, you will find Sophie camping, hiking, snowboarding, swimming, spending time with friends, or enjoying the outdoors with her partner, Brandon, and their (big) puppy, Lola.

Jess received her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) with Honours First Class from the University of Newcastle, Australia. Before stepping into her role as an Occupational Therapist, Jess was no stranger to Action OT, working previously as an Allied Health Assistant for 3 years. Her enthusiasm, passion for advocacy, and genuine love for working with people has made following a career in OT an easy decision. Jess aims to take a holistic, client-centred approach to her practice, to assist individuals to build independence and achieve their goals, with a particular interest working with people in rural communities, home modifications, neurological rehabilitation, supporting adolescents and young adults in developing daily living skills, and Assistive Technology prescription. As a Hunter local, Jess loves spending time with her friends, hiking, rock climbing and reading whenever she has a spare minute.

Niamh recently graduated at the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours). With a passion for empowering individuals to achieve their goals and live more independently, Niamh brings a client focused approach to her role as an Occupational Therapist. Throughout her studies, Niamh has gained valuable experience working as an Allied Health Assistant for over a year at Action OT and has over 3.5 years working as a support worker supporting clients across various age groups with a range of conditions promoting their overall independence and quality of life. Outside of work and study Niamh enjoys staying active, going to the beach, and spending quality time with friends and family. She is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in her role and is excited about her future as an Occupational Therapist!

Katrina is a new graduate Occupational Therapist who has recently joined the team at Action OT. She is passionate about the intersection of psychology, science, and equity, which strongly drives her work as an Occupational Therapist. Katrina is committed to delivering client-centred and holistic outcomes that support individuals to participate meaningfully in their everyday lives. Katrina has a particular interest in working with people with neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and stroke. Her clinical interests also include upper limb rehabilitation, employment and social skills development, group programs, and assistive technology. Prior to becoming an Occupational Therapist, Katrina worked as a support worker for four years. This experience has shaped her strong appreciation for the importance of genuine client relationships, advocacy, independence, respect and valuing each person’s lived experience and perspective. Outside of work, Katrina enjoys staying active, surfing, attempting to bake sourdough and exploring new camping spots.

Meredith graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2025. She completed her final year placement with Action Occupational Therapy and was excited to join the team following graduation. She has over five years of experience working as a support worker within the NDIS, supporting people with a wide range of disabilities. This experience sparked her passion for Occupational Therapy and shaped her calm, client-centred and strengths-based approach. She is enthusiastic about building trusting relationships and empowering clients to work towards meaningful goals. She has clinical experience across community-based settings including geriatrics and paediatrics, as well as inpatient rehabilitation. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, going to the beach, finding new cafes spots, and spending time with friends and family.

Shayla is an undergraduate student currently studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at The University of Newcastle. She plans on completing a Master of Exercise Physiology following the completion of her current degree as she feels it would be a rewarding career. Shayla is excited to broaden her knowledge and skills in her role and hopes to make a positive difference in the lives of others, helping them work towards their goals. In her spare time, Shayla loves to travel and explore the outdoors, read when she can, and spend quality time with family and friends doing the things that she loves.

Sophie is an undergraduate student currently in her third year studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Charles Sturt University. She has developed a strong foundation in supporting individuals through her three years of experience as a support worker, as well as through completing placements within private practice settings. Sophie is passionate about exploring all areas of Occupational Therapy, with particular interest in rehabilitation. She enjoys working alongside clients to support their independence and assist them in achieving meaningful, goal-focused outcomes. From the Hunter region, Sophie enjoys staying active by playing netball and touch football and loves travelling and exploring new places in her spare time.

Ella is an undergraduate student currently in her second year studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at The University of Newcastle. She is passionate about working along-side individuals to assist them with achieving their meaningful goals and to develop independence, as well as building her knowledge and skills in her dream role at an OT. Outside of work, Ella enjoys playing netball, spending time with family and friends, exploring new cafes, and completing puzzle books.

Sara joined our team with a qualification in Business Administration and extensive experience across reception, administration, and customer service roles. In her current role, she works behind the scenes providing high-level administrative support and helping ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of the clinic. She plays an important role in supporting the team and maintaining efficient systems and processes that allow our therapists to focus on delivering the best possible care to clients. She is passionate about contributing to a positive and supportive experience for the individuals and families who access our services. Sara also has a strong interest in improving the wellbeing of individuals and families and is going through the Wellbeing/Therapy Dog process with her fur-baby, Coco, to further support this passion. Outside of work, Sara is a mum to two young children and enjoys spending quality time with her family, caring for her ever-growing indoor plant collection, and heading off on spontaneous drives to explore new places.

Chelsea joins our team with over 21 years experience in the beauty and hair industry, bringing with her a strong foundation in customer service and client care. She is a friendly and welcoming presence, committed to ensuring every individual feels comfortable and supported from the moment they walk through our doors. Currently embracing an exciting career change, Chelsea is passionate about expanding her knowledge and skills within the industry. She is dedicated to contributing to a positive, supportive experience for the individuals and families who access our services. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys a busy family life with her husband and three sons, and values spending quality time together. She also has a deep love for animals, with multiple fur children at home, and is a registered foster carer with the RSPCA.

With an impressive 40 years of experience in the accounting field, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. For 13 years, he specialised in business and property finances, developing a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the financial intricacies within these sectors. For over 25 years, Chris served as a financial accountant for the Australian operation of a prominent multinational company, where he honed his skills in managing complex financial systems and ensuring compliance with international standards. Currently, Chris is leveraging his extensive experience as an accountant for Action OT, where he continues to provide exceptional financial oversight and strategic guidance. In addition to his accounting expertise, Chris has a special interest in writing Microsoft Excel solutions, which streamline processes and enhance data analysis capabilities. His dedication to precision, combined with his ability to create innovative Excel solutions, makes him an invaluable asset to the service