When you engage with Anna Treloar-Tanner, her unwavering passion for her work as an Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist is palpable.
In 2015, Anna founded Barwon Occupational Therapy to address a crucial gap in the availability of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded therapeutic services for adults facing chronic psychosocial conditions. Anna’s allied health clinic is based in Grovedale, where she has created a warm and inviting space for people of all ages and backgrounds to feel comfortable working on their goals.
What began as a one-person operation at her kitchen table has flourished into a comprehensive practice offering occupational therapy, positive behaviour support, therapy assistant services, and dietetic support for children, youth, adults, and the elderly across Greater Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway, and Golden Plains Shire regions. With 14 years of experience as a mental health occupational therapist, Anna’s enthusiasm is infectious.
“I aspired to be a psychiatric nurse, but the pathway required me to become a general nurse, and I wasn’t comfortable with blood or needles,” Anna reflects.
“The last mental health nursing university course closed in the early 2000s, and I realised I didn’t want to spend all day discussing issues in a room as a psychologist. I’m driven by a desire to help individuals engage in the activities they want, need, and must do.”
Anna’s journey into occupational therapy began when she visited a family friend at the Swanston Centre’s Acute Psychiatric Admissions Unit.
“A family friend in his 20s was living with bipolar disorder,” she shares. “Visiting him, I witnessed firsthand the profound effects of his condition on his relationships and friendships, which made me aware of the invaluable role of occupational therapy.
“It’s not just about managing symptoms; it’s about equipping individuals with the tools they need to reintegrate into their daily lives. It’s a continuous journey, requiring strategies that can be swiftly implemented when necessary.”
Many of Anna’s clients are neurodiverse. Her passion for working with this population stems from many successful therapeutic relationships where mental health occupational therapy has assisted her clients in building understanding and strategies that make sense to them and fit into their unique lives and goals. Anna’s understanding of working with neurodiverse individuals has been further enhanced through her own lived experience.
Occupational therapists specialising in mental health support individuals in identifying and engaging in meaningful everyday activities. Anna particularly enjoys working with teenagers, veterans, and first responders. Additionally, she utilises her training in sensory modulation to show how adjusting the sensory environment can enhance mental health, productivity, and overall well-being.
“A veteran may present well in a clinical setting, but outside, the sound of a car backfiring could trigger a trauma response,” she explains. “This isn’t limited to Vietnam veterans; we also work with first responders who face high-stress situations and traumatic events.
“With teenagers, I relish the opportunity to visit their schools and be present at their activities, whether it’s at a netball game or the pony club. We actively advocate for our clients in schools, focusing on necessary adaptations and educating those around them to ensure the child or adolescent can participate to their full potential and succeed.”
Barwon Occupational Therapy also recognises the vital role nutrition plays in mental health, behaviour management, energy levels, and overall well-being. Their dietetic services help individuals understand the connection between diet and mental health, providing personalised meal plans tailored to their unique needs and sensory preferences.
Anna describes her role as “building the scaffold around you” so that individuals can thrive in activities they want, need, and have to do.
“I prepare individuals to return to their psychiatrist or psychologist and make the most of their expertise. If the body isn’t ready, accessing the mind becomes a challenge. While everyone is doing their best, we can always find ways to improve and make tomorrow easier. My focus is on assisting individuals across all aspects of their lives.”
As a mental health occupational therapist, Anna collaborates with clients to identify meaningful goals. Occupational therapists are adept at understanding the functional impacts of health conditions and take a holistic approach, utilising both internal strategies and community participation to enhance engagement in activities. They assess how a person’s environment, daily functions, and capacities intersect, ensuring that recommendations are tailored to individual lifestyles and priorities.
You don’t need a referral to visit Barwon Occupational Therapy, but consulting your GP for a mental healthcare plan or chronic disease management plan can be beneficial.
