Ally Schmidt

Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Ally trained as an Occupational Therapist at the University of Sydney, and has worked across the spaces of mental health and paediatrics since graduating in 2016. 

Ally started her career as an Occupational Therapist in the Acute Inpatient Mental Health setting, working in Older Person’s Mental Health, and adult Acute units in Wagga Wagga. Working within this population Ally became very passionate about the powerful nature of using sensory supports and regulation tools, the value of taking time to build the therapeutic relationship, and establishing a sense of safety and calm within a setting where people are so vulnerable and distressed. 

From here she commenced working in pediatric private practice, and had the opportunity to translate her background of mental health into the child and adolescent space. She particularly enjoys working with children on emotional regulation, establishing a sense of safety, and building their capacity to understand the impact of activities throughout the day on their body and support this through use of routines and strategies. Ally is passionate about building relationships and using your child’s interests to ensure they are always motivated in the process. Ally loves being creative in her approach to therapy, and will always make sure everyone involved has fun along the way!

Ally feels passionately that regulation, safety, and relationships underpin all aspects of daily life, and without having these foundations in place it will be extremely difficult for progress to be made across other areas of development. 

Ally enjoys supporting children and their families with a wide range of diagnosis, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, depression, ADHD, childhood trauma, and other complex behaviours. 

The NEST Health Hub, is the perfect opportunity to combine her passions, and focus on the child and adolescent mental health space. 

 When she isn’t working Ally loves to travel, spend time out in nature, and get creative; painting, or with any other creative project.