Claire Bathgate

Mental Health Occupational Therapist

Claire is a child Mental Health Occupational Therapist who has been working in child and adolescent occupational therapy since graduating from the University of Newcastle, NSW. 

 She loves supporting children and their families and finding creative ways to help them explore their unique potential. Claire’s interest areas lie in supporting children with regulation and developing meaningful engagement with the people in their world, and finding lots of ways to have fun in the process!

 While Occupational Therapists have a great tool-kit for helping kids build their physical capacity and skill base, it is just as important that we find a good foundation for our body and our brain to feel safe, connected and confident before we launch into the practical skills for life. This area of work is what Claire feels most passionate about, especially for children who may have had a challenging start in life. She also enjoys the opportunity to work alongside parents and family members to explore and attune to these particular needs for their child.

 Claire enjoys supporting children and families with a variety of presentations including childhood trauma, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and other complex behaviours.

 Claire has been a part of The Nest Program since the very early stages of its development, and loves the way this program brings together a team approach with Psychology and OT to support both child and family in a holistic way, being trauma-informed and evidence based in current neuroscience.

 When she is not working, Claire loves going on walks with her dog Connie, making the most of Newcastle’s coffee haunts, doing some amateur-level gardening, and building flat-pack furniture.

 Claire is able to provide services through Medicare, NDIS, third-party and private funding