Our Team

Our experienced, family-centred team is dedicated to helping children thrive across home, school, and community.

Tessa Sutherland

Director & Senior Occupational Therapist

B.Occupational Therapy

Tessa is the founding director of Asset Therapy and an experienced paediatric occupational therapist providing play-based, neuro-affirming therapy in partnership with families.

Tessa is a highly experienced paediatric occupational therapist and the founding director of Asset Therapy. She is passionate about supporting children, families, and communities to work collaboratively toward meaningful goals, with a strong belief that effective therapy extends beyond the clinic and into everyday life. Her practice is grounded in play-based learning and neuro-affirming approaches. Tessa creates engaging, strengths-based therapy sessions tailored to each child’s interests, supporting participation, connection, and development across daily routines. Tessa places a strong emphasis on caregiver education and collaboration, equipping families with practical strategies that can be confidently implemented at home, school, and in the community. Additional training includes: - Learn to Play Therapy – Karen Stagnitti - DIRFloortime® (DIR 101) - Learning to Conquer the Wees & Poos - The Zones of Regulation - The SenseUp Approach Outside of work, Tessa enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Play-Based Therapy

Sensory Processing

Early Intervention

Family-Centred Practice

ASD

ADHD

Toileting & Continence

Samira Serventi

Senior Physiotherapist

B.Physiotherapy, M. Adv. Physiotherapy Practice (Paediatrics) (in progress)

Samira is a senior paediatric physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience supporting children with physical, neurological, and respiratory needs.

Samira is a highly experienced paediatric physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience. She supports children with physical, neurological, and respiratory conditions and has a special interest in working with children with ASD and ADHD. Samira uses evidence-based interventions, including hydrotherapy, to support children to reach optimal function at home and school. She holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Advanced Physiotherapy Practice (Paediatrics). Outside of work, Samira enjoys going to the gym, spending time with friends, and studying.

Gross Motor Skills

Balance & Coordination

Mobility & Strength

Hydrotherapy

Respiratory Physiotherapy

ASD

ADHD

Jaiden Patience

Senior Occupational Therapist

B.Occupational Therapy

Jaiden is a senior occupational therapist who values collaborative, family-centred practice and brings a creative, energetic approach to therapy.

Jaiden is a senior occupational therapist with a passion for building positive relationships with children and their families. She works collaboratively with families and education providers to deliver evidence-based interventions that support children to reach their potential. Jaiden brings an energetic, creative, and playful approach to therapy and enjoys finding innovative ways to engage children in meaningful activities. She has experience working with children of all ages, with a particular interest in early intervention. Her experience includes supporting children with ASD, ADHD, Down syndrome, GDD, sensory processing differences, feeding challenges, social and emotional development, fine motor and handwriting skills, self-care, and toileting. Additional training includes: - SOS Approach to Feeding - Infant Sense Integration Training - Zones of Regulation Outside of work, Jaiden enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, playing sport, and exploring new places to eat.

Early Intervention

ASD

ADHD

Down Syndrome

GDD

Feeding Skills

Fine Motor Skills

Self-Care Skills

Toileting & Continence

Sensory Processing

Katherine Nightingale

Speech Pathologist

Katherine will be joining Asset Therapy soon. Her full profile and service information will be shared shortly.

More information about her background, areas of interest, and availability will be added here soon.

Georgina Werninghaus

Occupational Therapist

B.Occupational Therapy, B.Health Sc

Georgina is an occupational therapist who uses a holistic, neuro-affirming approach to support children and adolescents to build confidence and independence.

Georgina holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Health Sciences. She is passionate about supporting and empowering children, adolescents, and their families in a collaborative, fun, and neuro-affirming environment. Georgina has experience working with children of all ages and has supported children with ASD, ADHD, GDD, and sensory processing differences. Additional training includes: - Circle of Security – Registered Facilitator - Learn to Play Therapy – Karen Stagnitti - Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) - Coach Approach Training Outside of work, Georgina enjoys spending time outdoors, travelling, playing sport, and connecting with friends.

Social Skills

Emotional Regulation

Fine Motor Skills

Self-Care Skills

Play-Based Therapy

Neuro-Affirming Practice

Laura Zahra

Occupational Therapist

B.Occupational Therapy

Laura is an experienced occupational therapist with over 16 years of practice, providing holistic and individualised therapy for children and families.

Laura is an occupational therapist with over 16 years of experience working with children and families. She takes a holistic and individualised approach to therapy, collaborating closely with both children and caregivers to support sustainable outcomes. As a parent of three, Laura brings a strong understanding of child development alongside the practicalities of family life. She supports children across fine and gross motor development, executive functioning, emotional regulation, social skills, self-care, play, and sensory processing. Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, caravanning, staying active, and creative pursuits.

Fine Motor Skills

Gross Motor Skills

Emotional Regulation

Social Skills

Self-Care Skills

Sensory Processing

Play-Based Therapy

Holistic Therapy

Wanyé Phillips

Occupational Therapist

B.Science OT (Hons)

Wanyé is an occupational therapist who uses a strengths-based, neuro-affirming approach informed by professional expertise and lived experience.

Originally from South Africa, Wanyé graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Occupational Therapy. His career spans hospital, private paediatric practice, and community-based therapy in South Africa and Australia. As a proudly neurodivergent practitioner, Wanyé is deeply committed to empowering children, adolescents, and families through a collaborative and strengths-based approach. He has experience supporting children with cerebral palsy, ASD, ADHD, GDD, sensory processing challenges, and paediatric rheumatology conditions. Additional training includes: - Mental Health First Aid - DIRFloortime® 101 - Ayres Sensory Integration Theory Outside of work, Wanyé enjoys running, the gym, playing water polo, travelling, and being outdoors.

Neuro-Affirming Practice

ASD

ADHD

GDD

Sensory Processing

Rheumatology Conditions

Mental Health

Sharaye Sheikh

Occupational Therapist

B.Occupational Therapy

Sharaye is an occupational therapist who brings a warm, playful approach to family-centred, child-led therapy.

Sharaye is an occupational therapist who brings a warm and playful spirit to her sessions and a strong commitment to family-centred practice. She believes children thrive when therapy is engaging and tailored to their strengths and interests. Sharaye has experience working in clinic, home, and school settings, supporting children with ASD, GDD, sensory processing differences, and cerebral palsy. Additional training includes: - OT with Children: Principles of Assessment & Intervention - Introduction to Wheelchair Assessment Outside of work, Sharaye enjoys pilates, yoga, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.

Play-Based Therapy

Emotional Regulation

Sensory Processing

Gross Motor Skills

Self-Care Skills

Family-Centred Practice

Briony Huxley

Occupational Therapist

B.Occupational Therapy

Briony is a compassionate occupational therapist focused on delivering client- and occupation-centred therapy in children's natural environments.

Briony is an occupational therapist committed to delivering high-quality, client- and occupation-centred therapy in children's natural environments, including home and school settings. She has experience working in kindergartens and schools, with a focus on early intervention. Briony has supported children with ASD, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and functional and behavioural challenges. She has a particular interest in social play, self-care, toileting skills, and incontinence management. Outside of work, Briony enjoys spending time with her family, connecting with others, reading the Bible, and ballet.

Early Intervention

ASD

ADHD

Social Skills

Self-Care Skills

Toileting & Continence

Sensory Processing

Justin Sutherland

Practice Manager

Justin is the Practice Manager and is responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of the practice.

Justin is an experienced Practice Manager with a strong background in operational leadership and multidisciplinary team management. He is dedicated to ensuring the smooth delivery of therapy services and a high standard of support for clients and their families. Justin is known for his pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and his commitment to continuous improvement. Outside of work, Justin enjoys playing golf, travelling, and spending time with his family.

Operational Leadership

Client Services

Team Management

Strategic Planning