Emily Lipscombe, Occupational Therapist

Key Points About Emily

  • Compassionate Paediatric Occupational Therapist with a Holistic Focus
    Sarah provides occupational therapy for children aged 0–12 at our Burleigh Heads clinic. She supports children through play-based, child-centred therapy that builds confidence, strengthens functional skills, and helps families feel supported every step of the way.
  • Collaborative and Culturally Aware Support for Families
    With experience working alongside First Nations children and communities, Emily brings deep cultural awareness to her practice. She values a whole-of-system approach, actively engaging parents, caregivers, and educators to ensure comprehensive and inclusive support for every child's unique journey.
  • Creative, Play-Based Therapy for Developmental Growth
    Emily leverages her background in dance to create therapy sessions that are as fun as they are functional. By using movement and creative tools, she supports her clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and Down Syndrome in reaching their milestones through engaging, play-based interventions.

About Emily

Emily Lipscombe is a vibrant and compassionate paediatric occupational therapist at our North Lakes clinic who is passionate about helping children live fuller, more independent lives. Having grown up heavily involved in dance and dance teaching, Emily has a lifelong appreciation for nurturing children's growth and witnessing their skill development through movement and creativity. This background allows her to transform therapy into an enjoyable, motivating space where children feel comfortable and excited to participate.

Emily’s approach is deeply rooted in collaboration and cultural safety. During a rural paediatric placement, she designed social-emotional and sensory regulation programs, working closely with educators to promote inclusion. Her experience working with First Nations communities has further strengthened her commitment to providing culturally sensitive care that respects the diverse backgrounds of the families she supports.

Whether she is working on fine motor skills, sensory processing, or social engagement, Emily ensures that the child’s entire support system, including families and educators, is involved in the process. She is dedicated to evidence-based practice and "curious compassion," ensuring that every intervention is tailored to the child's individual needs and designed to achieve the best possible outcomes for the whole family.

Emily's Strengths

At Progress Pathways, we believe in leveraging our team members' strengths. Each team member completes a CliftonStrengths analysis within their first week on our team. Emily’s top strengths highlight her incredible natural ability to connect with and understand the children she supports. She has an instinctive gift for sensing a child’s mood and emotions without them needing to say a word, which allows her to build deep rapport even with those who are reserved or shy. This emotional depth makes families feel truly understood and supported from their very first session.

Emily is also a natural developer of potential, possessing a unique knack for spotting even the smallest signs of improvement in a child’s progress. She celebrates these milestones with genuine enthusiasm, which helps build a child’s confidence and motivation. Her authenticity and warmth foster long-lasting, trusting relationships that are the foundation of effective therapy.

Furthermore, Emily is a creative problem-solver who enjoys finding innovative ways to make therapy engaging. She sees connections between a child’s interests and therapeutic goals that others might miss, allowing her to design highly personalised and effective treatment plans. This combination of empathy, creativity, and a focus on growth ensures that every family at North Lakes receives high-quality, heartfelt care.

Emily has experience supporting children with diagnoses including:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Down Syndrome

Emily also loves supporting children who may not have a diagnosis, but who benefit from having support in the following areas:

  • Sensory Processing and Emotional Regulation: Supporting children who may be easily overwhelmed or have difficulty managing big feelings.
  • Social Skills and Peer Interaction: Helping children build confidence in social settings and engage in cooperative play.
  • Gross and Fine Motor Development: Using movement-based tools to improve coordination, balance, and physical skills.
  • School Readiness and Inclusion: Supporting transitions to school and helping children participate fully in classroom routines
  • Daily Living Activities: Assisting with independence in self-care tasks like dressing or hygiene.
  • Attention and Focus Challenges: Strategies to help children stay engaged and motivated in their learning and play.

These are some of the most common concerns families search for when looking for paediatric occupational therapy support, and Emily is passionate about helping children thrive in all of these areas.

Does Emily feel like a good fit for your child?

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Apply to Join Our Team!

If you’re a paediatric Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist (or soon to be!) who wants to do collaborative work with children and families while growing alongside a team who values quality - we’d love to meet you. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, reach out for a no-pressure chat about what you’re looking for.

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