Meet Talia Ford
Occupational Therapist & Behaviour Support Practitioner
Q&A
Why were you drawn to studying Occupational Therapy?
Growing up I found so much joy and fulfillment in encouraging and supporting my friends - people would call me their cheerleader. Not the energetic-jelly-bean-with-pompoms-type cheerleader, rather the supportive and “you got this” type cheerleader.
Several years out of high school, I remember chatting with a work colleague who was about to finish her OT degree. I’d never heard of OT. She spoke about her recent student placements and told stories of the many ways she had been able to help people. I was gobsmacked. She was helping people do things that were valuable and important to THEM - there’s an actual job for that?! You mean I could be paid to be a cheerleader for people and help them with stuff that’s important to them??!!? I was sold. I began my OT degree the following January.
What do you enjoy about your work, and what are you interested in or fascinated by?
I get such a kick out of the ‘small wins’ that indicate there has been some kind of learning or growth; comments, insights, thoughts and actions that could easily go unnoticed. Choosing to acknowledge and celebrate these small wins with people is such a powerful tool for nurturing trust, self-confidence and self-compassion. I feel a deep sense of purpose in empowering my clients to become their own cheerleaders and find myself continually amazed by the ways in which self-compassion can facilitate learning and growth.
What drives you to show up for yourself and your clients in this role?
I’m driven to invest in myself because I know the more I show up for myself, the greater my capacity is to show up for others. The term ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’ could not be truer for those in helping professions. By consistently filling my own cup, I’m in a better position to support my clients and their families to flourish in ways that are meaningful and important to them.
What have people said about your approach to this work?
People have said my approach is warm, supportive and grounded, and that I bring a sense of calm to their life.
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I have over a decade of experience working within the disability sector, in various community, private-practice, hospital and disability-specific settings. My therapeutic approach as an occupational therapist has largely been shaped by my earlier experiences as a disability support worker. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and feel confident in my ability to build rapport and relationship with others, as well as understand differing points of view.
I’m particularly interested in supporting teens and young people with ASD, ADHD and psychosocial disability, to understand and further develop their interoceptive awareness and self-regulation capacities. I also enjoy providing educational support and clinical guidance to parents and carers who support individuals with self-regulation and behavioural difficulties.
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Bachelor of Occupational Therapy - Western Sydney University (WSU)
Bachelor of Inclusive Education & Disability Studies - Australian Catholic University (ACU)
Certified Yoga Teacher (200 Hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training) - Body Mind Heart Training
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I embrace a holistic and nurturing therapeutic approach and strive to bring a sense of calm curiosity to my work. What we do to create a meaningful life for ourselves can vary greatly from person to person. In order for me to help people flourish in their everyday life, I try to ask the question, “what makes you, you?”. I want to know about the everyday things people do in their life roles (as a sibling, child, student, employee, etc), as well as the things they do, to be who they are. I want to know what's important and of value to them, and whether there’s space to experience more fulfillment and satisfaction in certain areas of their life.
Part of my approach is to show my clients that ‘I see you, I believe you, and I value you’. When people feel safe to lean into their internal world, they can better understand their lived experience and how it may be impacting their ability to engage in their everyday tasks. Through working collaboratively and fostering a sense of ‘we’re figuring this out together’, my clients and their families are provided with opportunities to explore and understand their own strengths, capabilities and aspirations.
