![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796a4b500d97757255e437c/1737925831301-XCGQ3FEWG5N2ELVLQF3T/lotus-pattern.png)
Our Team
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796a4b500d97757255e437c/ba319b91-83d1-499e-b332-cf85cdbe8d03/iStock-858011930.jpg)
The Lotus Therapy team are experienced and passionate therapists that strive to provide a high quality, enriching, fun and engaging service to children, teenagers, adults and their families to achieve their goals, increase independence and improve quality of life.
Lotus Therapy is passionate about being a neuro affirming practice. We believe in a strengths and rights-based approach to developmental differences and aim to provide support and adaptations that affirm the child's neurodivergent identity.
-
Jodi Haywood
DIRECTOR / OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Jodi is an experienced Occupational Therapist, passionate Neurodivergent Woman and devoted mother to a Neurodivergent child. Lotus Therapy was born in 2020 out of the evident need for a safe and homely space where our clients can truly be themselves, find solace for their nervous systems, and embrace their authentic selves.
Jodi has always been passionate about the benefits of a wholistic approach to therapy, which is why she created Lotus Therapy as a multidisciplinary clinic. Jodi strongly believes in a collaborative approach to client care and works closely with the Lotus team to ensure that all clients benefit from each team member’s varied knowledge, skills and experience within their area of expertise.
-
Amy Gilbert
OPERATIONS MANAGER / THERAPY ASSISTANT
Amy is a Naturopath, Reiki Master and Therapy Assistant as well as being our Operations Manager.
Amy has a passion for food as medicine and a holistic approach to health. Amy has a love of cooking and enjoys working with our clients in the kitchen, creating tasty treats whist working on daily living skills, making healthy choices, social skills and planning.
Amy also enjoys meditation, yoga, mindfulness and breathwork strategies and engages our clients with these practices.
-
Hannah Rodgers
PRACTICE MANAGER
Hannah is our Practice Manager at Lotus Therapy as well as being the friendly face behind our social media accounts!
Hannah is passionate about welcoming all families and working alongside children, helping them achieve their goals while building and developing strong bonds to ensure a sense of comfort and security for our little ones at Lotus.
Hannah is a proud dog mum to her American Staffy, Pablo ! In her free time, she loves to spend time in nature, exploring beaches, traveling, and renovating her new home.
-
Andie Wallace
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Andie is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with a broad experience of working with clients aged 3-22. Her passion lies in addressing the needs of individuals as a whole, fostering genuine connections that pave the way for meaningful therapeutic relationships. Andie finds immense joy in guiding teenagers and young adults towards greater independence and autonomy in their everyday lives.
Her approach is hands-on and holistic, engaging clients in a variety of practical activities such as cooking, crafting, job seeking, and other life skills. She believes in the power of the therapeutic use of self, offering support and guidance through challenging emotions and transitions. Andie's aim is to create safe, encouraging environments where clients feel validated and empowered to grow in all aspects of their daily lives.
Outside of her professional life, Andie loves getting lost in a good book, exploring beautiful waterfalls, and savoring a delicious cheese board. She is also a proud dog mum to her adorable sausage dog, Houdini.
Andie looks forward to working with clients and supporting their journey towards a more independent and fulfilling life.
-
Emma Ferguson
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Emma is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours). Emma has experience in hand therapy and working with children across multiple settings including early learning centres, education, community and clinic-based settings.
Emma has a long-standing interest in working with children and is passionate about supporting children to thrive, develop and learn about themselves. she values the integral role parents, families and caregivers play in supporting young people on their development journey, and value a collaborative approach to therapy.
In her spare time Emma enjoys the beach and anything outdoors, practising yoga, creating art, baking and spending time with her loved ones.
-
Lakiya Bretag
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Lakiya (Kiya) is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2023. Joining Lotus Therapy in early 2023, she has honed her expertise in working with children and adolescents. She has the most experience supporting children aged 3-7 years old in pretend play, fine motor and gross motor skills.
She is most passionate about connecting and building relationships with her clients and their families to create an environment of trust and collaboration. Moreover, she is committed to understanding her clients interests and sensory preferences to help their regulation and engagement in activities that they may need or want to do.
In her spare time, she enjoys getting outdoors, trying new things and connecting with friends and family.
-
Jessica Qazim
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Jess is dedicated to supporting others through their unique journeys in life helping individuals embrace their true selves, by fostering an inclusive, trusting, and compassionate environment to promote well-being and independence.
Jess has a passion for empowering and uplifting young children and their families. She is committed to harnessing the power of sensory-based therapy to help children, as she believes every child experiences the world uniquely. Taking time to understand each child's interests and sensory preferences, Jess tailors her approach to support regulation and engagement in activities. She recognises that sensory input plays a crucial role in how we learn, interact, and grow.
In her spare time, Jess loves exploring the great outdoors, hiking to hidden waterfalls, relaxing on the beach or camping under the stars.
Jess is open to new experiences and thrives on discovering what’s next through embracing life’s adventures with enthusiasm and joy.
-
Chelle Bailey
PLAY THERAPIST
Chelle comes to Lotus Therapy with experience specialising in supporting children and families impacted by trauma and neurodivergence. She is a qualified Sandplay therapist and Play therapist and Interplay therapist, with a background in counselling.
Michelle brings to her practice a deep person-centered respect for family integrity and understanding of connectivity as healing. She is passionate about working with children and families through the lens of play and storytelling, as a doorway to self-regulation and insight.
Chelle loves the outdoors, paddle-boarding, cooking and yoga.
-
Alex Domingue
DIETITIAN
Alex is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian who graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Dietetics (Honours) in 2023.
She is passionate about working with children and their families to provide a compassionate and personalised approach to meet every child’s dietary needs. Alex is particularly interested in fussy eating, poor growth and optimising the general health of our little ones.
Alex is a proud dog-mum to her goofy Chocolate Labrador, Oliver, who also shares her passion for all things food.
-
Adelaide Murley
SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Adelaide (Addy) is a fresh new Speech Pathologist at Lotus Therapy. Addy graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 2023. Addy has experience working in both rural and metropolitan hospitals, as well as in-home and clinic-based services within private practice.
Addy is passionate about delivering family-centred, individualised services and has a particular interest in treating speech sound disorders and literacy difficulties.
-
Gihani Gunathilake
SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Gihani is an experienced Speech Pathologist from Sri Lanka with over 9 years in the field. With a strong background in both academia and clinical practice, she has dedicated her career to teaching future speech therapy students while also providing clinical care. Gihani is passionate about supporting individuals with Speech delays, Autism, Stuttering, and learning difficulties.
Outside of her professional life, Gihani enjoys spending quality time with her children and has a deep love for reading, which fuels her continuous learning and growth in the field of speech pathology -
Julia Lee
COUNSELLOR
Julia is a dedicated Counsellor and Psychotherapist with a strong commitment to working respectfully with children, young adults, and their families. With a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and currently completing her Masters at the University of Canberra, she brings a compassionate and client-first approach to her practice. Julia prioritises helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with the goal of achieving meaningful personal growth. She is passionate about empowering her clients to find their voice and develop resilience, ensuring they are supported and encouraged.
Outside of work, Julia loves spending time with her rescue dog, Ruby, walking and playing ball. She is a mum to two adult daughters and enjoys time with family and friends. She thinks she is good at karaoke, but others may disagree.
![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796a4b500d97757255e437c/ba319b91-83d1-499e-b332-cf85cdbe8d03/iStock-858011930.jpg)
Join the
Lotus team
Are you an awesome therapist (speech, occupational therapist, psychologist, therapy assistant ect)?
We offer an amazing opportunity to work with a great team of allied-health professionals. We offer Paediatric based therapies from our well-established, well appointed, multidisciplinary clinic in Gympie, with home and school visiting opportunities.
We have a fun, positive, and supportive team-culture and will support and encourage your career goals.