Our Team

Get to know our passionate team who are dedicated to bringing you best practice in Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Osteopathy Services to children and adults.

Occupational Therapists

Andrew Charalambous

B. Sc. (Clin. Sc.), M. H. Sc. (Osteo), B.OccTher

Andrew is an experienced Occupational Therapist with over 15 years experience working with individuals across their life spans living with a disability.

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Andrew has worked as an Occupational Therapist at a special school and currently contracts to several schools in the Eastern Suburbs. Andrew continues to improve his skills and engages in continued professional development to ensure he provides the most up to date, evidence based therapy for all his clients. Andrew has a particular interest in behavioural management, fine and gross motor development and sensory integration therapy.

Andrew’s goal as an Occupational Therapist is to continue to support individuals become as independent as possible in all aspects of their lives.
Andrew is also a complex home assessor recently completing his certification in this area.

Jakob Rhodes

B.OccTher

Jakob is an Occupational Therapist, who completed his Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Monash University. Jakob’s motivation and passion for…

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…becoming an Occupational Therapist originated from his experiences working in the disability field as a support worker for 2 years. Jakob also was able to observe Andrew’s work when completing university volunteer hours; this particular experience showed him the role of OT in the disability sector, and further inspired him to pursue a career in this sector. Jakob is passionate about improving an individuals independent living skills within the home and community and continues to modify expectations and implement strategies to assist the individual to achieve their goals.

Throughout the course of his degree, he has complete a variety of placements including geriatrics and paediatric sectors, which have allowed him to develop his knowledge in the occupational therapy field and further develop his communication skills. The completion of his OT placements, work as a disability support worker (DSW) and work as an allied health assistant (AHA) has allowed Jakob to build relationships with individuals and their families and tailor his practice to work toward client-centred goals. Jakob is excited to continue his journey as an Occupational Therapist with Back to Basics Health Group, to learn and tailor his current practice to be the best it can be. Jakob looks forward to supporting individuals and their families to meet their potential.

Rachel Chew

Rachel Chew

B.OccTher (Hons)
Rachel is an Occupational Therapist with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from Monash University.
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Her exceptional academic performance in project management courses earned her the prestigious St John of God Award for Participatory Community Practice, exemplifying her dedication to community-focused healthcare. Specialising in individualised care and support, Rachel has honed her skills in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, day centres, and community aged care.

Her expertise spans developing therapy plans for subacute rehabilitation, adeptly navigating the NDIS, and providing compassionate care for the elderly. Rachel’s approach, a blend of meticulous organisation, effective communication, and an acute understanding of diverse client needs, underpins her drive to enhance patient experiences. Committed to improving healthcare outcomes, Rachel applies her extensive skills and knowledge to support clients across any setting.

Helena Fotakis

Helena Fotakis

B.OccTher

Helena is an Occupational Therapist who has graduated from the Allied Health Assistant pathway at Back to Basics Health Group. 

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…Helena comes with a wealth of experience implementing therapeutic programs aimed at developing an individual’s independent living skills and motor skills.

Speech Pathologists

Kath Bastin

Speech Pathologist Team Leader

Kath is a passionate speech pathologist with extensive experience supporting children and young adults in education settings. Her approach is neuro-affirming, client-led and play-based, with a strong interest in AAC and multi-modal communication.

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Kath is a passionate speech pathologist with extensive experience supporting children and young adults in educational settings. Since qualifying as a speech pathologist in 2015, and with a background in specialist education settings since 2008, Kath brings both depth of knowledge and genuine passion to every client she works with.

Her practice is grounded in neuro-affirming principles, with a strong belief that meaningful progress happens when therapy is client-led, play-based, and responsive to each individual’s strengths, interests, and communication style. Kath has a particular interest and expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and is deeply committed to supporting multi-modal communication, ensuring every person has accessible and meaningful ways to express themselves across a range of communicative functions.

Collaboration is central to Kath’s approach. She works closely with families, educators, and support teams within clients’ natural environments to develop goals that are functional, meaningful, and truly important to the individual. Through strong rapport and genuine partnership, Kath actively advocates for client voice and autonomy.

Kath is passionate about supporting people across the lifespan and is committed to ongoing learning to meet the diverse needs of those she serves. Her practice is underpinned by family-centred care, inclusion, and the belief that communication is a fundamental human right.

When she is not at work, you might find her at the beach chasing her young family around or op shopping.

Jasmine Han

Speech Pathologist

Jasmine is a dedicated speech pathologist who builds respectful, meaningful connections and supports functional communication in everyday life. Her practice is neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, and collaborative with clients, families and support networks.

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Jasmine is a dedicated speech pathologist who values building meaningful, respectful connections with her clients and supporting communication in ways that are functional, affirming, and strengths-based. She prioritises understanding each person as an individual and working collaboratively with clients, families, and support networks to support participation and independence in everyday life.

Jasmine has experience supporting people with disability across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults with diverse communication needs. Her practice is informed by neurodiversity-affirming principles, with a focus on honouring different communication styles, supporting self-advocacy, and building capacity in ways that are meaningful and relevant to each person’s unique goals.

Jasmine graduated with a Master of Speech Pathology from Flinders University. She enjoys supporting clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and is mindful of ensuring therapy is culturally responsive, inclusive, and aligned with each client’s values, identity, and lived experience. Jasmine is committed to ongoing professional development and reflective practice to ensure her support remains evidence-based and person-centred.

Jasmine is a Certified Practising Member of Speech Pathology Australia. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, staying active, and exploring new places and experiences in her downtime.

Arthur Chan

Speech Pathologist

Arthur is an engaging speech pathologist who supports clients where they’re most comfortable, such as at home, school, work and the community. He takes an energetic, practical approach focused on meaningful goals for real-world communication and participation.

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Arthur is an engaging Speech Pathologist who’s passionate about supporting clients in the environments they’re most comfortable with, such as at home, school, work and in the community. He brings an energetic and practical approach to therapy and values building strong rapport, setting meaningful goals, and working closely with families and support teams to support participation in everyday life.

Arthur enjoys working with children, adolescents and adults on speech, language, and social communication goals. He has a particular interest in helping clients of all ages build confidence communicating in real-world, day-to-day situations and feel more connected in the places and relationships that matter to them.

Alongside his clinical experience, Arthur has a strong background in client-facing roles, including disability support work, where he supported clients with community access and daily living tasks. He also brings experience from customer and admin roles in health settings, supporting clients and families with clear communication, organisation and follow-through.

Arthur holds a Master of Speech Pathology and a Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics and Applied Linguistics) from the University of Melbourne.

Outside of work, Arthur enjoys staying active and exploring new places and experiences.

Behaviour Support Practitioners

Helen Charalambous

Behaviour Support Team Leader

Helen completed her Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts (Major in Criminology and minor in Sociology) at Monash University at the end of 2012.

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Helen is currently also completing a Diploma in Counselling.  She has completed the online Applied Behavioural Analysis Training through ABA Link this year Helen has over 8 years experience in the social work sector (with Children, family and Youth), working with both mandatory and non-mandatory clients with experience in management and supervisory roles.

She has worked extensively with children and youth with high risk behaviours and assisted families with this. Helen is a behavioural support practitioner providing support for individuals with complex behaviours. Helen has experience developing behavioural support plans (BSP) and completing functional behavioural assessments to inform the BSP.

Alison Yon

Dip.OE (Primary) Grad Dip OE (Special Education- Emotional and Behavioural Disorders)

Alison is a highly experienced Special Education Teacher who has worked in the Department of Education…

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…for over 20 years. She has always had a keen interest in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder and graduated from Deakin University with a Graduate Diploma of Education (Special Education) with a major in emotional and behavioural disorders.

Alison has been a teacher at Eastern Ranges School (formerly Wantirna Heights School) in Ferntree Gully for the past 17 years. She has taught students from Foundation to Year 12 and in recent years has been responsible for the development and delivery of the Functional and Applied Learning Pathway for Year 11 and 12 students which is focused on improving students independent living and communication skills.

Alison has had vast experience working with students that exhibit Behaviours of Concern, have communication difficulties and high support needs to develop their self-regulation skills and Activities for Daily Living. Alison has always had a focus on teaching students to be as independent as possible as they develop the skills to become valued members of their communities. She has worked with young people and adults outside of the education setting with a range of diagnoses and behaviour support requirements.

Alison has completed a variety of courses that focus on positive behavioural approaches to preventing and managing extreme and challenging behaviours, understanding and utilising preventative approaches for teaching and reinforcing positive behaviour and behaviour response planning. Alison is passionate about developing effective strategies for people that are person centred and can support them consistently across all of their environments as they journey through their lives.

Jenna Hicks

Jenna Hicks

BSW

Jenna is a Social Worker with over 14 years experience in the field and graduated from La Trobe University. Throughout her career, Jenna has worked in both clinical and non-clinical settings, gaining extensive experience with children and families. Jenna spent over six years working in a public hospital, where she developed her expertise in providing care and support to diverse clients.

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More recently, Jenna has worked with chronically ill clients, providing counselling and support to navigate the NDIS system. Jenna’s practice is grounded in a holistic, strength-based approach, and she is deeply committed to empowering individuals and families to achieve positive outcomes.

Allied Health Assistants

Mitchel Diepraam

Allied Health Assistant | Master of Occupational Therapy Student

Mitchel is an Allied Health Assistant and Master of Occupational Therapy student with experience across paediatric mental health, disability support, and sports injury prevention. He enjoys helping clients build practical skills and confidence to participate in everyday life.

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Mitchel is currently completing a Master of Occupational Therapy and brings a strong foundation in health and community practice.

As an Allied Health Assistant, Mitchel supports clients to work towards their therapy goals through practical, hands-on sessions that build skills and independence in day-to-day routines. He has experience working in paediatric mental health as a Therapy Aide and Therapeutic Support Practitioner, where he supported young people and families with therapeutic strategies in real-world environments. Mitchel also has community-based experience in disability support.

Alongside his AHA work, Mitchel continues as a sports trainer, supporting athletes across a range of sports. This experience shapes his interest in participation, physical wellbeing, confidence-building, and injury prevention. Mitchel’s key areas of interest include mental health, occupational justice and advocacy, neurological and cardiac rehabilitation, and sports injuries and prevention.

He values evidence-informed practice and professional learning. His previous research explored the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions in older athletes, and his current research focuses on trauma and autism in collaboration with a clinical psychologist. Mitchel enjoys working collaboratively with clients, families, and the broader therapy team to support goals that are meaningful and achievable.

In his spare time, Mitchel likes to get some fresh air on the beach, and read or binge-watch Netflix.

Osteopaths

Andrew Charalambous

B. Sc. (Clin. Sc.), M. H. Sc. (Osteo), B.OccTher

Andrew graduated from Victoria University with a Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy) receiving the Osteopathy Australia graduate prize as dux of his year level whilst also…

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…receiving the Victoria University Medal of Excellence as the most outstanding postgraduate student. Andrew incorporates a number of techniques in his treatment regime which include soft tissue techniques, mobilisation, manipulation and indirect treatments such as BLT (Balance Ligamentous tension) and counterstrain. Andrew is also qualified in Level 2 myofascial dry needling and cupping which adds another treatment option for his patients. Andrew continues to explore other treatment modalities to support an individuals recovery from injury. Andrew has completed a theragun massage course as well as numerous rehabilitation courses. Andrew can proficiently treat any type of musculoskeletal complaint including back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, joint pain and sports injuries through a combination of hands on treatment, advice and rehabilitation.

Coupled with his unique ability to incorporate Occupational Therapy principles in his treatment plans, Andrew is excited to support your recovery from your injury.

Admin Team

Veri Whitaker

Practice Manager B.Com(Hons)
Veri is a business professional with over 15 years experience in the Financial Services Industry. Veri has worked across all parts of the banking value chain and is experienced in business strategy, people leadership, product and channel development, operations, project management, customer experience design, continuous improvement and business process management.
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Veri is a strong advocate for and member of the neurodivergent community. She is passionate about helping children and adults to create their Positive Neurodivergent Identity by acknowledging all the parts that make up their identity as a whole, and the core neurodivergent characteristics that are integral to who they are.  
Outside of work, Veri enjoys spending time with her young family as well as creative activities such as crafting and baking.
Donna Bradford

Donna Bradford

Administration/Accounts

Donna has a wealth of experience in customer service and accounts management and is our resident finance admin as well as part of our customer service team.

 

Donna Davidson

Donna Davidson

Administration and Reception

Donna comes to us having worked for many years as administration support and as a receptionist in a number of different organisations.

Our Services

What We Offer

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists are health professionals who use a holistic approach to  assist individuals who may be experiencing delays and difficulties in their development.

Speech Pathology

Speech Pathologists are health care professionals who assess, diagnose and treat individuals who have  difficulties with speech, communication, eating and swallowing.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a form of manual healthcare which recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way it primarily functions.

Behaviour Support

We aim to empower families and support workers to ensure the best quality of life for their family member to reduce the dependence on regulated restrictive practices surrounding their family member.

Allied Health Assistant

Allied Health Assistant’s (AHA’s) work with allied health professionals supporting the implementation of tasks and programs delegated to them by allied health practitioners to maximise the outcomes for the patient.

Book Your Appointment!

Reach out to us to lock in an appointment today – our specialists are experts in their fields and can offer attentive and personal services to make sure your health and wellbeing is the number one priority.