Our Team

Get to know our passionate team who are dedicated to bringing you best practice in Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Dietitian 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.

Bryce Coward

M.OccTher

Bringing a broad and varied career history, Bryce is a registered occupational therapist having completed his masters of occupational therapy at Swinburne University.

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More than this, he is excited to share his experiences and expertise with clients stemming from his time working as a qualified chef. This experience provides a unique way in which he can support clients through graded approaches to skill acquisition and task planning; particularly in domestic settings.

Bryce also brings experiences through personal training and strength coaching having most recently completed a graduate certificate in exercise rehabilitation. He looks forward to sharing his passion for physical activity, using these skills to support clients in their motor development or offering opportunities for clients to explore the holistic benefits of exercise as an occupation.

With a keen interest in continuing development Bryce continuing to develop his practice in a variety of areas. Most notably; motor development, skill acquisition, sensory integration and upper limb rehabilitation.

Bryce is most looking forward to supporting people within the sector to achieve their goals and make personal growth through discovery of new passions and the acquisition or improvement of new and existing skills.

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 experience’s 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

Laura Chahda

B.H.Sc (Hons), M.Sp.Path (CPSP), PhD (Team Leader)

Laura is a skilled speech pathologist who has devoted over ten years to enhancing the lives of adults and the elderly, particularly those facing challenges with swallowing, communication, and cognitive functions. Her experience spans a variety of conditions, from acute neurological issues to progressive disorders and disabilities,

 

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where she has held roles from senior clinician to senior research fellow across both public and private healthcare sectors.

Laura’s clinical focus aims to help individuals with communication or swallowing difficulties lead independent and fulfilling lives by setting functional and meaningful goals. Her work doesn’t stop at individual care; she’s deeply involved in building stronger communities by forging key relationships with stakeholders and service providers. She’s played pivotal roles, such as leading the speech pathology discipline for the My Health Record dataset project, providing professional development in palliative care practices and IDDSI compliance, and developing speech pathology content for national initiatives like the End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC).

She’s also an experienced clinical educator, having directed the student clinic for adult communication and swallowing disorders at the University of Melbourne from 2019 to 2021. Here, she not only mentored over 60 students but also led community-based projects like aphasia-friendly cafes.

Palliative care is another deep passion for Laura, reflected in her doctoral studies, award-winning research and numerous publications, including her role as lead author and chief editor of an upcoming book on speech pathology in palliative care.

Outside of her professional life, Laura stays active by volunteering with her therapy dog, Caesar, at a local hospital’s oncology ward, enjoying Pilates, and keeping up with her two energetic kids. She treasures her downtime with gardening, a good book or crossword, always with a cup of coffee in hand.

Chloe Pike

Master of Speech Pathology, CPSP

Chloe is a compassionate and experienced Speech Pathologist with over seven years of expertise in acute and subacute hospital environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of St Mark and St John in the UK and has worked extensively with adults managing neurological conditions, stroke, brain and spinal injuries, post-surgical and ICU-related dysphagia and dysphonia.

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A firm believer that clients and their families are experts in their own strengths and challenges, Chloe is committed to working collaboratively to help clients achieve their goals and lead meaningful, fulfilling lives—whatever that means to them. Her trauma-informed and neuro-affirming approach ensures that therapy is not only effective but also supportive and empowering.

 

Passionate about holistic care, Chloe incorporates breathwork into her practice to reduce anxiety and enhance therapeutic outcomes. This innovative approach has been particularly impactful for clients experiencing stammering, anxiety-related dysphagia, dysphonia, and communication breakdown. She is dedicated to helping clients feel heard, supported, and confident in their journey to improved communication and quality of life.

 

As a General Medicine and Elderly Care Clinical Lead in the UK, Chloe managed complex dysphagia cases, trained, and mentored speech pathologists, and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams. She also led a project in Dorset to implement a core preceptorship program and has completed NHS coaching, mentoring, and management courses. Currently, she is pursuing further life coaching qualifications to ensure those she mentors—both clients and colleagues—can thrive in a values-based system and lead fulfilling lives and careers.

 

Chloe’s therapy sessions emphasise the importance of learning through fun, play, and curiosity, making them the highlight of her clients’ week. While her primary experience has been with adults, she is excited to expand her skills to work with children, guided by her growth mindset and passion for lifelong learning.

Her core values include embracing a growth mindset, fostering curiosity, and creating a supportive environment where every client’s voice is heard. Whether through therapy, mentorship, or collaborative care, Chloe is dedicated to empowering individuals to live with purpose and joy.

Jocelyn Leung

Jocelyn Leung

Master of Speech Pathology, CPSP

Jocelyn is a passionate speech pathologist dedicated to providing neurodiversity affirming and capacity-building support for individuals across the lifespan. She prioritises understanding and advocating for her clients within their natural environments

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…, emphasising collaborative efforts with their support teams to meet their unique needs.

Jocelyn has experience supporting pediatric and adolescent clients in early language, speech sounds, stuttering, orofacial myology (tongue thrust), social communication, and advocacy.

Jocelyn graduated from the Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology.  She is certified in delivering the Lidcombe Program for children who stutter, Hanen More Than Words, and Colourful Semantics for supporting language development. Jocelyn strives to integrate these evidence-based approaches thoughtfully with a deep understanding of neurodivergent experiences to create inclusive and supportive interventions tailored to each individual. Jocelyn is committed to ongoing professional development and learning from the neurodivergent community. 

Jocelyn is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, travelling, and spending quality time with her family and friends

Behaviour Support Practitioners

Helen Charalambous

BSW

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 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

Larisa Losonti

Currently studying Speech Pathology Final Year

Larisa is currently completing her final year in a Bachelor of Speech Pathology and will be joining the Team as an Allied health assistant (AHA).

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As Larisa has progressed in her studies it has ignited a passion in her to be able to provide others with the opportunity to live fulfilling and meaningful life. Larisa’s studies have taught her the important skills required to take on this role. These include effective communication skills and working well with a team.

Larisa is very excited to become part of the team as an AHA, as she is motivated to expand her skills that will contribute to her future role as an Speech Pathologist. She is also very keen to be one step closer in making a positive difference in other people’s lives.

 

Samantha Browne

Currently studying Speech Pathology Final Year

Samantha is currently completing her second year in a Master of Speech Pathology and will be joining the Team as an Allied health assistant (AHA).

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Samantha comes with experience as a support worker whilst continuing to assist her clients in developing their communication whilst engaging in the community.

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.

Dietitian

Dietitians are health care professions who support individuals in creating and reviewing a nutritional meal plan to support your diet choices as well as work with other allied health professionals to manage food.

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.