Therapy 4 Life

School holidays are coming and we have two fun social groups happening at the Therapy4Life Farm 🌿🐴

🏉 Footy Fun at the Farm | Ages 5–11
Come dressed in your team colours for a fun morning of footy games, decorating T-shirts, making cheer squad signs and enjoying a hotdog together
Thursday 24th Sept 1pm-2:30pm at Somerville Farm 🌭🎨

🎨 Teen Farm Social | Ages 12–18
A relaxed, no-pressure group with fun icebreakers, a collaborative mural, Aussie damper, roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate to finish
Monday 28th Sept 1pm-3:30pm at Somerville Farm 🔥☕️

Both groups are all about having fun, getting creative and connecting with others in a comfortable and supportive space.
Book online at our website www.therapy4life.com.au to save your place 💛

🎒 READY, SET, SCHOOL! ✏️🌟

Starting school is a big transition, and there is so much more to school readiness than knowing letters and numbers.

This November, our Therapy4Life OTs are running a 6-week School Readiness Group at our Mordialloc clinic for children preparing to start school in 2027.

With only 4 children in the group, we can keep things small, supportive and fun while practising real-life school skills such as:

✨ Following routines and instructions
🎒 Managing bags and belongings
🧩 Moving between activities and spaces
✏️ Fine motor and classroom skills
💬 Asking for help and communicating with others
💛 Emotional regulation
🤝 Turn taking, sharing and group participation
🛝 Playground games and social confidence
🍎 Snack time routines and independence

Our final session will head to the park, where children can bring their school bag and snack, practise playground and social skills, and celebrate the end of the group together with their families.

📅 Mondays, 9 November – 14 December
⏰ 9:30am – 10:30am
📍 Therapy4Life Mordialloc
👧🧒 Maximum 4 children

Places are very limited.

Send us a message or contact the Therapy4Life team to express your interest. 💛

🌿 A peaceful place to grow

Therapy doesn’t always need to happen between four walls.

At the Therapy4Life Farm, nature, animals, movement, play and everyday experiences become part of the therapeutic environment, creating opportunities for children to regulate, connect, build confidence, practise new skills and explore at their own pace.

Our OTs thoughtfully use the whole farm as part of therapy. That might look like spending quiet time with the guinea pigs, caring for an animal, digging in the garden, getting messy with sensory play, moving on the giant swing, cooking, creating, exploring the paddocks or connecting with our horses.

Each session is shaped around the individual child, their goals, sensory needs, interests, strengths and preferences.

And sometimes, something special happens when therapy feels less like *therapy*.

A child who finds conversation difficult may talk while brushing an animal.
A child who needs movement can learn while their whole body is engaged.
A child who feels overwhelmed indoors may find space to breathe outside.
A child building independence can practise real jobs, responsibilities and everyday skills in a meaningful environment.

Our animals are a big part of that experience too, bringing opportunities for connection, empathy, responsibility and confidence. Each one has their own personality and gentle presence on the farm.

For children who participate in equine therapy, our approach is connection, not riding. Sessions take place from the ground and may involve grooming, leading, observing, communication, boundaries and regulation, guided by our equine trained therapists.

At its heart, our farm is about creating a place where children and families can **slow down, feel safe, connect with nature and experience therapy in a way that feels meaningful, joyful and real.

🌱 Therapy4Life Farm & Nature-Based Therapy
📍 Somerville, Victoria

EquineTherapy AnimalAssistedTherapy SensoryRegulation ChildLedTherapy KidsOT SomervilleVictoria MorningtonPeninsula MeaningfulTherapy

🌿 A peaceful place to grow

Therapy doesn’t always need to happen between four walls.

At the Therapy4Life Farm, nature, animals, movement, play and everyday experiences become part of the therapeutic environment, creating opportunities for children to regulate, connect, build confidence, practise new skills and explore at their own pace.

Our OTs thoughtfully use the whole farm as part of therapy. That might look like spending quiet time with the guinea pigs, caring for an animal, digging in the garden, getting messy with sensory play, moving on the giant swing, cooking, creating, exploring the paddocks or connecting with our horses.

Each session is shaped around the individual child, their goals, sensory needs, interests, strengths and preferences.

And sometimes, something special happens when therapy feels less like *therapy*.

A child who finds conversation difficult may talk while brushing an animal.
A child who needs movement can learn while their whole body is engaged.
A child who feels overwhelmed indoors may find space to breathe outside.
A child building independence can practise real jobs, responsibilities and everyday skills in a meaningful environment.

Our animals are a big part of that experience too, bringing opportunities for connection, empathy, responsibility and confidence. Each one has their own personality and gentle presence on the farm.

For children who participate in equine therapy, our approach is **connection, not riding**. Sessions take place from the ground and may involve grooming, leading, observing, communication, boundaries and regulation, guided by our equine trained therapists.

At its heart, our farm is about creating a place where children and families can **slow down, feel safe, connect with nature and experience therapy in a way that feels meaningful, joyful and real.

🌱 Therapy4Life Farm & Nature-Based Therapy
📍 Somerville, Victoria

EquineTherapy AnimalAssistedTherapy SensoryRegulation ChildLedTherapy KidsOT SomervilleVictoria MorningtonPeninsula MeaningfulTherapy

MEDICARE FUNDING OPTIONS
(HCWA / CDM / Better Mental Health)

Did you know there are three different Medicare pathways that may help fund Occupational Therapy for children and teens?

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand what’s available:

1️⃣ Autism Assessment & Treatment Items (HCWA-style / Neurodevelopmental Medicare items)

For children with autism or developmental concerns.
Referred by a pediatrician or psychiatrist.
Up to 4 assessment sessions
Up to 20 treatment sessions (lifetime)
Supports OT, speech and psychology
Provides a Medicare rebate (gap fees usually apply)

2️⃣ Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan

Created by your GP for children with ongoing developmental, behavioral or health needs.
Up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year
Can be used for OT, speech or physio
Great option for children not yet diagnosed
Rebate applies per session

3️⃣ Better Access / Better Mental Health

A Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP can help children, teens and adults access mental-health allied health supports under Medicare.
Up to 10 sessions per year (psychology or mental-health OT)
For anxiety, emotional regulation, behavior, stress, trauma & more
Review required after first 6 sessions

How OT can help across all pathways:

Emotional regulation
Sensory processing
School participation
Daily routines & independence
Behavioural support
Social + play skills
Executive functioning
Confidence in everyday life

Need help choosing the right funding option?

We can guide you through the process, help you understand eligibility and make the steps simple for your family.

Call us to book or ask questions, we’re here to help. 13007244 66 or make a referral: www.therapy4life.com.au

🐮✨ HELP US NAME OUR MINI HIGHLANDER CALVES ✨🐮

We’ve got two beautiful new arrivals on the farm and we need YOUR help to choose their names!

🤎 Chocolate boy calf
❤️ Red girl calf

We’ve narrowed it down to a few favourites, but we can’t decide on our own… so it’s voting time!

👇 Cast your vote in the comments:

Option 1: Honey & Bear
Option 2: Toffee & Mocha
Option 3: Astrid & Hicup
Option 4: Winnie & Toothless

We’ll tally the votes and announce the winning names soon 🐄✨

Thanks for helping us name our newest little herd members 💛

We’re excited to share that Cat, our Mental Health Occupational Therapist, now has availability for ages 15 and over!
Cat brings over a decade of experience in mental health, trauma, sensory regulation and psychosocial disability. She blends clinical expertise with a warm, grounded approach, helping clients feel understood, supported and empowered.

Cat is now available at our Somerville farm, Mordialloc clinic, and for community-based sessions. Cat can see clients under the Medicare Mental Health Plan.

🌱 If you’re looking for meaningful, holistic mental health support… Cat has availability

🌿 Referrals are welcome via our website: www.therapy4life.com.au

Meet Adam, our Equine Assisted Psychotherapist and Mental Health OT now offering Thursday sessions at our Somerville farm. With over 20 years of experience in child, youth and adult mental health, Adam blends trauma‑informed practice with the healing power of horses and the natural environment. He supports children, teens and adults with emotional regulation, trauma, sensory needs, ASD, ADHD and anxiety.

Limited Thursday spots now open at Somerville.
www.therapy4life.com.au

Taylor is an exceptional OT and a great guy! He's currently available for new referrals. Taylor can cater to all your assessment and reporting needs, wheelchair prescriptions, and home mods. Book your appointment today at www.therapy4life.com.au