Our Team
Nicola Stampa
Managing Director & Principal Occupational Therapist (Castlemaine)
Nicola completed a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at The University of Melbourne with a focus on Developmental & Behavioural Psychology before deciding to follow in her mother Clare’s footsteps and become an Occupational Therapist, completing a Masters of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University.
Nicola has completed a Professional’s Certificate in the ‘DIR Floortime’ model, a play-based and relationship-focused approach with strong evidence for supporting children with ASD and a range of social-emotional challenges. She has completed further training in the CPS model with Dr Ross Greene, the CO-OP approach for co-ordination challenges and Kim Barthel’s ‘Becoming A Behaviour Detective’. She is a certified provider of the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP). Nicola has also trained as a Teacher of Children’s Creative Dance & Yoga at Mangala Studios and so brings her passion for music, movement and creativity to her work as an Occupational Therapist.
Nicola is now only providing mobile therapy services to Castlemaine and surrounding areas on Tues, Wed & Thurs. She continues provide supervision and training to our clinical team.
Sophie McNally
Occupational Therapist (Melbourne)
Sophie is qualified with a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Psychology and Psychophysiology) and a Masters of Occupational Therapy from Swinburne University. Prior to becoming an Occupational Therapist, Sophie gained experience working with children experiencing a range of disabilities as an Allied Health Assistant. Sophie is enthusiastic about being able to provide therapy in a creative, fun and child focused manner to enable children to engage more fully in their lives.
Sophie has completed further training in the ‘Handwriting Without Tears’ approach and Mona Delahook’s ‘Beyond Behaviours’, as well as a ‘Tuning Into Kids’ facilitator. She has completed a Professional’s Certificate in the DIR Floortime model, a play-based and relationship-focused approach with strong evidence for supporting children with ASD and a range of social-emotional challenges.
Sophie works at the clinic on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. She provides mobile therapy services on Fridays and fortnightly on Thursdays.
Nikita Shastri
Occupational Therapist (Melbourne)
Nikita completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash University. She is an enthusiastic person who loves working with children and their families to build therapy intervention into everyday routines, and to help empower children to achieve their goals and dreams.
She is committed to providing evidence-based and strengths-based therapy in an engaging and fun learning environment to deliver the best possible outcomes. Nikita is a certified CO-OP therapist, Tuning Into Kids group facilitator and has completed other courses in Social Thinking, handwriting intervention, sleep, toilet training, and Kelly Mahler’s ‘interoception curriculum’.
Nikita works at our Box Hill clinic Mondays, Tuesdays. She provides mobile therapy services on Wednesdays.
Isla Borland
Occupational Therapist (Melbourne)
Isla is qualified with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Australian Catholic University. She is enthusiastic about utilising music, play and creative approaches when working with children and their families to build their independence and confidence, and to help empower them to reach their goals.
She has completed further training in DIR Floortime, executive functioning, PDA, and utilising cognitive-based therapy frameworks to deliver creative arts interventions that address specific learning and developmental needs of children.
Isla works at our Box Hill clinic on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. She provides mobile therapy services weekly on Wednesdays and fortnightly on Thursdays.
Isabella (Bella) Stoffels
Occupational Therapist (Melbourne)
Isabella (Bella) is a dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapist who holds a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from Monash University. Bella is deeply committed to supporting children and their families by providing engaging, child-centred therapy that fosters empowerment and helps individuals achieve their unique goals.
Before embarking on her career as an Occupational Therapist, Bella gained valuable experience working with children of varying abilities as both a Support Worker and an inclusion-focused gymnastics coach. Bella has completed training in the DIR Floortime approach, and is enthusiastic about creating inclusive environments for all children in their journey toward growth and independence
Bella works at our Box Hill clinic on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and fortnightly on Thursdays. She provides mobile therapy services weekly on Tuesdays, and fortnightly on Thursdays.
Sarah Roediger
Early Intervention Specialist (Castlemaine)
Sarah is qualified with a Bachelor of Teaching and Masters of Art Therapy, with over a decade of experience working with children in areas including teaching, case management, community development and crisis support.
Sarah is dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children and families. Sarah has completed professional training in the DIR Floortime approach. Working alongside parents, caregivers, and other service providers to foster an atmosphere conducive to learning, growth, and overall well-being. She is passionate about employing creative methodologies such as movement, music, play and art, while collaborating with children and their families.
Sarah provides mobile therapy services to Castlemaine and surrounds on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
Georgina O’Connor
Speech Pathologist (Castlemaine)
Georgina (Georgie) is qualified with a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Masters of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University. Georgie is compassionately committed to helping children and families overcome challenges and find genuine wellness through playful & supportive interactions.
Georgie has completed a Professional’s Certificate in the DIR Floortime model, a play-based and relationship-focused approach with strong evidence for supporting children with ASD and a range of social-emotional challenges. She has facilitated parent education programs such as It Takes Two to Talk and Circle of Security reflective circles. She has also completed further training in SOS feeding, narrative therapy, Hanen, colourful semantics, Ross Greene’s CPS Model, Augmented & Alternative Communication (AAC), Tracks to Two Ways Learning and nature-based connected play.
Georgie has also completed her children's yoga teacher training and so brings her love of yoga, dance, music and nature into her work with children and families.
Georgie provides mobile therapy services to Castlemaine and surrounds on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.
Clare Edgecome
Senior Clinical Supervisor & Occupational Therapist
Clare Edgecome graduated with a B.Sc (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She has completed extensive training in Sensory Integration Therapy (SI) including techniques such as Therapeutic Listening. She is also trained to use the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding. She is trained in ‘DIR Floortime’ therapy, a treatment technique specifically developed for children with ASD.
As the OT team’s senior clinical supervisor, Clare shares her expertise through in-service training, coaching, seminars and supervision. Please note that Clare is working in a supervisory role only and not available for appointments.
Charmaine Lewis
Early Intervention Specialist (Castlemaine)
Charmaine holds a Bachelor of Teaching and a Master of Education from Melbourne University, where she pursued her interests in student wellbeing and the science of learning. She has over 20 years of experience working with children of various ages and abilities, including as a classroom teacher, integration aide, and drama specialist.
She has completed training in the Berry Street Education Model, a trauma-informed framework designed to help children strengthen self-regulation skills, form positive relationships, and build their capacity for learning. She has also completed training in the 'DIR Floortime' approach, a play-based and relationship-focused approach with strong evidence for supporting children with ASD and a range of social-emotional challenges.
With a keen interest in the performing and visual arts, nature and mindfulness, together with her strong commitment to providing positive child-centred care, Charmaine strives to create experiences that encourage children to thrive. She is passionate about using engaging, compassionate and evidence-based strategies to collaboratively support young children to build resilience, navigate their emotions, and develop essential skills for lifelong growth and well-being.
Charmaine provides mobile therapy services to Castlemaine and surrounds on Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
Brianna Sannwald
Administrator Assistant
Brianna (Bree) is a dedicated and dynamic Administrator at Baobab Therapy, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the clinic runs smoothly while supporting the team in providing innovative, high-quality therapy services to families.
Passionate about social justice and equal access to care, Brianna is committed to fostering an environment where every family feels heard, valued, and respected. She strives to create a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals from all backgrounds can access the support they need to thrive. Guided by her core values of fairness, empathy, and respect, Brianna approaches each family's unique needs with compassion and a deep commitment to their well-being.
