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The Full Story
About Me
Hi, I’m Lauren, an Occupational Therapist and Aged Care Leader with 12 years of experience spanning hospital, community, and residential care settings across Ireland, the UK, and Australia. From the very start of my career, I knew my passion was working with older adults—helping them maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life.
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But as I progressed, I realized another passion: empowering other OTs. Through years of supervising, mentoring, and leading clinical teams, I saw firsthand how the right knowledge, support, and systems could transform not only client outcomes but also an OT’s confidence, job satisfaction, and professional success.
That’s why I built Way Forward OT — to give OTs the tools, strategies, and insights they need to thrive.
Mission
At Way Forward OT Training, our mission is to empower Occupational Therapists working in community and aged care settings with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to thrive in their practice. Through practical, evidence-based training, we help OTs navigate complex funding systems, enhance clinical reasoning, and build sustainable careers, ensuring better outcomes for both practitioners and the clients they serve.
Vision
We envision a future where every OT working in aged and community care feels equipped, valued, and supported—able to make meaningful, client-centered decisions with confidence. By bridging the gap between clinical expertise, leadership, and innovation, we aim to create a more effective, empowered, and future-ready OT workforce that delivers exceptional care while driving professional growth and service sustainability.
How I help solve your problems
Beyond my clinical and leadership experience, I’ve invested in extra studies at RMIT and Charles Darwin University to bridge the gap between practice, innovation, and business. My background includes:
Health service management
Having worked in clinical leadership and service management, I understand the challenges of balancing client needs, resource limitations, and operational efficiency. I provide strategies for OTs to streamline service workflows, manage caseloads effectively, and advocate for systemic improvements that enhance both practitioner well-being and client outcomes
Design thinking & co-design
I integrate design thinking and co-design principles to develop practical, client-centered solutions in community OT practice. By applying structured problem-solving and innovation methods, I help OTs create tailored interventions, refine service models, and develop creative approaches to complex challenges while ensuring clients are actively involved in shaping their care.
Facilitation & leadership training
Through years of experience in team leadership, supervision, and mentoring, I provide practical leadership training that empowers OTs to build strong teams, improve communication, and foster professional growth. Whether leading a team, supervising staff, or advocating within a multidisciplinary setting, I equip OTs with the skills to confidently navigate leadership roles
Data Translation
I bridge the gap between raw data and practical decision-making, helping OTs and service providers interpret assessment results, track service trends, and use evidence-driven insights to optimize interventions. Whether it’s using client outcome data to justify funding, refining business processes, or improving service models, I make complex information clear, useful, and impactful.