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Abbey Chen, Occupational Therapist at Conscious Healthcare SA

Abbey Chen

Occupational Therapist · Master of Occupational Therapy, Flinders University

Practical strategies for mental health, routines and independence.

Abbey is an occupational therapist with experience in mental health, community, aged care and acute settings. She works alongside each person to build practical strategies for the goals that matter to them.

Taking new clients

  • Works withYoung people aged 10 and over, and adults
  • Key interestsPsychosocial disability, executive functioning and independent living skills
  • SessionsAt home, at both clinics or by telehealth
  • FundingPrivate, Medicare and NDIS clients

Who does Abbey support?

Our OT team covers all of these areas, with clinical supervision and team discussion behind every therapy plan. Abbey works with young people aged 10 and over and adults, most often on mental health, executive functioning and independent living.

Autism, ADHD and neurodivergence, Key interest Executive functioning (planning, organising, time management)Autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences + 1 more
  • Autism
  • ADHD
  • Sensory processing differences
  • Executive functioning (planning, organising, time management) , Key interest
  • Social communication differences

What we work on: sensory needs, routines, planning and organising, and taking part socially at home, at school, at work and in the community.

Child development and schoolWith our other occupational therapists: Developmental delay, fine and gross motor skills, school readiness + 1 more

Our other occupational therapists work with:

  • Developmental delay (milestones, self-feeding, self-care)
  • Fine and gross motor skills (including handwriting)
  • School readiness
  • Play skills and confidence
Disability and developmental conditionsIntellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome
  • Intellectual disability
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Down syndrome

What we work on: motor skills and coordination, everyday self-care, the right equipment and supports, and taking part at home, at school and in the community.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing, Key interest Psychosocial disabilityAnxiety, depression and mood disorders, emotional regulation + 3 more
  • Anxiety
  • Depression and mood disorders
  • Emotional regulation
  • Psychosis
  • Psychosocial disability , Key interest
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Stress and burnout

What we work on: daily structure and routines, coping skills, managing stress and big emotions, sleep, and taking part at home, at school, at work and in the community.

Neurological and brain conditionsStroke, brain injury, dementia + 4 more
  • Stroke
  • Brain injury (including traumatic brain injury, or TBI)
  • Dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease)
  • Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) and motor neurone disease (MND)
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Neurological rehabilitation

What we work on: relearning everyday tasks, adjusting to changes in movement, thinking, vision or energy, saving energy as symptoms change, and setting up a safe home.

Physical and musculoskeletal conditionsWith our other occupational therapists: Arthritis, amputation, burns and soft-tissue injuries + 2 more

Our other occupational therapists work with:

  • Arthritis
  • Amputation (including phantom limb pain)
  • Burns and soft-tissue injuries
  • Chronic pain and fatigue
  • Recovery after illness, injury or surgery
Equipment, home modifications and mobilityAssistive technology and equipment, home modifications + 2 more
  • Assistive technology and equipment
  • Home modifications
  • Home safety assessments
  • Functional mobility

What we work on: choosing and trialling equipment, home safety, and changes at home that make everyday tasks easier and safer.

Our other occupational therapists also work with:

  • Wheelchair and seating prescription
Daily living and independence, Key interest Independent living skillsDaily living skills and routines, community participation + 1 more
  • Daily living skills and routines
  • Independent living skills , Key interest
  • Community participation
  • Support at work or study

What we work on: self-care, everyday routines, independence at home, getting out into the community, and managing school, work or study.

Culturally and linguistically diverse familiesWorking with culturally and linguistically diverse families
  • Working with culturally and linguistically diverse families

What we work on: clear, respectful communication with you, your family and your support team, and therapy plans that fit your culture and routines.

Don't see your situation? Call us on 08 8166 4700 and our team will talk it through with you.

About Abbey

Over six years as an occupational therapist in mental health in Taiwan, before further study and practice in Australia

“My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and person-centred. I believe every person has unique strengths, experiences, and aspirations, and I strive to create a welcoming environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered from our very first session. Together, we'll identify your goals, build on your strengths, and develop practical solutions that fit your lifestyle.”

Qualifications and registration

A Master of Occupational Therapy from Flinders University, after six years as an OT in Taiwan.

Registration

Registered Occupational Therapist OCC0004076139

Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (Ahpra)

Check the Ahpra register (opens the register’s website)

Degrees and certificates

Master of Occupational Therapy
Flinders University

Experience

Over six years as an occupational therapist in mental health in Taiwan, before further study and practice in Australia

Who can call themselves an occupational therapist?

"Occupational therapist" is a protected title in Australia. Only people registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, through Ahpra, can use it. You can check any occupational therapist on the Ahpra register, or read more about occupational therapy at CHSA.

How does Abbey work?

Every CHSA occupational therapy journey starts the same way, then follows your goals.

  1. Initial assessment

    90 minutes. Getting to know you or your child, daily routines and what you want to be able to do.

  2. Goals and a plan

    After the assessment. Agreeing practical goals together and how therapy will work towards them.

  3. Regular therapy

    60-minute sessions. In clinic, at home, or at school or in the community, at a pace that suits you.

  4. Reviews

    As goals change. Checking what's working and updating the plan as life changes.

In Abbey’s words

“I value lifelong learning and continually expand my clinical knowledge to ensure I provide evidence-based, high-quality care. Seeing clients gain confidence, independence, and enjoyment in their everyday lives is what I find most rewarding as an Occupational Therapist.”

Where can you see Abbey?

At home, in clinic or by video. Abbey works Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Home visit area A simple diagram, not to scale: home visits from Gawler in the north to Aldinga in the south and Mt Barker in the east, with the North Clinic in Salisbury and the South Clinic in Seacliff. Gawler Adelaide Mt Barker Aldinga North ClinicSalisbury South ClinicSeacliff
Home visit area · not to scale

At home

Abbey visits homes, schools and community settings anywhere between Gawler, Aldinga and Mt Barker. Travel is charged at 50% of our standard hourly rate.

In clinic

Abbey sees people at both of our clinics.

North Clinic40 Ann St, Salisbury 5108Get directions to North Clinic
South Clinic18-20 Scholefield Rd, Seacliff 5049Get directions to South Clinic

Clinics are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Prefer video? Abbey also sees people by telehealth, wherever you are in Australia.

How will you pay?

Private, Medicare and NDIS clients are all welcome.

Private

No referral needed. You pay for each session directly.

See our current fees

Medicare

To claim a Medicare rebate, ask your GP about a chronic condition management plan. A referral on its own isn't enough. With a plan, Medicare covers part of the cost of a limited number of allied health sessions each year, and our team can explain what that means for you.

See our current fees

NDIS

We're a registered NDIS provider. Occupational therapy is usually funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living in your NDIS plan. Once it's in your plan, you can send us a referral. Plan-managed, self-managed and NDIA-managed plans are all accepted.

Support coordinators: the key referral details are at the end of this page.

Send an NDIS referral

How do I get started?

Send us an enquiry and let us know you'd like to see Abbey, or give us a call. We usually reply within 1 to 2 business days.

  • A free first call. Our triage team will talk through your goals, your funding and where you'd like to meet. There's no cost for this call.
  • Then your first appointment with Abbey. Appointments are charged at our usual fees.

Good to have ready

  • Medicare: your GP's chronic condition management plan
  • NDIS: your NDIS number and plan details, and who manages your plan

Not sure Abbey is the right fit? Send an enquiry anyway, and our team will suggest someone.