Heidi Perera

Associate Director / Principal Occupational Therapist

Heidi is an experienced and qualified Occupational Therapist, graduating from Curtin University in 2001. She has over 20 years experience as an OT, working in both community and inpatient mental health settings within the public health system, prior to joining Lifeworks Occupational Therapy in 2020.


Heidi has a strong background in case management, psychoeducation, counselling, functional assessment, psychosocial rehabilitation, and individual and group therapies. She is trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). She also has post-graduate qualifications in loss, grief and trauma counselling.


Heidi is hardworking and passionate about helping those experiencing chronic conditions learn the skills they need to achieve their goals and engage in their valued roles and activities. Outside of work she enjoys yoga, walking and spending time with her family.


Heidi is a registered Occupational Therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, and is an endorsed Better Access to Mental Health (BAMH) practitioner.


Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy), Curtin University

Graduate Certificate in Loss, Grief & Trauma Counselling, Flinders University


Special interests:

Severe and complex mental health conditions (particularly complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia), anxiety, depression, chronic pain, chronic disease, sensory modulation.