MAREE THE OT
Occupational Therapy and NDIS Supports
Ipswich - Brisbane - Gold Coast
About Us
Meet Maree
Maree the OT was founded by Maree Smith, who is an experienced Occupational Therapist. Maree offers supports for all ages and disabilities, including a range of assessment and interventions such as, functional capacity assessment, low-cost AT equipment assessment, minor home modification assessment, emotional regulation and social skills development.
​Maree's primary clinical experience is working with children, teenagers and young adults between the ages of 8 and 25-yrs of age who have diagnoses such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, oppositional defiance disorder, generalised and social anxieties, learning difficulties and mental health challenges, who are not in any acute phase of mental illness or active hospitalisation.
​Maree's clinical approach is to work collaboratively with client’s using a client and family-centred approach, strengths based, psycho-social, educational and recovery and group therapy approaches. It is recommended parents or guardians participate in sessions so they can learn the therapy strategies to implement at the home.
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Maree can provide sessions at your home, school or via telehealth. Group programs are provided in community.
All referrals will be individually reviewed to ensure we are the best therapist fit before accepting the referral.
Our Vision
To create an inclusive community where every individual, regardless of disability, can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Our Mission
To empower individuals through personalised, creative occupational therapy, guided by an evidence-based practice approach to foster independence and resilience.
Our Values
Empowerment
Inclusivity
Creativity
Integrity
The 4 Pillars
The 4 Pillars theory has been used to shape how we deliver all of our services.
1. DOING
Doing is an essential part of being human. It is usually to meet some need or to produce some form of end-product, whether it’s writing a sentence for your teacher or riding a bicycle with friends.
2. BEING
This is about who we are and doing tasks is a reflection of this. This involves the important roles in our lives, such as being a student, being a friend, being a son/daughter. Participating in tasks gives us a chance to be who we are and express that through the tasks we do.
3. BECOMING
Participating in tasks is also important for developing the person we are going to be. For children, this is even more important as their choices, successes and experiences in everyday tasks shape the person they are going to become.
4. BELONGING
To join in with others in tasks, or to share the same values fosters a sense of belonging to a group. Whether this is eating dinner with the family or playing football on the green, it is through participation that we establish our place in our communities.
(Wilcock, 1999)
Meet the Team
Maree Smith
Occupational Therapist
Founder
Maree is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with over eight years of experience supporting people across all stages of life. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy from Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand (2015), and completed her Honours in 2016 with research focused on how meaningful participation builds resilience in Maori and Indigenous youth.
Her career has spanned a wide range of settings in both New Zealand and Australia, including hospitals, housing and homelessness services, return-to-work programs, aged care, and the disability sector. Since 2022, Maree has worked primarily within the NDIS space, specialising in support for children, youth, and young adults.
As a neurodivergent therapist herself, Maree brings a deep, personal understanding to her work. Her lived experience allows her to connect authentically with her clients and practice from a neuro-affirming approach ensuring therapy is strengths-based, inclusive, and respectful of each person's unique needs.
Maree is known for her ability to build genuine, lasting relationships with the people she supports-many of whom she's worked with since the beginning of her NDIS journey. She is passionate about helping individuals thrive through meaningful engagement and compassionate, tailored care.