Meet the team!

Marissa has been a physiotherapist since 2007 and has a wealth of experience in the area of acute and sub-acute neurological rehabilitation in both the adult and paediatric sector. 

Marissa’s clinical interests are in the area of activity based rehabilitation (including locomotor training) and gait analysis. 

She is dedicated to providing evidence based interventions for all of her clients. Marissa has extensive experience in providing locomotor training for children with cerebral palsy, having been  involved as a Senior Physiotherapist in the iStride Locomotor Training Research Program at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and Curtin University, Perth Australia.

Alyson is a passionate and experienced not-for-profit veteran with over 15 years in executive administration and leadership roles within the sector.  

Additionally, her professional endeavours include executive administration and curriculum roles in the private school sector.  

Most recently, Alyson was employed at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. 

Alyson graduated from Curtin University many, many years ago with a double major in Journalism and Political Science and more recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Divinity.  

She is a strong advocate of life-long learning and hopes to complete her Master's degree 'one day soon'. 

Matthew spent three years in the public health system working at Derby Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital across Cerebral Palsy Orthopaedics, Rehab Mobility Clinics, Rehab in the Community and ward-based roles before returning to Healthy Strides in 2024!

His commitment to evidence-based practice drives his passion to support and upskill families in making informed decisions about interventions and approaches for goal achievement and meaningful outcomes.

As coordinator of Paediatric Pathways, Matthew is excited to collaborate with international experts and compile novel high-quality research to equip Allied Health clinicians with the knowledge and tools needed to be truly evidence-based in paediatric neurodisability practice.

Sophia has been practising as a physiotherapist since 2010, with over 5 years experience providing rehabilitation for children with neurological conditions. Sophia has worked at Princess Margaret Hospital (now Perth Children’s Hospital), community-based disability services and the WA Country Health Service. 

She has a passion for evidence based practise with a strong interest in activity based rehabilitation, along with a belief that children should be involved with their goal setting and therapy provision whenever possible. She loves to build children’s capacities and confidence to set and achieve their own goals and therefore realise their own potential. 

After being a volunteer and Therapy Assistant, Jordan has joined the Healthy Strides team as a qualified Physiotherapist.

Jordan is part of the Healthy Strides research and therapy team and has been a core contributor to the new Participate Program. 

Jordan has interests in biomechanical analysis, locomotor training, and activity-based rehabilitation. Jordan is passionate about providing evidence-based interventions that guides children to achieve their own set goals.

Kaitlin joined the Healthy Strides team in 2023 as a new graduate physiotherapist. 

She has always had a love of working with kids, having worked as a swim teacher and sports trainer for junior hockey before starting her career as a physiotherapist.

Kaitlin is passionate about helping kids achieve their goals, and facilitating a sense of community and inclusion for everyone. 

A fun fact about Kaitlin is that she lived in Bolivia for 7 years! She loves experiencing different cultures and learning languages. In her free time, she loves playing hockey, trying new foods and swimming at the beach. 

Caitlyn joined the foundation in 2022 as a therapy assistant - whilst completing her Occupational Therapy studies. 

Having volunteered with the team over the past several years, it was an easy transition for Caitlyn to join our team as a professional in 2023.

Completing her studies in late 2022, Caitlyn joins our team as part of the new graduate program and will be integrated into both our clinical and research teams in 2023.

Passionate about evidence-based practice and seeing children and young adults attain new skills, participate in activities and achieve their goals - we look forward to the continued progression of Caitlyn's career in paediatrics!

Meagan is an experienced Allied Health Assistant having worked in both the aged care sector as well as in the provision of intensive therapy, locomotor training programs for children with cerebral palsy at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and Curtin University, Perth Australia. 

Meagan understands the importance of targeted therapies to improve outcomes as well as the need to ensure that children and engaged and motivated during their therapy sessions. Meagan is passionate about research and is dedicated to ensuring that therapy is the right balance of focused work and fun.

Zoe graduated as an Allied Health Assistant with a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance in 2022.

She has considerable experience working with children through daycare and out of school hours services. With a Certificate III and IV in Education Support as well, Zoe doesn't just have the necessary experience but she also has the knowledge to support children to learn through the establishment of safe and enriched environments.

Passionate about enabling children to reach their goals through evidence based therapy, she joins an illustrious team of Allied Health Assistants, many of whom have been recognised nationally for their excellence in paediatric practice and have even won national awards for their clinical and research work.