Catherine Lobanov

Being part of a child's journey

I grew up with a strong appreciation for connection, community, and supporting others, and that naturally shaped the path I took into occupational therapy.

I was drawn to paediatric practice because I love being part of a child's journey as they develop skills, discover their strengths, and build confidence in their everyday life. I feel incredibly lucky to support children, teens, and their families through the ups and downs, celebrating progress and creating meaningful change along the way.

Before becoming an OT, I gained valuable experience in paediatric settings as an Allied Health Assistant, a paediatric support worker, and a kindergarten assistant within an Inclusion Support Service. Those roles strengthened my passion for supporting children and families, and gave me a deeper understanding of how much it matters to create inclusive, supportive environments where every child can thrive.

Getting to know each person as an individual

The thing I love most about OT is getting to know each person as an individual, and finding ways to support them that feel meaningful and achievable. Every child and teenager has their own strengths, personality, interests, and way of experiencing the world, and I love helping them recognise and build on these.

I find it incredibly rewarding to see children gain confidence, try something new, advocate for themselves, and feel proud of their achievements.

The relationships built with families are such an important part of my work. Being trusted to support them is something I value deeply.

Children are the experts in their own experiences

I believe children and young people are the experts in their own experiences, and my role is to listen, understand, and support them in ways that honour who they are.

I work closely with families to understand their goals, priorities, and what matters most in their everyday lives. I aim to create a safe and supportive space where children feel comfortable being themselves while building skills and confidence.

I hope children and families come away feeling heard, understood, and supported, and that therapy is a positive and empowering experience where their strengths are recognised. My goal is for families to feel confident, to have practical strategies they can use in everyday life, and to know they have someone in their corner.

Seeing the person beyond their challenges

My work is guided by empathy, respect, collaboration, curiosity, and celebrating individual strengths. I value seeing the person beyond their challenges, and recognising the unique qualities each child brings.

• Empathy and respect
• Collaboration and curiosity
• Celebrating individual strengths
• The person beyond the challenge

I believe support works best when families, children, and therapists work together as a team.

Helping children understand themselves

I enjoy working with children and teenagers across a range of developmental stages, supporting them to build confidence, independence, and the skills that help them take part in everyday activities. I have a particular interest in a few areas:

I'm especially passionate about neuro-affirming practice, and creating supports that recognise and celebrate neurodiversity. I love using strengths-based approaches and working collaboratively with families to develop strategies that fit naturally into everyday life. Most of all, I love supporting children to understand themselves, recognise their strengths, and feel empowered in their own way.

My happy place is the beach