Healing Ways Therapy
We provide therapeutic, counselling, and occupational therapy services for children, young people and adults
Our approach is relational, creative and culturally responsive, with a particular focus on emotional wellbeing, identity, neurodiversity and the impact of life experiences and developmental trauma.
For children and young people, therapy incorporates play, creativity, yarning and activity to create a safe and egaging space to explore emotions, relationships, behaviour and experiences.
Occupational therapy assessment and intervention is also available for people who require support to understand their functional needs, sensory processing, everyday participation and independence.
Culture - Identity - Connection - Wellbeing
Therapy for Children
- Play based therapy
- Therapeutic Counselling
- Trauma-informed healing support
- Emotional regulation
- Identity and Self-esteem
- Neurodiversity affirming support
Occupational Therapy & Assessment
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- Sensory Assessments
- Motor Skills assessments
- Daily Living and independence
- NDIS OT intervention
Therapeutic Assessment
- Understanding emotional, behavioural and
developmental needs
- Therapeutic Formulation and Planning
- Recommendations for families, schools and care teams
Counselling and Wellbeing
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ affirming
- Support for adolescents and adults
Culturally Inclusive
LGBTQIA+ Safe
Neuro-Diverse Affirming
Trauma Informed
Disability Friendly
Healing Ways is a therapeutic practice supporting children, young people and adults through counselling, play-based therapy, occupational therapy and assessment. The practice was founded on the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding the whole person — their relationships, experiences, culture, identity, strengths and the environments around them.
Riwai Wilson
Principal Therapist / Occupational Therapist
I am an Occupational Therapist and therapeutic practitioner with over 20 years practice experience working across disability, mental health, traumatic brain injury, indigenous social and emotional wellbeing, and out of home care sectors.
My occupational therapy background gives me a broad understanding of development, sensory processing, neurodiversity, everyday functioning and the interaction between a person and their environment. My therapeutic work extends beyond traditional occupational therapy and draws on relational, developmental, trauma-informed, cultural frameworks and play-based approaches.
I work collaboratively with individuals, families, carers, schools and other professionals, particularly where a person’s needs are complex or where behaviour needs to be understood within the broader context of their life and experiences.
Our SERVICES
Healing Ways provides in-person and telehealth services for children, young people and adults across Melbourne.
Services include therapeutic support, counselling, occupational therapy and assessment. NDIS services are available for self-managed and plan-managed participants, alongside privately funded services.
THERAPY FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Healing Ways provides relational, play-based therapeutic support for children and young people experiencing emotional, behavioural, developmental and relational challenges.
Therapy is tailored to the individual child or young person and may incorporate play, creativity, movement, sensory experiences, conversation and shared activity. These approaches can provide different ways for children to communicate, explore their experiences and develop a stronger understanding of themselves.
Support may include emotional regulation; anxiety and mood; developmental trauma and significant life experiences; relationships and attachment; confidence and identity; ADHD and neurodivergence; social and play development; and behaviour that may be communicating underlying emotional or developmental needs.
COUNSELLING & THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT
Healing Ways provides individual therapeutic support for adolescents and adults experiencing challenges with emotional wellbeing, identity, relationships, neurodivergence and life transitions.
Therapy provides a collaborative space to make sense of experiences, explore patterns, strengthen emotional awareness and develop ways of responding that support greater wellbeing and connection.
Support can be provided in person or via telehealth.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY & ASSESSMENT
Occupational therapy supports people to understand and strengthen their capacity to participate in everyday life.
Assessment services may include Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA), sensory processing assessment, activities of daily living assessment, school functioning and participation, motor and functional assessment, and assessment to inform NDIS supports and planning.
Occupational therapy intervention may support independence, daily living, sensory regulation, routines, community participation and engagement in meaningful activities.
THERAPEUTIC ASSESSMENT & CONSULTATION
Healing Ways also provides therapeutic assessment and consultation where there is a need to develop a deeper understanding of a child or young person’s emotional, behavioural or developmental presentation.
Assessment considers the person within the context of their development, relationships, experiences, trauma, neurodivergence, culture, strengths and environment, rather than viewing behaviour or symptoms in isolation.
This may involve observation, individual sessions, consultation with parents, carers, schools and care teams, review of existing assessments and information, therapeutic formulation, and recommendations for ongoing support.
"Mā te huruhuru
ka rere te manu"
Adorn the bird with feathers so it may soar