Book a free call with an OT
Book a free call

Who are OT4me?

We are a specialist occupational therapy service in York, providing sensory integration assessment and treatment for children, teenagers, and young adults. 

Our experienced occupational therapists work with families, schools, local authorities, case managers, and solicitors, offering tailored therapy, expert assessments, and tribunal support.

We also specialise in trauma and attachment assessment and intervention, supporting those with developmental trauma, sensory processing difficulties, and emotional regulation challenges. As an approved One Adoption provider, we offer expert care for adoptive families.

Depending on your child’s specific needs, therapy may be delivered in our clinic, at your home, at preschool, school, and/or in groups.

Treatment programs will be tailored to meet your child’s individual needs.

Our therapists have extensive experience across NHS, private, education, and charity sectors.

  • Solicitors/Case Managers
  • Parents/Carers
  • Local Authorities
  • NHS
  • Charities
  • Schools/Educational Institutions
  • Social Workers
  • Mental Health Professionals
  • Housing Authorities/Providers
  • Employers/Workplace Representatives
  • Advocacy Groups
  • Police
  • Secure Services
  • Public Health Officials
  • Insurance Companies
  • Community Support Groups
  • Care Homes
  • Children's Homes
  • Adoption Support Fund
  • Diagnostic Services/Providers

WHO WE WORK WITH

We partner with families, schools, professionals, and organisations to provide the right support at the right time.

Our Expertise

  • Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), including PDA profile
  • Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Developmental delay
  • Learning disabilities
  • Sensory integration challenges
  • Selective mutism
  • Genetic and chromosomal syndromes (e.g., Down syndrome)
  • Cerebral palsy (including postural management needs)
  • Epilepsy
  • Functional Neurological Disorders (FND)
  • Paediatric injury (e.g., traumatic brain injury, fractures)
  • Complex disabilities (multiple co-occurring conditions)
  • Emotional regulation challenges
  • Mental health challenges (including anxiety and stress)
  • Trauma and attachment
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANS/PANDAS)
  • Vocational rehabilitation (particularly for older children and teens with disabilities)
Learn More

Client Testimonials

Hear from our customers, some of which have been with us for many years.

"I worried my daughter wouldn't join in because group sessions can be overwhelming. But the Superhero Training was so fun and well structured that he joined straight away. The team made it easy, and we'll definitely be back."
Sarah Wilson - Superhero Session Client
"Before starting OT, my daughter struggled with confidence and coordination. After one-to-one therapy at OT4me, she's more self-assured and independent in her daily activities. It’s been such a relief to see her progress."
Rebecca Miles – OT Client
"Our daughter Lily used to dread new environments, but after sensory integration sessions at OT4me she now looks forward to swinging, climbing, and playing. She always comes out smiling – it's been life-changing for our family."
Ananya Sharma - OT Client

We are rated 5-star on Google

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The Team

Click on each staff member’s profile to learn more about them.

Rosanne Holdsworth

Business Manager

Lizzie Huxford

Clinical Director

Rachel Derry

Team Leader OT

Louise Newton

Clinical Director

Beverley Nunes

Senior Occupational Therapist

Belinda Davis

Occupational Therapist

Holly Van Den Heever

OT Assistant

Emma Thompson

Occupational Therapist

Marion Cavan

Specialist Occupational Therapist – Trauma & Attachment

Helen Wood

Customer Service Administrator

Jess Lewis

Occupational Therapist

Why Families Choose OT4me

Calmer days at home and school

Children learn regulation strategies through play-based sensory integration therapy, helping them manage overwhelm and build confidence in daily life.

Growing skills and independence

From handwriting and self-care to social interaction, tailored OT sessions target the skills that matter most for your child’s success at school and beyond.

Parents who feel supported

We empower families with practical tools, expert guidance, and ongoing communication, so you feel confident and never alone on the journey.

Advocacy and expert statements

Whether it's school support, EHCPs, or tribunal input, our experienced therapists provide trusted assessments and reports to ensure your child's needs are recognised and met.

3 Simple Steps to Get Started

Step 1: Book a free call with an OT

Your first step is simple: book a free 30-minute call with an occupational therapist to talk about your child's needs.

Step 2: Personalised therapy plan

We listen to your concerns, complete assessments where needed, and design a tailored plan of therapy sessions and strategies for home and school.

Step 3: Progress you can see

Watch your child grow in confidence, independence, and regulation - while you feel supported with clear tools, guidance, and hope for the future.

Our Clinics

OT4me has two convenient locations – Our Headquarters is located in Bishopthorpe and we have a satellite clinic located in Derwent.

OT4me Bishopthorpe

OT4me Derwent

FAQs

At OT4me, we support babies, toddlers, children, teens, and young adults who need extra help to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Many of the children we work with experience burnout, mental health challenges, school non-attendance, sensory processing difficulties, or developmental differences.

We provide comprehensive, tailored assessments and therapy, delivered in our clinic, at home, in preschool or school settings, or through group sessions. Our aim is to help each child build confidence, develop independence, and achieve their goals, creating opportunities that have a lasting impact.

We also focus on helping children become school ready, ensuring they have the emotional, social, and practical foundations to succeed in education and daily life. Families and professionals benefit from our training sessions, which cover topics such as sensory integration awareness, play development, and readiness for school, empowering them to provide effective support.

The NHS provides excellent free resources and advice, but families often face long waiting lists and limited hands-on support. At OT4me, we offer more than fast access. We provide a personalised, hands-on approach designed to empower each child’s unique strengths, help them overcome barriers, and build long-term confidence and independence.

You benefit from:

  • Assessments within 4–6 weeks (not months)

  • A practical, tailored treatment plan for your child

  • Specialist expertise in sensory integration, mental health, trauma, and attachment work

  • Evidence-based practice, applying the latest emerging research

  • Specialist OT groups in areas such as social participation and feeding support

  • Ongoing family support through therapeutic parent coaching

  • Access to our free monthly Ask the Expert groups, where parents and carers can learn and ask questions

  • Clinical leadership, including co-facilitation of Mental Health & Sensory Training Workshops with ASI WISE, an internationally recognised UK training provider of Ayres Sensory Integration®

Our structured pathway typically spans 6–8 months, creating opportunities for lasting progress and independence. It may include:

  • A comprehensive assessment of your child’s needs, strengths, and environment

  • Tailored treatment such as sensory integration therapy, interoception training, handwriting support, sleep strategies, positive behaviour approaches, Sensory Attachment Intervention, aquatic therapy, Theraplay, environmental audits, and more

  • Specialist OT groups focusing on social participation and feeding skills

  • Therapeutic parent coaching, giving you practical tools to support progress at home

  • Regular reviews to ensure strategies are embedded in daily life, building confidence, independence, and long-term outcomes

Families choose OT4me because we offer more than short-term therapy. We provide specialist, evidence-based interventions that create lasting positive change:

  • Specialist services in sensory integration, mental health, trauma, and attachment work

  • Use of the latest research-informed approaches

  • Internationally recognised clinical leadership, with team members co-facilitating training through ASI WISE (a UK and international provider of Ayres Sensory Integration® training)

  • Support to help children become school ready, building the skills to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally

  • A holistic approach combining direct therapy, group interventions, parent coaching, and school input

  • Free monthly Ask the Expert groups, giving families ongoing guidance and empowerment

This combination ensures every child receives care that celebrates their uniqueness, helps them overcome barriers, and builds the foundations for life-long confidence.

Yes. Beyond therapy, OT4me continues to support families with:

  • Hands-on post-diagnostic support, tailored for children, teenagers, and young adults

  • Therapeutic parent coaching, giving parents and carers practical strategies they can use every day

  • Free monthly Ask the Expert groups, covering sensory needs, emotional regulation, sleep, school strategies, and more

  • Support with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and ongoing liaison with schools

  • Opportunities to join specialist OT groups, such as social participation and feeding, offering targeted, peer-supported progress

This continued support ensures children and young people gain confidence, operate more independently, and achieve positive long-term outcomes.

Yes. In addition to supporting families directly, OT4me partners with professionals and organisations to create opportunities for children and young people to thrive in education and later in the workplace:

  • EHCP assessments, reports, and ongoing support to ensure children’s needs are clearly identified and met in education

  • Specialist occupational therapy for children and families post-adoption and within foster services, delivered as a registered Adoption Support Fund provider

  • Tailored assessments, therapy, and training delivered directly within schools and colleges through individual contracts with education providers

  • Sensory environment audits for businesses and workplaces, helping employers design inclusive spaces that promote wellbeing, focus, and productivity.

Let's turn everyday experiences into extraordinary steps forward.​

Book a free call with an OT

Rosanne is the Office Manager at OT4me and has been with the team since April 2023. She’s the friendly face you’ll speak to during your time with us, always ready to help and make sure everything runs smoothly. 

Rosanne is highly organised and problem solver. When she’s not at work, Rosanne is a busy mum of two girls and loves spending time with her family. She’s also a fan of singing, star gazing, kayaking, catching a good movie, and enjoying meals out. A trip to Costa for a hot chocolate is one of her favourite treats!

Elizabeth Huxford is a Clinical Director and Specialist Occupational Therapist with extensive experience across diverse settings, including inpatient care, education, health, and secure services within the criminal justice system. She utilizes a trauma-informed approach to assessment and therapy, recognising the profound impact of early experiences and life challenges on individuals’ development and wellbeing.

With specialised training in Ayres Sensory Integration® and a deep understanding of neurodiversity, Elizabeth works with individuals from infancy through adulthood (ages 1 and beyond), supporting children, young people, and adults with a wide range of needs. Her areas of expertise include working with individuals with Down’s Syndrome, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, and those preparing for the transition to adulthood.
 
Elizabeth is also passionate about research, particularly in areas that explore therapeutic interventions and strategies for neurodiverse individuals, early development, and trauma-informed care. She combines evidence-based practices with a compassionate, person-centered approach to empower individuals and families, and provides training for parents/carers and professionals to enhance their understanding on specialist areas, environmental adaptations and support strategies.
I am a highly experienced Occupational Therapist, qualifying from York St John University in 2011 and Ulster University in 2018 after completing post-graduate training in Sensory Integration Therapy in 2016. With over 13 years of expertise, I have worked extensively with children and young people aged 3-18 across education and health settings.
 
I am passionate about supporting children with diverse needs and have particular interest in trauma-informed therapies as well as developing interoceptive awareness. 
 
I specialise in functional and sensory integration assessments and provide comprehensive services through OT4me Ltd, including assessments, EHCP contributions, tribunal support, therapy sessions, Ayres’ Sensory Integration® Therapy and use tools such as Interoceptive Curriculum.
 
Rachel plays a pivotal role at OT4me, supporting and managing our dedicated team of occupational therapists. With a warm and approachable leadership style, she fosters a collaborative and positive environment where every team member feels empowered to grow.
 
Rachel is passionate about continuous professional development, always encouraging her colleagues to expand their skills and knowledge. Her commitment to excellence and unwavering support ensures that both our team and the clients we serve thrive.
Louise Newton brings extensive expertise to her role as Clinical Director, with a wealth of experience spanning community, hospital, and forensic mental health services. Her career has included working with a diverse range of clients, including children, individuals with learning disabilities, and those navigating mental health challenges.

A specialist in Ayres Sensory Integration® and an advocate for neurodiversity, Louise is skilled in diagnosing and supporting clients who are Autistic (including Pathological Demand Avoidance, PDA) and Dyspraxia. She has a particular talent for working with children and adolescents who present with complex profiles, providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to their unique needs.

Louise is also highly experienced in tribunal work, offering vital support to families navigating this challenging process. She leads a large team of occupational therapists and administrative staff, fostering a culture of excellence through supervision, mentorship, and continued professional development.

Committed to lifelong learning, Louise stays at the forefront of her field by engaging in up-to-date, evidence-based training programs and mentoring others in advanced sensory integration techniques. Her dedication to supporting both clients and fellow practitioners is at the heart of her practice.
Beverley is an experienced Occupational Therapist. With over a year of experience in the NHS and various care sectors, Beverley has worked across a broad range of settings, including hospital, community, charity, and private sectors. She is passionate about supporting individuals in their journey to access the world in which they live in, in a way that is important to them.
 
Beverley is A specialist in Ayres Sensory Integration® (CLASI certification), further enhancing their expertise in working with individuals with sensory processing challenges. From her studies and experience with OT4me, Beverley is able to understand and support those autistic individuals, others with neurodiverse conditions, and mental health difficulties.
 
With a strong commitment to providing holistic, person-centered care, Beverley is passionate about continued learning from people and children she meets, as well as research and reading, to build on her knowledge and skills, to help those they work with achieve their fullest potential. She enjoys working closely with children and their families, through play and conversations.

Belinda is an Occupational Therapist who trained at the University of Cape Town, earning a BSc Occupational Therapy (Hons) in 1995 and an MSc Occupational Therapy in 2007. She completed post-graduate training in Sensory Integration Therapy at the University of Liverpool in 2001 and 2002 and holds an up-to-date enhanced DBS.

With over 10 years of experience working with children and young people in education and community health settings, Belinda is fully insured and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). She has supported children from birth to 18 years with various complex health and social needs, including Learning Disabilities, Sensory Processing Disorder, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, Behavioural difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

As a mother of three children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Belinda has personal experience in parenting children with special needs and brings personal experience to her professional practice. She is a compassionate Occupational Therapist who is passionate about Sensory Integration and Play. Belinda enjoys connecting with children and their families through engaging, person-centred therapy sessions, insightful assessments and creative problem-solving when developing strategies to enhance independence and well-being.

Holly is an Occupational Therapy Assistant and Apprentice at OT4me. She first joined the team as a student on placement and, after enjoying her time so much, was delighted to continue in a permanent role.

Alongside her work, she is completing her Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Huddersfield through an apprenticeship, which allows her to combine academic learning with hands-on experience.

She is passionate about supporting children and young people to develop independence, confidence and life skills through meaningful activities tailored to their needs. She particularly enjoys working creatively, using play and everyday tasks to make therapy engaging and rewarding.

Marion Cavan is a Specialist Occupational Therapist with nearly 30 years of experience, working in the field of Developmental Trauma and Attachment. She qualified in 1996 in York and holds post-graduate training in Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment Intervention, Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), and EMDR.

Marion has worked across paediatrics and CAMHS in England and Scotland, and spent 9 years as a Consultant Trauma and Attachment Therapist. She now leads a new clinical pathway for children with Developmental Trauma at OT4me. Marion enjoys long walks and travelling in her campervan. 
Helen is the dedicated Customer Service Administrator at OT4me, where she collaborates closely with Rosanne in the office. She is the primary point of contact for families, assisting them with their needs and appointments. Helen ensures a smooth and supportive experience for everyone she interacts with.

Outside of her professional role, Helen is a busy mum. She actively volunteers at her children’s primary school, often helping out on school trips. In her free time, Helen enjoys spending quality time with her family, taking long walks in the countryside, reading, visiting the theatre and cinema, and swimming.

Jess is an experienced and dedicated Occupational Therapist with a strong passion for supporting children with complex needs.

In 2009, Jess gained a foundation degree in Counselling Studies and then graduated with a first-class BSc in Occupational Therapy in 2022. She is currently in the final stages of her postgraduate training in Sensory Integration.

Jess’s journey into occupational therapy has been shaped by over 17 years of working with children and adults who have a range of complex needs—including genetic conditions, learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, autism, ADHD, and PDA profile. Her experience spans various settings, from schools and charities to community projects across the globe. This diverse background informs her inclusive, holistic, and person-centred approach.

She is particularly passionate about occupational therapy within educational settings, where she focuses on creating inclusive environments, and supporting children’s sensory and occupational needs to enable them to thrive and access their learning.

Outside of work, Jess enjoys spending time with her son, listening to music, being outdoors, and travelling the world