OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

Annette Nel and Annalie Meyer are partners at Optima@RustenVrede Hospital. Together, they lead Growing Oaks by Meyer and Nel Occupational Therapy, providing services within the hospital setting as well as outpatient services.

ANNETTE

NEL

My passion is seeing patients live whole-hearted, fulfilling and healthy lives. I am constantly in pursuit of new and fresh ideas to help each patient holistically to find that sweet spot in life where, even though life is challenging, you have the skills to cope.

I am constantly developing my knowledge on human behaviour and how to optimise our functioning through implementing routines and habits that support our highest values.

ANNALIE

MEYER

My passion is to collaborate with clients to nurture these needs again. I love being part of a process where clients experience mastering of tasks, big or small. Where they start enjoying long forgotten activities and passions again. Where their creative spark is reignited. Where they feel like they belong.

It is a privilege to be part of this beautiful process where people become who they have the potential to be through engagement in occupations and relating to others.

MORE ABOUT
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational therapists help people function better in daily life when mental health challenges affect their ability to cope, work, study, care for themselves, or relate to others.

Simply put, we focus on how mental health impacts everyday activities — and how to rebuild rhythm, purpose, confidence, and practical coping skills.

Occupational Therapy Groups

Occupational therapy groups form an integral part of the Optima group programme. Each ward has its own age-appropriate programme designed to meet the specific needs of adults, teens, and children.

Our therapeutic approach draws from:

The Interactive Groupwork Model (IGM)
Activity-based experiential therapy
DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) principles

Groups are experiential based. We work on:

Connecting to self, self-esteem and self-confidence
Social participation and interpersonal effectiveness
Mindfulness
Sensory strategies for self-regulation
Creating psychological safety
Emotional regulation
Distress tolerance
Resilience

Creative modalities such as art, movement, drumming, reflective exercises, and structured group discussions are used to deepen insight, practice new skills, and facilitate emotional expression.

Everyone admitted to Optima is encouraged to attend OT groups. Groups provide a structured space where clients are seen, heard, and supported. Sharing space with others facing similar challenges reduces isolation, builds hope, and allows practical skills to be practiced in a supportive environment where progress matters more than perfection.

Individual Occupational Therapy

Patients may be referred for individual OT sessions by their treating psychiatrist or psychologist.

Individual sessions allow for focused, personalised intervention. We frequently use sensory intelligence principles to develop a sensory profile, which helps clients understand how their nervous system influences emotions, behaviours, relationships, and daily functioning.

Individual OT may focus on:

Sensory profiling and sensory coaching
Emotional regulation and practical coping strategies
Establishing sustainable routines and daily rhythms
Anxiety management
Mood, motivation, and self-esteem support
Functional assessments
Return-to-work support
Parent guidance and feedback for children and teens

The Occupational Therapy team at Optima consists of experienced therapists with diverse skills and special interests in mental health.

We work holistically, focusing not only on symptoms, but on how mental health affects daily life, relationships, roles, and overall functioning.

Our aim is practical: to help clients restore balance, build skills, and re-engage meaningfully in everyday life.

meet
our team

STEPHANIE

COETZEE

My approach to mental health recovery is practical, structured, and action-oriented.I work primarily with teenagers, young adults, and adults.

I have a particular passion for supporting individuals who experience anxiety, are highly sensitive, or are navigating neurodiversity.

SHAYNA

VAN HEERDEN

I am passionate about adding life to days in all ways possible, and particularly enjoy working through a trauma informed somatic lens to nurture self awareness, connection and growth. I work to provide a safe space for children to regulate and play, utilizing a child-lead DIR Floortime approach.

ROMAIN

GROENEWALD

What most draws me to mental health occupational therapy is its active, grounded approach to care. I am particularly interested in interventions that move beyond insight alone and support real-world change through doing, being, and becoming.

My areas of interest include facilitating therapeutic groups, using creative and expressive methods, and working with individuals experiencing eating disorders, where embodied and activity-based interventions can play a vital role in recovery.

AMBER

DU PLESSIS

I have a strong interest in working with both adolescents and adults, particularly in areas such as emotional regulation, daily living skills, and building routines that support independence.

I enjoy creative and group-based interventions and am motivated by helping clients develop confidence, purpose, and a sense of balance in their everyday lives.

BACK TO TEAM

@

OPTIMA

RUSTENVREDE