About

Sonia Brymer is the owner and enthusiastic Senior Occupational Therapist at Fruitful Health. She graduated from the University of South Australia in 2006. Sonia has worked in various hospital and community health settings and has most recently been working in private practice. Sonia is now following her long term dream of creating the paediatric health service of her heart’s desire.

It was while she was still in secondary school, Sonia discovered her love for Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration. She was in awe as she completed a work experience placement with Veronica Steer from OT Plus Adelaide. Something ignited in her spirit. Then, during her university studies she nurtured her keen interest in working with children who have sensory and developmental difficulties, particularly those who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, by seeking out the opportunity to volunteer at Autism SA. She is very grateful for the time she spent there.

When she was young, her family regularly visited Mildura for holidays, and she has very fond memories of this. Just like with her career choice, Sonia felt drawn to make the move to Mildura to begin her career. She soon fell in love with the community and now feels called to serve through her work here.

In her practice, Sonia’s approach is very child led, gentle but motivating, warm, nurturing and deeply caring. She always sees the potential and believes that every child has their own individual aptitudes and that they have been created to be unique with a special purpose only they can fulfil. Her desire is to assist parents to support their child’s growth and development through the early years to help them to reach their full potential and she loves to watch children flourish!

In her personal life, Sonia enjoys caring for and home schooling her three children, learning about natural health, tending to her veggie garden and pets, playing the piano and travelling where possible. She is also a retired competitive figure skater, competitive dancer and professional dancer who has now taken up the challenge of learning off ice skating.

A professional development achievement she is most proud of is becoming a Gold Star graduate of the ‘SenseUp Approach Signature Course’ (Kerry Evetts, SenseUp).

Her insatiable thirst for knowledge in her career has led her to complete many other postgraduate professional development training courses, workshops and seminars, such as:

• Alert Program – Mary Sue Williams & Sherry Shellenberger (Therapy Works Inc)
• Emotional Regulation 101 – Verve OT
• Primitive Reflexes – Master Level (Harkla) Rachel Harrington & Jessica Hill
• Sensory Strategies Masterclass – Kerry Evetts (SenseUp)
• Interoception and Self-Regulation Masterclass – Kerry Evetts (SenseUp)
• Certified Provider of The Listening Program – ‘The Listening Program Provider Certification Training’ – Tracey Butler (Links to Learning)
• Introductory course to DIR Floortime – Dr Stanley Greenspan (ICDL)
• Sensory Defensiveness: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach (Wilbarger & Wilbarger Therapressure Brushing Protocol)
• Understanding and Supporting Children’s Behaviour – An Occupational Therapy Approach – Olivia Jackson and Frances Dobson (Occupational Therapy Paediatric Services)
• Hey Little Warrior Workshop – Karen Young (Compass)
• Complexities of ASD Assessment Workshop – Frances Saunders (Mindful ASD)
• A Developing Brain Workshop – Karen Young (Compass)
• Zones of Regulation – A Framework to address Self-Regulation & Emotional Control (The Social Mind)
• Interoception & Emotional Regulation – Kate French (Side by Side Psychology)
• How to Establish a Private Practice Workshop – Jacinta Belle (Occupational Therapy Australia)
• OT for Children: Principles of Assessment and Intervention Workshop – Olivia Jackson and Frances Dobson (Occupational Therapy Paediatric Services).