Group Therapy & Programs at Koru Therapies

school HOLIDAY PROGRAMS @ kORU THERAPIES - SUMMER 2026

Our school holiday groups offer a playful and purposeful way for children to stay engaged, build skills, and connect with others outside the classroom. Led by our experienced therapy team, these short-format programs blend movement, creativity, and social learning in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Illustration of a smiling child dancing with music notes, promoting the Creative Steps therapy program.

Ages: 5–14
Focus: Emotional regulation, social connection, and expressive arts
Format: Multi-day school holiday program

Summary: A supportive and expressive art-based group for primary aged children navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or social challenges.

Ages: Primary school-aged children
Focus: Fine motor skills, pencil grasp, writing confidence
When: School holidays (multiple days)
Summary: A fun and practical group to support the foundations of confident handwriting through movement and play.

Ages: 7–8, 9–12, and 12+
Focus: Social communication, teamwork, flexible thinking, and group participation
Format: School holiday therapy program (minimum 4 sessions)

Summary: Kick off with our fun LEGO® holiday group to build teamwork and social confidence. Ideal for testing fit before enrolling in the structured 10-week program.

Ages: Primary school-aged children
Focus: Motor planning, sensory processing, social skills
When: School holidays (multiple days)
Summary:
An adventure-themed holiday group combining physical play, imagination, and peer connection in a supportive setting.

TAKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR OUR TERM 1, 2026 GROUPS AND PROGRAMS

At Koru Therapies, we believe in the power of group-based therapy to nurture social confidence, emotional resilience, and functional development. Our programs are run by experienced therapists and tailored to meet children where they’re at — whether that’s through creative expression, movement, or structured skill-building.

Ages: 4-12
Focus: Body awareness, motor planning, strength, balance, and coordination
When: Weekly sessions during term
Summary: Designed for children who need extra support with coordination and body control in a fun, supportive group setting.

Ages: 5–14
Focus: Emotional regulation, sensory exploration, creative expression
Summary: A creative arts therapy led group using movement, music, and visual art to support self-regulation, connection, and creativity.

Ages: 4–6
Focus: Creative expression, body awareness, emotional regulation
When: Weekly during school terms, delivered onsite at preschools and early learning centres
Summary: A creative arts therapy group using music, movement, and play to support regulation, expression, and confidence — delivered in your child’s early learning setting.

Child smiling in a swimming pool with a pool noodle, promoting the Aquatic Acrobats therapy program.

Ages: 3+
Focus: Whole-body movement, motor coordination, strength, and sensory regulation 
When/Where: Term-time program, Varying days, 12:00pm – 3:15pm. Oak Flats Swimming Pool
Summary: A supportive aquatic therapy program building confidence and whole-body movement through play in water.

TERM 3 & 4 ONLY

Ages: 4–6
Focus: School readiness, routine participation, early learning foundations
When: Terms 3 & 4, weekly small group sessions
Summary: Supports pre-schoolers in developing the confidence, communication, and independence needed to thrive in a school environment.

Ready to Join a Group in Term 1, 2026?

We’d love to learn more about your child and help you find the right group to support their goals and interests.

Complete our Expression of Interest form, and a member of our team will be in touch to guide you through next steps.

Please note:
Our group programs are offered subject to sufficient participant numbers. We aim to create groupings that are thoughtfully matched based on age, developmental needs, social compatibility, and shared interests to ensure the best possible experience for all participants. If minimum numbers are not met, families will be contacted with alternative options.

Fiona Gordon

Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)

Fiona Gordon is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (Dietitians Australia), graduating from the University of Wollongong in 2008. She supports families and children across the Illawarra with mealtime guidance and a positive, neurodiversity-affirming approach to food. 

Fiona commonly assists with disabilities, food intolerances and eating difficulties, including ARFID, focusing on confident feeding, reduced stress at mealtimes, and practical nutrition that helps children grow and thrive.

Fiona Gordon, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with Dietitians Australia, contractor at Koru Allied Therapies in the Illawarra

Sunne Apete

Allied Health Assistant (AHA)

Sunny Apete joined Koru after a successful student placement and now provides calm, practical therapy support across clinic, home and school settings. Working alongside our clinicians, she helps children work towards their goals through play-based, everyday activities and keeps things simple for families with clear communication and easy home strategies. Her style is warm, patient and child-focused, so sessions feel welcoming and achievable.

Based on the NSW South Coast, Sunny supports our families south of Kiama, including Nowra, Bomaderry and the wider Shoalhaven. She coordinates closely with our OTs, EPs and Creative Arts Therapist so care is consistent across environments, and she loves celebrating the small wins that build confidence and participation over time.

Deb Hanslow

Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) + Allied Health Assistant (AHA)

Deb Hanslow is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Allied Health Assistant at Koru Allied Therapies, currently completing her Master of Occupational Therapy. With a background in dance teaching, gymnastics coaching and swim instruction, Deb helps children build confidence, develop functional skills and take part in the activities they love.

She works from a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach and is passionate about inclusive sport and recreation programs that support kids of all abilities to learn, grow and thrive.

Deb, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and Allied Health Assistant at Koru Allied Therapies in Kiama Downs, NSW, currently studying a Master of Occupational Therapy

At Koru, Deb also facilitates group, holiday & hydrotherapy programs, learn more by clicking the buttons below:

Body Rockers children’s movement and fitness therapy group – Koru Allied Therapies
Koru Explorers school holiday therapy program – outdoor adventures and skill-building for kids at Koru Allied Therapies
Aquatic Acrobats water-based therapy program for kids – Koru Allied Therapies

Want to swap ideas on kids, therapy, and all things movement? Let’s connect on LinkedIn.

Taylah La Monica

Client Services & Administration | AHA |

Taylah is part of the Client Services & Administration team at Koru Allied Therapies, welcoming families and keeping bookings and communication running smoothly. With a Cert III in Allied Health Assistance and ongoing OT study, Taylah also supports clinicians as an AHA when needed, helping sessions run efficiently and ensuring a positive experience for children and families.

Taylah La Monica, Client Services & Administration at Koru Allied Therapies; Allied Health Assistant as required

Ebony Poort

occupational therapist

Ebony Poort is an Occupational Therapist and proud local, bringing a calm, neuro-affirming approach to therapy. Her sessions are play-based and practical, with a focus on regulation, attention, fine motor skills and social connection so progress shows up at home, school and in the community.

Ebony is developing further skills in DIR Floortime and LEGO®-based therapy and loves tailoring activities to each child’s interests and energy. She works closely with families, teachers and our clinical team to set clear, achievable goals and simple home strategies that fit real life.

What she enjoys most is seeing children grow in confidence—celebrating the small wins that add up over time and helping them participate more fully in the things that matter to them.

Katelen De Coster

Client Services & Administration

Katelen De Coster is part of the Client Services & Administration team at Koru Allied Therapies. She welcomes families, manages enquiries and bookings, and keeps communication running smoothly.

Katelen is studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science with an interest in becoming an Exercise Physiologist, bringing a practical, movement-aware perspective to her client support role.

Katelen De Coster, Client Services & Administration at Koru Allied Therapies in Kiama Downs, NSW, studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science

Teagan Hartley

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT

Teagan joined Koru Allied Therapies in April 2022 as we prepared to open our Therapy Hub. She keeps the team organised and the hub running smoothly, coordinating bookings and supporting families with a friendly, efficient approach. As part of our admin and client services team, Teagan works closely with clinicians and fellow admin to ensure clear communication and a great experience from first contact to ongoing care.

Teagan Hartley, Administration & Client Services at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong

Amber Jackson

CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST

Amber is a recently graduated creative arts therapist who is specialised in providing Dance and Movement therapy. We are excited to announce she will be providing her services to Koru Allied Therapies. Amber is a member of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA).

Amber enjoys utilising her Allied Health skills to support a range of therapeutic goals. Goals are individualised and can include: emotional identification and regulation, developing social skills, communication and connection with others, increasing body awareness, supporting self-expression and creativity, development of motor skills and developing a positive sense of self.

Chelsea Monaghan

Allied Health Assistant

Chelsea is our Allied Health Assistant, providing therapy and support services to our children and families. 

Chelsea has a training background as a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) and supporting kids to thrive in their learning and developmental goals.

Chelsea works with our allied health therapists to deliver agreed therapy and support goals in our rooms, as well as in homes and schools. 

Chelsea Monaghan, Allied Health Assistant at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong

Neville Coleman

DIRECTOR + EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST

Neville Coleman is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Co-Director at Koru Allied Therapies. He supports children, teens and adults to build movement confidence, strength and endurance so everyday life, work and sport feel more achievable.

His sessions combine playful, goal-focused activities for kids with evidence-informed exercise and conditioning for adults. Neville’s key areas include musculoskeletal rehab, persistent pain, deconditioning, return-to-work/sport, and general fitness. He collaborates closely with Koru’s therapy team, GPs and other clinicians, and works in a calm, neuro-affirming way so people feel safe and supported.

Kate Coleman

DIRECTOR + OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kate has been working as an Occupational Therapist with children and their families for over 10 years.

She is passionate about a family centred service and using a coaching style to help empower families to support their children to participate every single day. Kate has completed further training to provide feeding and mealtime therapy.

Kate has worked with children and families with a wide range of needs, including learning difficulties, genetic conditions, autism and neurological conditions.

 

Kate Coleman

DIRECTOR + OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kate has been working as an Occupational Therapist with children and their families for over 10 years.

She is passionate about a family centred service and using a coaching style to help empower families to support their children to participate every single day. Kate has completed further training to provide feeding and mealtime therapy.

Kate has worked with children and families with a wide range of needs, including learning difficulties, genetic conditions, autism and neurological conditions.

 
Kate Coleman, Occupational Therapist and Director at Koru Allied Therapies in Gerringong

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