Our Team
Sophie
Occupational Therapist
Sophie is the founder and senior occupational therapist at Troppo Paediatrics. She graduated with her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of South Australia in 2016 and has dedicated her career to working with children and their families.
Her diverse experience includes paediatric therapy in various settings, acute hospital work, and community-based services. During her time in the Northern Territory, Sophie gained valuable experience working with children under the NDIS throughout remote Arnhem Land communities, which deepened her commitment to meeting children in their familiar environments and integrating therapy meaningfully into their everyday lives.
After settling in Melbourne in 2021, Sophie continued her work in paediatrics before establishing Troppo Paediatrics — a practice she created to provide flexible, neurodiverse-affirming therapy.
Sophie is passionate about building a practice that recognises each child's unique strengths while providing practical, meaningful support in the environments where children naturally thrive. She looks forward to growing Troppo Paediatrics and supporting more families across Melbourne.
Mackenzie
Occupational Therapist
Mackenzie graduated with her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Australian Catholic University in 2023 and has dedicated her early career to working with children and their families.
Her diverse experience includes various roles working with children as a nanny, au-pair, disability support worker, and allied health assistant. During her educational journey, Mackenzie completed clinical placements across hospital settings and paediatric therapy services, which deepened her commitment to understanding children in their familiar environments and providing meaningful support.
After joining Troppo Paediatrics, Mackenzie has continued to develop her professional skills. She has completed specialised DIR/Floortime training and integrates these principles throughout her practice to enhance therapeutic relationships and child-led interventions.
Mackenzie is passionate about employing a strengths-based, individualised approach to therapy across diverse settings — schools, childcares/kindergartens, and homes. She values family-centred care and collaborative teamwork, and finds fulfilment in supporting children to achieve their goals while building strong connections with the families she works with.
Laurien
Occupational Therapist
Laurien graduated with her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Australian Catholic University and joined Troppo Paediatrics in January 2026.
Her background brings together over four years of experience working with children across a variety of settings, including roles as an allied health assistant and educator in a specialist school setting. As an allied health assistant, Laurien supported children with neurodevelopmental challenges to build fine and gross motor skills, social skills, and independence in daily routines. Working as an educator in a specialist school environment strengthened her neurodiversity-affirming practice, where she developed a keen ability to tailor support to each child's unique sensory, communication, and emotional regulation needs alongside a transdisciplinary team.
Laurien is passionate about family-centred, strengths-based therapy and values building genuine connections with the children and families she works with. She brings a warm, adaptable approach to her practice and looks forward to supporting children across clinic, school, and community settings at Troppo Paediatrics.