Meet our Minerva Educate
WISDOM SERIES PRESENTERS
Carla graduated as an occupational therapist in 1988. To enhance her knowledge of mental health, she completed post-graduate courses in psycholinguistics and psychopathology in 1992. Carla has further received training in unstructured play therapy, psychodrama, Sensory Integration theory and Group dynamics. She has worked as a mental health occupational therapist in South Africa, England and Australia in a range of clinical, management and leadership roles.
CARLA VAN HEERDEN
Director & Senior Occupational Therapist
Elise was born in South Africa and moved to Brisbane to study Occupational Therapy at the University of QLD in 2000. She graduated in 2003, and after obtaining her first position at The Park Centre for Mental Health has continued her career in Mental Health Services for the past 18 years. Elise has extensive community based clinical experience in working with people experiencing severe and enduring mental illnesses including Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders and Complex Trauma. She has personal experience of the impact that mental illness can have on carers and family members and strives to be inclusive of carers and significant others in her work.
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ELISE HAMPTON
Minerva Occupational Therapist
SAMANTHA BUNKER
Minerva Occupational Therapist
My name is Samantha, and I am one of the Occupational Therapist that works for Minerva Allied Health services in the Sunshine Coast office. I have a great passion for working with individuals that have psychosocial disabilities and facilitating them to reach their full potential and optimal wellbeing. To do this I base my practice on the Vona Du Toit Model of Creative Ability.
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PAMELA MEREDITH
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Pamela Meredith is Professor and Head of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences at Sunshine Coast University, and retains an honorary position at the University of Queensland where she worked for 20 years prior to commencing at CQU.
Pam has published widely on the topic of attachment theory, and is involved in a number of research projects in which attachment and sensory preferences are being investigated together.
MICHAEL BURBANK
Michael Burbank's personal theorising on the nature of mental illness, resilience and recovery comes from the experience of enduring a violent childhood and the trauma of being incarcerated in prisons and mental health units as a younger adult. Michael now devotes his time, energy and passion to bring about change in mental health service delivery through working with individuals and organisations.
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He currently works as educator of the Certificate IV in mental health peer support for TAFE Queensland.
Lived Experience Consultant & Trainer