About

Hi! I’m Zoë, welcome to RootsOT.  

I love being outdoors in nature, whether that’s in my garden or on an adventure above or below water! I’m passionate about all things gardening and exercise, I also love food, and most importantly cats! 

After starting a gardening group in a neglected courtyard garden of an inpatient mental health ward in 2010, I realised the transformation horticulture and fresh air can have on people experiencing mental ill health.  From humble beginnings of weeding, planting seeds and cleaning up cigarette butts, the ladies on the ward created a thriving garden and actively used the produce in weekly cooking groups and showcased their cultural dishes!  

I have since set up gardens on other inpatient wards and continued to enjoy watching people experience joy by planting and nurturing seeds and plants, learning new skills or re-kindling an old hobby.  

After my own experience of burn-out working in the NHS resulted in having several months off sick (I'd never had a day off before until then!), nature was central to my recovery at this time.  It not only provided a reason to get out of bed- I knew if I didn't go for a walk then I wouldn't leave the house- but a constant despite seasonal changes.  Seeing the landscape change and nature and wildlife going about their days provided me a sense of awe, hope and a realisation that I/we are part of something bigger.

Following this I completed training in Ecosensory Therapy, which inspired me to use nature more in my work and I now use walking and spending time in nature during sessions to allow people space to breathe and grow, using nature as a tool to promote positive changes, wellbeing and recovery, this can be particularly effective when traditional therapies in four walls have not felt beneficial. 

I am a specialist Occupational Therapist with over 14 years’ experience working in mental health care, both in NHS and private settings; working with people experiencing a variety of mental health conditions via both individual and group work to enable them to achieve their potential on their recovery journey.   

I specialise in providing skilled interventions for young people and working age adults with a variety of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, stress (including work/study related), personality disorders, bi-polar affective disorder and schizophrenia. I work collaboratively with clients to promote well-being and increase independence in ways that are meaningful to them.  

I also have experience of case management, vocational rehabilitation and assessing clients with a variety of physical health conditions for adaptive equipment and providing assessment and recommendations for minor and major adaptations to clients’ properties to enable them to maintain or regain their independence in and around their homes.