Q: What inspired you to become an Occupational Therapist?

A: I've always been drawn to helping people find ways to live their lives to the fullest. Occupational Therapy really resonated with me because it takes a holistic view – looking at the whole person, their environment, and the activities that are meaningful to them. My previous roles as a support worker and therapy assistant provided me firsthand insight into the challenges people can face and solidified my desire to gain the clinical skills to empower them more directly. OT allows me to combine problem-solving, creativity, and a genuine desire to make a practical difference in people's lives.

Q: What is your approach to therapy?

A: My approach is friendly and collaborative. My final year thesis for OT was centered around the strength-based and neurodiversity-affirming approach and supporting the experiences of autistic youth to create a safe and supportive environment. This is something I will bring to Estus Health!

Q: Can you tell us about your work experience before becoming an OT?

A: Before qualifying as an OT, I gained valuable experience in several roles as a pharmacy retail sales assistant, support worker and therapy assistant. These experiences have provided me a strong foundation in understanding different perspectives and the importance of clear, empathetic communication.

Q: How do your personal interests influence your work?

A: My interests definitely shape how I connect with people and approach therapy!

Anime & Gaming: These hobbies give me an appreciation for creativity, narrative, and different ways people engage and find 'flow'. It helps me understand clients who share these interests, build rapport, and sometimes even find creative ways to incorporate elements of gaming or storytelling into therapy activities if appropriate.

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

A: Outside of work, I love staying active! You might find me playing futsal, going for walks or runs, or occasionally hitting the gym. I also enjoy watching anime (always open to recommendations!) and playing video games to wind down.

Q: Are you currently accepting new clients?

A: Yes, I'm currently welcoming new clients for online therapy sessions!

Q: What's the most rewarding part of being an OT for you?

A: The most rewarding part is seeing the positive impact therapy can have on someone's life. Witnessing a client achieve a goal they've been working towards, whether it's mastering a daily task, returning to a beloved hobby, or simply feeling more confident in their abilities, is incredibly fulfilling. It's about empowering people to participate more fully in the activities that give their life meaning.

Q: So, who are you and what do you do?

A: Hi there! I’m Liam Fagan, an Occupational Therapist and the founder of Estus Health. My professional background is quite eclectic—I hold undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Finance as well as Occupational Therapy, along with a Master’s in Finance and Banking. I've also studied Information Science, Sports Psychology, English Literature, Computer Science, and Machine Learning.

Q: What’s your therapeutic style like?

A: My approach is friendly, relaxed, and collaborative, with a particular emphasis on gaming-informed therapy and the unmasking of autism. I strongly believe in a strengths-based, neuro-affirmative approach, which means my sessions are all about promoting your autonomy, choice, and independence while respecting your preferred communication style and sensory needs. It’s all geared towards creating safe, supportive environments tailored specifically to you.

Q: Who typically comes to see you?

A: I see clients of all ages, many of whom are navigating issues around Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), difficulties engaging with traditional therapies, or who need support rebuilding trust with institutional structures. Together, we explore autism as a unique set of strengths to build upon rather than a deficit to overcome.

Q: Why is this work important to you?

A: I was diagnosed autistic later in life myself, so my professional ethos is deeply influenced by principles of occupational justice and community inclusion. I'm passionate about helping people find independence and genuine satisfaction in life—not by trying to change who they are, but by adapting environments and maximising their natural strengths.

Q: Do you offer any specialised assessments?

A: Yes—I provide assessments specifically tailored to understanding your neurotype, unmasking autism, and finding the best ways to support your executive functioning. I'm also known for my innovative gaming-based interventions, which my clients find both enjoyable and highly effective.

Q: What did you do before becoming an OT?

A: My career has taken several interesting turns! I previously worked in library sciences, including roles in academic libraries and team management. I've also gathered extensive experience as a disability support worker, therapy assistant, senior rehabilitation consultant, paediatric OT, and community-based disability OT.

Q: Are you currently accepting new clients?

A: Yes, I’m currently welcoming new clients for online therapy sessions as well as specialised assessments.

Q: What do you get up to when you're not working?

A: Outside of work, I enjoy a range of hobbies—from building PCs and lock-picking, to playing video games and relaxing by watching dash-cam footage (it’s surprisingly soothing!). You’ll often find me out and about on my electric scooter, spending time with my baby, or enjoying visits to the zoo and aquarium.

Q: Heya Dan, what do you do at Estus Health?
A: I’m a Support Worker/Resistance Breaker with Estus Health. My role is to partner with clients right in that tricky moment where knowing what to do bumps up against the feeling of being unable to start – what we call resistance. I sit alongside people (virtually) to gently help ease that load and make starting feel more possible. Before this, I spent time as a Buddhist monk in the Theravada tradition, and I've been a professional artist for over twenty years, now also working part-time as a realist tattoo artist.

Q: What’s your vibe in sessions?
A: I aim to build a calm, friendly and professional connection. My background in mindfulness and daily meditation practice helps me bring a steady, non-judgmental presence to sessions, creating a space where clients can hopefully feel at ease and regulated. I believe this calm presence helps people feel safe to explore and tackle tasks collaboratively. 

Q: What kind of clients do you work with?
A: I often partner with neurodivergent people (Autism and ADHD) and support anyone who feels 'stuck' or 'frozen' trying to get started on things they want or need to do.

Q: Which clients or approaches do you connect with most?
A: My time as a monk instilled a deep appreciation for patience and being present with what is, which I find really valuable when supporting someone through resistance without judgment. As a parent homeschooling our 11-year-old Autistic/ADHD son (PDA Profile) within a low-demand lifestyle, I have profound lived experience. This helps me genuinely connect with the need for gentle, flexible support that honours individual capacity and nervous system needs. I find co-regulation and finding those tiny, manageable first steps together can be very effective.

Q: Can you tell me about some of your past experience?
A: My time as a Buddhist monk provided foundational training in mindfulness and maintaining a calm, accepting presence, which is key to co-regulation. My twenty years as a professional artist (realist painting, illustration, murals, drawing, and now tattooing) involved constant client liaison – building trust, understanding needs, and breaking down creative projects into achievable steps. Being an active homeschooling parent to our neurodivergent son provides daily, practical insight into supporting executive function challenges and thriving in a low-demand environment. This lived experience deeply informs my understanding and empathy.

Q: Are you taking new clients?
A: Yes! I am currently taking on new clients for Resistance Breaker sessions. I'd welcome the chance to connect and see if we'd be a good fit to work together.

Q: What do you get up to when you’re not working?
A: My daily meditation and mindfulness practice are really important for my own self-regulation. My art is a huge part of my life outside of work too – whether it's painting, drawing, or tattooing, that creative process is essential for me. Beyond that, spending relaxed, quality time with my family – my amazing son and supportive wife – in our low-demand way is what truly recharges me.

Q: Hi Rosie, can you tell us about your role at Estus Health?
A: I'm a Support Worker/Resistance Breaker here at Estus Health, working within the Executive Functioning Team. My focus is entirely on partnering with clients during that challenging moment of implementation – bridging the gap between knowing what needs to be done and actually starting a task. I help clients gently move through the resistance that can make tasks feel impossible. My role at Estus Health is dedicated to being a support ally for action.

Q: What is your approach during Resistance Breaker sessions?
A: My primary aim is to co-create a regulated and safe space where a client's nervous system can settle. I bring a naturally friendly and relaxed approach, which helps build a trusting partnership. This allows us to collaboratively face tasks without pressure or shame. I view challenges creatively – there's always more than one gentle path forward. I tailor my support to be neuroaffirming and culturally sensitive, truly listening to understand each client's unique needs and how resistance shows up for them, ensuring they feel seen and supported in the 'how' of doing.

Q: Who do you typically support as a Resistance Breaker?
A: I partner with neurodivergent individuals (Autistic people and those with ADHD) who find themselves stuck when trying to initiate tasks. This often relates to managing anxiety, tackling school or study demands, boosting self-esteem around productivity, navigating overwhelming life admin, or dealing with the inertia of Autistic or ADHD burnout. Essentially, I support anyone feeling that invisible barrier between intention and action.

Q: Are there particular client experiences or approaches you resonate with?
A: I find real connection in supporting Autistic children and adults to not only build capacity for tackling tasks but also to embrace their unique neurotype throughout the process. As an adult with ADHD myself, I have profound lived experience with the internal resistance that can arise. I know firsthand how powerful gentle co-regulation and approaches like body doubling can be. It's incredibly rewarding to sit alongside someone, offer that steady presence, and help them find their own rhythm for getting started and achieving what matters to them.

Q: What experience informs your work as a Resistance Breaker?
A: My background as a Disability Support Worker involved partnering directly with clients to implement strategies for capacity building, community access, NDIS navigation, self-advocacy, and connecting with services – all practical applications of bridging the gap to action. My experience liaising with allied health professionals ensures I understand the importance of collaborative care.

Furthermore, as a homeschooling parent to my Autistic/ADHD son (PDA Profile), I have deep lived experience as a carer and educator. This gives me unique insight into creating low-demand environments and fostering growth through understanding and co-regulation, rather than pressure. My work as an Allied Educator in schools provided hands-on experience adapting support for children with diverse neurological and physical needs. Even my twenty years as a Professional Photographer involved building rapport and understanding client needs, including families with neurodivergent children. I'm also currently studying Counselling to deepen my understanding, though my role here remains firmly focused on practical implementation support, not therapy.

Q: Are you currently accepting new clients?
A: Yes! I am available to partner with new clients for Resistance Breaker sessions. I welcome the opportunity to connect and explore how we might work together to gently navigate those moments of resistance.

Q: What helps you recharge outside of work?
A: I call myself a 'hyper creative' – engaging in acts of creating art, craft, or beauty is my most effective self-regulation tool. Photography has been a passion for over twenty years, allowing me to capture moments of calm and beauty. I also sew, crochet, make jewellery, draw, do printmaking and find gardening to be a wonderfully mindful and creative outlet. These practices help me stay grounded and regulated. However, the most restorative activity is simply spending quality time with my wonderful son, my supportive husband, and our energetic dogs.