Rachel Saunders
Occupational Therapist
Discipline Occupational Therapist
Credentials
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) — Dalhousie University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — Saint Mary's University
Certificate in Health, Wellness and Sport in Society — Saint Mary's University
Registered Occupational Therapist
Academic Recognition
Dean's List- Saint Mary's University, 2019
Experience
Occupational Therapist practising since 2023, with additional clinical experience in acute care, community health, rehabilitation, and orthopaedic settings
Regulatory College / Licence
Registered Occupational Therapist — Nova Scotia Occupational Therapy Regulator (NSOTR)
Areas of Focus
Child development and participation in daily activities
Emotional regulation support
Fine motor skill development
Family-centred Occupational Therapy
Play-based intervention
Functional assessment
Rehabilitation and recovery
Community participation
Supporting independence in everyday activities
Home safety and functional support
Supporting participation at home, school, and in the community
Building confidence through meaningful everyday activities
Populations Served
Infants
Toddlers
Preschool-aged children
School-aged children
Adolescents
Adults
Seniors
Neurodivergent individuals
Individuals requiring rehabilitation or functional support
Families seeking developmental support
Individuals working toward greater independence in daily activities
Languages
🇨🇦 English
🇫🇷 French- Limited working proficiency
About Rachel
Rachel Saunders is a Registered Occupational Therapist with experience supporting children, adults, and seniors across paediatric, rehabilitation, community, acute care, and orthopaedic settings. Based in Truro, she helps clients build skills, confidence, and independence so they can participate more fully in the routines and activities that matter in everyday life.
Rachel has a particular interest in child development and family-centred Occupational Therapy. Her work with children can include sensory processing and regulation, emotional regulation, fine motor development, functional skills, play, daily routines, and helping children participate more successfully at home, school, and in the community.
Her experience working with children and individuals with disabilities extends beyond clinical Occupational Therapy. Rachel has been involved with inclusive community programming through The Club Inclusion and has supported autism-focused transition and employment initiatives through Autism Nova Scotia. These experiences have strengthened her understanding of inclusion, participation, community access, and supporting people in ways that reflect their individual goals and abilities.
Rachel also brings a strong rehabilitation background to her practice. Her Occupational Therapy experience has included orthopaedic assessment, acute care, functional assessment, activities of daily living, discharge planning, and helping individuals regain or maintain independence following changes in health or function.
Her acute care and hospital experience has involved assessing everyday function, providing education around activities of daily living, and working collaboratively with healthcare teams to develop practical intervention and discharge plans. This background helps Rachel consider not only a person's current abilities, but also the supports, equipment, environment, and routines that may help them participate more safely and independently.
Rachel has supported individuals through community health programming focused on mental wellness. Her experience includes group facilitation, wellness navigation, community outreach, and helping people identify practical steps toward health and participation goals.
A collaborative approach is central to Rachel's work. She values creating a welcoming and supportive environment where clients and families feel comfortable discussing what is challenging, identifying what matters most to them, and working together toward meaningful goals.
Whether she is supporting a child developing new skills, an adult navigating rehabilitation, or a senior working to remain safe and independent at home,
Rachel focuses on practical Occupational Therapy strategies that fit the person's real-life environment.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys hiking, reading, and skating. Her long-standing involvement with Skate Canada has also included many years supporting children as a CanSkate instructor.
Advanced Training & Certifications
Rachel has completed additional training relevant to mental health and community-based care.
Additional Clinical & Professional Training
Mental Health First Aid — Mental Health First Aid Canada
Functional assessment
Discharge planning
Wheelchair fitting
Wellness navigation
Group facilitation
Community outreach and client advocacy
Professional & Community Contributions
Rachel brings a longstanding commitment to community participation, inclusion, recreation, and supporting people with diverse abilities.
Her professional and community involvement has included:
Session leadership with The Club Inclusion
Program support with The Club Inclusion
Autism Nova Scotia's Transition Readiness and Autism Community Employment (TRAACE) program
Autism Nova Scotia's Community Works Program
CanSkate instruction through Skate Canada
Youth organizing with Amnesty International
Community mental wellness programming
Group facilitation and wellness navigation
These experiences complement Rachel's clinical work by strengthening her understanding of community participation, inclusion, recreation, and the importance of creating environments where people can take part in meaningful activities.
Accessing Services
Rachel provides Occupational Therapy services through Allied Therapy for children, adolescents, adults, seniors, families, and caregivers.
She is based in Truro and provides:
Community-based Occupational Therapy services in the Truro area
Home-based Occupational Therapy services
Virtual Occupational Therapy support across Nova Scotia
Rachel may be particularly helpful for families looking for support with child development, sensory processing, emotional regulation, fine motor skills, daily routines, or independence, as well as adults and seniors seeking functional support, rehabilitation, or help participating safely in everyday activities.
Book with Rachel
If you or your child are looking for support with development, regulation, daily living skills, rehabilitation, independence, or participating more fully in everyday activities, Rachel can help you understand what may be getting in the way and explore practical next steps.
Book an Occupational Therapy session with Rachel through Allied Therapy.
Not sure whether Occupational Therapy is the right place to start? Contact Allied Therapy and our team can help you determine an appropriate next step.