Julia Shields

Background

About Julia Shields

I’m a graduating Occupational Therapist currently living in the Fraser Coast, QLD, with a deep passion for empowering individuals through client-centred, meaningful occupation. Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of working at Life Choice Wide Bay Burnett—starting as an Allied Health Assistant and progressing into a Senior AHA and now Allied Health Team Leader. This experience has not only built my clinical and leadership capabilities, but also strengthened my commitment to delivering respectful, responsive, and strengths-based support. I’ve recently completed my final OT placements in both paediatric and rehabilitation settings, where I gained hands-on experience in assessment, goal-setting, and evidence-based intervention across diverse populations. I value holistic, inclusive practice, strong team collaboration, and the therapeutic use of self to build genuine rapport with clients and families. I’m now excited to begin my career as a new graduate OT and bring with me a solid foundation in therapy delivery, service coordination, and clinical reasoning—along with a growth mindset and genuine love for this profession. Interests & Focus Areas Paediatric and neurodivergent therapy Functional rehabilitation and community participation Inclusive, identity-affirming practice Leadership in allied health service delivery NDIS and person-centred support models Let’s connect—I’m always open to sharing ideas and learning from others in the profession!