our team

Physiotherapists
Deborah	Carina	Debbie	Colbey	Michelle
Occupational Therapist	Exercise Physiologist	Massage Therapist	Psychologist
Laura	Silvia	Yvette	Belinda
Administration Team
Robin	Marg	Jessica	Sarah

Deborah Carrera

BApplSc (Phty), MSc, GCHE,
MAPA APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist

Deborah has worked with neurological and complex rehabilitation clients for 27 years, after graduating from Lincoln Institute in 1985. Her masters by research was completed at the University of South Australia in 1997, and the thesis encompassed exploration of postural control, dizziness and brain injury.

Extensive post graduate training has been undertaken across a range of areas in physiotherapy care and holistic health care, including the management of vestibular problems. She has worked in private and public settings nationally and internationally. Most recently working privately in Canberra for the last 8 years. Concurrently, she developed and lectured the neurological physiotherapy teaching program at the University of Canberra, between 2004-2007, and completed writing of the ‘Physiotherapy competencies for the entry-level graduate in neurology’.

She is currently undertaking training to be a Paralympian Classifier. Active promotion of neurological physiotherapy is maintained with involvement in the Australian Physiotherapy Association, being the National Neurology Group representative for the National Advisory Committee.

In her spare time Deborah loves being with her family, walking 2 energetic dogs, escaping to the beach and gardening.

Carina Salvemini

BASc, MA Phty

Carina is a Canberra local having studied at the Australian National University and University of Canberra. She graduated from the Masters of Physiotherapy in July 2007 and began her career working at Calvary Health Care.

During her career in public and private health care, Carina has worked with a broad range of conditions in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She also maintains her interests in remedial and sports massage in the treatment of sporting injuries. Carina has a keen interest in pursuing a career in neurological physiotherapy while incorporating her musculoskeletal background at Neurospace. She has undertaken further education in assessment and treatment of neurological conditions including stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Carina has a special interest in the treatment and management of spinal injuries, dizziness and headache.

Carina also works at an aged care facility through Neurospace, where she manages the physiotherapy related aspects of pain management, mobility and falls prevention in the aged population.

Carina is keen to develop group exercise classes for general fitness in the older client, and for falls prevention and balance on the north side of Canberra.

Carina can be found at the North Lyneham practice.

Debbie Douglas

BApplSc(Phty), MGer, MAPA

Debbie is also a Canberra local who moved to Sydney to study Physiotherapy in the late 1980’s. She graduated in 1991 and commenced her specialisation in Rehabilitation in 1995. This interest led her to study Gerontology and she graduated with a Masters in Gerontology in 2000 from Sydney University. The topic of her master's treatise was about elderly people living at home and how they physically access the community.

Debbie worked as the Senior Geriatric Physiotherapist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1996-1998 where the core work involved being part of an acute ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team). After this she moved to Canberra and has worked in private practice Hydrotherapy; as a Rehabilitation Advisor for NRMA; as a Neurological Community Physiotherapist for Aged Care and Rehabilitation (ACT Health); a Rehabilitation Coordinator at The Canberra Hospital; a private consultant in Occupational Rehabilitation; and more recently as Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist at National Capital Private Hospital 2007-2009. Debbie’s career has covered all aspects of Rehabilitation and has a broad, holistic approach to her treatments, with a preference for working as a multidisciplinary member of her clients health care team (including GP, nursing etc).

At Neurospace, Debbie has been working in a Residential Care Facility, seeing private community patients for IRT Community Services and treating private patients in the facility's hydrotherapy pool. Her focus has been on Aged Care and Neurological Rehabilitation, including some younger clients in community with neurological conditions.

Debbie co-ordinates the Aged Care Portfolio for Neurospace – including rural visits to country NSW providing assessments and environmental change advice in Residential Care Facilities with no access to Physiotherapy. She is also developing Skype communication/consultation services to further support rural areas. She conducted a Pilot Project funded by ACT Health in conjunction with Diabetes ACT on the management of Falls and Diabetic Feet in 2010/11. She also conducts Manual Handling training across many different sites in Canberra and rural NSW.

Debbie is keen to become more active in the promotion of active, healthy living for community dwelling people, and has a special interest in neurological conditions predominant in the elderly. Debbie has a particular interest in Parkinson’s Disease.

Colbey van Leeuwen

Colbey grew up on the far south coast, NSW before moving to Canberra. He completed extensive studies at the University of Canberra, including Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Biology, Graduate Certificate in Human Movement Science and a Masters of Physiotherapy. Since graduating in July 2010, Colbey has worked with considerable responsibility in the aged care sector. He quickly developed a passion for treating clients with multiple complex health conditions, and began work with Neurospace in February 2011. The diversity of his clinical work continues to provide learning and practice opportunities for a wide range of physiotherapy techniques. Colbey has a very positive and friendly attitude which he brings to everything he does, and he is a very active person who loves all sports.

Michelle Elmitt

BApp Sci (Physio), Post Grad Cert (Peads),
Post Grad Dip (Mental health), DVA, Ba Comm (Hon)

Michelle brings extensive knowledge and experience working with children with Therapy ACT and previous work in Victoria. In addition, her diverse work experience and skills give her a capacity to tackle all the challenges presented at Neurospace. She recently completed her 10th Iron Man competition, and in addition manages a busy home with 4 children, one of whom has special needs, and is completing studies in the area of communication.

Laura Taylor

BAppSc (Occupational Therapy), Post Grad OT (Neurology), will complete MPH (ANU) in 2012, Member of AAOT

Laura Taylor qualified from Occupational Therapy at Sydney University in 1995. She developed an early interest in neurological conditions, honing this interest at Westmead Hospital neurological wards and the brain injury unit and completing a post graduate certificate in Occupational Therapy Neurology in 1998. As a Canberra local, she moved back to Canberra in 1999, working at the Independent Living Centre, specialising in wheelchair seating and posture. Laura has worked in a variety of areas throughout Canberra over the years, including the Aged Care Assessment Team, Rehabilitation Coordinator for ACT Health, and as an Occupational Therapist in both the community and hospital settings. Laura is currently completing her Masters of Public Health at the ANU. She enjoys working with clients with neurological conditions and seating needs as well as the elderly.

Silvia Schneider

Exercise Scientist
ESSAM
Degree in Sports Science, Nursing Degree

Silvia joined Neurospace in September 2011. She was born in Germany and came to Australia in August 2011. Silvia completed a nursing degree in 1997 and her exercise physiology/sports science in 2004 at the German Sport University Cologne. Since finishing university she worked in a private practice in Germany, specialising in back pain and core stability. Last semester Silvia studied units in neuroscience at University of Canberra and is keen to work with neurological clients, improving core stability, balance and posture, developing fitness programs/training schedules and walking groups. Her speciality is the integration of spiral movements into her therapy.

Yvette Croft

Massage Therapist

With over 12 years experience in the Remedial Massage Therapy industry, Yvette has brought a diverse range of knowledge to the practice. While working with Neurospace clients over the last 12 months, Yvette has continued to gain great insight into the massage requirements for people with neurological conditions and effectiveness of this treatment modality. Yvette is a Professional Member of Massage Australia and is both Comcare and Health Fund approved.

Belinda Hill

Psychologist

Belinda has experience working with clients affected by depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, family issues, and the general stress of navigating the challenging world we live in. Her approach is tailored to meet the needs and preferences of clients but is based on an applied understanding of current psychological research that is continually informed through professional development and training.

Email Belinda

Robin Shannon

Office Manager

Robin Shannon – Office Manager Robin has been with Neurospace since August 2009, she started working two days a week as Receptionist/Bookkeeper. She has grown with the business and now works four days a week as the Office Manager while studying her Certificate IV in Business.

 

Marg Cuthel

Accounts Officer

Marg joined the Neurospace Admin team in September 2011 as our Accounts Officer. Marg has worked in a range of health care businesses and brings a wealth of accounting knowledge and experience.

 

 

Jessica Baird

Administrator Nth Lyneham

Jessica has been with Neurospace since May 2010 working as Administrator at Chifley, taking up the opportunity to move to our new North Lyneham rooms in September 2011. Jessica previously worked in a HR and Administration role in the Aged Care and Disability industry and enjoys this aspect of her job. She has completed a Business Administration course and is a great asset to the Neurospace team.

 

Sarah Toohey

Administrator Chifley

Sarah joined Neurospace in June 2011, in our Chifley rooms as Administrator. She is well known and appreciated in her local school community for volunteer work and comes with extensive and diverse experience, after recently focusing on raising her family of 3 boys, she has returned to work and has already become a great benefit to the team.