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Tom Onions

Advanced Occupational Therapist

BIOGRAPHY

Tom is an Occupational Therapist who was born in Melbourne and grew up in multiple states around Australia before his family returned back home to WA where he completed his studies. Tom completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours at Curtin University. Away from work, Tom enjoys being out in nature, sport, watching musicals and drinking coffee. 

Tom started at Calm and Connected as a therapy assistant in 2019 after volunteering in the sense rugby program and attending therapy intensive camps. Tom has a particular passion for group therapy and intensive camp programmes, where he sees firsthand the impact of immersive, relationship-rich environments in building confidence, connection, and self-regulation. He has played an active role in Calm and Connected’s camp programmes, including Camp Confidence, Boys Camp, mountain bike camps, and Camp Jabiru in Sydney.

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APPROACH

Tom takes a connection and relationship-based approach towards therapy. Tom believes that co-regulation and connection are the foundation for meaningful change. His sessions are playful, movement-rich, and guided by the child’s interests, allowing for authentic learning experiences. He focuses on building trust and creating a sense of safety so that children can explore, engage, and grow at their own pace.

Tom is a strong advocate for camp-based and group therapy models, valuing the way these environments foster natural connection, peer learning, and a sense of belonging. He is passionate about creating spaces where children feel safe, seen, and supported—both in one-on-one sessions and in group settings.

CERTIFIED IN

  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) – Curtin University
    Honours Project: Autism Friendly Hospital
  • Trauma-Informed Approach to Sensory Processing Disorder & Arousal Regulation – Sheila Frick (2021)
  • Quickshifts: Revolutionizing the Use of Sound in Sensory Integrative Treatment – Vital Links (2022)
  • NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner
  • Traffic Jam in My Brain by Genevieve Jereb (2022)
  • The SpIRiT of Paediatric Therapy – Tracy Stackhouse (2024)
  • Therapeutic Listening – Listening with the Whole Body (2024)
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Level 1 (2024)
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Neuroaffirming Lens Training (2024)
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Storytelling Training (2025)
  • Befriending part of me Befriending Parts of Me – Sarah Schubert (2025)
  • Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) Provider – (2025)
  • Team Teach – Behaviour De-escalation and Positive Handling Training (2025)
  • Vestibular-Visual Matters – Kim Barthel (2025)

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For current updates and insights from Tom visit his LinkedIn profile at:
http://linkedin.com/in/tom-onions-8b2856204