Hayley Bowers
Mental Health Occupational Therapist (BAMH) & Accredited EMDR Practitioner (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
Hayley’s work is deeply informed by her own lived experience of chronic health challenges and healing. This personal journey has shaped her understanding of the complexity, uncertainty, and emotional load that often accompanies recovery, and brings a grounded, compassionate lens to her clinical practice.
Since completing her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2019, Hayley has developed a strong focus on trauma-informed care and EMDR. In addition to EMDR Basic Training, Hayley has pursued her EMDR accreditation and trained as a Relational-Integrative EMDR Therapist through Seva Training . Her professional development also includes extensive training in trauma-informed yoga and meditation (350hr YTT), as well as specialised EMDR learning in structural dissociation, ego state therapy, adolescent and children, and neurodiversity-affirming EMDR.
Hayley is passionate about integrative healthcare and supporting clients to understand the root causes of distress, rather than working solely at the level of symptom management. She supports individuals navigating chronic health conditions, mental health challenges, trauma, and periods of significant life change to improve their emotional wellbeing, daily functioning, and overall independence.
Approach
Hayley works with adults and adolescents both online and locally across Northern NSW. Hayley utilises EMDR as the primary therapeutic approach, supporting individuals experiencing PTSD, trauma-related symptoms following specific incidents, anxiety, fears, and phobias, as well as difficulties returning to daily roles and routines after injury, illness, or significant life disruption. She has a particular interest in supporting young veterans navigating the transition to civilian life and recovery following service-related trauma.
Her work places EMDR at the forefront, informed by an occupational therapy lens that considers the whole person - nervous system regulation, daily functioning, lifestyle demands, and the broader context of a person’s life.
Sessions are collaborative, structured, and goal-oriented. EMDR intensives (typically 2–3 sessions per week for a defined period) are available for clients seeking to focus on one or two clearly identified targets within a more efficient timeframe. Intensives are particularly suited to single-incident trauma, medical trauma, phobias, or when timing, capacity, or life circumstances make longer-term therapy less practical.
Hayley works collaboratively with clients and values multidisciplinary care. Where helpful, she liaises with existing treating practitioners and can support referrals to integrative healthcare professionals to complement EMDR therapy.
Hayley is not a paediatric occupational therapist. However, she may accept EMDR referrals for children or adolescents when there is a clearly defined traumatic event (such as medical trauma, an accident, or a natural disaster). Presentations primarily related to developmental differences or behavioural concerns are best supported by a trauma-informed paediatric OT. Where appropriate, Hayley works collaboratively with local paediatric occupational therapists to ensure continuity of care.
Hayley provides therapy-focused services only and does not complete functional capacity assessments, NDIS access requests, or detailed reports beyond standard therapeutic progress documentation.
Eligible funding schemes under Occupational Therapy may include:
Medicare Mental Health Care Plans (MHCP)
Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plans (CDMP)
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Private Health Funds
Qualifications
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Accredited Practitioner
Mental Health First Aid
350-Hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training
Mental Health Endorsement (BAMH)
AHPRA Registered, OT Australia Member & EMDR Australia Member