Meet the Team
With over 10 years of friendship and a passion for children and their profession, Jade and Kelly found themselves with a shared vision to create a modern, holistic, family-centred, and evidence-based practice. Therapy Junction was created as a place where their varied interests, experience and skills could come together to achieve their vision and become a resource for their community.
Jade Shield
Jade graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2009 with a BSc. Occupational Therapy degree. Thereafter she completed her community service year in Pietermaritzburg at Greys Provincial Hospital.
In 2011 Jade began working at a prominent private practice in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Under the guidance and mentorship of experienced Occupational Therapists, Jade was able to develop her skills and knowledge. As a member of the practice, in 2014 Jade began working at Herschel Girls Preparatory School. In 2019 Jade took over the practice at the HGPS and currently owns and manages the practice at the school.
In 2016 Jade obtained her Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) qualification through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI).
Jade is committed to continuous learning for the benefit of the children and families that she services. To that end in 2021 Jade took the first steps towards getting her DIR Floortime qualification. Jade is trained in the administration of the Optima School Readiness Test.
With over 10 years of experience in the field of Paediatrics Jade has a passion for child development and helping children and their families thrive through play, education, and learning.
Special areas of interest:
Sensory Integration
Developmental delay
Learning difficulties
Kelly Westerman
Kelly graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2012 with a BSc. Occupational Therapy degree and in 2013 with a BSc. Biotechnology and Biochemistry degree. In 2014 she completed her community service year in Cape Town at various Primary Health Care facilities.
From 2015 to 2021 Kelly worked with families of infants and toddlers through weekly gross motor and sensory stimulation classes.
Witnessing some of the emotional and behavioural difficulties that children faced, Kelly was inspired to become more of a resource for the children and families that she was working with. In 2020 Kelly began completing her Masters in Play Therapy.
As a means of bringing her two passions (occupational therapy and play therapy) together, Kelly started the process of obtaining her DIR Floortime qualification in 2021.
Kelly is trained in the administration of the Optima School Readiness Test.
Special areas of interest:
Infant and toddlers
Developmental delay
Play therapy – social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties
