Meet Our Team
Chris Dove
Chris Dove is the Director of Dove OT and a paediatric occupational therapist with more than 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents and families across Western Australia. Since establishing Dove OT in 2009, he has built a trusted practice known for its warm, practical and collaborative approach.
Based in Subiaco, Chris supports young people aged 4 to 19 and has worked in paediatric and adolescent occupational therapy in private practice since 2002. He completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Australia, majoring in Anatomy and Human Biology and Anthropology, before completing a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) with Honours at Curtin University.
Chris now focuses primarily on comprehensive assessment, consultation and case management, working closely with families, schools and treating professionals to develop a clear understanding of each young person’s strengths, challenges and support needs. He has particular expertise in motor dysgraphia and handwriting assessment, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), ADHD, executive functioning difficulties, and SCSA application support.
Known for his calm, thoughtful and down-to-earth style, Chris provides clear recommendations and practical guidance that help families feel informed, supported and confident in the next steps.
Outside of work, Chris is a proud father of three boys and enjoys football, surfing and time in the snow. He has also been involved in junior football coaching at Swanbourne Tigers Football Club for more than a decade.
Melissa Dove
Currently at capacity – not taking on new clients.
Melissa Dove graduated from Curtin University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Since graduating, she has worked predominantly in paediatrics, including five years with the Child Development Service (WA Health Department) and subsequent years in private practice. This has provided her with extensive experience supporting children and their families across a broad range of developmental needs.
In 2008, Melissa travelled to Key Largo, Florida, USA, to participate in a specialised paediatric program. She is committed to evidence-based practice and ongoing professional development. After taking time away from practice to raise her family, Melissa has returned to working part-time and remains passionate about early intervention. She is particularly interested in supporting young children and offers specific programs for children aged 3, 4 and 5 years.
Melissa has fulfilled Working with Children Check and National Police Clearance requirements and is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Shae Drayton
Currently at capacity – not taking on new clients.
Shae Drayton graduated from Curtin University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy with Honours. Her honours thesis explored the physical activity preferences of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Shae joined the team at Dove OT in January 2021 and has continued to develop her passion for paediatrics in private practice.
Shae works with children and adolescents aged 3–17 years and is committed to providing therapy that is engaging, individualised and goal-focused. She values incorporating each child’s interests into sessions while supporting the development of meaningful functional skills. Shae offers programs targeting executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory processing and attention.
She is also experienced in conducting assessments, developing intervention programs, and facilitating school holiday groups within the practice and in school settings.
Shae is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia and has fulfilled Working with Children Check requirements, AHPRA registration and first aid qualifications.
Abby Brierly
Currently at capacity – not taking on new clients.
Abby Brierly completed her Master of Occupational Therapy at Curtin University. Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Melbourne, majoring in forensics and psychology.
Abby enjoys creating engaging, child-centred therapy sessions for children and adolescents aged 3–17 years. She focuses on incorporating each client’s interests into therapy to support the achievement of individual goals. Abby provides intervention targeting fine and gross motor development, executive functioning, attention, sensory and emotional regulation, and social skills.
In addition to individual sessions, Abby facilitates social skills groups during the term and holiday programs focused on school readiness and social development.
Abby is a member of Occupational Therapy Australia, is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and has fulfilled Working with Children Check and first aid requirements.
Meg Pope
Megan Pope graduated from Curtin University with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Meg’s undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Health Science in Exercise, Sports, and Rehabilitation Science.
Meg strives to increase her knowledge and skills to provide clients with evidence-based practice. She is passionate about creating engaging and playful sessions for her clients. Meg offers individualised programs that target the development of handwriting skills, gross motor skills, executive functioning skills, attentional control, sensory/emotional regulation and social skills. Meg is experienced in running both our term-based and school holiday groups that target school and social skills.
Meg is a member of the OT Association and has fulfilled her working with children’s check, Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration, and first aid qualifications.
Sydney Rafferty
Sydney Rafferty completed her Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) with Honours at Curtin University. She is passionate about working across all areas of paediatric and adolescent occupational therapy, with a particular interest in emotional and sensory regulation.
This interest has been shaped by her previous experience supporting paediatric NDIS clients in the community disability setting prior to joining the Dove team. Sydney brings warmth, energy and enthusiasm to her work and enjoys helping children and adolescents build confidence and functional skills in ways that are meaningful to them.
Outside of work, Sydney enjoys spending time at the beach, being with family and friends, and keeping active.
Fletcher Enman
Fletcher Enman completed his Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) at Edith Cowan University. He is passionate about all areas of paediatric occupational therapy, with a particular interest in executive functioning and cognition.
Fletcher enjoys supporting children to develop the skills they need for everyday life and values a thoughtful, individualised approach to intervention. He is especially interested in how different children think, learn and engage with the world around them, and brings this curiosity into his work with children and families.
Outside of work, Fletcher enjoys playing cricket and social sports including basketball and golf, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.
Brianna Cooper
Brianna Cooper completed her Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) with Honours at Curtin University. She is passionate about supporting children to reach their full potential, with particular interests in sensory and emotional regulation, social skills, and daily living skills.
Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Brianna worked as an occupational therapy assistant, where she supported children to work towards functional goals in community settings. She brings creativity, warmth and enthusiasm to her sessions and enjoys developing practical, engaging resources for children and families.
Outside of work, Brianna enjoys netball, snorkelling, camping, board and card games, anime, and video games.
Tyler Hughes
Tyler Hughes has been with the clinic since April 2024 and is currently in her second year of Occupational Therapy studies at Curtin University. Tyler is often the first point of contact for families at the clinic and also works as an occupational therapy assistant.
Tyler brings a diverse background to her role, including two years of teacher training, previous experience as a support worker for children aged 5–18 years, and work as an OT assistant in early intervention for children aged 2–9 years. She has supported children with a wide range of presentations, including autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, speech delay, ADD, ADHD, PDA, and children who are non-verbal.
Her experience includes supporting emotional regulation, social skills, play skills, self-care, cognition, fine and gross motor development, coordination, toileting and speech development.
Working with an OT assistant can provide families with an accessible option for intervention at a lower rate or while waiting for ongoing occupational therapy services. Each child’s OT program is formulated and supervised by a Senior Occupational Therapist and then implemented by Tyler.