Dr Nicole Sharp

BAppSc(Hons)OT, PhD (Disability Studies)

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Nicole is a proud mum to two gorgeous boys, Cooper and Levi, and a passionate and experienced registered occupational therapist, specialising in working with neurodivergent children and young people. A proud Autistic ADHDer herself, and parent of an ADHDer, Nicole's lived experience is at the heart of her passion for helping neurodivergent young people to live authentic lives, supported in affirming ways.

Nicole has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Occupational Therapy from Western Sydney University (2004) and a PhD from University of Wollongong (2019). She also holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment and is an experienced presenter, trainer and educator, having previously held an academic position in the OT program at Western Sydney University. Nicole is dedicated to strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and trauma-informed practice. She loves opportunities to provide training and professional development to people with disability, families/carers, educators and employers, and to bring people together to connect and learn from each other.

​Nicole has presented research at numerous National and International Conferences, and published in peer reviewed journals. Nicole is a passionate qualitative researcher dedicated to understanding lived experience of disability and amplifying the voices of people with disability.  

Matt Howie

Matt has over 15 years experience in business management, across a range of positions and industries. He is excited to bring his skillset to managing his own family business.

Matt is responsible for all things accounts and human resources at Believe and Become, in addition to his other day job in safety and compliance! He is also a passionate dad to six year old Levi and step-dad to fifteen year old Cooper. 

Dr Bree Barker

MAut, GradCertCouns, GradCertPThy, Cert IVAlldHlthAss(OT), PhD

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Bree is a qualified developmental educator and occupational therapy assistant with extensive experience and a passion for learning and personal development. Bree has a Master of Autism from University of Wollongong and a Certificate IV Allied Health Assistance (OT), as well as Postgraduate Certificates in Child Centred Play Therapy and Child, Adolescent, and Family Counselling, and a PhD in Business and Human Resources.

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Bree is a mum to two gorgeous kids, and is passionate about supporting and empowering children, young people, and families. Identifying as Autistic herself and the parent of neurodivergent children, Bree has a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent children and their families to be their authentic selves while navigating the challenges of living in a neurotypical world. Bree is a strong believer that through safe relationships and the therapeutic powers of play, children and young people can find their authentic selves, integrate challenging experiences, enhance their self-esteem and self-worth, and learn to regulate themselves emotionally and physically.

Bree's work integrally involves families within the therapeutic process, providing psychoeducation, parent/carer education and support to understand themselves to allow them to authentically support their child’s journey. As such, Bree is committed to a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, trauma-informed approach.

Bree is also passionate about providing evidence-informed, neurodiversity-affirming resources, training and educational opportunities to people with disabilities and their families, educators and the broader community. She is an experienced researcher and educator, with peer-reviewed journal publications, previous experience working as a research assistant on numerous disability-focused projects, and sessional academic at Western Sydney University.

Melissa Engel

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

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Melissa is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Western Sydney University. Melissa is a dedicated individual with a varied professional background, proud to have previously been a personal trainer specialising in performance development for young athletes. With a strong focus on nurturing young people to reach their potential, she has strived to empower the next generation of athletes to achieve their dreams. Having been with our team for nearly 3 years as an experienced OT Assistant while studying, she is excited about supporting individuals in building skills and overcoming challenges as a registered OT!

Beyond her professional pursuits, Melissa finds immense joy in being a mother to four incredible children. Balancing the demands of a career and being a nurturing parent has taught her valuable lessons in time management, patience, and adaptability, and instilled in her a deep understanding of the importance of holistic development and individualised care. Melissa has an unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous learning, and strives to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her. 

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Ally Dodd

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

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​Ally is a dedicated and compassionate Senior Occupational Therapist with a strong commitment to supporting children and young adults across a broad spectrum of developmental and mental health needs. With a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Western Sydney University (2022), Ally brings both clinical expertise and a warm, family-centred approach to her practice.

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Ally has extensive experience working with children of all ages, helping them build essential life skills, improve functional independence, and thrive in their everyday environments. She has a particular passion for working with individuals who have lived experience of mental health challenges, and is deeply invested in promoting emotional wellbeing and resilience through therapeutic engagement.

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In addition to her work with children, Ally is especially interested in supporting young adults with disabilities as they navigate the complexities of puberty and sexual development. She advocates for inclusive, developmentally appropriate education that empowers individuals to understand their bodies, relationships, and rights in a safe and respectful manner.

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As a qualified Key Worker, Ally also plays a pivotal role in coordinating care and services for families, ensuring that supports are tailored, holistic, and aligned with each individual's goals. Her collaborative style and commitment to advocacy make her a trusted partner for families and multidisciplinary teams alike.

Sophie Giannetta

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

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​Sophie is a proud Wollondilly local with a deep-rooted commitment to the community she calls home. A recent graduate of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Western Sydney University, she's on a journey to further her expertise and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those around her. We have been lucky to have had Sophie on our team for almost three years as an experienced OT Assistant dedicated to supporting children through their most critical stages of development. She is excited to further her skills and continue her professional growth as a registered OT!

Outside of her professional endeavours, Sophie enjoys competing her 11-year-old horse, Petal, at local horse shows and eventing competitions. Sophie is excited and enthusiastic to creative a positive influence in the lives of those in her community. 

Sarah D'Arcangelo

Completing the third year of a Bachelor's degree in Social Science Psychology at Charles Sturt University, Sarah is excited about the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others through her professional career. With previous experience in education, particularly in delivering quality Before and After school care programs, she has found a passion for working alongside children and loves watching them accomplish their goals and ambitions. 

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Outside of working, studying and her other professional endeavours, Sarah thoroughly enjoys reading any chance she gets, and spending quality time with her friends and family. Sarah is extremely excited to create a meaningful impact on those around her in her role as OT Assistant at Believe and Become.

Ellen Stucki

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

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Graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Western Sydney University in 2024, Ellen has always been passionate about supporting children and young people to reach their full potential. Before graduating, Ellen worked as an Allied Health Assistant in a paediatric setting for 12 months, where she developed valuable hands-on experience and strengthened her passion for helping children thrive. Ellen has also worked previously as a Student Learning Support Officer which further deepened her understanding of how to build meaningful connections and support children with diverse learning and developmental needs.

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Ellen strives to create a fun, supportive, and engaging environment where children feel safe, confident, and motivated to learn. She enjoys helping young people develop functional skills that enhance their independence while incorporating their unique interests, strengths, and creativity into everyday activities. Ellen believes that therapy is most effective when it is collaborative, individualised, and centred around what is meaningful to each child and their family.

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Known for her warm, patient, and approachable nature, Ellen values building trusting relationships with young people, families, and the wider support team. She is enthusiastic about celebrating every achievement, big or small and empowering children to develop the confidence and skills they need to participate in the activities that matter most to them.

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Outside of work, Ellen enjoys horse riding, camping, and spending quality time with her family and friends, which helps her to bring energy, creativity, and balance into her practice.

Charlotte Rixon

Charlotte is currently completing her third year of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Western Sydney University. She is passionate about working alongside children and their families to support meaningful participation, development, and wellbeing in everyday life. Charlotte brings a compassionate, child-centred approach to her work and values building positive, trusting relationships that help children feel safe, understood, and supported to reach their individual goals. Prior to joining Believe and Become, Charlotte worked in before and after school care for three years as a Responsible Person. This experience strengthened her ability to support children’s individual needs, foster inclusive environments, and create meaningful connections with children and families.

Outside of work, Charlotte is a dedicated netball player with experience in coaching, umpiring, and mentoring young people. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, board and card games, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Charlotte is excited to create meaningful connections and make a positive impact in her role as an OT Assistant at Believe and Become.