OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Karen Mercure
Occupational Therapist
Hi there!
My name is Karen and I am one of the OTs working at This World’s Ours. I have been practicing as an Occupational Therapist since 2009, with the majority of my career focused on working with children and youth. I graduated with a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba after completing my Bachelor of Science (Honours). I have had the pleasure of working in clinical and community settings with children and their families, school teams, and support systems in Manitoba, Alberta, and now beautiful BC.
I am passionate about providing services using a neurodiversity-affirming and strength-based approach, and I believe that therapy is most effective when it is fun and joyful! I work closely with families to support children’s development related to goals that are meaningful and important to them. This could include self-help skills (dressing, eating, toileting), fine motor skills (managing fasteners, holding a crayon, printing, using scissors), executive functioning skills (time management, planning, organization), emotional regulation (managing and responding to emotional states), sensory integration (receiving and organizing information from our senses, and using it to participate in everyday life), and much more.
I will be on maternity leave until spring 2027 and am not currently accepting new clients. If you would like to be contacted when I return to practice, please feel free to reach out and I would be happy to keep your information on file.
Please reach out if you have any questions or would like additional information.
I look forward to hearing from you! Email me at kmercureot@gmail.com
Emma Lei
Occupational Therapist
Hi, I’m Emma! I graduated with a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia after completing my Bachelor of Kinesiology with a Minor in Psychology. I am fluent in English and Mandarin.
I have over 10 years of experience working with children of all abilities. I worked as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist in clinical and community settings, and as an Education Assistant and Adaptive Recreation Programmer in schools and community centres. In my practice, I strive to create safe and collaborative environments, while using a play-based and evidence-based
approach, where families feel heard and included in the process.
As an Occupational Therapist, I can work with your child to improve their function in daily tasks. This could include self-care skills (eating, dressing, toileting), fine and gross motor skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and sensory regulation. I also have formal training in using the Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach with individuals with motor challenges.
I am passionate about ongoing professional development and actively engage in training to stay up-to-date with current research and practices. I have conducted academic research on screen time guidelines specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and completed courses related to cognitive flexibility in children with autism, sleep health, sensory processing in children, and the importance of play. In my spare time, I love trying new food, playing board games, kayaking, and walking in nature.
Please email me at emmatl.ot@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to schedule a session. I look forward to meeting you soon!
Valerie Lo
Occupational Therapist
Hi! I’m Valerie, an occupational therapist passionate about supporting children in building the skills and confidence they need to live their most meaningful lives. I hold a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto.
With over six years of experience working and volunteering with children of all ages and abilities, I have developed extensive expertise in supporting autistic youth. My experience includes working one-on-one to build academic, communication, and daily living skills, as well as clinical practice focused on sensory processing, self-regulation, mental health, and functional development.
I strongly believe in a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach, and I strive to create a safe, fun, and collaborative environment where children and their families feel supported. Together, we work on developing skills in areas such as self-care (eating, dressing, toileting, hygiene), fine motor abilities, emotional and sensory regulation, communication, and executive functioning.
Outside of work, I enjoy snowboarding, hiking, going to the gym, travelling, and more. I believe that exploration, movement, and play are just as essential for children as they are for all of us!
I look forward to working with you and your child to create a supportive and engaging space where they can thrive.
To schedule a session, please email emmatl.ot@gmail.com.
Julia Healey
Occupational Therapist
My name is Julia Healey and I'm an Occupational Therapist. I have worked as an Occupational Therapist since 1996 taking a short break to complete another degree in 2006. I graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BScOT) and my second degree is a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MA). I have taken additional training in the areas of sensory processing, executive functions, social skills, and eating (CBT-ARFID). I am a PEERS Adolescent social skills provider (certified by UCLA PEERS Clinic).
For the past 20+ years, I have worked as an Occupational Therapist for Vancouver Coastal Health (Child & Youth Mental Health Services) with youth who have mental health conditions and/or social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. I also offer private OT services as a contractor through This World's Ours Centre. My specialization is mental health but many of the youth that I work with are neurodivergent and have Autism, ADHD, FASD, and/or learning disabilities too.
I assist youth by helping them engage in meaningful daily activities that they need and/or want to do. Areas that I typically help youth with are self-care, life skills, recreation, socializing, emotional/sensory regulation, school, work, chores, and post-secondary/career development activities.
I co-facilitate the PEERS social skills training groups for youth (ages 13 to 18) with another OT (Grace Liu) at This World's Ours Centre.
For more information or to apply to attend this group, please email us at: peersOTprivate@gmail.com
Grace Liu
Occupational Therapist
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Hello! My name is Grace. My path to occupational therapy began after completing my degree in Human Kinetics (Exercise Science). I was drawn to a profession that explores the whole person — understanding how the mind, body, and environment impact functioning in daily life.
I always knew I wanted to work in child and youth mental health, and I’ve been grateful for the
opportunity to do so for more than 18 years. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a variety of
community settings, including mental health teams and the Vancouver public school system. In
my work, I feel honoured to walk alongside young people as they build the skills and confidence
to reach their goals. I strive to bring compassion and a strengths-based approach, meeting
youth where they are and supporting their individual paths forward.
Currently, I work at Foundry Vancouver-Granville with youth and young adults living with mental
health and substance use challenges, many of whom are experiencing homelessness when
they come to our team. I support youth in their recovery journey — helping them build life,
emotional regulation, social, and coping skills that strengthen their ability to engage in
meaningful activities.
Among my favourite parts of the job is facilitating groups and creating spaces where youth can
learn, share, and connect with one another. I’m especially excited to be co-facilitating the
PEERS Social Skills Training program with Julia Healey starting in February 2026.
For more information about the group, please email: peersOTprivate@gmail.com
Simarpreet Pattar
Occupational Therapist
Hi! I’m Simarpreet (or Sim), an occupational therapist in mental health. I completed my Masters in Science Applied (Occupational Therapy) at McGill, and also hold a Bachelor’s in Science in Behavioural Neuroscience. I have also completed training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, eating disorders treatment, functional cognition, cognitive rehabilitation, ADHD strategies for adults, exposure therapy for anxiety disorders, and trauma informed care.
I have experience in both the public and private sectors, focusing on complex mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, ADHD, and Autism. I also work with people who have no diagnosis but just want some support in better managing their day to day activities and demands! I work with all ages, from preschoolers to parents (and grandparents!) and strive to keep my practice strengths-based, neurodiversity affirming, and - most importantly - FUN!
I'm inspired by the moment it "clicks" for a client, and a strategy works. I love seeing improvements over time, no matter how big or small, and watching someone accomplish a goal for the first time. Occupational therapy is such a rewarding career, and it is incredibly gratifying to be a part of someone's journey in achieving what matters most to them!
I currently offer in-clinic, virtual, and home/community-based sessions. If you’d like more information, or to set up a consultation call, you can email me at simarpreet.pattar@gmail.com.