Lucy Ruttiman

Lucy Ruttiman
Principal Occupational Therapist

Lucy is a Senior Occupational Therapist with over 14 years of experience across mental health, paediatrics, parent support, aged care, insomnia treatment and pain management. She is passionate about supporting people to participate more fully in the activities, roles and routines that matter most to them.

Lucy takes a holistic and person-centred approach, working collaboratively with clients, families, caregivers and support teams to develop practical strategies that support meaningful and sustainable change. She has a special interest in parent support and coaching, persistent pain management and insomnia treatment, helping clients better understand their symptoms, build confidence in their body, improve daily function and work towards a greater sense of safety, routine and wellbeing.

Lucy graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours and is an endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist through Better Access to Mental Health. Her approach is grounded in connection, curiosity and evidence-informed care, with a focus on small, achievable steps that help clients move towards the life they want to live.

A born and bred Cairns local, Lucy enjoys being part of the Thriving Lives Co. team and values working within a collaborative service that is committed to thoughtful, practical and person-centred care. Outside of work, Lucy enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, exploring the beautiful Cairns region and dabbling in a variety of crafts.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (hons) – 2012 

Professional Courses:

  • Neuro Orthopaedic Institute Australasia (Noigroup): Explain Pain: Exercise Edition 2026
  • Occupational Therapy Australia: Continence Fundamentals for OT’s working with Older Adults 2026
  • Physio Network: Pelvic Pain: A Clinical Course from Pain to Pleasure 2025
  • Neuro Orthopaedic Institute Australasia (Noigroup): Graded Motor Imagery Online 2025
  • Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center: Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) Certification Training 2025
  • PESI: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): Evidence-based Insomnia Interventions for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Pain, TBI, Sleep Apnea and Nightmares – 2024
  • Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving beyond medication 2025
  • Home design for living: Bathroom modifications 2025
  • Home design for living: Measuring the person 2025
  • Home design for living: Stairlifts 2025
  • Home design for living: Getting it right: Grabrail Prescription 2025
  • 2-Day Fall Prevention Certification Course 2025
  • Occupational Performance Coaching 2024
  • Occupational Performance Coaching: Taster Course – 2024
  • Community therapy: Getting a handle on Grab rails and handrails 2024
  • Kids that go: Conquering wee’s and poos – 2024
  • Kids that go: Conquering wee’s and poos: Beyond the basics – 2024
  • ICAN CO-OP: CO-OP Comprehensive – 2023 
  • OT Australia: Regulation and Pain Management – 2022  
  • OT Australia: Child and Adolescent Pain Management – 2022  
  • CP Therapy: Functional Hand Use – 2022  
  • CP Therapy: Bimanual Hand Use – 2022 
  • ICDL: DIRFloortime 201 – 2022  
  • ICDL: DIRFloortime 101 – 2021  
  • Continence Foundation of Australia: Continence in paediatrics – 2021
  • Get Permission Institute: Responsive Feeding – 2020  
  • Theraplay Australia: Level 1 Theraplay and MIM– 2017  
  • Pearson: Bayley 3 Training – 2017  
  • Éadaoin Bhreathnach: Sensory Attachment intervention -– 2016  
  • Éadaoin Bhreathnach: Sensory attachment intervention, level one training – 2015 
  • EDOS: Maudsley Family Therapy – 2015  
  • Scott Miller: Interpersonal Psychotherapy – 2015  
  • EDOS: Parent skills group for eating disorders – 2015  
  • Department of Child Safety: Sexually Reactive Behaviours – 2014  
  • Paolo Bertrando: Advanced Family Therapy – 2013  
  • Bert Powell and COS: Circle of Security training – 2013  
  • Tina Champagne: Sensory modulation – 2013  
  • Hothouse and Dovetail: Substance use and Young people – 2011 
  • Karen Stagnetti & OT Australia: Play and Literacy – 2011 
  • OT Australia & Autism QLD: Working with Autism – 2011  
  • Early Childhood Intervention Australia: Sensory Integration & Communication & Behaviour – 2011