Meet Jamie
Jamie Blank – Director & Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Jamie graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Otago Polytechnic in 2010, after working for several years as a teacher’s aide supporting disabled children in her hometown of Whakatū (Nelson). This early experience sparked a deep commitment to inclusion, advocacy, and building genuine, supportive relationships with tamariki and their whānau.
Her career has spanned acute mental health, community-based child and adolescent services, rehabilitation, and private paediatric practice. Jamie has supported a wide range of neurodivergent children and teens, including those with Autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, sensory processing differences, trauma, anxiety, and emotional regulation challenges.
Over time, Jamie became increasingly aware of the gaps in the system, particularly for children with sensory and social-emotional needs who didn’t meet the strict thresholds for support. Wanting to create something more responsive, she established her own practice, Sensory Pathways OT, to offer neuro-affirming, family-centred support grounded in care, connection, and responsiveness. From there, Jamie was thrilled to partner with Erin to establish Nurture & Thrive, building on these values and expanding the vision even further.
Jamie has a particular interest in the intersection of disability and mental health, and is especially passionate about supporting children with unique and often misunderstood profiles, including Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Her practice is grounded in trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches that honour autonomy, safety, and difference.
Jamie’s approach is shaped not only by her professional background but also by her lived experience as both a neurodivergent person and a parent to a neurodivergent child. She knows what it’s like to navigate systems that aren’t always set up to support difference, and the emotional weight that comes with advocating for a child’s needs while honouring their uniqueness. This dual perspective gives her deep empathy for whānau and a strong commitment to walking alongside them with honesty, aroha, and practical support.
Jamie is known across the Kāpiti and Wellington region for her collaborative, down-to-earth style and strong relationships with local health and education teams. She regularly presents to parents, teachers, early childhood providers, and other clinicians on topics including sensory processing, co-regulation through movement, trauma-informed practice, nature-based therapy, and understanding PDA.
She is passionate about helping whānau build their “neurodivergent village”—one that celebrates difference, supports wellbeing, and helps each child feel safe to be fully themselves. Outside of work, Jamie is mum to two awesome boys and enjoys nature walks, reading, pilates, creative pursuits, deep chats with friends and family, and listening to way too many podcasts.
Jamie has completed the following training:
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Jamie’s most recent training and professional development:
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The SpIRiT of Paediatric Therapy - Tracey Stackhouse
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Therapeutic Listening Program- Vital Links
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“How Does Your Engine Run?” The Alert Program for Self-Regulation
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Sensory Modulation and trauma-informed care- Tina Champagne
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The five ways to well-being- MH Foundation
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Clinical supervision training- CCDHB
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The Traffic Jam in my brain- Genevieve Jerrob
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Occupational Therapy in Nature- Lisa Haverly
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Autism and Pathological Demand Avoidance- Emma Spencer
Jamie is a registered Occupational Therapist in Aotearoa and is also a member of the OTNZ-WNA.