Biography: Michelle Taylor
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, University of Queensland
Master of Arts (Research), Queensland University of Technology
Current registration with AHPRA and Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
HEALTH
Areas of expertise:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Drug and alcohol issues
- Mood and anxiety, trauma, psychosis, sensory issues
I enjoy collaborating with clients, families and carers, workers and organisations to find innovative solutions to challenging problems.
I have played a lead role in workforce development and service improvement across Australia in evidence-based approaches such as trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, sensory approaches, occupational approaches and interventions for methamphetamine, alcohol and other drugs.
I am committed to learning from those I work with and employing this knowledge alongside current evidence to improve outcomes and models of care. Looking to the future, I am excited by the possibilities of strength based and peer led approaches to promote hope, empowerment and wellness.
Employment
I have worked as an occupational therapist, clinical educator, dual diagnosis co-ordinator (supporting people with numerous mental health and drug and alcohol concerns), consultant and supervisor in government, private and not for profit settings. Below are some of the organisations where I have worked. (You can find out more on my home page.)
- Insight Statewide Training and Education, Metro North Mental Health Services – Alcohol & Other Drugs www.insight.qld.edu.au
- Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital – Adolescent Mental Health Unit, Hospital Alcohol and Drug Services, Community Mental Health Services, Mental Health Occupational Therapy Services
- New Farm Private Clinic, Brisbane
- Community Mental Health, Princess Alexandra Hospital & District Health Service
- Lee Community Mental Health Services, London
- Day Patient Mental Health Services, Erith Centre, England
- Northwick Park Hospital, Mental Health Day Services, London
- Saint Clements Hospital, Acute Mental Health Services, England
RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Perfect sense: The case for sensationalising telephone interventions for people with alcohol and other drug issues. Taylor. M. Drug and Alcohol Review, September 2023, Vol 42, No 6.
Bringing an occupational approach to alcohol and other drug (AOD) services. Taylor, M, Bridges, M, Pitts, S. OTA Mental Health Occupational Therapy Forum, Sydney, 2022
Introducing sensory approaches to the alcohol and other drug workforce. Taylor, M & Li, H. OTA Mental Health Occupational Therapy Forum, Sydney, 2022
Don’t leave me hanging on the telephone: Sensory strategies to optimise alcohol and other drug services. Taylor, M. Australian Winter School Alcohol and Drug Conference, 2022
Towards trauma-informed care when working with alcohol and drug issues. Taylor, M, Phillips, J, Li, H. Australian Professional Society for Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, 2021
Substances and senses:Exploration of the sensory patterns of young people within an AOD treatment service. Kelly, J, Taylor, M. Australian Professional Society for Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, 2021
Providing access to sensory approaches training for alcohol and other drug clinicians. Taylor, M & Li, H. Australian Professional Society for Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, 2021
Substances and your senses: The sensory patterns of young people within an alcohol and drug treatment service. Kelly. J, Meredith P, Taylor. M, Morphett. A, Wilson. H. Substance Abuse, March 2021, p998-1006
New toolkits for trauma informed care and sensory approaches. Taylor, M. Insight APSAD webinar series. 2020
Educating mental health staff in sensory approaches using an e-learning package: A 3 month follow up. Meredith. P, Hutchens. S, Kerley. L, Taylor. M, Slattery. M. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, August 2018, Vol 25, No 8.
Preparing mental health professionals for new directions in mental health practice: Evaluating the sensory approaches e-learning training. Meredith. P, Yeates. H, Greaves. A, Taylor. M, Slattery. M, Charters. M, Hill. M International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 2018, 27,p106-115.
Sensory approaches for young people who use substances, Taylor. M, Queensland Youth AOD Services Forum, 2018
Ice/Methamphetamine: Myth Busting, evidence based treatments and the role of Occupational Therapy, Taylor. M, Webinar, Occupational Therapy Australia, Brisbane, 2017.
A little less conversation, a little more action – Sensory Approaches for Alcohol & Other Drugs, Taylor. M, Webinar, Insight & APSAD Seminar Series, Brisbane, 2017
Sensory Approaches for Alcohol & Other Drugs (1 day workshop), Insight Training Calendar 2017 – present
Sensory modulation and older persons, Taylor. M, Older Persons Mental Health Statewide Symposium, Brisbane, 2016
What’s sensory modulation got to do with it?,Taylor. M, Least Restrictive Practice Statewide Forum, Brisbane, 2015
Sensory modulation and dual diagnosis: A workshop, Taylor. M, WOWS Conference for Drug & Alcohol Clinicians, Brisbane, 2015
Supporting consumer self-management through staff education: The sensory approaches e-learning project, Taylor. M & Meredith. P, International Mental Health Conference, Gold Coast, 2015
Adopting a sensory lens to enhance functional outcomes, Webinar and workshop (1&2 day), Occupational Therapy Australia, Brisbane, 2015
Compass Seminars: Introduction to motivational interviewing (1 day), Newcastle & Sydney, 2015 – 2017
Smoking cessation: A new model for intervention incorporating a sensory approach, Taylor. M, Queensland State Occupational Therapy Conference, Noosa, 2014
Supporting consumer self-management through staff education: The sensory approaches e-learning project, Taylor. M, Queensland State Occupational Therapy Conference, Noosa, 2014
Supporting consumer self-management statewide through staff education: The sensory approaches e-learning project, Taylor. M, Mental Health Alcohol & Other Drugs Clinical Network Forum Queensland, 2014
Sensory modulation: A promising approach for people with cannabis and co-morbid mental health conditions, Taylor. M, 2nd National Cannabis Conference, Brisbane, 2012
The introduction of sensory modulation interventions to a metropolitan mental health service, Taylor. M, 24th National Australian Occupational Therapy Conference, Gold Coast, 2011
Dual diagnosis and recovery – One person’s story, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital Mental Health Grand Rounds, co-presented with consumer with Dual Diagnosis and case manager, 2011
The introduction of sensory modulation interventions to Metro North Mental Health Services RBWH, Inviting Innovation Forum, Brisbane, 2010
Write of passage: The therapeutic and cathartic uses of creative writing. Taylor. M, Queensland Writers Centre News 1998, November, p8-9
Delving deeper (Workshop), Taylor. M, Queensland Writers Centre Series, Brisbane, 2000 Write for life (Workshop), Taylor. M, Queensland Writers Centre Series, Maleny, 1998.
The therapeutic elements of creative writing, 2nd National Conference For Arts In Health, Toowoomba, 1995
Writing your way to recovery (Workshop), Winter School National Drug and Alcohol Conference, Brisbane, 1994
Substance abuse and physical disability. Taylor.M, Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 1994, 41, p186
Creative writing as therapy (Workshop), Occupational Therapy and Mental Health Conference, Brisbane, 1992
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Working with Complex Trauma: The Snow White Model, Naomi Halpern (1 day), 2018
Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (2 days), Dr Leah Giarratano, 2018
Managing Vicarious Trauma (1 day), Blue Knot Foundation, 2018
Advanced Motivational Interviewing (2 day), Helen Mentha, 2018 Working with Families (1 day), Paul Gibney, 2018
Vocal Intelligence (1 day), Dr Louise Mahler, 2018
Supervision in Alcohol & Other Drugs (1 day), 2017
Peer Supervision Training (1 day), Metro North Mental Health, 2015
Community Reinforcement Approach (1 day), Brian Serna, 2015
Trauma Interventions (2 days), Professor Bessel Van Der Kolk, 2015
Sensory Defensiveness – A Comprehensive Treatment Approach (2 days), Wilbarger & Wilbarger, 2014
Nicotine Addiction and Smoking Cessation (1 day), Associate Professor Renee Bittoun, 2014
Sensory Attachment Intervention (1 day), Eadaoin Bhreathnach, 2014
Motivational Interviewing: Beyond the Basics (2 days), Associate Professor Chris Wagner & Dr Joel Porter, 2014
Neurobiology of Attachment, Trauma & Illness (1 day), Dr Grant Sinnamon, 2013
Motivational Interviewing, Professor Bill Miller (2 days), 2012
Advanced Sensory Profile (2 days), Professor Winnie Dunn, 2011
National Trauma Informed Care Workshop (1 day), Queensland Health, 2011
Foundations of Psychosocial Disaster Management, Queensland Health, 2011
Supervision in Mental Health (2 days), Queensland Centre Mental Health Learning, 2011
Sensory Modulation Train the Trainer (6 days), Associate Professor Tina Champagne, 2010
Mental Health Educator Professional Development (3 days), Queensland Centre Mental Health Learning, 2010
Snoezelen: Exploring A New Sensory Environment (2 days), Joe Kewin & Roger Hutchinson, UK, 1997
AUTHOR
Author, Poet, Speaker, Workshop Leader
I love developing and delivering workshops and talks for young people (and the young at heart). As well as the skills of writing, I focus on the uses of poetry to support confidence and enjoyment, and to manage anxiety and emotional wellbeing.
Publications
100 Ways To Fly, UQP, 2019
The Monster Chronicles, QUT, 2010
If The World Belonged To Dogs, UQP, 2007
If Bees Rode Shiny Bicycles, UQP, 2003
Renovating, Picaro Press, 2002
The Angel Of Barbican High, UQP, 2001
Bloom, Vagabond Press, 2001
First Language, Five Islands Press, 1999
Chapters:
The Verse Novel: Australia & New Zealand, Contributing author, Ed. Linda Weste, Australian Scholarly, 2021
Word For Word: An inspirational workbook for writers and teachers of writing, Contributing author, Ed. Hilary Beaton, Queensland Writers Centre, 2000
Employment
- Speaker and workshop leader for Speakers Ink www.speakers-ink.com.au/speakers/michelle-taylor
- Master of Arts (Research) at Queensland University of Technology
Title of thesis – ‘The Monster Chronicles: The role of children’s stories featuring monsters in managing childhood fears and promoting empowerment.’ The research offers insights and tools to re-conceptualise and transform fear, anger, ill health and trauma into opportunities for connectedness, hope and feelings of safety. - Over 150 engagements at literary festivals, schools, parent groups, non-government agencies and creative industry groups throughout Queensland and Australia.
- Speaker for Hit Productions – writing and delivery of self development talks titled Follow Your Dreams to groups of high school students (20 to 1200).
- Publication of eight books of fiction and poetry, two non-fiction chapters and over 200 poems, book reviews and articles for children and adults, as well as broadcasts on radio.
- Recipient of numerous awards including Australian Family Therapists’ Award for The Angel of Barbican High (a young adult novel recommended as a book useful for therapists), the Harri Jones Memorial Prize (awarded by the University of Newcastle to a young Australian whose work in the field of poetry is judged to be outstanding), If Bees Rode Shiny Bicycles voted one of the Top Australian Books For Children by The Australian Centre for Youth Literature.
- Recipient of 5 grants from Arts Queensland and the Australia Council for the Arts for manuscript development.
FUN FACTS
I like to speak French and Portuguese.
I love dogs, swimming, bushwalking, reading in hammocks and growing herbs. I also love my family!
My greatest investment is in travel!
