Founder’s Profile:
Founded by Karen Darling, Occupational Therapist (OT), who trained in Adelaide and with a work history across metropolitan Adelaide, regional South Australia, and the United Kingdom. Karen has a diverse clinical background with expertise in community practice, and in child and family mental health. Karen has undertaken roles in clinical practice, community development, leadership, project management, supervision, and tertiary education. Karen has also completed post graduate studies in Community Cultural Development, Visual Arts, and in several clinical approaches. Karen is a proud recipient of a local government award for Services to Indigenous People, and holds a high value on social justice approaches.
Karen undertakes community service, including annual volunteer roles at the Fringe and WOMAD festivals. Karen served 3 years as a Volunteer Carer Board Member for the Save Our Wildlife Foundation Inc (SOWFI), and continues to volunteer in the role of Wellbeing Manager, following introducing a wellbeing program and resources for volunteers. Learn more about SOWFI at https://www.save-our-wildlife.org.au/
Starting the Business:
Inspiration to create a private practice and leave the Public Service, after nearly 30 years, was drawn from the sentiment “Be the change you want to see in the world” (attributed to Ghandi). After nearly 3 decades in varying roles and settings, I experienced several cycles of change in governance and models of practice, which became increasingly reductionistic and inflexible. I was driven to pursue work that was more meaningful, and which provided me with more choice, control, and a better balance of the competing demands of life. I wanted to create a viable and sustainable business that provided high quality services that met gaps in current practice, while preventing burn out (common among health practitioners), and which also had the potential to grow.
The green dots name arose from the principles of the psychology of the colour green as well as the environmental associations of being green. dots is an acronym for ‘darling (my surname) occupational therapy services”, and is also a reference to the reputation in OT for placing sticky dots on walls for home modifications!
