Independent Living

Improving your daily living

Click to book (02) 9906 7777

Independent LivingKT_Carroll2025-05-19T01:10:53+00:00

Independent Living

Our Allied Health clinicians are highly experienced in their respective areas and will provide you with all the services you need, in one place.

Getting back to independence with a neurological condition

The best starting point is an initial assessment which fully explores your functional problems and the impairments which can cause these. From here we look at goal setting closely with you. Our therapists can fully support and advocate your needs with a very comprehensive treatment plan and report and make referrals to other providers which can help you. Our referrals co-ordinator will guide your initial assessment with the best clinician, based on the information you provide us.

Mobile Neurological Rehabilitation Services

Planning your independence following a neurological condition

Many of our clients require supports over several domains of their life. Our Occupational Therapists assess and facilitate people living with a neurological condition to live up to their full potential and enhance independence with everyday activities. Some examples include hands-on therapy and identifying strategies to help manage self-care, domestic tasks, meal preparation, community access and increasing function to live independently. The NDIS is supportive in funding the supports needed to influence these key areas of everyday life including the equipment you need as well as the hands-on therapy.

Our Occupational Therapists can see you at home, as well as the clinic and offer a range of specialities for people with a neurological condition.

living independently with a neurological condition

Functional assessments and activities of daily living training
Community access
Cognitive assessment and training
Upper Limb therapy and intensive program
Seating and wheelchair clinics (mobile and in clinic)
Manual handling assessment and carer training/care plan development
Environmental assessments and equipment prescription
Housing and SDA assessments

Being a one-stop-shop for therapy, our Occupational Therapists can involve our physiotherapists and exercise physiologists in your treatment plan if indicated.

OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

Home Based Therapy
Telehealth
At Your Gym
Beach Access Days
Nordic Walking
Hydrotherapy
Independent Living
Equipment
Mobile Seating Clinic
Return To Sport

LOCATIONS

In Clinic
Therapy at Home
Online Therapy

Rehabilitation for a
better tomorrow

Giving you the best neurological rehabilitation possible.

Advance Rehab Centre focuses on you as if it was our own family.

Make an Enquiry

CLINIC HOURS

Mon – Thurs	8 – 7pm
Fri	8 – 5pm
Sat	8 – 4pm

+61 (02) 9906 7777

Melissa Harrison

Cultural and Professional Development Manager & Neurological Physiotherapist

BSc (hons) Physiotherapy, University of the West of England, UK
Msc Neurorehabilitation, Brunel University, UK

Melissa has worked in the field of neuro physiotherapy since early in her career. She specialised as a senior neuro physiotherapist in the UK for a number of years - working across a variety of specialities including neurosurgery, neuro medicine, stroke and both inpatient and outpatient neuro rehab. This experience has given Melissa a solid understanding of the journey people go through from receiving their initial neurological diagnosis, through to much later stages of their rehab.

Melissa went on to complete a Masters in Neurorehabilitation in London, gaining valuable analytical and research experience and completing her own research project exploring the rehabilitation services available to people with brain tumours. Melissa has a special interest in neuro-oncology, as well as stroke and a wide range of post neurosurgery and neuro medical conditions. This experience led to her being invited to review and contribute to the Cancer Council's 'Understanding Brain Tumours' information booklet in Australia in 2019.

It is her time working as a physiotherapist at ARC that motivated Melissa further to remain living in Australia! Over her time working at ARC, Melissa has become a PD Warrior certified instructor and trainer - delivering practical courses to other allied health professionals across Australia.

She loves her job for continuing to develop the ARC team as it grows. Melissa enjoys supporting the team through change and growth, ensuring the highest quality of therapy is maintained, as well as the team culture that staff and clients thrive from at ARC. Melissa can be contacted at ARC Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and welcomes feedback on the service clients are receiving.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys ocean swimming, tending to her rapidly growing plant family and making the most of the abundance of beautiful walks Sydney has to offer!

Lisa Meng

Hurstville Deputy Exercise Physiology Team Leader and ESSA Accredited Neurological Exercise Physiologist

Bachelor of Exercise Physiology, University of New South Wales

Lisa completed a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology at the University of New South Wales. Lisa started at ARC in 2018 and is passionate about assisting individuals in building a healthy life long relationship with exercise, no matter the impact of their disability. She believes that movement and exercise is a privilege that should be and can be enjoyed by all.

She has been involved in a number of Stand Walk Run intensives, an ARC driven program that involves the Multidisciplinary team to apply the principles of neuroplasticity to a client's program. Through this experience, she has been part of many client journey's that have seen clients with neurological impairments return back to sport, running, work and travels.

Lisa is the co-chair for the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) special interest group. She has extensive experience working with FND clients and assisting them with understanding their condition, offering creative and sustainable management strategies and helping them re-integrate into physical activity.

Lisa is a cheerleader for her clients, not only in a therapy setting but for all further pursuits that aid in them living a fuller and more meaningful life. She has played a key role in supporting a Parksinson's client, Dean Laws, in completing two marathons and promoting the work of the Dean Team, which aims to improve the lives of all those living with Parkinson's.

Lisa has delivered an evening lecture to health professionals about the Role of Exercise Physiologists in Cardiometabolic risk factor management for the neurological population. Lisa is invested in assessing Neurological clients thoroughly, understanding the various risk factors and secondary health conditions that are related to Neurological conditions. She uses her treatment approach and education components to ensure clients understand their condition and empower them to follow a trajectory that leads them to improved overall health.

Lisa works full-time in our Hurstville clinic. She loves her time on the gym floor getting the most out of her clients, but also supervising the EPs on her team as she believes ARC is one of the best environments for a Neuro EP to thrive.

Alice Bond

Neurological Physiotherapist

Bachelor of Science(Neuroscience), Otago University, New Zealand

Bachelor Physiotherapy, Otago University, New Zealand

Alice joined the ARC team in 2022 after spending seven years in New Zealand, where she worked extensively with people recovering from traumatic brain injury, concussion, and spinal cord injury. Since joining ARC, she has expanded her expertise across a broad range of neurological conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and related disorders, and Functional Neurological Disorder.

Alice has a particular passion for vestibular rehabilitation and concussion management. Building on her extensive experience in the concussion field, she has completed numerous professional development courses focused on treatment of dizziness and post concussion symptoms including dizziness, migraine and imbalance. She enjoys helping people understand their symptoms and regain confidence in activities they may have been avoiding due to dizziness, fear of falling, or changes in strength and mobility.

What Alice loves most about neurological rehabilitation is that no two people are the same. She enjoys working alongside clients to tackle complex challenges, celebrate meaningful milestones, and develop practical, evidence-based strategies that support independence and quality of life. She is a strong advocate for multidisciplinary care and values the unique perspectives each team member brings when working together to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Based full-time in our Hurstville clinic, Alice provides both neurological physiotherapy and vestibular rehabilitation services. She also leads ARC's Concussion Special Interest Group, helping to drive best-practice care and continually improve services for people experiencing concussion and persistent post-concussion symptoms.

Outside the clinic, you'll find Alice playing hockey, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring new hiking trails, or planning her next travel adventure.