About GDOT Inc.
Our Story
Goal Directed Occupational Therapy Inc. (GDOT) was founded in 2014 to fulfill the need for specialized community care on Vancouver Island for injured individuals or those experiencing a serious illness. We have expertise in concussion/brain injuries, mental health conditions and complex physical injuries.
Founded by mother and daughter occupational therapists Lauren Talley and Carol Talley, GDOT has since expanded to two clinic settings and a professional team of occupational therapists and kinesiologists.
We have the expertise to help our clients navigate through their recovery back to their previous occupations or lifestyle, combined with the knowledge of unique resources and rehabilitation options available to those in Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island. We are dedicated to making the entire recovery process as seamless as possible.
Meet the Team
Carol Talley
President
Registered Occupational Therapist
Her expertise in both areas of practice as well as her extensive continuing education in life-care planning, pain management, work place solutions and mental health enables her to approach recovery in a unique and comprehensive manner that is invaluable to the clients she serves.
Carol Talley is an experienced presenter and Clinical Instructor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.
Lauren Talley
Vice President
Registered Occupational Therapist
Lauren's clinical passions include evidenced based management of TBI and mental health conditions to optimize function. Her background in physical rehabilitation in combination with mental health and m TBI in Canada’s northern and remote regions provides her with a holistic approach to rehabilitation.
She specializes in return to work planning, recovery from multi-traumas, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health recovery.
Vera du Preez
Registered Occupational
Therapist
Vera graduated from the University of Free State in South Africa with a B.OT in 2004. She and her husband emigrated to Canada in 2008 and she had been a member of COTBC since 2009. She has worked in hospital and community settings in both South Africa and northern BC. Vera joined our team in November 2019. She appreciates and values the importance of a client-centered approach and working in a multi-disciplinary team environment. She enjoys working directly with clients, identifying their challenges and goals and helping them achieve maximum functional recovery in areas of self-care, work, productivity and leisure.
Alexandra Bachand
Registered Occupational
Therapist
Alexandra received her Occupational Therapy Master’s degree from McGill University. Since entering practice, her experience has included work in mental health, return to work, ergonomics, concussion/brain injury and musculoskeletal injuries/trauma. She has completed two levels of concussion management continuing education. She believes every client is unique and their treatment should reflect that. She invests the time to make sure each client receives client-centered, evidence-based care to enable them to meet the goals that are meaningful to them.
Teryl Noble
Registered Occupational
Therapist
Teryl completed her Master’s of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta. Since entering practice, her areas of experience include persistent pain, return to work planning, ergonomics, and mental health. She enjoys supporting people with identifying and achieving their goals, and returning to activities that they find meaningful. She is dedicated to continued learning and professional development and is eager to expand her knowledge and expertise. When not working, Teryl enjoys playing sports such as soccer, crafting, and spending time with friends and family.
Judy Avila
Kinesiologist
Judy graduated from Simon Fraser University with a BSc. Kinesiology and is a Practicing Member in BC. She has worked in both clinical and community based programs, designing and implementing therapeutic exercise programs for clients with orthopedic injuries, chronic pain, mental health, brain injury, PTSD and geriatrics. She enjoys working with a team that is dedicated to finding the right treatment for any given client and seeing their quality of life improve as a result . Judy is an avid runner and loves to be outdoors doing a variety of activities.
Ai-Lien Ton-Nu
Office Administrator
Ai Lien is originally from Vietnam where she worked in tourism and studied French. In 1999 she came to Sydney- Australia to study English & Marketing for 2 years. She emigrated to Canada in 2004, has been working as an administrator in several organizations. She brings a wealth of experience to this role. On her days off, her two daughters keep her very busy. Her favourite pastime is cooking Vietnamese foods, gardening & crabbing.
Finnegan
Office Companion
Finnegan joined the Goal Directed OT team in 2016. After a few years of obedience training, he now enjoys his days in the clinic accepting pets from anyone who is willing. Finn is always available to offer a calming energy to those who need it. On his off time, he enjoys lounging on the couch and playing fetch.