Restore Hand Therapy
Compassionate Clinical Excellence
We provide specialised treatment of all hand and elbow and arm injuries and issues such as pain, trauma, post surgery rehab, upper limb dysfunction, sport and work injuries, we also provide custom splinting, ergonomic and joint protection programs, arthritis care and simple wound and scar management plus more.
Our Values
Compassion drives our practice
Integrity is our core
Empowerment is our purpose
Collaboration is our commitment
Ongoing learning informs our service.

About Restore Hand Therapy
Restore Hand therapy is a Private Occupational Therapy Practice providing exceptional and compassionate HAND THERAPY. Restore Hand therapy was established in 2018, operating from Restore Allied Health in Central Ballarat.
Do you have private health cover with extras for Occupational Therapy?
We can process payments for most insurers including TAC, DVA, Medicare and EPC (Enhanced Primary Care).
We accept Workcover referrals however we do not invoice insurers. Payment for services must be made on the day of treatment. We will provide necessary receipts for clients to claim reimbursement from employers or insurers.
A referral is not required unless you are a WorkCover, TAC, DVA or EPC patient.
COVID-19 POLICY
If you are unwell at all including having any symptoms associated with Covid 19, or have tested positive for Covid 19 please ring the clinic on 5303 0333 to make alternative arrangements for treatment.
Our practice continues our strict hygiene procedures. These procedures are in place to ensure the best ongoing care for all our patients and staff, to help stop the spread of Covid-19, cold's and flu's.
If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms, please call the clinic to reschedule your appointment, even if you do not have a positive Covid 19 test, we appreciate your consideration in protecting our staff from colds and flu.
Headache Fever
Loss of smell Cough
Sore Throat
Staff Vaccination Policy
All Staff who work in Restore Hand Therapy are Fully Vaccinated and Boosted
Masks Are Required At ALL Times for All Clients and Visitors entering the clinic-
All staff, clients and visitors will be required to wear a correctly fitted medical grade, disposable face mask while inside the clinic and while in treatment– one will be provided if needed – this is irrespective of government mask requirements
Mask Exemption-
People who have a medical mask exemption will be required to provide proof of this exemption which will be documented in client record to limit repeated requests.
There may be limited appointment time slots offered for these patients to reduce contact with others such as at end of day or on less busy clinic days.
Telehealth
We continue offer telehealth appointments for these clients and to all clients who may not be able to attend for any reason.
Our Team


Our Team
Karen Goodwin
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
B.OT
Associate Member Australian Hand Therapy Association
Karen has been an Occupational Therapist for more than 17 years, working in Australia and the Scotland. She is a great all round OT with a long standing special interest and skills in Arthritis management, Pain Management and Rehab. Karen has a wonderful ability to connect with her clients and is very practical and functional in her approach to hand rehab. Karen is highly experienced and skilled with working with degenerative conditions such as arthritis, to help maximise function, minimise pain and stress in an efficient and practical way.
Karen is working towards her Accreditation status with the AHTA and in the process of completing her course work and mentorship and is loving the variety of diagnoses we see at Restore.
In her spare time Karen is a keen gardener, loves to travel when she can, and is a dedicated CFA volunteer in her community of Talbot.
We are very lucky that Karen is part of the team and she works Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays.
Emma Allan
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Jennifer Kaess
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
B.OT
Accredited Hand Therapist as awarded but the AHTA
Dip Appl Sci (P&O)
Certified Hand Therapist (CHT USA)
Jen has been practicing Hand therapy for more than 26 years. She has achieved the highest clinical recognition of her skills by achieving Accredited Hand Therapy status (AHTA) and the internationally recognised Certified Hand Therapy designation (USA). She is passionate about working with her patients to achieve their goals in a compassionate and connected, evidence based way. She is a master at keeping you chatting and distracted while working on your hand and arm. She sustained a serious wrist fracture when she was living and working as a Hand Therapist in the USA. This has given her a unique perspective of the anxiety, pain, frustration and need for patience, that an injury to the hand means in your life.
Jen enjoys teaching and mentoring others and is excited to get into the community to help promote hand health and injury management.
When not at work, Jen enjoys cooking for her family and friends. You will often find home-made treats at Restore, for all to enjoy. She wishes she had more time for pottery and loves to travel, but Ballarat will always be her home.
B.OT
Associate Member Australian Hand Therapy Association
Emma joined the Restore team in 2022 and brings with her a wealth of experience in community, aged care and neurological OT.
She has had a passion for hand therapy for 10 years and loving working with clients with hand and upper limb injuries.
Emma and her family have been living in Ballarat for 15 years, growing up in Daylesford she is a local through and through.
Emma is particularly passionate about managing trauma, wound care and sports injuries as well as cumulative trauma from overuse and degeneration.
She is working through a 12-month Hand Therapy program to keep her skills on the cutting edge of research and progress.
She loves making creative custom-made splints and working with her patients to get the best solution to get over the injury while continuing to participate in usual life including sport, work and recreation.
Emma is highly experienced at work site assessment which we can now offer at Restore for our clients.
In her spare time, you can find Emma at the gym or enjoying her young family out and about in Ballarat.
Emma Is working Wednesdays and Thursdays at Restore but will increase her days as her schedule allows.
Our Opening Hours
Mon - 9am- 6pm
Tue - 8am-5pm
Wed 9am-5pm
Thurs 9am-6pm
Fri 9am-4pm
After Hours By Appointment