ELLEN SIMMS, OT

MEET ELLEN SIMMS

Ellen is a registered occupational therapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Her passion for helping others began early, and her journey into occupational therapy started while earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology at UVic. During this time, Ellen worked with neurodiverse children in an after-school care program, where she discovered the value of meeting each child where they are and tailoring support to their unique needs.

After completing her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto, Ellen returned to Victoria with her husband. She began her OT career in acute care at Royal Jubilee Hospital before moving into research and knowledge translation. In this role, she combined her love for occupational therapy and writing, developing evidence-based educational resources for caregivers of both children and adults. This experience deepened her appreciation for family-centered care and highlighted the importance of supporting caregivers to reduce burnout and enhance quality of care.

Although Ellen enjoyed health writing, she missed the direct connection with clients and decided to return to her roots—working with children. She is passionate about providing child-led, neurodiversity-affirming therapy, always focusing on her clients’ strengths and goals. Ellen loves exploring creative strategies, fostering empathy, and making each session engaging, supportive, and fun.

Outside of work, Ellen enjoys beach walks with her husband, gardening, performing in community theatre, and snapping countless photos of her cats.