Mika Newfield
Occupational Therapy
Mika Newfield
I’m a paediatric occupational therapist with over 8 years of experience working with children in schools and private practice settings. I enjoy taking a playful, developmentally informed approach to therapy, with a strong focus on building connection as the foundation for meaningful growth.
I have been mentored in and have experience using a sensory integration frame of reference, which supports children in developing the underlying sensory and motor skills needed for everyday participation and learning.
I have worked with children presenting with a wide range of needs and diagnoses, including sensory processing differences, ADHD, autism, developmental delays, and learning difficulties.
I have a Master’s in Paediatric Occupational Therapy, and my research has been published in the South African Journal of Occupational Therapy (SAJOT). I am also a certified DIRFloortime® practitioner, which helps me support emotional and social development through connection, relationships, and play. I am a qualified infant massage instructor too.
Welcome to my practice, I would love to support your family!
My Qualifications
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Master of Science in Paedaitric Occupational Therapy (WITS)
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Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (WITS)
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DIR Floortime® Practitioner (Profectum)
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Certified Infant Massage Instructor (IAIM)
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Kids Yoga Teacher (YogiBearsZA)
I have a published article in the South African Journal of Occupational Therapy (SAJOT). Read my journal article here:
https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sajot/article/view/20450/23120
HPCSA: OT0101893
HCPC (UK): OT095446
Practice Number: 0961140
My Approach
At the heart of my work is the belief that children develop best through connection, play, and meaningful relationships.
I take a sensory and developmental “bottom-up” approach, which means I focus first on the foundational building blocks of development. This includes how a child processes sensory information, their regulation, motor skills, attention, and emotional development. These core skills support higher-level abilities such as play, learning, and school participation.
I often use a sensory integration-informed lens to understand how a child experiences the world, and how this may be impacting their everyday functioning. By strengthening these foundational systems, children are better able to engage, participate, and feel confident in their environment.
With younger children, or those with developmental differences, I frequently incorporate DIRFloortime® into my work. This approach is rooted in relationships and play, and focuses on supporting communication and emotional development by following the child’s lead and meeting them where they are.
I tailor therapy to each child individually, recognising that every child has a unique developmental profile, strengths, and way of engaging with the world. My goal is always to support progress in a way that feels safe, playful, and meaningful for both the child and their family.