About - Helen Roome Occupational Therapist for Adults with pain or fatigue

get to know me

I love being an Occupational Therapist! I chose OT because of its client-centred, whole-person focus; and its creative and practical approach to helping people with a variety of challenges.

I graduated as an OT from Wits University in 1996 and worked for many years in the public and private health sectors in South Africa. Although I have over 25 years of experience in working with adults with a wide range of both physical and psychological challenges, I developed a special interest in chronic pain about 6
years ago. This led to completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management through UCT in 2019.

My OT practice now focuses on offering a compassionate and practical approach to helping adults (18+ years old) manage the daily challenges of their chronic pain and/or fatigue.

I work with individuals experiencing:

Fibromyalgia/chronic widespread pain
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME
Chronic Low Back Pain
Central or Functional pain syndromes
Long-COVID/post-COVID/chronic post-COVID syndrome
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Chronic headaches
Painful arthritic conditions (OA, RA, SLE)

In 2021 I formed the “Relieve – Purpose beyond Pain” team with physiotherapist, Juli-Ann Riley. We offer an interdisciplinary approach to chronic pain and fatigue from our shared practice space in Kloof.

I am currently registered with the Health professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa (OTASA) and PainSA. Since I enjoy teaming up with others, I am a founding member of the OT Pain Management Group (OTPMG) – a special interest group of the OTASA that provides training in pain management for other OTs – and a member of the Allied subcommittee of the South African Society for Sleep and Health (SASSH).

Amongst other things during my OT career, I gained experience as a lecturer of the Community Development Studies module at UKZN and completed a diploma in Practical Labour Law through UNISA Business School.

During a career hiatus, when I worked as a Pastor of a local church, I also completed a Masters’ degree in practical theology (Tabor College, Australia). I cultivate my curiosity and consider myself a life-long learner – so this will never stop!

Apart from practicing as an OT, I enjoy public speaking and training others on a range of health- related subjects. I also really try to practice what I preach! So, in my down-time you will find me with family and friends, in the garden, on a hiking trail, buried in a book or holding a paint brush!

my qualifications