Our Team
Tahmid Hossain
Director and Lead Occupational Therapist
Tahmid has always been a people-person, with a deep passion for helping others achieve good health and well-being. Over a decade ago, he began his tertiary studies driven by this passion, earning a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences with majors in Health Promotion, Psychology, and Family, Society, and Health. After his initial work in health promotion, he discovered the field of Occupational Therapy, leading him to complete a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. He is a registered OT with the AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).
Tahmid is particularly passionate about working with children and is often described as a “natural” by those who know him. Before becoming an OT, he served as a group coordinator for a local youth scouts group and volunteered with a children’s charity, providing care and sensory integration support in palliative settings. Tahmid strongly believes in a relationship-based therapy model, rooted in connection and relational safety as the foundation for effective therapy. He emphasizes building meaningful connections with children through play and engagement to help them thrive.
Known for his bubbly, energetic personality and compassionate nature, Tahmid excels at forming meaningful relationships with people of all ages, backgrounds, and diagnoses. His commitment to person-centered care drives him to go above and beyond, aiming to support children and their families with a holistic approach. He values strong rapport and works closely with families and support networks to help children develop, grow, and succeed.
Tahmid founded The Nurturing Hand with the vision of creating a therapy hub where every child feels valued, safe, seen, and supported. Emphasizing a ‘bottom-up’ approach, the focus is on connection and safety, nurturing each child’s foundational and biological needs. By strengthening these core foundations while respecting each child’s unique developmental profile and interests, he believes a child’s capacity, development, and overall well-being will prosper over time.
Gabby May
Occupational Therapist
Gabby recently relocated to Melbourne and is thrilled to join The Nurturing Hand community. She holds a Bachelor’s in Medical Science (2012) and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy (2017), bringing extensive knowledge and passion to her practice. Gabby has worked across diverse settings, including transitional therapy, sensory modulation, and cultural immersion projects, with a strong background in occupational rehabilitation. In addition to her role at The Nurturing Hand, she is a Product Manager for a biopsychosocial assessment and health coaching platform, where she collaborates within the Personal Injury, Employment, and Disability sectors to address recovery barriers and create evidence-based solutions.
Gabby is excited to work with children, using her creative problem-solving skills and clinical expertise. She takes a holistic, client-centered approach and values building strong rapport with each client and family. Known for her warm and empathetic nature, Gabby is dedicated to fostering personal growth, healthy habits, and finding joy in every aspect of life.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Gabby’s interests span food, culture, and fitness. During weekends, she can often be found exploring Melbourne’s diverse neighbourhoods in search of the best coffee, immersing herself in art and cultural events, or engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, gym workouts, Pilates, and yoga. Additionally, she values spending quality time with friends and family.
Maddy Malone
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Maddy is our wonderful lead Occupational Therapy Assistant who comes with a wealth of experience. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition Science with Honors, and is currently undertaking her Master’s of Occupational Therapy. She also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Child Play. She has previous experience working in a range of transformative roles, these include working as a clinical nutritionist for NDIS participants and people with eating disorders, nutrition and food science researcher for Microsoft, and a principal researcher in gut health and mental health.
Maddy’s main interests revolve around food and eating behaviours, sensory processing differences, and integration-based therapy. She is passionate about delivering client-centred practice in her play and feeding therapy, built upon a neurodiversity affirming approach. Maddy is easy going, warm, and engaging, aspiring to support children in all functional domains, and most particularly, her area of expertise, sensory processing and food difficulties. One of Maddy’s major visions in this regard is to transform food struggles into joyful experiences.
Outside of work, Maddy enjoys cooking, swimming, reading, and exploring cafes with her friends.
Stephanie Gauci
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Stephanie is a dedicated Occupational Therapy assistant currently working towards her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, with a strong intention to specialize in paediatric occupational therapy post-graduation. Her personal experience growing up with a brother on the spectrum has endowed her with deep insight into the needs and experiences of neurodiverse individuals and their families.
Alongside her academic journey, Stephanie has been a swim teacher for several years, instructing children of diverse ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds, including neurodivergent kids. She consistently aims to create a positive and enjoyable learning environment. Known for her easy-going nature, hardworking attitude, and warmth, Stephanie is a strong advocate of positive affirmations, believing that children flourish when they feel supported and comfortable.
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys cooking, thrifting with friends, and collecting vinyl records.
