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Jana Van Der Merwe

Neurological Occupational Therapist Bsc(Hons)OT | OTAM

With a musician’s heart and an occupational therapist’s practical mind, Jana brings warmth, creativity and a steady sense of curiosity to her work at Steps. Outside the clinic, she loves writing songs and playing guitar and piano — which means she is just as comfortable finding rhythm in a piece of music as she is helping someone find their rhythm again in everyday life.

Jana’s approach to therapy has been shaped by the many clients who have trusted her with their stories, as well as the multidisciplinary teams she has worked alongside. Her own life experiences have also had a profound impact on the way she practices – strengthening her resilience; deepening her understanding of the importance of truly listening; and reinforcing how meaningful it is to celebrate the small wins — because sometimes the “small” wins are actually the ones that change everything.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela. Fueled by this philosophy, Jana enjoys working with clients, families and care teams to turn complex, messy challenges into practical steps forward — ideally with a little hope, a little humor, and a plan that actually makes sense.

Over the years, Jana’s clinical work has specialised into areas including hand therapy and upper limb rehabilitation; advanced lymphoedema management; and assistive technology – including complex wheelchair seating. She loves the problem-solving side of occupational therapy and is energised by working as part of a team to help people feel heard, regain control, and move forward in ways that are meaningful to them. At Steps, she brings both clinical skill and genuine care to her work — with just enough musician energy to keep things creative.