Finding Calm by Listening to What Your Body Needs – Exclusive Interview with Anele Griessel
- Jan 22
- 5 min read
Anele Griessel trained as an occupational therapist in her native South Africa but has lived in the UK for 25 years, working mostly with children and young people but also with adults who have a formal diagnosis of neurodiversity. During that time, she has helped countless families turn their lives around with advice and support rooted in a simple message: Choose joy. In an increasingly frenetic and demanding world, that message has never been more important, says Anele.
Anele Griessel, Occupational Therapist
What inspired you to become an occupational therapist and start Estemoa-OT Ltd?
There were two people in South Africa who really shaped me, personally and professionally. One was my drama teacher, Joan Alkema. She was way ahead of her time. When I was 17, back in the early 1990s, Joan asked if I would help her as a volunteer at a residential home. All the young people there were displaced and Joan would start each session by getting everybody to lie on the floor and telling them to ‘belly breathe.’ You could see the children’s breath deepen and their bodies and brains settle and relax, and that had such a beneficial impact on their nervous system. It had such an impact on me that it has stayed with me all through my career.
Another inspiration was Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the way that he chose joy on a daily basis, even when he was going through his cancer journey. We all have difficult stuff to deal with, but we can all choose joy and, in that way, build resilience.
I first founded TLC Space Ltd, a successful occupational therapy clinic in the south-east of England, and recently handed over the reins to that to start Estemoa-OT Ltd. I will continue my consultative work but am very excited about the new opportunities and direction ahead of me. I am currently focusing on developing software options to support adults to reduce overwhelm and enable them to thrive.
How would you describe occupational therapy to someone who has never heard of it before?
Occupational Therapy is an allied health profession grounded in physiology, psychology and neuroscience. By focusing on the person, their environment and their occupation, an occupational therapist enables a person to engage in meaningful daily activities. I am particularly interested in how our sensory system registers and responds to environmental input and body signals, and the impact this has on our participation in everyday life. Our sensory reactions influence everything - our productivity, our relationships, our joy and our ability to care for ourselves and others.
What specific challenges or needs does your practice specialise in addressing?
Overwhelm. In 2026, the pace of technology and life is so fast, but our bodies are very slow evolvers. Our bodies and brains have not kept up with modern technology – how could they? Suddenly, our bodies have to deal with sensory input all day long and sometimes all night too, and therefore, there is a lot of overwhelm, especially among young people.
What does a typical session with you look like for a new client?
It consists of a three-part process. First, we explore the person’s sensory profile, their life roles, responsibilities and typical daily activities. Next, we analyse the impact of their unique sensory profile upon life’s occupations and identify the priority pain points. Finally, we look at ways to nurture their sensory system and build in practical sensory strategies to help them thrive and build resilience around chosen priority areas.
How do your sensory preference consultations and coaching help neurodivergent adults live better lives?
They help adults to live better lives by transforming how they understand, manage, and interact with their sensory environments. By moving from a deficit-based approach to a strengths-based, neuro-affirming model, these services empower individuals to reduce burnout, increase emotional regulation, and create personalized, sustainable lifestyles.
Can you share a success story that shows the impact of your work? (without naming names)
I am so passionate about what I do and can think of a few clients that illustrate how precise occupational therapy input can alter life trajectories well beyond symptom-management. DK, for example, presented in adulthood with longstanding, under-recognised sensory-motor and praxis difficulties which had impaired education, work, and relationships despite high intellectual ability. Through detailed assessment, formulation, and coaching-based intervention, she developed a clearer understanding of her neurodevelopmental profile, reduced daily cognitive and physical effort, and built strategies that supported sustained participation in complex roles. DK had previously navigated academic life with significant hidden strain but went on to complete her medical training and now works as a practising GP clinician, while maintaining a stable, fulfilling relationship.
What makes your approach different from other occupational therapy services out there?
I am a very simplistic person and believe that, with the ocean of information now around us, we often overthink and over-complicate. Informed by the work of Stephen Porges, Dr. Mona Delahooke, Bessel van der Kolk and people like Kelly Mahler, and my drama teacher, Joan, I have found that by activating our senses and the Vagus Nerve through simple actions, we can make a big difference to daily perceptions of overwhelm. In the most simple terms, it is about noticing with intent; about getting your mind and body into a place where you shut out that ocean and just notice things that are right around you – what you see and hear, what you smell, what you feel. That is sensory input and it is a great strategy to address overwhelm.
Just sit or stand for a moment. Take a breath. Be still and notice with intent. There is so much to notice. Our bodies are so connected to nature, so notice nature. A squirrel running across a branch. The shape of a leaf. The clouds above. The stillness around you. I am working on a software tool that will launch soon and be available as a free tool for all to use. Noticing with intent is a strategy not only for neurodivergent adults but for all of us to address overwhelm.
What are the biggest misconceptions people have about occupational therapy?
The term ‘occupation’ is so confusing. My dad thought I was going to work with mums who are in labour! Occupational Therapists focus on function and how health impacts performance and ways that can improve function to enable greater participation in the roles, tasks and activities that they choose to do, need to do or are expected to do.
How are sensory-based profiles different from personality profiles?
Our sensory-based assessments consider how sensory input is being processed by the human brain. They consider the lower, primitive, intuitive, automatic part of the brain and the impact this has on stress responses, emotional regulation and the higher functions of the brain. Personality profiles typically measure the middle to higher levels and depend more on cognitive responses rather than intuitive, automatic input from our senses. Both add valuable information about how you operate best as a person.
How do you work with families and caregivers to support long-term success?
I believe that consistency in practical micro-actions or strategies will build routines and eventually become habits. This is one component of long-term success, but it is so important to build a therapeutic relationship where I am part of their village to support, encourage and guide.
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant or unsure about exploring their own sensory preferences?
Exploring your sensory preferences can feel unnecessary, but it is a powerful form of self-care, based in neuroscience, which helps you manage energy, builds resilience, and enables you to thrive in a world that often feels overwhelming.
Listen to Anele speak about overwhelm, joy and sensory preferences with Dr. Andrew Greenland on Voices in Health and Wellness, a podcast spotlighting the founders, practitioners, and innovators redefining what care looks like today.
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