When Clinicians Innovate: Building Theratrak with Laura Simmons on The Curious OT Podcast

The Curious OT is a podcast hosted by Occupational Therapist Amanda Shields, exploring occupational therapy, innovation and new ways clinicians are approaching practice.

Theratrak Founder and Occupational Therapist Laura Simmons recently joined Amanda for the episode When Clinicians Innovate: Building Theratrak.

After more than a decade working in allied health, our Founder & Occupational Therapist Laura Simmons knows the realities allied health professionals are navigating - full caseloads, busy families, reporting, follow-up and the constant challenge of making good clinical ideas workable in real life.

In the episode, Laura shares how her experience working as a paediatric OT led to the idea for Theratrak, and why she believes clinicians have an important role to play in designing the technology used in allied health.

Listen to the episode to learn more from Laura and Amanda about:

• The clinical problem that originally inspired Theratrak

• Laura’s journey from Occupational Therapist to health-tech founder

• Why clinician-led innovation and co-design matter

• Making home programs easier for therapists and families

• Reducing unnecessary administration for clinicians

• Using technology to support therapy outside face-to-face sessions

• The opportunities - and challenges - of technology and AI in allied health

“For my clients that I see with chronic pain, it’s often more important what they do between sessions, not with me.”

- Amanda Shields, Occupational Therapist & Host of The Curious OT

Listen on Spotify

Watch on Youtube

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Every OT Who Sends Paper Handouts Needs This: OT Yourself To Freedom Podcast with Laura Simmons

Hosted by former-OT turned business coach Beki Eakins, OT Yourself To Freedom is a podcast for occupational therapists who want practical strategies, honest stories, and business insights to help them build a life and career with more freedom.

In early January 2026, Theratrak Founder and Occupational Therapist Laura Simmons, was featured on the podcast sharing her story of starting a tech company to improve the lives of allied health professionals.

“Let's get rid of the paper handout. Let's get rid of the 40 minute emails that nobody likes writing out.” - Laura Simmons, Occupational Therapist & Founder of Theratrak

Listen on Spotify to OT Yourself To Freedom Podcast with Laura Simmons

Listen to the episode with Laura on OT Yourself To Freedom to learn more about:

• Why paper handouts and long follow-up emails often fail (and what works better).

• How Theratrak helps therapists send home therapy activities and track what happens between sessions.

• How gamification (badges, rewards, avatars) supports engagement for children and families.

• What therapists should know if they ever want to build a digital product: cost, sustainability, and the reality of “making it work.”

• How digital tools can reduce travel/time barriers and increase clinician confidence by showing what’s actually happening at home.

• Mindset, confidence, and resilience as a female founder in tech.

“Our research found that parents feel more confident with therapy programs when using Theratrak. We have other research that shows how a clinic used Theratrak to bridge the gap for waiting lists - then those parents were more engaged in therapy long-term. We know parents feel more confident when using Theratrak.” - Laura Simmons, Occupational Therapist & Founder of Theratrak

This episode is for allied health professionals, and in particular for Occupational Therapists, who want home programs to actually stick - without chasing families, rewriting the same instructions, or spending evenings on admin. 

Laura shares why Theratrak was built, what changes when therapy is easier to deliver and easier to follow at home, and why visibility of progress matters for clinicians and families alike.