A woman with blonde hair and a young girl with dark, wavy hair, both smiling outdoors during autumn, with blurred fall foliage in the background.

Hi, I'm Kathleen Gillis, founder of Cape-able Kids Occupational Therapy.

I graduated from Dalhousie University in 2008 with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and have spent the past 20 years working as a pediatric occupational therapist in Alberta. Throughout my career, I have supported children and families in developing the skills they need to participate more fully and independently in everyday life.

My practice focuses on sensory processing, self-regulation, feeding, toileting, sleep, fine motor development, and supporting children with autism and other developmental differences. I believe in providing compassionate, trauma-informed, family-centred care that celebrates each child's unique strengths.

I'm thrilled to be returning home to Nova Scotia and look forward to supporting children and families across Cape Breton.

Kathleen Gillis
Occupational Therapist BScK, MScOT (c)

Our Philosophy

Encourage independence from the beginning

We support children to build confidence and independence at their own pace—offering just the right amount of help while honouring their autonomy.

Respect the whole child

We see and value the whole child—their strengths, differences, experiences, interests, and unique way of moving through the world.

Provide a calm and responsive environment

Children thrive when they feel safe, understood, and connected. We create calm, responsive spaces where each child can feel comfortable being themselves.

Partner with parents

You know your child best. We listen, collaborate, and work alongside families to create meaningful strategies that fit naturally into everyday life.

  • "Kathleen made learning to print fun and engaging for our son. She helped strengthen the skills behind handwriting, not just the letters themselves, and gave us simple activities we could do at home. His confidence has grown tremendously, his printing is much neater, and for the first time, he actually enjoys writing."

    -Parent

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions please contact us.

  • If everyday activities feel harder for your child or family than they need to, OT may be helpful. You don’t need to know exactly what the concern is before reaching out—we can talk about what you’re noticing and help determine whether OT is a good fit.

  • No referral is required to access private occupational therapy. 

  • The first visit is about getting to know your child and family. We’ll talk about your goals, priorities, routines, and what is already working well. Depending on your child’s needs, the session may also include play, observation, and informal or standardized assessment.

  • Whenever possible, we encourage parents and caregivers to be part of the process. Therapy is most meaningful when strategies can be understood and used within your child’s everyday routines—not just during an OT session.

  • Yes. We recognize that there is no single “right” way for a child to think, learn, communicate, play, or experience the world. Our goal is not to make children appear more neurotypical, but to understand their needs, build meaningful skills, reduce barriers, and support authentic participation.

  • Yes—but we believe strategies should support family life, not add another overwhelming “to-do” list. We focus on realistic ideas that can be woven into routines you’re already doing.

  • Yes. With parent consent, collaboration with teachers, physicians, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and other members of your child’s team can help create more consistent and meaningful support across environments.

  • Many extended health benefit plans include occupational therapy services. Coverage varies by provider and plan, so we recommend contacting your insurance company directly to confirm your coverage.