Biography
Joanna Bresi-Ando is a Specialist Neuro Occupational Therapist with more than 20 years of experience in neurological rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work planning. She works with adults living with complex neurological conditions, including acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.
Joanna has particular expertise in translating complex clinical and functional assessment findings into clear, practical recommendations that support independence, participation and sustainable outcomes. Her specialist areas include neurological rehabilitation, cognitive rehabilitation, workplace assessment and vocational rehabilitation, with experience addressing difficulties involving memory, attention, planning, organisation, fatigue and executive functioning.
A significant area of Joanna’s practice is helping individuals return to or remain in meaningful employment following neurological injury or illness. Her work includes vocational rehabilitation assessment, graded return-to-work planning, workplace assessment, job demands analysis, reasonable adjustments, assistive technology and liaison with employers and occupational health services.
Joanna’s career also includes extensive NHS and independent-sector experience. She has worked in specialist neurological rehabilitation, neuro-navigation, stroke rehabilitation, rapid-response services and community rehabilitation, including roles as a Highly Specialist Stroke Therapist and Senior Neuro Occupational Therapist.
Her approach is strongly person-centred and focused on helping individuals translate rehabilitation gains into meaningful everyday outcomes. Whether supporting independence at home, developing cognitive strategies or planning a return to employment, Joanna works collaboratively with clients and the wider team to ensure recommendations are realistic, relevant and aligned with the person’s own priorities.
Awards & Education
Joanna completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy at London South Bank University and previously obtained a BSc in Applied Biology and European Studies from the University of Greenwich.
She is a HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, including the specialist sections for Neurological Practice, Independent Practice and Work.
Joanna is also a Certified Disability Management Professional and has undertaken specialist training in Functional Capacity Evaluation, Transferable Skills Analysis, Job Demands Analysis, the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills and cognitive assessment. Her additional professional development includes postgraduate-level clinical leadership training and the Bridges Self-Management Programme.
