There’s something special about the buzz of an ASORC Conference – the energy, the shared passion, and the sense that you’re surrounded by people who truly understand the heart of rehabilitation counselling. This year was no exception, and for Strive’s very own Kylie Roberts, it was an opportunity not just to attend, but to contribute, challenge thinking, and spark important conversations across the profession. This year’s ASORC conference took place in beautiful Sydney at the International Convention Centre.
A Voice That Makes the Invisible Visible
Taking the stage, Kylie delivered a powerful presentation that invited people to look beyond what we typically see in rehabilitation. Her session, “Loneliness in Rehabilitation: The Factor We Don’t Name”, challenged a common blind spot in our work – the subtle, often unspoken impact of disconnection.
Rather than framing loneliness as a general wellbeing issue, Kylie grounded it firmly within the rehabilitation context. She explored how it quietly shapes behaviours we often label as disengagement, low motivation, or “not ready”. By reframing these patterns, she encouraged practitioners to pause and ask a deeper question: what if loneliness is sitting underneath?
The message was simple, yet powerful – if we don’t name it, we can’t plan for it. And when we don’t plan for it, we risk missing a critical driver of outcomes for our clients.
Beyond her individual session, Kylie also contributed to a panel discussion as part of the conference program, collaborating with fellow professionals to explore shared challenges and emerging trends within the industry.
These discussions created space for diverse perspectives, from complex client presentations through to system-level thinking all grounded in a shared commitment to improving outcomes for the people we support.
Kylie’s presence at ASORC wasn’t just a professional milestone, it was a reflection of what we value at Strive. Courage to challenge thinking. Curiosity to explore what sits beneath the surface. And a genuine commitment to improving the way we support people navigating recovery, identity, and return to work.
Her contribution reminded us that rehabilitation isn’t only about function and outcomes, it’s about connection, belonging, and helping people rebuild a sense of who they are and where they’re going.
We look forward to contributing to more conferences in the near future…watch this space.
Celebrating Excellence: Strive Team at the ARPA National Awards