Katja
Katja Kotaniemi Attwood (1989–2019)
Katja loved her work as an occupational therapist supporting children. The service that carries her name was created to honour that passion and to continue the values, relationships, and way of working that meant so much to her.
A friendship that became Katja’s Place.
Katja’s Place was established in 2021 by Cameron Griffiths in memory of his close friend and colleague, Katja Attwood, who passed away in 2019.
Cameron and Katja first met in 2014 and quickly developed a close professional friendship. Over the years they spent countless hours discussing therapy, sharing ideas, and reflecting on how services could better support children and their families. They often spoke about what an ideal therapy service might look like — one that was welcoming, evidence-based, family-centred, and focused on meaningful outcomes for children.
What began as professional conversations soon became a shared vision. They hoped that one day they would create a service that reflected these values and provided families with the kind of support they both believed every child deserved.
Although Katja never had the opportunity to see that dream realised, her influence remains at the heart of Katja’s Place. The service was created in her memory and inspired by the vision they shared — a place dedicated to understanding, supporting, and empowering children and their families.
Today, every child, family, program, and service delivered through Katja’s Place carries a small part of that vision forward.
Katja’s way
Katja’s impact extended far beyond the children and families she worked with directly. She shaped the thinking, values, and approach that continue to guide the service today.
Trust, quickly built
Katja had a remarkable ability to build trust with children and their families. She understood that meaningful therapy begins with meaningful relationships, and she had a natural gift for helping people feel comfortable, understood, and valued.
Warm and rigorous
She believed that excellent therapy should be both compassionate and evidence-based. Katja combined clinical knowledge and professional skill with warmth, humour, and genuine care, ensuring that families felt supported every step of the way.
A champion of the misunderstood
Katja was especially passionate about supporting children who were often misunderstood. She spoke frequently about the importance of seeing beyond behaviours and challenges to understand the child underneath. She celebrated their strengths, advocated for their needs, and worked tirelessly to help others understand them too.
Life-changing support
Many families described Katja’s support as life-changing. They often spoke about her ability to truly understand their child, to recognise strengths that others had missed, and to provide hope during difficult times. The relationships she built left a lasting impact on the children and families she supported.
A lasting legacy
While Katja is no longer with us, her influence continues to be felt every day. Her values shape the way we work, the way we build relationships, and the way we support children and families.
In Cameron’s words.
When I think about Katja, I think about someone who never stopped trying to become a better therapist. She was endlessly curious, always reading, learning, asking questions, and looking for ways to improve her practice. More than anything, she wanted to provide the best possible support for the children and families she worked with.
What stood out most was her empathy. Katja genuinely cared about people and had a remarkable ability to understand experiences and perspectives that others often missed. She would often notice strengths, challenges, and needs that had gone unseen, helping children feel understood and valued for who they were.
She was also a strong advocate. Katja believed deeply in fairness, inclusion, and giving every child the opportunity to succeed. She was passionate about supporting children who were misunderstood and worked hard to help others see their potential rather than their difficulties.
Relationships were at the centre of everything she did. She understood that meaningful change begins with trust and connection, and she invested deeply in the relationships she built with children and families. Her ability to connect with people was one of her greatest strengths.
Most of all, Katja genuinely loved working with children. She celebrated their successes, shared in their achievements, and found immense joy in seeing them grow in confidence and independence. The difference she made in the lives of so many children and families continues to inspire me, and it remains one of the reasons Katja’s Place exists today.
— Cameron Griffiths