Sophie Shephard

Integrative Titled Pain Physiotherapist & Researcher

Sophie Shephard

As clinical director at Vive Pain & Fatigue and an early career researcher, Soph is driven to ensure all people living with persistent pain and fatigue have equitable access to compassionate, effective care.

Combining research, clinical expertise, and leadership, she aims to challenge traditional health care approaches through socially just, person centered practices that drive transformative change.

About Soph

Clinical Practice

Soph works clinically as an APA Titled Pain Physiotherapist at Vive Pain & Fatigue, a niche practice established to better support the unique needs of those living with complex persistent pain, chronic fatigue, and invisible illnesses like hypermobility disorders and dysautonomia. Operating exclusively through a telehealth model, Vive brings accessible, integrative care to patients across Australia. Vive's newest project is their recently launched podcast 'Beyond Pain and Fatigue', co-hosted by Soph and Oliver Crossley. Beyond Pain and Fatigue. This podcast is geared at sharing knowledge, research and professional insights, and lived experience to spark curiosity between health professionals and patients alike.

Research

As a clinician-researcher and PhD candidate, Soph has published academic papers, supervised Masters-level research projects, and presented at national and international conferences and professional events. Her research interests span pain and fatigue management, rural health, social justice and health equity, critical systems thinking and complexity in health, psychologically informed practice and suicide prevention, and the intersection of neurodiversity and pain and fatigue. Her PhD research adopts a critical, transdisciplinary approach to critique the problem of pain management in rural Australia through a spatial equity and social justice lens.

Professional Development and Mentorship

Soph is deeply committed to supporting the professional growth of physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals. She provides tailored mentoring and professional development opportunities, with a focus on managing complex pain and fatigue conditions, psychologically informed practice & suicide prevention, integrative physiotherapy approaches, and neurodiversity-affirming care.

Community & Leadership

Soph is a passionate leader and advocate. At a professional level, she is an active member of the APA NSW Pain Group Committee, and has contributed through invited lectures with the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta. Within the community, in addition to her time as a Pain Revolution Local Pain Educator and Mentor, she is a strong advocate, having previously spearheaded a campaign to improve pain services in Wagga Wagga and establishing a local pain support group.