My philosophy promotes reaching independence through play and function. I believe that children are more prepared to reach their goals when therapy is provided in an environment that fosters safety and fun!

Who might an O.T. help?

I work with infants, children, and adolescents across all stages of development, alongside the entire family, and any other members of a child’s care team. From a fussy infant with regulatory or feeding challenges to a toddler missing developmental milestones. A preschooler with attention concerns to a kindergartner with difficulty writing letters. A school-age child having difficulty learning to ride a bike to a teenager learning life skills as they prepare to move into adulthood…and anything in between!

I believe parents are the experts of their children, and it’s my goal to listen to you to gain a better understanding of the challenges you are up against as a parent, so that we can work together to create an action plan that works. I will meet you with compassion and knowledge, and use up-to-date research on child development and brain science, so we can tackle challenges with confidence. Whether you are searching for solutions on how to better structure your home environment to build in calm spaces, how to increase consistency of language between caregivers, how to better support transitions, I am here to help! My goal is to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, so we can customize strategies with your family’s individual desires at the forefront. Understanding your child’s developing brain and learning effective ways to intentionally connect with your child’s needs will surely empower you to thrive on your parenthood journey! Parent coaching can be delivered via phone, online, or in person within the context of your home or community.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a neurophysiological listening therapy that is scientifically supported to regulate the nervous system, for improved attention, arousal, and social engagement. This program was developed and researched for decades by Dr. Stephen Porges, and is based on the Polyvagal Theory, or “the science of feeling safe.” The goal of the SSP is to build a more resilient nervous system, leading to improved regulation and daily functioning. When the nervous system detects safety, we move out of ‘fight-or-flight’, creating space for spontaneous social engagement to occur.

The SSP is designed to stimulate the vagus nerve and the neural networks associated with listening, leading to positive changes within the nervous system. Through the listening of a five-hour therapeutically-altered musical playlist, SSP trains the middle ear muscles to tune into cues of safety, as signaled by the same frequencies of human voice. When we can move the nervous system out of chronic states of ‘fight-flight-or shutdown’, it allows us to respond versus react to life’s challenges, become more responsive to our emotional needs, access higher learning and cognition, and build positive social relationships.

It can be woven into your child’s therapy, or used as a stand alone service, and is also offered for adults. Visit the What is Safe and Sound website to learn more! Contact me today for a free SSP consultation so I can determine if this program would enrich your life, or the life of your child.

From teacher workshops, to university ‘career path’ events, to parent groups, and everything in between, I am passionate about educating others on the impact that occupational therapy can have on people’s lives. Having had numerous successful speaking opportunities (and growing) , I am confident in my ability to tailor topics to meet the specific learning goals of each group. Topics can range from understanding how sensory integration impacts learning, to practical strategies for improved co-regulation, to beyond behaviors & getting curious with all children…options are endless! Contact me today to inquire about how I can best contribute to the growth and development of your group or organization.