My mother worked in the field of special education, and from the ages of 5 to 18. I would go to work with her and watch with amazement at how she taught skills to kids. She would let me help when it was appropriate, and I was always fascinated with the practice. I remember a time when an OT came to the classroom to provide therapy and I thought to myself, “this is where all of the fun stuff is going on!” In 1996, I received my bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy, and my first job out of college was at the same school where my mom taught.

I met my husband, who is in the military. As you can imagine, this led me into a life of moving to new places every few years. The benefit of this is that it helps me continue to learn and grow.

Our first stop was in San Diego, where I worked at San Diego Children’s Hospital. This is where I honed my skills as an OT, as I was able to learn from some of the best in the field. In 2001, we moved to Maryland, and I worked with a woman who provided OT therapy at home rather than in an office. It was here that I realized the power of in-home therapy; this consistent environment empowers not only the kids but the whole family. This is also where I became SIPT certified.

In 2001, I became a mom with the birth of my daughter, and again when my son was born in 2005. This opened up a whole new world of learning for me.  It opened my eyes to the realities of parenting a child with individual differences and the value of providing the “just right” challenge for my own kids in my own home.

2005 brought us to post-Katrina New Orleans, where I worked in the public school system and learned about the impact of trauma on kids; I learned about how it impacts the nervous system and how it can create challenges for the growth and development of a child. I now bring a rich, trauma-informed approach to my OT practices.

We moved to Virginia in 2010, and I actively sought out work in a population where I could focus on self-regulation for kids and the role stress has on self-regulation. I discovered critical tools and techniques that make a dramatic impact.

In 2011, we moved back to San Diego, where I worked for the KIDSTART program at Rady Children’s Hospital. This program allowed me to bring the culmination of trauma-informed treatment, sensory integration programming, and parent coaching to children and families with the highest levels of need.

In 2018, we moved to Guam, which provided me with an immersive experience of the impact of culture and extended family on the OT process. It was a game-changer for my outlook on OT and the use of simple techniques and tools that can empower parents to be agents of positive change for their kids.

2020 brought us back to California, where I have continued my private practice in the Bay Area.  I continue my studies in DIR/Floortime and have advanced my skills by learning to become a DIR/Floortime trainer.  My goal is to bring a true neuraffirming model of autism support to the Bay area.  One that embraces a developmental, family centered approach focusing on nurturing relationships and understanding the individual’s profile.

I enjoy hiking with my family, relaxing on a beach somewhere or reading mystery novels in my spare time.

In my undergraduate years at the University of California, Berkeley, I became interested in the field of occupational therapy, because I felt it embodies the philosophies and traits that she values, such as viewing the individual holistically – as an integrative unit with psychological, emotional, social, and physical needs. Thus, I pursued and received her Master’s of Occupational Therapy in August 2013 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

I’m a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist with over eight years of experience supporting children and families in sensory integration-based outpatient clinics. I provided comprehensive evaluations, interventions, and ongoing support for children ages 3-21 with diverse needs. I developed home programs, educated parents, and advocated for families, aiming to empower them throughout the therapeutic process. I also led therapeutic group programs that promoted kindergarten readiness, self-regulation, emotional regulation, social skills, and mindfulness for children aged 5-11. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I adapted services to include telehealth, creating instructional videos, educational social media content, and co-facilitating a virtual parent support group. 

I’ve completed specialized training across a wide range of therapy methodologies to enhance my therapeutic approach with children of all ages. My training includes DIR/Floortime, where I learned the DIR and DIRFloortime model to foster meaningful engagement and emotional development. In handwriting development, I am skilled in Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) for school readiness and writing for kindergarten through 5th grade.

In sensory and auditory integration, I am certified in the Integrated Listening Systems Safe and Sound Protocol and have completed extensive coursework with Vital Links, covering Therapeutic Listening, sensory integration using suspension equipment, and trauma-informed sensory motor approaches. I’ve also been trained in Kelly Mahler’s Interoception methods, including supporting non-speaking clients and establishing body awareness in early learners.

With Social Thinking, I utilize vocabulary and concepts tailored for young children through adults to aid social learning, and I integrate Zones of Regulation principles to assist with emotional regulation. For feeding challenges, I’ve trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, a program for sensory-based feeding interventions.

Finally, I received visual rehabilitation training through Vyne Education, including techniques for improving visual processing and function in pediatric care. This multidisciplinary training allows me to provide a holistic and individualized approach to each child’s therapeutic journey.

As an occupational therapist, I strive to address my clients holistically by building strong therapeutic rapport, facilitating client-centered interventions, and collaborating with other professional disciplines and family members. My commitment to collaboration led me to work closely with psychologists, speech-language pathologists, teachers, and behavioral analysts to deliver individualized, multidisciplinary care. Additionally, it is very important that my clients feel worthy, valued, and successful. In my free time, I like crafting, eating out, cooking, connecting with my husband, family, and friends, learning, exploring, moving my body, and snuggling with my cats. 

My journey to becoming an Occupational Therapist was unexpected but deeply rewarding. Initially, I planned to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist. However, during my undergraduate studies, I took a job as an ABA therapist working with children with Autism. By chance, I was double booked with an Occupational Therapist one day, a profession I knew little about at the time. Intrigued, I asked to observe and was amazed by the session’s impact. That evening, I decided to switch my major, leading me to earn my Masters in Occupational Therapy from Samuel Merritt University in 2010. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working in various settings, including Neurology, Cardiac, Orthopedics, and Mental Health. Regardless of the setting, my passion always drew me back to pediatrics. As a child and young adult, I struggled academically and was later diagnosed with ADHD, learning disabilities, and Sensory Processing Disorder. Growing up, these conditions were not widely discussed, and I lacked the necessary resources to navigate life.

This personal experience fuels my dedication to Pediatric Occupational Therapy. I am committed to ensuring that no child feels the way I did. Every child is unique and can flourish when provided with the right environment and support. My goal is to create such environments and empower children to reach their full potential.

With over 15 years of diverse experience working with children, I am passionate about helping young individuals thrive on a holistic level. My journey has taken me through a variety of roles, working with children one-on-one and in group settings, in homes, schools, after-school and summer camp programs. These experiences allowed me to develop a deep understanding of each child’s unique needs and strengths, fostering their growth and potential.

My lifelong background in dance and movement has been a cornerstone of my professional path, informing my Occupational Therapy practice and individual sessions. Having danced since childhood, I understand the profound impact of movement on physical and emotional well-being. Teaching dance classes to children of all ages allowed me to witness their blossoming confidence and creativity as they honed their skills. This experience inspired me to pursue certification as a yoga instructor, where I further deepened my knowledge of anatomy, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. In teaching yoga, particularly to teenage girls, I adopted a mental-health-focused approach to the benefits of movement and meditation. It was incredibly rewarding to see these young individuals develop self-efficacy and inner strength through understanding their bodies and inner worlds.

During my undergraduate studies, I worked as a behavioral therapist providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to children with Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, OCD, Down Syndrome and other conditions. This role introduced me to the principles of sensory regulation and the field of Occupational Therapy (OT). My curiosity about the intersection of movement, sensory integration, neuroplasticity, and neurodivergence led me to volunteer in pediatric OT clinics, where I quickly found my calling.

I earned my Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University and have since worked in a variety of settings. Beginning in the non-public school setting, I combined my OT and ABA expertise to support children with emotional disturbances and histories of trauma. I’ve also gained valuable experience in geriatric care, working in post-acute rehab, a skilled nursing facility, and an acute psychiatric unit, where I’ve been able to broaden my comprehensive understanding of OT across the lifespan as well as both neuro and orthopedic rehabilitation.

Now, as a proud member of the Therapeeps team, I am thrilled to bring my well-rounded experience and passion to our community. My mission is to empower children to build confidence, develop essential skills, and thrive in their everyday lives.

Outside of work, I enjoy crafting, crocheting, dancing, practicing yoga, spending time with family and friends, and snuggling with my dog. I also love exploring the outdoors and finding inspiration in nature.