Working with children has been a passion of mine for so many years. I am a registered occupational therapist in the province of Ontario and graduated from McGill University in 1999. Learning about the brain and body connection has always been fascinating to me; I also completed a degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology prior to studying Occupational Therapy. After many years of working in hospitals, a rehabilitation center and various schools, I co-founded On the Ball Pediatric Physio and Occupational Therapy in Kanata with my physiotherapy colleague. It has been my honor to work with so many wonderful children, families, caregivers, and professionals. Since that time, I have enjoyed educating the public at various online and in-person conferences and workshops about the role that OT can play in helping children learn and grow. My work with traumatized children has led to a passion for integrating psychotherapy into my clinical practice. I’ve worked with children of all abilities in the past, including those with Anxiety, ADHD, Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and various other neurological and psychiatric diagnoses.
I’ve travelled extensively in the United States to further my training in Sensory Integration, Trauma-informed care, and use hands-on techniques, activities, and games that are fun and rewarding for children to develop and strengthen the nervous system. I’ve become a “behavioral detective” and address the underlying reasons for difficulties with self-regulation. Occupational Therapists help people to become independent in their daily activities or “occupations”. Sometimes this may mean that an overactive nervous system can affect learning, interacting with others, or being able to focus on self-care activities. Children need to feel safe and connected to be able to self-regulate. I’ve enjoyed participating in joint sessions with the psychotherapists at OCATT. I help to organize the nervous system by working on the body and to provide sensory-motor interventions; this allows the child to express themselves more openly. It has brought therapy to the next level!
Post-professional training has included:
- Sensory Integration
- Psychosensory Interventions
- Trauma-Informed Occupational Therapy
- Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Levels 1 and 2
- Safe and Sound Protocol from Integrated Listening Systems
- Auditory Focus Program from Integrated Listening Systems
- Rhythmic Movement Levels 1 and 2 and Face the Fear Reflex Integration Courses
- Greenspan Floortime Approach
- Praxis : Sensory-Motor Learning / Coordination Challenges
- SOS (Sequential Oral-Sensory Approach to Feeding)
- Misophonia
- Attachment and Trauma / Polyvagal Theory
- Design of at-home / school sensory spaces
When I am not working, I can be found outside tending to my flower garden, swimming, travelling with my family, doing Pilates or driving my teenagers to soccer games.