I have been an Occupational Therapist for over 40 years, working in a wide variety of settings, primarily with pediatrics.  I've been involved in school systems across 3 states, early intervention, home health, inpatient and outpatient clinics,  group homes for adolescent boys with ASD, directing a childcare facility, after-school programs and more recently telehealth along with private home coaching since the pandemic.  I work with children and families in GA as an OT well as remotely internationally as a home coach. 

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In 2009, I trained as an advanced practitioner with Integrated Listening Systems and established programs for the Pro and the Focus system in an outpatient pediatric clinic from 2009-2018.  In 2017, I began home coaching with ILS (now Unyte) remotely serving families with the Total focus rentals (now referred to as ILS).  In 2018, after participating with Dr. Porges trial study with the Safe and Sound Protocol, I began home coaching families using the SSP.  This escalated during the pandemic with the shut down of outpatient clinics and the need for families to have remote services.  It has been a wonderful experience to coach families to administer these programs in their home.

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It has been a privilege to connect with families across the globe, working with ages 2-82, in their homes. The outcomes using ILS  and the SSP, through the avenue of parent coaching, have been stunning and surprising for many.  Families have witnessed the restoration of self regulation, school function impacted, social dynamics changing, improved language and communication skills, a wider window of tolerance for emotional regulation, sensory processing improved, and a connection with play and engagement skills both in the home and with peers.  Anxiety, fears, quick triggers, ruminations, distractability, being constantly on the move and sleep deprivation have been reduced and redirected through the use of these remarkable products and parent coaching by providing an individualized approach.  

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As a mother of 3 grown daughters, 5 granddaughters, and being the youngest sibling of a family of 5, the priority of family and support systems for encouragement, advice, problem solving, and providing safety nets for the ups and downs of the world we live in now has become evident. My husband and I have been married for 46 years and I am blessed to have a 98 year old mother who continues to live alone with support and is a testament of tenacity.  Family and connectedness is so important for health and wellness. 

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As an Occupational Therapist, I have served children with Sensory Processing Disorders  (including Auditory Processing Disorders), learning differences, autism, behavioral challenges, anxiety disorders, gross and fine motor delays, developmental delays, and speech delays, as well as a long list of genetic and medical issues that have contributed to an inefficiency in providing the best version of themselves.  Working exclusively remotely one on one with parents and caregivers since March of 2020 has given me an acute awareness of the changes in family needs and the importance of exacting treatment approaches that focus on playful engagement and co-regulation.  This has been highlighted when one has developed the art of promoting feelings of safety with an awareness of their own physiology while attending to another's nervous system.  

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About me:  In addition to my love for my family, children and grandchildren, I long for beach time, walks in the woods and enjoy the beauty, wonder, sacredness and quiet of living in the country.  Some of my favorite pastimes are reading, playing the piano, and DIY projects with my husband. My faith provides an anchor and gives guidance and support for the families I coach, the children I provide therapy for and the practitioners I mentor.  

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