Occupational Therapist & Owner @ Empowering Play, LLC

I am an occupational therapist serving children and their families in Austin, Texas and am the owner of Empowering Play, LLC. I am obsessed with child development, sensory integration, and psychology and love sharing what I’ve learned with others. I enjoy learning about the unique strengths and challenges of the families I work with and finding supportive strategies that work well for both the child and the caregiver.

I specialize in sensory processing and mental health challenges. I have experience working in a variety of settings, including an inclusive preschool, a juvenile detention center, an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic, a residential treatment center for children healing from trauma, and home health. I also have experience as a live-in respite care provider for individuals with special needs.

My experience in the caregiver role has enabled me to understand how chaotic it can be to care for individuals who are unable to express strong feelings in safe ways. I also understand how frustrating it can be to receive unhelpful advice from well-meaning professionals or family members who don’t understand what your day-to-day life is like. This experience enriches my ability to recognize the challenges my clients face and collaborate with them to make incremental changes over time to cultivate a more peaceful and joyful connection with their children.

Does Your Child…

• seem extra sensitive to their environment?
• have trouble noticing things that are obvious to you?
• have meltdowns that leave you feeling at a loss?
• struggle with coordination for physical activities?
• need more assistance than other kids their age for self-care tasks?

Occupational therapy can help! Schedule your free call at Empowering-play.com!

Founder / Director / Instigator @ Whole Movement Center

Specialties: Infant Developmental Movement & Somatic Psychotherapy & Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy

MY CERTIFICATIONS & BACKGROUND:

Before becoming a movement therapist and psychotherapist, I was a professional dancer, choreographer, and theater artist who founded a dance company and directed a yoga and bodywork studio.

I am a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist with a specialty in development and Pre and Perinatal Birth Attachment Therapy. I also have a Master’s in Counseling Psychology.

My certifications include:

Body Mind Centering® Practitioner
Licensed Professional Counselor
Registered Somatic Movement Therapist w/ the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association
Infant Developmental Movement Educator®
Certified Pre and Perinatal Birth Attachment Practitioner
Somatic Experiencing provider
Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapist
Hatha Yoga Teacher for all ages
Advanced Bodywork Therapist
Skinner Releasing Dance Technique® Educator
I draw from all of these disciplines to work with any person who wants to overcome pain or restricted movement, seek recovery from trauma or stress, or become more fully connected with their own body and authentic self.

I also specialize in attachment, birth, birth trauma, adoption, developmental, and prenatal and perinatal issues. I am passionate about supporting and working with individuals and families with children with special needs.