What is occupational therapy, and how might it benefit my child?

Occupational therapy (OT) helps children participate more comfortably and confidently in everyday life—play, learning, routines, and relationships. At JMOT, therapy often focuses on nervous system regulation, sensory processing, motor coordination, and emotional development to make daily life feel easier at home, school, and in the community.

Who do you work with / what do you help with?

I work with neurodivergent children and the adults who support them. Families often come for help with regulation, sensory differences, transitions, attention, big feelings, motor planning/coordination, executive functioning, and participation in daily routines (sleep, dressing, eating, school, and social demands). Some families simply want neurodiversity-affirming support and a deeper understanding of their child.

What makes your approach different?

First, every family works directly with me. My practice is a specialty clinic that provides neurodiversity-affirming care, specifically focused on nervous system regulation, for families who want clear insight and guidance from decades of clinical experience and advanced education. My clinic space, attached to my home and with a separate entrance, was intentionally designed to feel warm and welcoming, providing lots of natural light and state-of-the-art sensory equipment. I also uniquely offer nature-based OT in the woods behind my house. Whether OT is held inside or outside (or a combination of the two!) on any given day is based on the preferences and needs of the child. I keep my caseload intentionally small so I can be accessible and responsive to families, collaborate closely with schools when helpful, and tailor support to the whole child—because sensory, motor, and emotional development are deeply connected.

What does getting started look like?

Step one is a brief phone call to discuss your concerns and decide on next steps. If you have a recent evaluation or reports, we may be able to use those to create a plan. If not, we typically schedule an assessment to help determine areas of need and goals. From there, we’ll create a plan that fits your family.

What diagnoses do you typically work with, and does my child need a diagnosis to start therapy?

Your child does not need a diagnosis to work with me. Many of the children I see do not have an official diagnosis. However, diagnoses I also commonly work with include autism, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, PDA profiles, dyspraxia/developmental coordination differences, and sensory processing differences.

Do you offer virtual services?

Yes. I offer virtual parent coaching and consultations (including for families outside Michigan).

Do you offer homeschool consultation?

Yes. I offer virtual homeschool consultation using a Regulation-First framework that I developed to support neurodivergent learners—especially when traditional school hasn’t been a good fit.

Do you collaborate with schools?

Frequently! With parent permission, I can consult with schools, communicate with teachers, and support consistent, neurodiversity-affirming strategies across home and school (for example: regulation supports, sensory- and relational-informed accommodations, and practical tools for the classroom team).

Do you take insurance?

I’m out-of-network with all insurance (cash-based) and accept payment by HSA/FSA, cash, credit card, and check. To help my clients navigate out-of-network reimbursements, I use a service called Thrizer that automatically submits superbills on their behalf. With Thrizer, clients pay a copay for our sessions post-deductible, instead of paying my full fee and waiting for reimbursements. This typically allows clients to save on average 70% upfront on our sessions. During our intake process, I can help you verify whether you have out-of-network benefits and what your copay would be. ‍

Where are you located?

My clinic is located on the north side of Holland, near Lakewood, Lakeshore, and Waukazoo Elementary Schools.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. I offer a free 30-minute consultation. You can stop by, see the clinic, share what you’re noticing, and we’ll talk through whether OT is a good next step for your child.

Please contact me with any other questions you may have.