About Me
Born and raised in NJ, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Biobehavioral Health and Minor in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. I ventured out west with my (now) husband, for graduate school, where I received my Master’s Degree from Dominican University of California in 2016. A nationally board-certified, registered and licensed Occupational Therapist (OT). I was a California licensed OT, and practiced as a school and outpatient based pediatric therapist as well as being an active member of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC).
My husband and I returned to NJ several years later to be closer to family (and start a family). At that time, I serviced Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset counties as an OT in Early Intervention, and worked part-time seeing clients of all ages at Occupational Therapy Associates of Princeton (OTAP).
I now have two beautiful and spunky daughters, who were the inspiration behind the development of Sprouting Babies.
In 2021, when I had my second child, I thought I knew just about everything I needed to know about parenting an infant, but boy was I wrong! She humbled me in more ways than one. She was colicky, had reflux, a tongue and lip tie release, required chiropractic and PT/OT services for bodywork and suck training due to bottle refusal, and inability to maintain a proper latch on a bottle nipple/pacifier. She was a puzzle! She refused to sleep on her back, and kept us awake more nights than I could count.
During this process, I learned a ton! Not only from a clinical perspective, but also as a parent, understanding that there is so much we cannot control, and if you suspect something, seek answers, don’t just assume “it will pass.” Every baby is unique, and requires different supports and techniques to feel safe and regulated.
Even after the birth of my first child in 2019, I noticed a gap in the care provided to infants and toddlers, and the stress and anxiety it was causing parents. Combining my experiences as a parent along with my many years of working as a pediatric therapist, Sprouting Babies was born. I specialize in working with infants with torticollis, head flattening/plagiocephaly, tummy time difficulties, oral restrictions (ties), reaching developmental milestones for babies from birth through walking (i.e., 0-18 mo), and providing parent education/coaching.
I utilize my advanced training and certifications in bodywork and neuromuscular reeducation, oral motor skills, sensory integration, and integrating primitive reflexes to incorporate a whole body approach when working with your infant. My focus is also on helping parents bond with their babies, coregulate, and learn ways to cope with parental anxiety and fears, to achieve happiness and hopefulness through the journey of parenthood.
Certifications
Certifications:
CPR Certified
DIR 101 and DIRFloortime®
Handwriting Without Tears
- Certified Infant Massage Coach, CIMC by Pediatric Theratools
Additional Training:
- Torticollis, Tongue Tie, & Infant Feeding.
- Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Feeding Approach
- Tongue Ties, Breastfeeding, and the Lactation Savvy Therapist
- Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) for the Terrible Twos
- Bodywork for Better Breastfeeding: Hands-on Modalities to Improve Feeding Readiness and Outcomes
- Torticollis and Plagiocephaly (Treating Plagiocephaly without a Helmet)
- Integrating Primitive Reflexes
- Bottle Feeding Skills: Refining Clinical Reasoning for Selection and Use
- Supporting Oral Motor Skills in the Infant: Assessment, Adaptation, and Remediation
- Sensory Integration in children
- Early Childhood Development including Early Intervention & Developmental Milestones
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Zones of Regulation
- Wilbarger Brushing Protocol
- Therapeutic Listening
Fun Facts!
- I was a gymnast for 16 years including competing at the elite level and earning a full scholarship to compete for the Nittany Lions at Penn State!
- I have traveled to almost every state for gymnastics competitions.
- I met my husband at Penn State, and we have driven across country 2x.
- I lived in Northern California for 5 years, and miss driving to San Francisco for weekend brunch. The tacos are amazing too!
- I was also a competitive powerlifter after retiring from gymnastics, and could deadlift 350lbs (at one point).
- We have a very loud, fun, and chaotic home with 3 dogs, 2 kids, my husband, and my mother all under the same roof.
- I love what I do and would choose this profession again if I had the choice!
