About Me
With over three decades of clinical excellence and academic leadership, my life's work is dedicated to helping individuals find the inner awareness and power to heal, grow, and thrive. My practice bridges traditional occupational therapy, specialized neurodevelopmental inteverentions, and gentle CranioSacral Therapy to offer a truly holistic, relationship-centered approach to wellness.
I firmly believe that true healings begins within. By combining therapeutic touch with CranioSacral skills, I help clients naturally enter an alpha brain wave state--shifting the nervous system into a quiet, calm, and alter space where deep restoration can take place.
Relationships are the core of everything I value. Whether working with a child, an adult, or a family system, it is an honor to walk alongside you on your path.
Beyond my practice, my world is anchored by a 45-year marriage, two wonderful adult children six amazing grandchildren, and our family dog and cat. When I am not practicing or learning, you can usually find me listening to audio books or music, browsing bookstores, working on a puzzle, or tending to my house plants--almost always with an iced coffee nearby. Â
My Skills
As a dedicated "Lifelong Learner", I continuously expand my skills to offer advanced, evidence-based interventions for clients of all ages.
- Neurodevelopment & Sensory Integration: SIPT certified with extensive training in Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and learning disabilities.
- CranioSacral Therapy (CST): Trained through the prestigious Upledger Institute (Core I & II, with advanced tracks ongoing). Guided and inspired by my own personal healing journey and ongoing professional mentorship.
- Auditory & Music Interventions: Advanced training in therapeutic music for health via Vital Links, Advanced Brain Technology, and Integrated Listening System (iLs).
- Feeding Therapy: Formally trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) feeding approach.
Articles & Books Written
My clinical practice is deeply informed by my academic research, focusing heavily on sensory adapted environments, literacy, and the profound therapeutic impact of sound and music interventions.
- "Expanding OTs role in addressing literacy deficits beyond handwriting in elementary aged children" Spring 2025
- "Using a sensory adapted dental environment to determine a change in dental anxiety for neurotypical individuals" Spring 2024
- "OTs role on the team for literacy: A scoping study" Spring 2022
- "Scoping Study: Occupational therapists use of music as an intervention" Spring 2020
“Current practice of occupational therapists use of sound-based intervention" Spring 2020
"Examining the behavioral characteristics of children at-risk for sensory modulation deficits and auditory processing deficits-Juried Project for UINDY, December 2019
Professional Associations / Memberships
International Association of Healthcare Practitioners: Medallian Member, 2022 to Current.
Professional Journey & Education
My background combines 31 years of hands-on clinical practice with 21 years of shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. Before retiring from academia in 2025, I proudly served Shawnee State University as an Associate Professor, Fieldwork Coordinator, Program Director, and Department Chair.Â
- Doctorate of Health Science- University of Indianapolis (2019)
- Post-Professional Master of Occupational Therapy-San Jose State University (2007)
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy- Shawnee State University (2004)
- Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant-Shawnee State University (1995)
Available for patients
Case studies, easy to understand explanations about the CranioSacral System, Visceral Manipulation, products to use between sessions, and much more.
License Number
OT-00006333
538 6th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
United States
tel. 7403576634 (day)
Hours of operation / Fees
CST/hr: $80.00 (private pay)
Driving directions
MapQuest:
538 6th Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662