Hello, I'm Emily...
I was born in Columbus, Indiana. I went to undergrad at Indiana University in Bloomington and majored in Psychology with a focus on Neuroscience. I love experiences and am a bit of a rolling stone. I have lived in Indiana, New York, California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Florida, Arkansas, Tokyo, Nebraska, and now Tucson, Arizona. I have two artsy, smart, sporty and kind daughters and a skilled, supportive, handyman husband (check out HFI Solutions in Tucson for your handyman needs!).
My grandpa taught me to "learn something new everyday". I make a habit of constantly developing myself and my skills. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Yoga Teacher and Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist.
I earned my master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Nebraska Methodist College and have worked in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Inpatient Rehab and Outpatient OT in a senior living facility.
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I particularly enjoy creating environments that invite ease, informing active, intelligent movement, facilitating expressive arts, and using nature and manual therapy as healing modalities.
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In my free time (wouldn’t be a typical bio without this!) I like to make and paint things, dance, hike, bike, camp and scamper on rocks.
My Roots
​My parents are all (including step) very health-oriented. My mom was a Montessori art teacher and then a massage therapist, yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic counselor. My stepdad practices Transcendental Meditation and loves his grounding/earthing pads. My dad is a chiropractor and herbal supplement fanatic. They all influenced me in many ways.
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In college I knew I wanted to go into healthcare and did an internship with a neurologist. Big nope to that experience (I mean, it was useful, but, oh so tragic). Healthcare in America is focused on masking symptoms and avoiding pain. I am a problem solver. I want to understand the root of problems to find lasting solutions and, in turn, achieve balance and health. Long story short, I got jaded on western medicine and didn’t know what to do with myself. After amassing more life experience, I came full-circle back into healthcare and feel so privileged to have found a profession that fits me so well.
Occupational therapy is meant to be holistic. Healthcare should be client-centered and approached from many angles. Health is a journey more than a destination. It takes consistent tending and requires a sensitive, responsive understanding of yourself and the context of your life. I don’t know exactly what you may need, but I am trained to help you figure it out. I listen, ask questions, and give meaningful suggestions. I have training in myofascial release (JF Barnes), cupping, manual lymphatic drainage, craniosacral therapy, positional release, muscle energy techniques, yoga, meditation, breathwork, and a bit of Feldenkrais and qi gong. I am constantly learning and applying what I learn because I think that’s what living is all about.