Stephanie Nelson

Occupational Therapist, Owner

“Stephanie is a phenomenal OT. She always explained everything clearly and allowed me to participate in my son’s sessions. We have learned so much on how to help my son.”

I completed my Bachelor of Science with a double major in Biology and Psychology at Mount Allison University. Pursuing my interest in healthcare and my need for creativity, I was drawn to Occupational Therapy. I completed my Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at Dalhousie University.

 

Upon graduation, I returned to my hometown of Moncton, New Brunswick and gained work experience in a variety of practice areas. I provided services to clients in hospital as well as in the community. Most recently, I served a paediatric population ages 0-5, but my work experience extends to community mental health, orthopedics, palliative care, neuro-rehabilitation, school-based and geriatric assessment.

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I moved to Petawawa in the fall of 2017 with my now husband. Upon my arrival in the Valley, I found there was a need for paediatric Occupational Therapy, which was not being met. With this realization, I decided to take the leap and realize my long time goal of owning my own paediatric business.

 

My drive for continuing education has led me to pursue many courses in a variety of areas, including sensory certification, handwriting, primitive reflex integration and trauma.

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I am in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists.

 

As a child and teenager, I spent many hours training in an intensive dance program. Movement remains a powerful influence in my life, and in my occupational therapy practice, and I continue to enjoy spending my time in a dance or yoga studio. I also crave outdoor adventures of all kinds - especially camping, hiking and SCUBA diving - and love to incorporate the outdoors into my therapy sessions.

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Thank you for your interest in adaptABLE Occupational Therapy and I look forward to working with you, your child and your family!

Publications

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  • Nelson, S. L. (2020, Spring) Picky Eating: A Recipe for Success Canadian Military Family Magazine (51).

  • Nelson, S. L. (2020, March Madness) Sensory Play: Beyond the Bin of Rice Canadian Military Family Magazine (50), pp. 20.

  • Nelson, S. L. (2020, Winter) Helping or Hindering? How Our Best Intentions May Be Impacting Our Infants Canadian Military Family Magazine (49), pp. 24.

  • Nelson, S. L. (2019, Holiday) Holiday Gift Ideas Canadian Military Family Magazine (48)

  • Nelson, S. L. (2019, Fall) Building Blocks of Attention Canadian Military Family Magazine (47), pp. 26.

  • Nelson, S. L. (2019, Transition) 6 Tips to Help Children Transition Canadian Military Family Magazine (46), pp. 24.

  • Nelson, S. L. (2019, Summer) Climbing Trees and Catching Frogs: Returning to Nature in a Screen-Dominant World Canadian Military Family Magazine (45), pp. 28.

  • Nelson, S. L. (2019, Spring) Crawling Really Is That Important Canadian Military Family Magazine, (44), pp. 34.

  • Nelson, S. L. (2019, March Madness) Is Occupational Therapy a Fit For Your Family? Canadian Military Family Magazine, (43), pp. 30.

  • Nelson, S. L. (2018, Fall/Winter) Helping or Hindering? How our best intentions may be impacting our infants. Modern Mothering: Modern Motherhood in the Ottawa Valley, (02), pp. 12.

Education

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  • University of Southern California - Chan Division, Sensory Integration Continuing Education Certificate Program, 2018-2019

  • Dalhousie University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, 2008-2010

  • Mount Allison University, Bachelor of Science, Double Major in Biology & Psychology 
     

Continuing Education

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Over 100 hours, including:

  • Therapeutic Listening (14 hours)

  • Lactation OT Summit (3.5 hours)

  • Mentorship with Kim Barthel (24 hours)

  • Safe and Sound Protocol Certification (4 hours)

  • Infant Massage Instructor Training (32 hours)

  • Decoding Autism with Kim Barthel (14 hours)

  • Eyesight to Insight: Visual and Vestibular Assessment and Treatment (15 hours)

  • Sensory Certification course 1 (30 hours), course 2 (21 hours), course 3 (21 hours), special topics in autism (14 hours), special topics in picky eating (14 hours)

  • Rhythmic Movement Therapy Level 1 & 2 (22 hours)

  • Working with Oppositional, Defiant & Anger Issues in Children and Teens (7 hours)

  • Intro to Forest and Nature School (15 hours)

  • Sensory Processing, Trauma & Attachment Informed Care with Tina Champagne (15 hours)

  • Handle Level 1 & 2 (22.5 hours)

  • Kinesiotaping Level 1 & 2 (16 hours)

  • ABC Boom! (8 hours)

  • Facilitation for Function: An NDT Pediatric Handling Course for Babies and Beyond (22.5 hours)

  • Intersections: The interplay between addiction, mental health and trauma (15 hours)

  • Astronaut Training: A Sound Activated Vestibular-Visual Protocol (12 hours)

  • Managing the Child with Cerebral Palsy (36 hours)

  • Hey! My Brain Doesn’t Work That Way! (3.5 hours)

  • (Intro to) Rhythmic Movement Therapy: Reducing Stress & Anxiety (2 hours)

  • The Traffic Jam in My Brain – A Sensory Processing Approach to Challenges Associated with Autism, ADHD, Learning and Behavioural Differences (7.5 hours)

  • In-Tuned: Beyond Medication (8.0)

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (15 hours)

  • Non-violent crisis intervention (8.0)

  • Understanding brain differences and sensory processing, teaching self-regulation, promoting stress management and building resilience and community (6 hours)

  • Best Practice in Stroke Care (16.0 hours)

  • The Joy of Seating (7.5 hours)

  • Assessment of Motor & Processing Skills (40 hours)

  • Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers with Diana Henry (7.5 hours)

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