Shawna is a born and raised Calgarian and is a registered Occupational Therapist with more than 18 years of experience working with children and families in Calgary and surrounding areas. She has devoted her entire career thus far to working in educational settings and providing in-home family support to children and families and has worked in many early childhood programs as a part of multi-disciplinary teams. 

 

After starting her private practice 10 years ago, Shawna has become a proud leader in the OT community and strives for collaboration and the highest standard of care in all aspects of her practice and team. With a passion for holistic therapy, Shawna’s goal in working with children and families is that they can feel supported at whatever age and stage they are at and can continue to blossom into the best versions of themselves.

 

Using a comprehensive initial intake and background history as well as informal and formal assessment, she then works collaboratively with parents (and children) so they feel empowered to incorporate simple and easy to implement strategies, tools, and accommodations for their child at home, school and in the community.

 

Over the course of her career, Shawna has continued to learn and grow in her expertise and practice to include a variety of specialities such as Fine Motor Delays, Handwriting, ADHD, ASD, Sensory Processing Differences, Self-Regulation, Visual Processing Delays and Executive Functioning. She is also continuing her education about how to support children who have experienced developmental trauma.

 

Shawna uses a play-based approach to therapy and utilizes a variety of fun and engaging toys, activities, and sensory and movement-based tools to motivate and engage the child’s brain and body to support learning and functional participation. She can also help support parents as they try to navigate the school system and learn how to advocate for their child, especially those with neurodivergent needs.

 

Since becoming a mother herself to a child with sensory differences, Shawna has developed a passion for empowering and educating parents about their child’s unique strengths and differences, so they can see their child through “softer eyes”. She has a special interest in sensory processing and self-regulation as a basis for acquiring new skills and focuses on the whole child using a strength-based approach to therapy.

 

When Shawna isn't working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and their dog Roxy. She also has a special interest in health and nutrition and stays active with yoga/Pilates, playing sports, travelling, and spending time outdoors in nature with friends and family.