Brooke S. Backsen, MOT, OTR/L, RYT

President, Occupational Therapist, Yoga Instructor

My therapy philosophy is to build each session on a foundation of FUN. When kids are having FUN their brains and bodies are open and ready for new information and growth. I feel honored every day to be on the journey with these families. Empowering parents and fostering self confidence in kids through reaching goals is what fuels my passion as an OT.

Occupational Therapy

Brooke Backsen received her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO in 2006. Brooke’s career specializes in working with children with behavior problems, mental health concerns, as well as sensory processing, regulatory disorders, and attention concerns.She has worked in a variety of settings including; inpatient and outpatient behavioral health hospital, pediatric outpatient setting, as well as a therapeutic day school. Brooke is a featured writer for Special-ism and has had the opportunity to teach continuing education classes to Occupational Therapists, mental health colleagues, and mentor college students pursuing careers in a variety of health professions.

Yoga

Through Brooke’s personal yoga practice she noticed a link between yoga and Sensory Integration Therapy. She started to integrate yoga poses and sequences during her clients occupational therapy sessions with children with sensory processing, behavior concerns, regulation challenges, and anxiety concerns, as well as well general motor planning development. Brooke leads Yoga classes throughout the community twisting sensory, social, and focus and attention goals throughout the class structure and FUN.

Credentials

Master of Occupational Therapy (Maryville University St. Louis) Summa cum laude
Child and Family Yoga Instructor (Global Family Yoga)
Aerial Yoga Training for Children
Therapeutic Listening (Vital Links)
Extensive study on sensory integration theory, self-regulation strategies, and sensory diet development
Trained in handwriting (Handwriting Without Tears program)
Guest Lecturer at Rush University
Speaker at ILDA 2014 conference
Developed ADHD camp
Developed Sensory STUDS
Community Liaison for My Recess Therapy

Speaking Engagements

Using Yoga in your Therapeutic Practice with Children
Yoga Tools for the Classroom
Sensory Processing 101
Yoga and Sensory Strategies across your Child’s Environments
Using Yoga as a Family
Professionals: How to know when and how to refer to OT, Speech, or Physical Therapy

My Recess Therapy Team ⇒ Brooke Backsen