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Meet Melody

I am an Integrative Occupational Therapist, Bodyworker, Trauma-Informed Yoga teacher, Somatic and Sensory Integration practitioner, and a former Social Worker. I blend this wide breadth of physical and mental health training to form a holistic, nuanced approach to healing, recovery, and wellness. My approach is built on science and research with evidence-based treatments that are rooted in the ancient wisdom of spiritual practice. I believe that science and spirituality are one and the same -- entirely interdependent and essential for our health and wellness.

My career has been a winding journey through social and medical systems that all aim to help and heal individuals and communities, but often fail to meet the complex, mysterious whole of the human experience. When I chose to change my career path from social work to occupational therapy over 12 years ago, I thought I was truly leaving that part of me behind. (I was still learning how interdependent all of life truly is!) To my surprise, I quickly discovered how much more impactful my work with the physical body was when I incorporated the mental health and community based strategies I had used as a social worker. As an occupational therapist, I weave nervous system regulation and resiliency training into all I do, using sensory and body-based (also known as somatic) strategies for facilitating growth, recovery and self-agency. My holistic approach to wellness has been profoundly deepened and expanded through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness training and practice

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Image by Julia Verea

This work is deeply personal and meaningful for me, as it springs from my own inner practice and healing journey. I am, as we all are, still very much in process. My own experience of healing from trauma, severe burn-out, and chronic injuries/illness has been the foundation and catalyst for the integrative approach to my work. It has driven me to seek deeper, more holistic answers to the intertwined and complex symptoms I was seeing in myself and my clients. In other words, I am with you on this path and wholly believe in our collective agency to heal ourselves and each other.

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In my free time, I find my greatest joy in paddle boarding, leisurely cooking and sharing delicious meals with family and friends, and exploring wild nature -- preferably with my son or dog leading the way. I love cozy books, hot beverages, and vibey playlists. But my favorite pastime is wandering: forgetting time and meandering through a new bookstore, a backroad, or hidden pathway, and seeing where it will take me. I believe we meet the sacred in ourselves and the world when we release our grip on time and allow our hearts to lead the way.

Credentials

"What if all this healing is just for me?
What if I am enough?"

Melody Oaks

CLIENT PROFILE

"Jen" is 32 and experiences severe anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia that is affecting their significant relationships, job performance, and overall mood

TREATMENT PLAN

In-depth evaluation of symptoms, habits, sleep structure, and daily routines. Sleep therapy to address insomnia in 6-8 treatment sessions. 4-6 sessions for learning to tune into the physical symptoms, and implementing helpful sensory and somatic tools. Develop a simple sensory plan based on Jen's unique sensory profile to create an overall feeling of regulation throughout their day. Ongoing monthly check-in sessions as needed for adjustments.

OUTCOME

Jen started getting regular high-quality sleep, which drastically improved their overall mood and function. This allowed them to then be able to focus on working in simple sensory strategies during their day for managing anxiety and arousal levels. Though they still have anxiety come and go, they feel empowered to work with it. Jen is doing deeper work with their psychotherapist, and they no longer feel like a victim of their own mind and body.

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