In this episode, we will be learning about an occupational therapy practitioner in perinatal mental health. You will hear from the personal and professional experiences of La'Shandra "Elle" Holmes-Russell, MSOT, OTR/L, CEIM, CYT. Elle is a board-certified and licensed Occupational Therapist practicing in the state of Virginia. She received her Masters of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University and her Certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University in 2019.  She is the owner of Occupational Transitions, LLC, a mobile clinic practice providing the following services in person and virtual via Zoom: occupation-based maternal mental health, lactation/breastfeeding education and counseling, postnatal yoga classes, infant massage classes, and early childhood developmental screenings/early intention therapy. 

Elle is passionate about partnering with families in order to collaboratively identify therapeutic interventions that support and strengthen familial bonds and relationships, in order to maximize the mental health and well-being of the mother for optimal childhood developmental outcomes, by taking a holistic approach in supporting the mother to and through the transition of motherhood/parenthood, including the up to one year postpartum period.

For it is Elle's held belief that “relationship is the organizing factor in which all development (physical, social, and emotional) occurs”...and that every family deserves an "exceptionally bright beginning". A belief that continues to guide her professional development and aspirations toward becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Perinatal Mental Health through PSI.

Show Key Points:

·      Elle gives us a glimpse of her background and interests

·      Elle describes her Uncommon OT work, the setting and population she serves

·      Elle describes what drew her to this type of work and her path there

·      Elle describes typical sessions

·      Elle dispels some myths about the profession

·      Elle provides other OTPs advice

·      Elle provides her contact information

RESOURCES:

Occupational Transitions, LLC (Lactation and Breastfeeding Care Management, Infant Massage, Postnatal Yoga, Early Intervention/Developmental Screening for Birth-3)

Local to DC and Northern VA; Virtual and In person appointments

occupationaltransitions.com

The Mindful Melanated Mother Visual Support Group (Support Group for Mothers who identify as black). 

Interest meeting link https://form.jotform.com/212716108775155

Therapy for Black Girls (Directory for women of color to locate a therapist within their are of living)

https://therapyforblackgirls.com

Postpartum Support International (Various Postpartum Support Groups for ALL women and birthing persons)

https://www.postpartum.net

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at [email protected] or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

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