In this special episode, we will learn from Naomi Mattanick, MS, OTR/L & Brooke Tubbs, OTD, OTR/L, two occupational therapists practicing in Surf Therapy.

Naomi Mattanick, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration therapy, surf therapy, and childhood and infant development. “Kids are amazing and dynamic individuals. Yet, they have a lot to conquer. In my years of experience, I have served infants to early adolescents in a variety of areas including sensory processing, physical and emotional regulation, organization of behavior and attention, acquisition of vital motor milestones, motor coordination development, and oral-motor therapy for feeding. My mission is for each caregiver and child to feel understood and empowered as they are equipped with life-long tools. My passion is to see children feel joy as they playfully develop a strong identity and sense of self through the skills and knowledge they have obtained.”

Brooke Tubbs, OTD, OTR/L is a recent graduate from Northern Arizona’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. She now lives and practices as an acute care OT in a community hospital and as a surf therapist in Rhode Island. Brooke graduated from Alma College in Michigan with a B.S. in Integrative Physiology and Health Science and a Minor in Spanish. After graduation, Brooke was a U.S Fulbright Scholar in the Philippines, performing research on Filipino teachers’ perceptions of inclusive education practices. During her OTD program, Brooke participated in a research residency in the Philippines, working with an interdisciplinary team to create an immersive research project surrounding multi-modal perceptions of aging. She also completed a graduate research certificate through the University of South Florida, in partnership with NAU, in Translational Research Education in Adolescent Behavioral Health. With this project Brooke worked with peers to develop a life skills curriculum and assessments for youth aging out of foster care; she is passionate about this work and continues to be involved in projects related to it. She is involved with additional research projects relating to CRPS and sensory processing and practice scholarship for OTs. Brooke will complete an additional graduate research certificate in the spring of 2023 on the topic of Culturally Competent Addictions Research Training. Brooke’s intentional drive for the unknown led her to become a surf therapist in Rhode Island. She has a recently published article in the OT Practice Magazine titled “Riding the Wave: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Surf Therapy”. Brooke has large aspirations for promoting OT’s work in uncommon settings, practicing at the full scope of her license, and transitioning to a role in academia down the line. 

Contact & Resources:

Naomi:

The number one place to find me and see my current work is on my Instagram: @hang_ten_therapeutics which directs you to my website and shares all of my offerings. This has my contact information.

Brooke:

You can email me ([email protected]) or follow me on Instagram (@brooketubbs), Facebook (Brooke Tubbs) or on Twitter (@brooketubbs). You can also follow Gnome Surf (@GnomeSurf) or ISTO (@intlsurftherapyorg). You can reach out to me with ideas, partnerships, questings, really anything!

https://intlsurftherapy.org/

https://www.gnomesurf.com/

https://tedx.ucla.edu/project/carly_rogers_surfing_infinite_possibilities_to_heal/

“Blue Mind: The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Makes You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do” by Wallace Nichols.

Rogers, C. M., Mallinson, T., & Peppers, D. (2014). High-intensity sports for posttraumatic stress disorder and depression: Feasibility study of ocean therapy with veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, 395–404. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.011221

Moore, A. M., Clapham, E. D., & Deeney, T. A. (2017). Parents’ perspectives on surf therapy for children with disabilities. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2017.1400660F

Benninger, E., Curtis, C., Sarkisian, G. V., Rogers, C. M., Bender, K., & Comer, M. (2020). Surf therapy: A scoping review of the qualitative and quantitative research evidence. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 11(2), 1–26.  

https://www.aota.org/publications/ot-practice/ot-practice-issues/2023/riding-the-wave-ots-role-in-surf-therapy 

NAU Foster Youth Program

https://crowdfund.foundationnau.org/project/21729 

Listen - Foster Youth Stories

https://www.amazon.com/Listen-Stories-We-Carry-House-ebook/dp/B09YYTLB2V?asin=B09YYTLB2V&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1

Another inspiring episode, as always, I welcome any feedback from 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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