Maresa Black, MOTR/L

My Approach and Philosophy

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I have always had a passion for working with clients with autism spectrum disorders, attention difficulties, mental health challenges, and sensory processing difficulties. I have seen in my practice, that every child deserves the opportunity to rise to their full potential. I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of pediatric clients and families since the start of my occupational therapy (OT) career in 2014. This philosophy, to elevate my clients’ potential, is what fueled my desire to start a small pediatric occupational therapy business in 2015 called Journey Pediatric Therapy, that grew from seeing clients only in their homes to two clinics in North Idaho with multiple OTs working for the business. 

I have seen in my work that children make the greatest gains when they receive OT services in their natural environments, such as their home, school, and in their community. This is why I am a strong advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration with my clients’ primary care providers, teachers, coaches, paraprofessionals, and other members of my clients’ team. Supporting clients across their daily life, builds confidence not only in the client themselves, but in the client’s caregivers and support team which leads to healthier relationships throughout the client’s life.

I have been fortunate to use nature-based and outdoor-based OT intervention in my practice. I have witnessed the calm that comes over my clients, regardless of age, when they have meaningful time outside. These facilitated moments of engagement, help clients learn strategies that assist them not only during therapy sessions but throughout their daily life. Outdoor-based OT can lead to improved control of one’s nervous system and OT sessions that take place on playgrounds can be opportunities to develop further social skills, improve body awareness, overall gross motor coordination, and time management skills. 

Every setting, every moment, is a chance for growth and insight into the client’s own self and, as an occupational therapist, I am grateful to help develop my clients’ skill set to be more independent in their daily life in all abilities.