The Sense of Joy, LLC

Nicole is a fierce advocate for kids, parents and young adults. Despite her best intentions she has never grown a successful garden or sewn a weighted lap pad - but she continues to try anyway. She understands that life is messy and that there can be joy found in the mess. She is thankful every day that she found a career that perfectly matches her innate curiosity and tendency to hyperfocus on details. Nicole has experience working in residential facilities and therapeutic schools - and is a better occupational therapist as a result of her former clients and colleagues. Nicole believes that behaviors are NOT something to be managed, they are messages to be noticed and then understood. These are naturally “managed” when you calm the stress response, build neural pathways for connection versus protection, and provide the opportunity for mastery. She has a certification in Sensory Integration and is trained in the Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration. Nicole's practice is informed by Sensory Attachment Intervention, and she continues to develop her ability to support the foundation need of felt safety and connection in her families. When not crashing into crash pads or using the swing herself in the clinic, Nicole is likely driving her son to a basketball or soccer game an hour away, playing tea party with her daughter or yelling at the Pats on a Sunday afternoon with her husband.