Holistic OT Practitioner Directory

Elizabeth is a licensed occupational therapist (MOT, OTR/L), Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F), certified yoga instructor (RYT-200) and owner of Heart of Gold, Pittsburgh Therapy Project LLC. They are a trauma-sensitive occupational therapist who specializes in an eclectic body, relationship and strengths-based approach to therapy informed by Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga, the D.I.R./Floortime model and Sensory Integration. Elizabeth serves children, youth and adults with complex trauma backgrounds, emotional-regulation disorders, autism, sensory-processing disorders, gross & fine motor coordination disorders, traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain and other learning & behavioral disorders.

Elizabeth received a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at West Chester University and graduated with Honors in 2014. They received their master’s in occupational therapy (MOT) degree from Chatham University in 2016. They have experience practicing occupational therapy in early intervention, school-based settings, and specialty pediatric outpatient clinics as well as community hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health. They completed their 200-hr yoga teacher training certification with Alison Donley, E-RYT-500, at West Chester University. They went on to study trauma sensitive yoga with Arts Holding Hands & Hearts, Transformation Yoga Project, and eventually the Justice Resource Institute’s Center for Trauma & Embodiment, becoming one of the only occupational therapists in the United States to earn certification in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) facilitation. In addition, Elizabeth is a writer and creator of the blog A Travel OT & Her Dog detailing their experience traveling the country as an occupational therapist working temporary assignments.

Elizabeth regularly pursues reflective clinical supervision in TCTSY, D.I.R./Floortime, and Sensory Integration techniques in addition to ongoing study of community-based practices, trauma-sensitivity and recovery. They speak regularly as a guest lecturer and advocate at the graduate level on trauma-sensitivity and trauma-informed occupational therapy practice. They received the Chatham University Alumni Award in December 2016 in recognition of their commitment to supporting Chatham’s occupational therapy program and the greater occupational therapy community. When they are not practicing, Elizabeth spends their time with their dog Hunny exploring their favorite Pittsburgh parks & neighborhoods or cozied-up together under a blanket with a cup of tea.