Sophia Mendoza MS, OTR/L

Sophia’s path to occupational therapy was heavily influenced by events in her own life:

• Becoming a parent to preemie twins who required extensive therapy
• Seeing the effect of good therapy on a young student as a lead Waldorf Kindergarten teacher
• Taking care of a parent with a progressive neurological disease who required and benefitted from OT

Throughout her experiences as a parent and a professional, Sophia has nurtured love and commitment to cultivating a holistic view of children while acknowledging that development is a complex and multifaceted process unique to each child. Sophia helps individuals (kids, parents and adult clients) understand their individual differences in the context of their relationships and meaningful environments and activities.

As an occupational therapist, Sophia desires to form a solid therapeutic connection with the child and family while considering psychological, developmental, social, and physiological factors. She appreciates the flexibility, connection, and space to process and grow personally and professionally at AZ+A.

Sophia has expertise working with clients from infancy through adulthood. She enjoys supporting our younger kids and their families while also helping with the increasing therapeutic needs of adolescents and young adults.

Outside of AZ+A, Sophia spends time with her teen daughter, college-aged son, husband, and two rescue pups. She likes to read, hike, run, do yoga, and spend time outdoors.

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Psychology/Gender Studies – Grinnell College

Master’s of Science, Occupational Therapy –  The University of Illinois at Chicago

Waldorf Teacher Training Certification – Arcturus Rudolf Steiner Education Program

Certifications/Experience:

– 15+ years of experience supporting children and families, first as an assistant and then as a lead kindergarten teacher in a Waldorf school before moving to OT

– 10 years as an Occupational Therapist, supported children in the home through Early Intervention as an OT prior to working for AZ+A and other pediatric clinics

– Profectum Level 2 Fellowship Advanced Certification in DIR

– STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Level 1 Mentorship Course

– Advanced Training in Primitive Reflex Integration (including Blomburg Rhythmic Movement Training (BRMT) Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3)

– Certificate Course in Neurological Approaches to Self-Regulation (through PESI)

– Interest and ongoing coursework in Interpersonal Neurobiology

– Multiple Trauma Informed Practice Courses, including “Integrating Polyvagal Theory into Clinical Practice” (through PESI)

– Multiple Profectum Master Classes