Meet Our Therapists

 Kristen graduated from Western Michigan University in 2014 with her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is board certified by NBCOT, is a member of AOTA, and is licensed by the state of Michigan. Kristen has extensive clinical experience working with the pediatric population in multiple settings, including outpatient, in-home, and as part of the clinical intervention team at the Southwest Michigan Children’s Trauma Assessment Center. She is active with WMU in her role as clinical supervisor, where she educates and collaborates with OT students in pediatric clinical practice. Kristen has worked with a wide range of ages and diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, fine & gross motor concerns, food selectivity, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders; she specializes in working with children who have experienced complex and medical trauma and is highly passionate about providing Trauma Informed Care, advocacy and education with this population and their families. Kristen has extensive training in the treatment of complex trauma and has benefitted greatly from her work on the interdisciplinary team at CTAC to further her learning. Kristen is also a certified S.O.S (sequential oral sensory) feeding therapist and is trained in Stanley Greenspan’s DIR/Floortime Model, Theraplay, Social Thinking, Positive Discipline, MNRI Reflex Integration, Sensory Based Modalities and Trust-Based Relational Intervention.  She is a certified TBRI practitioner. She plans to continue her education by pursuing certification in sensory-attachment intervention (SAI).  Kristen has always been passionate about the pediatric population and was drawn to OT because it includes and involves the whole child and family in finding meaning and joy, primarily through play. Kristen focuses on providing playful, creative, body-focused and relationship-based interventions to support development and participation and celebrate the joys and successes of childhood with every client and family. Kristen loves to be outdoors with her dog and husband, hiking and finding quiet and fun new places to explore. She loves music and sports, cooking & baking, crafting and travel, but has always called Kalamazoo home.  

 Palin is an occupational therapist and she graduated from Western Michigan University with her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2017. She is board certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, licensed in the state of Michigan, and a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Since graduating, Palin has worked in several different practice areas to expand her experience in occupational therapy. She has worked in inpatient mental health, outpatient pediatrics, and working with the older adult population. Palin is also currently a clinical supervisor at Western Michigan University for occupational therapy students. Palin has worked with a range of pediatric diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, cognitive delays, developmental delays, feeding difficulties, social emotional regulation, and fine and gross motor delays. She has knowledge in Handwriting Without Tears, the Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking, and neurodevelopmental treatment, as well as being an SOS-trained feeding therapist.

Palin is committed to providing a safe place for all who enter her care and prides herself in viewing every child as unique, individual, and full of wonder. She enjoys advocating for children and teenagers and using collaboration to bring the best therapeutic care as possible. Though Palin enjoys working with all pediatric ages, she has a soft spot in her heart for adolescents and teens!

Palin lives in Kalamazoo with her wife, Kasey and their dog Winston. She enjoys hiking, listening to music, playing video games, reading, cooking, and exploring the great state of Michigan!