Alex candidly shares what it felt like to transition from being the practitioner "sitting near the door" to becoming a client navigating workers' compensation and rehabilitation systems. She details how occupational therapy and equine-facilitated therapy played vital roles in her recovery, demonstrating the co-regulatory power of animals and the profound impact of feeling truly seen. Packed with practical wisdom on holding space, dropping rigid agendas, and prioritizing self-compassion for clinicians, this conversation is an essential guide for healthcare professionals and anyone on a healing journey.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding Functional Freeze & Fawning: Learn how trauma can present as high-functioning survival mode—where smiling, pleasing others, and over-functioning mask deep internal exhaustion and hyperarousal.
• The View from "The Other Side": Gain insight into what clients experience when entering care systems after trauma and how empathetic practitioners can make all the difference.
• The Power of Being Noticed: Discover how subtle, present-moment observations from an OT can anchor clients during flashbacks and panic attacks.
• Equine-Facilitated Co-Regulation: Explore how horses pick up on internal state over outer appearances, reflect energy without judgment, and create a powerful environment for silent healing.
• Practitioner Self-Care & Trusting Your Gut: Learn actionable techniques for co-regulation, grounding, and making sure clinicians place themselves on their own list of unconditional care.

Show Notes

Episode Outline & Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction: Host Clare O'Byrne introduces Alexandra Dunn.
• [01:13] – Alex's Background & Personal Story: Growing up with a consultant psychiatrist father, introducing horses into her life, and surviving a traumatic workplace incident.
• [07:51] – Functional Freeze & Survival Mode: What functional freeze and the fawn response look like on a day-to-day basis.
• [10:48] – The Turning Point & System Navigation: Entering WCB medical leave and navigating Lifemark’s psychological injury program as a client.
• [13:46] – The OT Relationship: How an occupational therapist helped Alex ground through panic attacks and feel genuinely noticed.
• [17:35] – Living Trauma-Informed: How personal experience reshaped Alex’s clinical practice, pacing, and relationship with clients.
• [21:49] – Equine Facilitated Therapy: Understanding how horses reflect internal emotion, facilitate co-regulation, and process heavy energy.
• [27:44] – Holding Space & Being Truly Seen: Supporting clients where they are without pushing an agenda or forcing them to relive trauma.
• [34:52] – Practical Advice for OTs & Self-Care: Grounding techniques, co-regulation tools, and placing yourself on your own care list.
• [40:53] – What's Next: Alex’s trauma-informed training for equine facilitators and her upcoming self-help book project.
• [46:40] – Closing & Contact Details: Where to connect with Alex online.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Alexandra Dunn Wellness Website: Explore Alex's counseling, coaching, and equine facilitation offerings at alexandradunnwellness.com.
• Social Media: Connect with Alex on Instagram or Facebook via @alexandradunnwellness.
• Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists (SAOT): Learn more about the host organization and access episodes at saot.ca.

Kelly explains how trauma and chronic stress can cause the body to suppress its interoceptive system and why moving away from traditional assumptions toward deep curiosity is essential for meaningful therapeutic support. She also challenges occupational therapy’s traditional focus on complete independence, advocating for a shift toward valuing interdependence and validating clients’ lived sensory experiences.

Whether you are an occupational therapy practitioner, parent, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode offers actionable insights into honoring body signals and fostering genuine connection.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Trauma and Interoception Connection

Learn how trauma or chronic feelings of unsafety can cause the body to shut down or disconnect from internal interoceptive signals.

• A Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens

Discover why therapeutic success begins with curiosity rather than assumptions and why every person’s internal experience should be recognized as unique.

• Rethinking Goals Beyond Independence

Explore the shift away from potentially ableist notions of complete independence toward embracing interdependence and client-directed outcomes.

• The Power of Believing Body Signals

Understand the therapeutic value of believing and validating a client’s reported internal experience without accidentally dismissing it.

• Bridging Theory and Practical Application

Gain actionable ideas for using interoception resources, learning from community experiences, and honoring individual regulation needs.

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED

Kelly Mahler’s Official Website

Access free interoception tools, curriculum frameworks, and additional resources:

https://www.kelly-mahler.com

Upcoming SAOT Workshop

Five Keys to Supporting Behavior Regulation, featuring Kelly Mahler and Chloe Rothschild

Dates: October 15–16, 2026

Course Overview:

This course critically examines traditional behavior-based assessments and supports while introducing neuro-affirming, regulation-focused alternatives.

Participants will explore the root causes of behavior regulation needs across diverse learning profiles through the framework of the 5 Keys: building positive relationships, meeting sensory needs, increasing predictability with visual supports, providing communication supports, and empowering interoception.

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to describe the limitations of traditional behavior approaches, explain the impact of these 5 Keys on the regulation process, and implement practical strategies applicable to diverse clients and settings.

Registration information:

https://saot.ca/event/five-keys-to-supporting-behaviour-regulation/

Book Series

Connecting My Body Signals, co-authored by Kelly Mahler and Madeleine Mahler.

SAOT is a voluntary, non-regulatory body that provides networking, education, and advocacy opportunities for its members. SAOT wants to get listeners excited about the fascinating world of occupational therapy.  

So whether you're an OT, a colleague in a related field, or simply wanting to know more about what we do, we hope you find this podcast informative and inspiring. 

You can subscribe to Growing OT wherever you get your podcasts, so come grow with us at Growing OT.

Margot shares her insights on creating accessible environments, fighting ageism, and the importance of designing homes that support older adults in thriving where they live. Whether you’re an OT, caregiver, or interested in inclusive design, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge and heartwarming stories.

Kimberly discusses her research, particularly her dissertation on advancing Canadian occupational therapy practices for harm reduction among women who consume alcohol. The conversation delves into the challenges and nuances of addressing substance use, misuse, and addiction through an occupational therapy lens, emphasizing the importance of meeting clients where they are and reducing stigma.

The episode also explores the impact of Canada's new low-risk drinking guidelines, societal biases, and the necessity of a trauma-informed, client-centered approach in healthcare. Kimberly underscores the significance of community engagement and social prescribing in her practice, advocating for a holistic approach to care. She concludes by highlighting the importance of continued learning, professional development, and advocacy to improve client outcomes in mental health and addiction services.

We'll also explore the importance of language in bridging the gap between occupational therapy and interoception, and discover how interoception is the foundation of self-regulation. Kelly will share her expertise on empowering families to embark on this interoceptive journey and how to nurture awareness through fun daily routines.

You won't want to miss this episode! Stick around as we wrap up with some delightful and creative expressions clients have used to describe their sensations during interoception exercises.

In this episode, Jayme explains how she became interested in dysphagia therapy and developed her skills through mentorships. She gives an overview of her role as a dysphagia therapist and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. Jayme discusses common populations seen and problems encountered, along with details on comprehensive assessments. She covers addressing dysphagia by understanding patient goals and values.

Jayme talks about developing documentation policies and procedures within her healthcare system. She provides recommendations for therapists to continue learning about dysphagia through mentorships, research reviews, and online communities. Jayme stresses the importance of critical thinking when reading research articles.

At the end, Wilmari and Jayme discuss some fun questions about favorite foods. Tune in to learn more about dysphagia therapy in occupational therapy practice!

In this episode, Dr. Toomey explains how cognitive shifts can contribute to problem feeding and when picky eating becomes a problem. She gives an overview of the Sensory-Oral-Sequential approach to feeding and explains the myths of eating. Dr. Toomey discusses the best first approach to feeding therapy and how to attend an SOS Training Conference. She also provides resources for listeners to connect with her and learn more about the SOS Approach to Feeding.

At the end of the episode, Wilmari and Dr. Toomey have some fun with a rapid fire question segment. Tune in to learn more about the complexity of eating and the SOS Approach to Feeding!

Jump through this episode using our timestamped chapters:

[00:00:02] Start
[00:00:29] An Introduction to Dr. Toomey and How She Got Involved in Feeding Therapy
[00:08:21] The Complexity of Eating: Understanding the Causes of Feeding Problems
[00:16:30] Cognitive Shifts and Picky Eating: When Does Picky Eating Become Problem Feeding?
[00:34:33] Exploring the Sensory-Oral-Sequential Approach to Feeding
[00:42:17] Tenets of the SOS Approach: Understanding the Myths of Eating
[00:49:47] Systematic Desensitization: The Best First Approach
[00:54:51] Attending an SOS Training Conference: The Foundation for Feeding Therapy
[00:59:18] Connecting with Dr. Toomey: Finding Resources on the SOS Approach to Feeding Website
[01:01:18] Fun Rapid Fire Questions

She and her colleague, Dr. Richard Guare, have written numerous books about executive skills, some of which you'll recognize as Smart But Scattered and Smart But Scattered Teens.

Dr. Dawson is also a recipient of the National Association of School Psychologist's Lifetime Achievement Award.

You can learn more about Dr. Dawson at smartbutscatteredkids.com.

Jump through this episode using our timestamped chapters: 

(00:00) Welcome Remarks

(00:30) Introducing Dr. Peg Dawson

(01:19) Peg's background and journey

(04:15) Leaders in the field of executive skills

(05:17) Brief assessment

(07:19) What executive functioning is and why it's so important

(10:20) Are there certain skills that kids or adults usually have greater issues with than others?

(13:34) Goal setting for children

(16:58) Goal setting in adults

(18:40) How to approach task initiation in adults

(20:58) Learning disorders and executive skills

(23:13) The challenge with using standardize test for measuing executive skills

(26:29) Recommendations for OTs specifically to learn more about executive skills

(28:00) How occupational therapy can help support excecutive skills

(29:43) Upcoming research in the area of executive skills

(31:50) Connecting with Dr. Peg Dawson

(32:28) About the SAOT workshops

(37:08) Rapid fire questions