Quiara Smith, MOT, OTR/L: OT in Pediatric Pelvic Health
In this post, we will learn about an occupational therapist who specializes in pediatric pelvic health. Quiara Smith, MOT, OTR/L has been a practicing Occupational Therapist for over 11 years in both California and Hawaii. She has worked in various settings including hospitals, schools, an equine center providing hippotherapy as a treatment tool, and outpatient clinics. Her pediatric experience encompasses serving infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents with various medical conditions and diagnoses. Realizing the social, emotional, and psychological challenges that pelvic floor dysfunction places on children and families, Quiara decided to niche down her private practice to exclusively treating children and adolescents with pelvic floor dysfunction and toileting challenges. Quiara utilizes a holistic and integrative approach to pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction. She partners with her canine assistant, Nelly, a Labrador/golden retriever cross, in guiding children toward continence with confidence.
Q & A with Quiara:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.
I am a pediatric pelvic health OT. My fav occupations are: being an OT, Mama, and Wife. I love surfing, yoga, cycling, meditation, horseback riding.
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
Sharing more about the specialty practice area of pediatric pelvic health OT. Also, I identify as BIPOC, AAPI and want to represent in the OT field!
Please describe the Uncommon OT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve, and the needs that you address.
Pediatric Pelvic Health Private Practice. I serve children with bowel and bladder dysfunction and toileting difficulties from 2-17 years old.
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
I love children and helping people. I love science and medicine and the creative aspect of OT integrating all these things really attracted me to the profession.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
Practicing for 11 years, I started in acute care adult as a new grad, then landed in my dream job for a children’s hospital. then was graced by being trained in pedi pelvic health there and grew my knowledge and skill, then wanted to start my own private practice when I became a mama.
Please describe a typical day or OT session in your uncommon setting. What OT skills do you utilize?
I see clients in person and via telehealth. I use holistic and integrative approaches to care: yoga, mindfulness, aromatherapy, animal assisted interventions, hippotherapy, etc.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
Highs: Creating a pediatric pelvic health course for other therapists all over the world, connecting with other therapists via social media, partnering with other businesses in my area to promote pediatric pelvic health. Lows: having to relocate my practice to a new state.
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
Seek out the experts and learn from them! Continuing education courses.
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
I’m in cash-based private practice. I do not take insurance, I am selective with who I take on as clients (has to be a good fit), I charge for my expertise and value, and the clients I have understand this. I make my own salary/compensation based on percentages of profit first.
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
Have an open mind and seek out opportunities that interest you. Make connections/network with other professionals you look up to and can learn from. Give without expectations of things in return, practice compassion and mindfulness with yourself in your own personal life, when you get "no's" it's making room for the "yes's"!
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
That it's so easy being your own boss and owning your own business.
How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
IG @alohaintegrativetherapy
Facebook Business Page: Aloha Integrative Therapy
Facebook Group (free group): Pediatric Pelvic Health Occupational Therapists
https://alohaintegrativetherapy.com/join-our-course/
https://linktr.ee/Alohaintegrativetherapy
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
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