Sensory Coaching is a cutting-edge approach for getting to the core of your sense of self, understanding why you feel the way you do, and discovering what is possible for you. It is a fusion approach of:
- Occupational therapy and occupational science – Everyone deserves fulfillment through meaningful roles (e.g., student, friend, family member) and activities (e.g., sports, academics, careers, hobbies) – they are what make life worth living.
- Sensory integration and high sensitivity theories – Even mild sensory processing and integration differences constantly (but often invisibly) impact a person’s interaction and participation capacities at all ages and stages of life. These differences can be challenging but often bring unique strengths and abilities.
- Developmental, attachment, and emotional intelligence research – Mental health emerges over time and is highly dependent on healthy and secure relationships.
- Community mental health model – A team approach in natural environments (e.g., home, school, work, community), more so than clinical or hospital environments, promote the development of practical skills and realistic lifestyle adaptations.
- MindBody (somatic) therapy – The mind and body are not separate. Strategies to integrate and support the connection of the body and mind leads to healthy stress and lifestyle management.
- Couples, family, group, and systems approach – It is important to acknowledge the impact relationships and environments have on a person’s ability to function.
- Health and wellness coaching – Key therapeutic relationships combine expert knowledge with a client’s personal experience to empower the client to make lifestyle changes that stick. Effective coaching is sensitive to a client’s changing needs and does not follow a strict protocol.
About Our Founder
The Sensory Coach was founded by Sarah Norris (she/her/hers) in 2019. Sarah is a licensed and certified occupational therapist (OT) in the United States. She began working as an OT in 2006 and has worked in a wide variety of settings (hospital, clinic, early intervention, school, summer camp, home-based and community-based). She has completed advanced training in sensory processing and integration through the STAR Institute for SPD and Temple University, extensive training in DIR/Floortime therapy through ICDL and Profectum, and has completed training in a variety of MindBody therapy approaches. Sarah is fascinated by neurology, psychology, and sensory integration theory and their collective impact on daily functioning.
Through her continual learning, Sarah has discovered her own neurological and sensory differences. Her ever-evolving knowledge informs her understanding of how she (and others) function in the world, both in times of ease as well as in times of struggle. Sarah is married and has two children, and has intimate knowledge on how neurodivergence impacts relationships and development. She also understands the complex needs of twice exceptional (2e) learners as a parent, individual, partner, and therapist.
Sarah founded The Sensory Coach out of her passion for helping people discover their sensory differences. As one of her clients once said about her own family, “None of us are broken. We’re just different.” Sarah loves guiding her clients to gain understanding and appreciation of how their and their loved ones’ brains are wired.