Who am I?

Hi there, I’m Tobey Davis, a pediatric Occupational Therapist. My approach is informed by extensive training, certification, and experience using the DIR Floortime, Promoting First Relationships, and Facilitating Attuned Interactions models. My experience working with neurodiverse children as an OT is extensive: I have worked in birth to three services as a home visitor, in a private clinic setting as well as my own private practice, and as an evaluator at the University of Washington Child Development Clinic. I have also supported children and families facing housing insecurity and mental health challenges.

My drive to become an OT was fueled by my early career experiences working as a special education volunteer in the United States Peace Corps in Jordan, and later as a preschool teacher at Childhaven, a therapeutic day program for children experiencing abuse and neglect. I believe in the transformative power of nurturing warm, joyful, and trusting relationships through play. I have seen the change this approach can create with families and kids of all kinds. I absolutely love what I do, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

FAQ

  • Occupation = What we DO

    What do kids and teens do? They play, they learn new skills, they socialize with friends and family, and they participate in daily routines. As they grow older, they take responsibility for chores, schoolwork, and tasks like learning to drive, planning for their futures, and maintaining a calendar. They develop interests like art, music, or sports. All of these are activities that can be supported in OT.

  • When lagging motor, sensory processing, cognitive, or social skills are getting in the way of a child participating in the activities of their daily life. These lagging skills may be caused by a diagnosis like Autism or ADHD, by adverse or traumatic experiences, or by other individual differences in development.

  • OT’s are trained in mental health, anatomy and physiology, neuoscience, and a process called task analysis, which allows us to break down complex activities into the discrete steps and consider the motor, cognitive, and sensory demands of each step. Because of our background in neuroscience, anatomy, and mental health, OT’s are uniquely equipped to address sensory processing and its influence on regulation, attention, and social engagement.

  • I am experienced in working with kids and teens of all ages, birth to young adulthood. My specialty is in working with neurodiverse populations, particularly kids with Autism and ADHD, learning disabilities, Down's Syndrome, substance exposure in utero, and Cerebral Palsy. My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed and I have a great deal of experience supporting families through homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges. I enjoy having a varied caseload and welcome kids and teens of all ages.

  • I offer home visits in the greater Seattle area, but sessions do not need to be limited to your living room! OT can take place anywhere that would be supportive to you- a backyard, public park, library, pool, or preschool are all great options. I offer telehealth for all of my consults and parent coaching sessions, which take place at the start of therapy and every six weeks after.

  • I use the DIR Floortime approach to think creatively about underlying sensory and motor differences that cause challenges for kids and teens. If you are ready to think deeply about the roots of your child's behavior, Rumpus OT will be a good fit! If you are looking for a therapist to provide behavioral strategies like rewards, ignoring unwanted behaviors, or punishments, Rumpus OT will not be the best fit for you.

    I use a child-led, play-based approach to therapy because my training and experience have taught me that a child's intrinsic motivations and interests are what drive development. Does this mean I never bring in my own ideas and strategies? No, I have plenty of ideas! But therapy is always guided by the child's interests first. If you are looking for a therapist who relies primarily on structured fine or gross motor exercises, Rumpus may not be the right fit. Book a free consult to share your priorities for therapy and see if we would be a good match.