Dr. Jennifer Thelen
Long Beach,CA
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Occupational Therapist – School-Based
Santa Rita USD
06.2024 - Current
- Deliver individualized, evidence-based occupational therapy services in a hybrid model, supporting students across a wide range of developmental, cognitive, and sensory profiles.
- Develop and implement measurable IEP goals, contributing meaningfully to multidisciplinary team meetings and student-centered decision-making.
- Promote improved access, participation, and functional independence through targeted interventions that support sensory regulation, executive functioning, and adaptive behavior.
- Maintain detailed, compliant documentation aligned with district and state standards, ensuring continuity of care and progress monitoring.
Occupational Therapist – Adult Mental Health
PCH
11.2022 - Current
- Provide trauma-informed occupational therapy services to adults in an inpatient mental health setting, with a focus on emotional regulation, executive functioning, and functional reintegration.
- Design and facilitate psychoeducational groups addressing emotional regulation, distress tolerance, executive functioning, social communication, healthy boundaries, self-advocacy, mindfulness, and functional life skills.
- Coordinate and lead community-based exposure experiences to support generalization of skills in real-world environments, such as universities, fitness centers, and therapeutic outings.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and proactively support peers to foster a cohesive, strengths-based therapeutic environment.
Virtual Occupational Therapist
TalkPath Live
08.2023 - 06.2024
- Delivered individualized, virtual occupational therapy services to students with significant medical, developmental, and physical needs who were unable to attend school in person.
- Developed and implemented strength-based treatment plans in collaboration with families, educators, and support staff, ensuring alignment with IEP goals and access to meaningful participation.
- Adapted therapeutic activities to engage students through telehealth, integrating assistive technology, visual supports, and caregiver coaching to maximize functional outcomes.
- Provided caregiver training and consultation to support skill generalization across home and community environments.
- Conducted virtual assessments, progress monitoring, and documentation in compliance with state and district standards.
- Maintained consistent communication with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate services and monitor student progress holistically.
Doctoral Resident
ICAN Abilities Network
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive occupational therapy program tailored to the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), promoting greater independence and participation in daily life.
- Developed a functional vocational assessment tool to guide individualized intervention planning and track progress toward employment readiness goals.
- Facilitated individual and group interventions targeting ADLs, IADLs, vocational skills, coping strategies, and social engagement.
- Provided on-site education and support at community-based work programs, assisting clients in developing job-specific skills, navigating environmental demands, and building workplace confidence.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary staff to embed OT supports across service settings and ensure holistic care.
- Advocated for client empowerment by aligning therapy with personal strengths, interests, and long-term goals.
Level II Fieldwork
SOLA Peace Camp
05.2021 - 08.2021
- Designed and facilitated wellness groups for adolescents, emphasizing development of effective communication skills, social-emotional learning, stress management, and health promotion to support holistic well-being and resilience.
- Engaged youth in interactive activities promoting self-awareness, peer connection, and healthy lifestyle choices within a culturally responsive framework.
Level I Fieldwork
Keck Hospital
02.2020 - 03.2020
- Observed occupational therapy interventions for stroke and neurological patients in an outpatient hospital neurorehabilitation and low vision clinic.
- Gained hands-on exposure to standardized assessments including the Clock Drawing Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Testing for sensory evaluation.
- Observed and assisted with therapeutic modalities such as mirror therapy, constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), task-specific training, neurofacilitation techniques (PNF), proprioceptive neuromuscular re-education, splinting for contracture prevention and functional support, wound care management, and edema control including lymphatic drainage.
- Participated in multidisciplinary rounds contributing to the development of individualized rehabilitation plans aimed at maximizing motor recovery, cognitive function, and activities of daily living (ADLs).
Level I Fieldwork
Greco’s World
08.2019 - 11.2019
- Supported pediatric sensory integration interventions targeting praxis, motor planning, sensory processing, and development of functional daily living skills.
- Assisted in implementing individualized sensory diets, therapeutic play, and fine motor activities to enhance coordination, self-regulation, and independence.
- Collaborated with therapists and caregivers to monitor progress and adapt interventions based on child responsiveness and goals.
Physical Therapy Technician
Team Rehabilitation
08.2018 - 04.2019
- Assisted physical therapists in implementing therapeutic exercise programs, preparing patients for manual therapy, and supporting neuromuscular re-education protocols aimed at improving motor control and functional mobility.
- Monitored patient response during therapy sessions and provided timely feedback to enhance treatment effectiveness.
- Maintained equipment readiness and ensured a safe therapeutic environment.
Nutrition Clinician
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Grand Rapids, MI
12.2017 - 07.2018
- Managed and coordinated comprehensive inpatient nutrition care for patients with complex medical conditions including spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), ICU patients, and pediatric populations.
- Conducted ongoing assessment and monitoring of dysphagia related to neurological and surgical causes, collaborating closely with speech-language pathologists, physicians, and nursing staff to ensure safe swallowing and appropriate dietary modifications.
- Developed and implemented individualized nutrition plans addressing medical comorbidities such as cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, gluten intolerance, renal insufficiency, and other diet-related restrictions.
- Participated actively in interdisciplinary care team meetings to contribute nutrition expertise, optimize patient outcomes, and coordinate care transitions.
- Educated patients and caregivers on therapeutic diets, feeding techniques, and nutritional goals to support recovery and enhance quality of life.
- Monitored and documented nutritional status, intake, and tolerance, adjusting care plans in response to clinical changes.
- Ensured compliance with hospital policies, regulatory standards, and evidence-based best practices for nutrition management.
Education
Doctor of Occupational Therapy - OTD
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA08.2022
Master of Arts - Occupational Therapy (MA)
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA08.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Pre-OT), Minor: Exercise Science
Hope College
Holland, Mi12.2016
Certification
- CA OT License
- NBCOT Certified
- BLS & First Aid – AHA
- QPR Suicide Prevention
- Bloodborne Pathogen Safety
Professional Memberships
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
- Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC)
- Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology
- Pi Theta Epsilon Occupational Therapy Honor Society
Timeline
Occupational Therapist – School-Based
Santa Rita USD
06.2024 - Current
Virtual Occupational Therapist
TalkPath Live
08.2023 - 06.2024
Occupational Therapist – Adult Mental Health
PCH
11.2022 - Current
Doctoral Resident
ICAN Abilities Network
08.2021 - 08.2022
Level II Fieldwork
SOLA Peace Camp
05.2021 - 08.2021
Level I Fieldwork
Keck Hospital
02.2020 - 03.2020
Level I Fieldwork
Greco’s World
08.2019 - 11.2019
Physical Therapy Technician
Team Rehabilitation
08.2018 - 04.2019
Nutrition Clinician
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Grand Rapids, MI
12.2017 - 07.2018
Doctor of Occupational Therapy - OTD
University of Southern California
Master of Arts - Occupational Therapy (MA)
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Pre-OT), Minor: Exercise Science
Hope College
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