Education

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Ph.D. - Applied Psychophysiology
     Saybrook University, California. January 2017 - August 2021
Dissertation: Use of Low-Intensity, Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) to Reduce Signs and Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A Small Randomized, Single-Blind Sham Controlled Study
www.proquest.com/docview/2628801112/6B60C7196A3E4AC7PQ/1
Master’s of Science – Occupational Therapy
     San Jose State University, California, August 2011; Summa Cum Laude
Master’s Project: 
     Facilitating Awareness and Identification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) among Pediatricians
Bachelor of Science – Occupational Therapy, San Jose State University, California,  August 1999; Cum Laude

Continuing Education

  • Attachment, Neurodevelopment, and Psychopathology, Family Relations Institute, December 2021 - January 2022
  • International Society for Neuroregulation and Research (ISNR), 28th Annual Conference, July 2020
  • Neurofield Bootcamp Training, Neurofield, June 2019
  • Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB). 50th Annual Scientific Meeting: Biofeedback and Applied Psychophysiology: Rooted in the Past, Empowering the Future, April 2019
  • Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB). 49th Annual Scientific Meeting: Biofeedback and Neurofeedback: The Future of Integrative Health and Performance, April 2018
  • EEG Biofeedback Assessment and Intervention, Behavioral Medicine Research and Training Foundation, July 2017
  • Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), 48th Annual Scientific Meeting: The Science of Self-Regulation: Established and Emerging Evidence, March 2017
  • Safe and Sound Protocol Training (iLs), March 2017
  • CS2: CranioSacral Therapy 2, May 2016
  • CS1: CranioSacral Therapy 1, February 2016
  • The Habits of Happy People, October 2015
  • AOTA Conference, April 2015
  • iLs Advanced Practitioner Training Course Level 1, February 2015
  • Dyslexia, Dyscalculia + Dysgraphia: An Integral Approach, May 2014
  • iLs Practitioner Training Course, November 2013
  • Therapeutic Taping: The Breakthrough for Dealing with Musculoskeletal Conditions, September 2013
  • AOTA Conference, April 2013
  • TRX Trainer Certification, March 2013
  • Interactive Metronome Professional Conference, October 2012
  • Sensory Defensiveness: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach, June 2012
  • Beyond Listening with the Whole Body, June 2011
  • Building Blocks for Sensory Integration, December 2010
  • Advanced Therapeutic Listening, February 2009
  • Clinical Assessment and Practical Interventions for Praxis: From Ideation to Execution, October 2008
  • R2K: Sensory Integration, Emotions, and Autism, February 2008
  • The Learning Triad: How the Eyes, Hands, and Cognition Impact Writing and Other School Activities, November 2007
  • Interactive Metronome, November 2007
  • Modulation and Posture: CNS Mysteries and Treatment Possibilities, June 2007
  • Listening With The Whole Body, January 2006
  • Handwriting Without Tears, September 2005
  • International Conference on Life Care Planning, October 2004
  • Sensory Integration Intervention, January 2004
  • From Interpretation to Intervention, November 2003
  • International Conference on Life Care Planning, September 2003
  • Specialized Techniques for Measuring Sensory Integration, August 2003
  • The Sensory Integration Perspective, May, 2003
  • Life Care Plan Preparation, August 2002
  • Rehabilitation Consulting and Case Management, August 2002
  • TBI/Pediatric Brain Damage, August 2002
  • Multiple Disabilities, August 2002
  • Forensic Rehabilitation, July 2002
  • Life Care Planning /Pulling it All Together, July 2002
  • Spinal Cord Injuries, June 2002
  • Tenets and Methodology of Life Care Planning, June 2002
  • Early Intervention for Sensory Integration, May 2002
  • Alert Program, “How Does Your Engine Run?”, March 2002
  • Handwriting Without Tears, January 2002
  • Functional Job Analysis, May 2001
  • 110 Hours coursework for Massage Technician Certification, December 2000 – January 2001

Experience

Adjunct Instructor, Grossmont College, Grossmont, CA      August 2015 - December 2015
  • OTA 110- Occupational Skills - Psychosocial

Amanda J Gretsch, Inc., San Diego, CA      October 2011 - present
Founder/Owner/Occupational Therapist 
  • Contracting with Public and Non-Public Schools
  • Independent Evaluations
  • Private Pay patients/clients – direct and consultative occupational therapy
  • Contracting with San Diego Regional Center – In-home and clinic-based therapy

Catalyst Therapy, Inc. Encinitas, CA       September 2007 – October 2011
Founder/Owner/Executive Clinical Director/Occupational Therapist
  • Designed clinic and managed overall operational, budgetary, and financial responsibilities and activities of multi-disciplinary clinic (various diagnoses, ages 1 – 80+).
  • Managed all clinical operations, employees, and independent contractors.
  • Performed evaluations/assessments.
  • Created and implemented treatment plans
  • Collaborated and consulted with speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, and other health care professionals.
  • Managed and coordinated fieldwork placements.
  • Mentored and trained newly graduated occupational therapists.
  • Led employees to meet the organization’s expectations for productivity, quality, and goal accomplishment.
  • Created and presented a variety of in-services and presentations for parents and professionals.

Home Health Physical Therapy, Encinitas, CA         January 2007 – September 2007
Occupational Therapist, per diem 
  • Performed occupational therapy evaluations and treatment for individuals in their homes.

San Diego County Office of Education - North Coastal Consortium for Special Education, San Marcos, CA                           December 2006 - November 2007
Occupational Therapist
  • Performed evaluations/assessments for Oceanside Unified School District.
  • Provided direct and consultative services.
  • Supervised certified occupational therapy assistants.
  • Attended and collaborated in Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings.
  • Designed and implemented goals.
  • Provided in-services for special education teachers, general education teachers, speech and language therapists, and parents of school children (ages 3-21 years of age).

Active Life Rehabilitation, Escondido, Vista, and Carlsbad, CA      February 2006 – December 2006
Occupational Therapist, per diem 
  • Performed occupational therapy evaluations and treatment for individuals in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Murrieta, CA       March 2005 – December 2006
Occupational Therapist
  • Performed evaluations/assessments.
  • Provided direct and consultative services.
  • Supervised certified occupational therapy assistants.
  • Attended and collaborated in Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings.
  • Designed and implemented goals.
  • Provided in-services for special education teachers, general education teachers, speech and language therapists, and parents of school children (ages 3-21 years of age).

K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates, San Diego, CA      September 2004 – February 2005
Occupational Therapist, per diem
  • Performed evaluations/assessments for the Poway Unified School District.
  • Provided direct and consultative services.
  • Supervised certified occupational therapy assistants.
  • Attended and collaborated in Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings.
  • Designed and implemented goals.

CareerStaff, San Diego, CA      February 2004 - February 2005 
Occupational Therapist, per diem
  • Performed evaluations/assessments for multiple school districts.
  • Provided direct and consultative services.
  • Supervised certified occupational therapy assistants.
  • Attended and collaborated in Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings.
  • Designed and implemented goals.

The Center for Life Care Planning, San Diego, CA     January 2004 - July 2005 
Co-Founder/Certified Life Care Planner/Occupational Therapist
  • Performed interviews and evaluations for life care planning
  • Analyzed medical records and case history.
  • Identified current medical/rehabilitative care and outlined necessary medical and rehabilitative lifetime care needs.
  • Coordinated proposed care needs with physicians, therapist, and other medical care providers.
  • Obtained costs of needs.
  • Prepared Life Care Plan report.

San Diego County Office of Education - North Coastal Consortium for Special Education, San Marcos, CA                         
November 2001 - January 2004
Occupational Therapist
  • Performed evaluations/assessments for multiple school districts.
  • Provided direct and consultative services.
  • Supervised certified occupational therapy assistants.
  • Attended and collaborated in Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings.
  • Designed and implemented goals.
  • Provided in-services for special education teachers, general education teachers, speech and language therapists, and parents of school children (ages 3-21 years of age).

Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA       February 2000 - November 2001 
Occupational Therapist
  • Performed evaluations/assessments and treatments for patients in intensive, acute, transitional, sub-acute, and outpatient settings; diagnoses include, but are not limited to: cerebral vascular accidents (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillane-Barre syndrome (GBS), cancer, amputations, orthopedic conditions, and various cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
  • Collaborated with multiple disciplines to provide comprehensive and thorough patient care through discharge planning meetings, family care conferences, and various other team conferences.
  • Educated and trained staff, family, and caregivers to allow patients to be as safe and independent as possible in their various living environments upon discharge.
  • Supervised certified occupational therapy assistance and occupational therapy interns.
  • Member of multi-disciplinary pain management team.

Charter Behavioral Health, San Diego, CA       January 2000 – November 2000
Occupational Therapist, per diem
  • Planned, organized, and conducted inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy programs for individuals (children, adult, and geriatric) with mental and emotional disabilities, to facilitate development and rehabilitation.
  • Performed assessments and directed various activity groups designed to help develop or regain mental functioning.
  • Consulted with members of the rehabilitation team to select activity programs consistent with the needs and capabilities of individuals and to coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
  • Selected constructive activities suited to individual’s physical capacity, cognitive level, and interest to upgrade individual to maximum independence and aid in adjustment to disability.

Crestwood Manor, San Jose, CA        June 1999 – December 1999
Occupational Therapist
  • Planned, organized, and conducted occupational therapy programs for individuals (children, adult, and geriatric) with mental and emotional disabilities in a locked, long-term treatment facility, to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
  • Performed assessments and directed various activity groups designed to help develop or regain mental functioning.
  • Consulted with members of the rehabilitation team to select activity programs consistent with the needs and capabilities of individuals and to coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
  • Selected constructive activities suited to individual’s physical capacity, cognitive level, and interest to upgrade individual to maximum independence and aid in adjustment to disability.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - Barbara Arons Pavilion, Acute Psychiatry, San Jose, CA       March 1999 - June 1999
Occupational Therapy Level II Intern 
  • Collaborated with a multi-disciplinary treatment staff in a locked, acute facility conducting evaluations, group, and individual therapy for psychiatric patients.
  • Participated in treatment of approximately 125-175 patients ranging from 18-75 years of age.
  • Performed assessments utilizing a variety of evaluation tools including the Allen Cognitive Level (ACL) and Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS).
  • Organized and directed various activities, discussions, and individual therapy groups including independent living skills, communication, value clarification, and cultural focus groups.

UCSF Stanford Health Care, Palo Alto, CA      January 1999 – March 1999
Occupational Therapy Level II Intern
  • Performed evaluations/assessments and treatments for patients in cardiac and medical ICUs, transitional care unit, and skilled nursing unit; diagnoses include, but are not limited to: cerebral vascular accidents (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), congestive heart failure (CHF), traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillane-Barre syndrome (GBS), cancer, amputations, organ transplant, dysphagia, orthopedic conditions, and multi-organ system failure.
  • Collaborated with multiple disciplines to provide comprehensive and thorough patient care through discharge planning meetings, family care conferences, and various other team conferences.
  • Educated and trained staff, family, and caregivers to allow patients to be as safe and independent as possible in their various living environments upon discharge.

City of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA       January 1997 – January 1999
Recreational Specialist 
  • Planned and facilitated groups of children, teenagers, and adults with various mental, physical, and developmental disabilities to help increase socialization and community awareness, identify and expand leisure interests, and improved self-management skills.