Lexi VanErden

I believe every child deserves to feel understood, capable, and confident in who they are. My goal is to create a supportive environment where children feel safe exploring new challenges, building meaningful skills, and discovering the strengths they already possess. I love helping children learn to navigate the world with greater confidence while partnering closely with families every step of the way.

My clinical training and experience have strengthened my passion for helping children whose sensory, emotional, and behavioral challenges impact their participation in everyday life. I believe that understanding the “why” behind a child’s behavior allows us to create meaningful strategies that promote success both at home and in the community.

I am especially passionate about working with younger children, particularly those experiencing sensory processing differences, emotional regulation challenges, complex behaviors, and executive functioning difficulties. I enjoy helping children develop the skills they need to participate more fully in daily routines, build meaningful relationships, and experience greater success at home, school, and in their community.

My approach is play based, child led, trauma informed, and grounded in advocacy centered care. Every child is unique, and I believe therapy should reflect their individual strengths, interests, and goals. I work closely with children, parents, teachers, and other members of a child’s support team to develop personalized treatment plans that are engaging, motivating, and meaningful.

One of my greatest strengths is helping families understand sensory regulation and how it influences behavior, emotions, attention, and participation in everyday activities. I enjoy collaborating with caregivers and educators to provide practical strategies that can be carried over into daily routines, helping children experience greater success across environments.

My clinical interests include sensory regulation, emotional regulation, executive functioning, social participation, and supporting children with complex behavioral needs. Whether we are helping a child manage big emotions, improve self regulation, strengthen social skills, or develop greater independence, I strive to create therapy sessions that are both fun and purposeful.

Families can expect me to be compassionate, approachable, understanding, and calm while maintaining clear expectations and consistent support. Building meaningful relationships with both children and their families is one of my favorite parts of being an occupational therapist. I love celebrating every milestone, whether it is a small step or a major breakthrough, because each accomplishment represents meaningful growth.

Outside of the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and learning about new cultures. These experiences have strengthened my appreciation for different perspectives and continue to shape the empathy and curiosity I bring into my work with children and families.

My hope is that every child leaves therapy recognizing their own strengths, feeling confident in their abilities, and knowing they are supported by a team that believes in them. I want families to feel empowered with the knowledge and tools to help their child continue growing long after each therapy session ends.