Directors
Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
President
Dr. Koomar is the owner and co-founder of OTA The Koomar Center, formerly OTA-Watertown, and the President of the Board of the Spiral Foundation. She is also a Professor of Practice at Tufts University, Boston School of Occupational Therapy. She completed her PhD in developmental psychology at Boston University where she was also an assistant professor in occupational therapy. In 1984 she studied with Dr. Jean Ayres, who developed the theory of sensory integration. Dr. Koomar has served as the chairperson of the American Occupational Therapy Associations Sensory Integration Special Interest Section, and was recently a member of the Mental Health Special Interest Section steering committee. She is the author of several book chapters on sensory integration difficulties and intervention, is a co-athor of the SMART and SAFE PLACE models using sensory regulation strategies in psychotherapy and collaborative care. She has taught numerous courses on these topics throughout the country.
Sarah Sawyer, MA, OTR/L
Clinical Director
Ms. Sawyer is the Clinical Director at OTA The Koomar Center, and is responsible for overseeing all therapeutic activities. She has extensive clinical experience working with children and families. Ms. Sawyer began her career in the United Kingdom working with children, adolescents and adults with Sensory Processing Dysfunction (SPD) across home, school and clinic-based settings. In 2003 Ms. Sawyer was awarded the Elizabeth Casson Trust Scholarship from Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK, to attend Tufts University to complete her post-professional masters. Her thesis focused on therapists' clinical reasoning. Ms. Sawyer has broad experience evaluating and treating individuals with SPD and has specialized training in Listening Therapies, Trauma and Visual Vestibular difficulties. She has a particular interest in working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and has specialized training in DIR® Floortime Approach. As well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the clinic, Ms. Sawyer regularly trains and presents to educational facilities and other professionals broadening understanding of Sensory Processing Dysfunction and Sensory Integration Therapy.
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Lori Goodrich, OTR/L
Assistant Clinical Director
Ms. Goodrich is the Assistant Clinical Director at OTA The Koomar Center and is responsible for assisting with overseeing all therapeutic aspects of the clinic. She is also the Oral Motor Coordinator, for which she oversees oral motor-based therapy and staff education. Ms. Goodrich completed her Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University, graduating Summa cum Laude and as a member of the honors society, Pi Theta Epsilon. Ms. Goodrich has broad experience evaluating and treating individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder using specific techniques including therapeutic listening programs, Craniosacral Therapy and visual vestibular based treatment techniques. She has completed the Sensory Integration Assessment and Intervention certification (SIPT) and has been trained in a wide range of oral motor based programs, including the SOS Approach to Feeding and Debra Beckman’s Oral Motor techniques. Ms. Goodrich provides consultations, lectures and overviews to enhance other professionals' and families' understanding of sensory integration and its relation to the development of various areas including the use of visual-vestibular treatment techniques to improve handwriting, and oral motor skills.
Robert J. Hebert, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Hebert is the Chief Operating Officer overseeing all financial, administrative and operational activities at OTA The Koomar Center. He has extensive operational and management experience having occupied senior positions in organizations in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining OTA, Mr. Hebert was the Director of Project Operations for Advocates for Human Potential, a leading research and consulting firm. In that capacity, he was responsible for the project management activities of all the company’s contracts and grants. having developed a project management methodology proprietary to the company. As the Executive Director of a non-profit, Mr. Hebert managed numerous multi-million dollar contracts that provided direct services to individuals helping them overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. Mr. Hebert has also served as the Chief Financial Officer for an education and training organization. The company owned and operated six proprietary schools, an executive training division, and the largest computer training camp for children in the world. Mr. Hebert earned his MBA from
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Updated 03-04-2013
May 22, 2013 - Dealing with Friends and Family
June 26, 2013 - Getting Ready for Summer