Tamara Nascene, OTR/L (she/her)
Tamara is an occupational therapist who is committed to helping clients engage in meaningful activities despite physical, cognitive, or emotional barriers. Tamara prioritizes the client-therapist alliance and will continually strive to create a safe space to process complex issues and to engage in collaborative problem-solving.
APPROACH
Occupational therapy (OT) is a unique profession that takes a client-centered, whole-person approach to rehabilitation and wellness. The term “occupation” refers to ANY activity that occupies your time and is important to you. The role of OT is to promote participation and performance of meaningful occupations.
Tamara helps her clients achieve their goals by not only teaching but by engaging with them in daily living. She believes treatment should focus on the practical application of learned strategies and skills -- whether that means practicing in the clinic, addressing an issue in real-time over video, or working together at home or in the community.
Tamara uses a variety of treatment techniques including: education and experiential learning, exercise and movement, nervous system regulation, interoception and motor-sensory awareness training, and environmental adaptations.
CLINICAL INTERESTS
With over 10 years of experience in the neurological rehabilitation setting, Tamara has worked with a wide range of diagnoses including traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, dementias), and pain disorders/central sensitization. She feels passionately about providing comprehensive whole-person treatment to individuals impacted by neurological conditions – whether that be the person living with the condition or their family and caregivers. Tamara also has a special interest in helping those struggling with pelvic health issues (bladder, bowel, or sexuality) both in the setting of neurological injury/illness and as a stand-alone issue.
Tamara has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline University and a Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from St. Catherine University. Tamara has taken a variety of continuing education courses related to neurological rehabilitation and is a certified LSVT BIG instructor (Parkinson’s disease exercise program). She has been trained in the use of yoga and mindfulness strategies in the setting of traumatic brain injury. She has also participated in extensive education and training in the specialty areas of chronic pain and pelvic health.
PERSONAL
In her free time Tamara enjoys exploring the outdoors, engaging in the culture of the Twin Cities, and traveling to new places.
