As a Bay Area strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming practice, we see the best in all kids.
Whether your child is spirited, clumsy, disorganized, passionate, opinionated, high-energy, or ultra-reserved, we’re here to celebrate and support who they are.
Experience the relief of partnering with someone who "gets" your child and seeks to support their emotional, sensory, social, or motor needs without crushing their special spark.
Together, let’s go all-in on understanding and supporting your child!
Some Areas We Address in Individual OT
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Fine and gross motor coordination
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Self-regulation for navigating emotions
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Sensory processing
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Body awareness
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Anxiety
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Impulsivity
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Attention and following directions
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Dealing with disappointment
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Social-emotional skills for peer and family relationships
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Strategies for self-care and daily routines (sleep, dressing, brushing teeth, transitioning home from school)
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Behavioral concerns from school
We understand how tough it can feel right now, and while our approach isn’t about pushing a child to be someone they’re not, our goal is to help you and your child find solutions for the very real problems that make daily life difficult.
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Hear from other families…
“Marika and her team are rad. Recommended by another OT that I love, it’s so wonderful to have someone GET my child. I’ve learned so much and am sincerely grateful.”
“Our daughter is now willing to try and try again, and to say "yes" to so many things she said "no thanks" to before. She seems so much happier in her own skin, and we are able to move through the world with more ease.
They devote so much time to your child's individual needs and make a concerted effort after and between sessions to keep caregivers in the loop.”
“I wish there was a way to give more than 5 stars! They get children and how to help them. She sees your child like an individual and their potential, needs/challenges beyond the labels.”
You Might be a Bearfoot Family If…
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You seek solutions that honor your child’s true self.
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You value open communication with your therapist and want to share feedback as part of the process.
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You want to be kept in-the-loop about your child’s therapy sessions and progress.
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You’re ready to go on a journey of discovery with your child.
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You want to learn effective, hands-on strategies that can be easily applied at home to reinforce your child's progress outside of therapy.
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You love the idea of sandy adventures, mud pies, tree climbing, rain-soaked explorations, or puddle jumping.
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You prioritize long-term well-being over quick fixes.
Become a Bearfoot family today —
where outdoor adventures bring growth, connection,
and hands-in-the dirt joy.
the bearfoot difference
Why Settle for One Hour a Week?
Move Beyond Traditional Indoor Therapy With Bearfoot OT's Nature-Based, Family-Inclusive Approach
Our 3-month Packages for Individual Occupational Therapy Services
One-on-one sessions where your child receives the full attention and support of a Bearfoot occupational therapist both in and out of the session.
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Pro:
With this package you immerse your family in a transformational program to get undeniable improvement for your child. You won’t need to figure it out yourself – together we tackle your concerns big and small and get to work across multiple settings to help your child be more successful in everyday life.
Standard:
Our most frequently recommended package because it offers the ideal combination of nature-based sessions and ongoing, interactive family guidance.
Basic:
This package focuses on nature-based treatment sessions with limited touch-points for communication between sessions. This package works best for families who are pretty independent with team communication and home implementation.
A Closer Look at the Elements of One-On-One Occupational Therapy at Bearfoot OT
THERAPY SESSIONS
Our skilled therapists team up with nature for sessions that provide a just-right place for your child to practice skills and learn more about themselves. When needed, therapy sessions can be swapped for an IEP meeting, telehealth session, or school/home visit.
between session Support
—Included with Standard & Pro—
Using a private Google Classroom, you get an individualized, interactive place for all your child’s team members. It’s a convenient way to communicate, share resources, and weekly therapy updates so everyone’s on the same page.
Weekly Updates and ideas for Home
—Included with Standard & Pro—
Each week, we keep the conversation going by adding a post to Google Classroom. This might be a video debrief from our session or a resource specific to what you and your child are working on. a video update of what we did, how it went, and any ideas you can incorporate at home to continue their progress.
CONSULT CALLS
You’ll have our undivided attention during consult calls with your therapist, where we share practical advice and answer your questions. Consult calls can be used to collaborate with others involved in your child’s care, including parents, teachers, and therapists.
what our clients have to say
“ I love how much thoughtfulness, care and consideration goes into planning, executing and going through every session. My son loves these sessions and the fact that he is accepted in any state and season he is in, is a joy for us parents!
My son is a big sensory seeker and these sessions just meet that need perfectly for him! There are many times when things don't go as planned and my therapist has been an amazing coach for me to co-regulate with him and help him navigate tough situations.”
“We sought occupational therapy to help our autistic daughter manage emotional outbursts, and Bearfoot OT has been transformative.
My daughter’s therapist’s ability to connect and bring joy to our daughter during sessions is remarkable, offering her tools and strategies that she eagerly applies in her daily life. Observing our daughter articulate her feelings and tackle new challenges with confidence is deeply heartening.”
“Marika and her team have the knowledge, smarts, and intuition to understand kids. But the best part is their partnerships with parents; they are invested in making sure home programs really work.
This is unique in the OT world. And it works because they do Outdoor OT, so parents can easily replicate what they are doing by using Mother Nature's tools... whether it's climbing a tree or wading through a stream or simply rolling down a hill. Bearfoot is amazing.”
Quarterly Kick-Off for New and Returning Clients
Enrollment for Q1 2025 {sessions starting in January} opens on 11/22/24.
To bring focus, commitment, and clarity to your child’s care, we schedule and price therapy services in quarterly, 3-month blocks.
More than a weekly appointment, it’s a partnership with a true desire to support you and your child.
Once you experience the difference of a therapist with time in their schedule for you and your child, you’ll never want less for your family. At Bearfoot OT, we prioritize knowing, communicating, and supporting each child inside and outside of their weekly sessions.
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Here are the two ways to begin with Bearfoot OT
what to expect
schedule a call
complete an initial evaluation
select your package
begin your sessions
the bearfoot ot way
Therapy happens among the trees, dirt, and trails — where kids would hang out anyway.
With a mix of curiosity, adventure, and organic support, nature provides us with a just-right recipe for children to push their growth edges and deepen their self-knowledge for better days at home and school.
As you’ve likely noticed, kids naturally love to play outside. Give them a stick, some cool rocks, and a sense of adventure, and be prepared to watch childhood learning and magic unfold.
Knowing all the benefits and possibilities of being in nature, we’ve taken our therapy sessions into three beautiful Bay Area parks where kids naturally thrive and learn. Through activities like digging in the mud, balancing on tree branches, and problem-solving to build a fort, children practice cooperation, coordination, strength, patience, and imagination in a fun, natural environment.
The San Francisco Bay Area Parks Where Individual OT Sessions are Held:
Glen Canyon park,
San Francisco
China camp
state park,
san rafael
presidio,
San Francisco
Wild Places, Big Support, Natural Learning: OT the Bearfoot Way
For families ready to take action and create change, Bearfoot OT provides an innovative approach to empower your child and propel their progress. Bearfoot’s comprehensive one-on-one therapy experience allows you to maximize opportunities for your child’s growth.
Together, let’s go all-in on understanding and supporting your child.
frequently asked questions
Visit our FAQ page for a full list of commonly asked questions.
Is an initial evaluation needed?
Yes, any child who starts with Bearfoot OT needs an initial evaluation so we can understand your child, your concerns before setting goals and our plan of care. If your child already has an OT evaluation from within 12 months, we can build off that and do a more streamlined initial evaluation.
There is an additional fee for the initial evaluation, which covers the pre-evaluation call, assessment session, report preparation, and follow-up call. The cost of an evaluation depends on several different factors so we’ll discuss your options and related costs during our initial call.
Bearfoot OT sounds amazing, how do we get started?
For individual therapy sessions, the process starts with an intake call. You can email, call, or set-up a time directly through the scheduler. After that, we figure out if your kid needs an evaluation and find a weekly time and location that works for you!
What do you do if it rains?
We play! We don't cancel for bad weather, we have fun in it. The only exception is hazardous weather, such as poor air quality or hail. We'll help you know how to best dress your kid so that all weather is enjoyable.
What does a typical session look like?
Every session is different! We follow the lead of what each child shows us they need and want to do on each specific day while providing the guidance needed to be actively working towards goals. In general — after meeting at the trailhead, we walk to different areas of the park to play in ways that offer opportunities to learn, use our senses, and move our bodies. Under the skilled guidance of our occupational therapy providers, fun activities like crafts, dirt digging, obstacle courses, and imaginative play become therapeutic tools to help your child reach their goals.
What is Google Classroom?
Google Classroom is our online platform designed to connect directly with parents. Your child’s Google Classroom is completely individualized—created exclusively for your child. In this private and personalized space, the therapist serves as the "teacher," and parents or caregivers are the “students” and are actively involved in the learning process. You also have the option to invite others, like teachers, grandparents, or babysitters so they can view the content as well. This is where every week (for families on the Standard or Pro package) will get updates, resources, and communication and where we invite families to be as active as possible!
Do you take insurance?
Bearfoot OT does not bill insurance. However, when requested we can provide additional information to assist families seeking reimbursement through a superbill. Insurance typically doesn’t cover the whole cost of individual session packages or summer camp as some elements of these programs are valuable but not recognized as medically necessary by insurance.
What should my child wear?
After enrolling your child, you’ll receive specific instructions for clothing that can get dirty and keep your child comfortable in a variety of weather conditions. As a general rule, we recommend sturdy shoes, layers, lightweight, non-cotton clothing, and rain gear (boots, rain jacket, and rain pants).
Is it possible for me to pay for sessions individually instead of signing up for a quarterly package?
Nope, we only offer our occupational therapy services in quarterly packages that include 10 sessions and parent support. We’re committed to building relationships and making a difference for the long-term which takes consistency, time, and the ability to explore different options to figure out what works for your child in the variety of situations that make up real life.
How long are kids usually in individual occupational therapy with Bearfoot?
We usually set goals for a minimum duration of six months when starting with a new client, which translates to two quarterly sessions. However, families do have the option to conclude therapy after three months or choose to extend their therapy beyond the initial three months to continue working on their child’s progress. We recommend thinking of six months as the minimum timeframe for individual therapy, as this allows for a more comprehensive approach to meeting your child’s needs and achieving their goals.
Do parents attend sessions?
Our sessions are designed to be flexible—parents are welcome to join us for the session or take some time for yourself. For individual sessions, we love it when parents participate since it can increase learning and carryover at home. While we aim for children to feel comfortable attending independently, we’re here to support them at their own pace, whether that means you’re with us in the woods or hanging out in the car. And keep in mind, that parents are required to stay onsite during therapy sessions even if you are not directly joining the sessions.