about Sam
Samantha Valasek OTD, OTR/L, CTTS, ADHD-RSP
specialties:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety
Depression
Stress and burnout
Autism
Behavioral addictions (e.g. internet, eating, shopping, risks)
Tobacco cessation
Insomnia
Weight issues
Work issues
Other conditions impacting executive function (e.g. SCT, stroke, TBI)
education:
Doctor of Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California
Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California
Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Loyola Marymount University
Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist
ADHD-Certified Rehabilitation Services Provider
OT License # 16090, California
OT License # 352970, Oregon
OT License # 09764, Maryland
Dr. Valasek is an occupational therapist who specializes in executive function skills, sensory supports, and lifestyle modifications that promote physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Her work is focused on supporting clients who experience executive function (thinking), sensory processing and emotional regulation (feeling), and behavioral (doing) challenges. She guides her clients in developing the practical skills, strategies, and adjustments needed to build and maintain a fulfilling life.
—
Dr. Valasek will work with you to foster self-awareness and self-efficacy while acknowledging the pain that often propels us to seek change. Together you will practice skills and strategies, build on experiences of success, and aim for sustainable habits and routines. You will cultivate self-compassion to meet challenges with greater ease and celebrate wins along the way. Clients often say that her openness, empathy, and breadth of knowledge help them feel safe while learning and growing on their journey.
—
Before founding Life Skills Occupational Therapy, Dr. Valasek developed her expertise as a clinical faculty member at the University of Southern California. While there, she had the pleasure of working with university students, faculty, staff, and community members to create health-promoting habits and routines. Her services addressed a range of chronic conditions, including anxiety, depression, addiction, insomnia, obesity, diabetes, migraines, and chronic pain. In addition to direct clinical work, she taught graduate-level occupational therapy courses; developed programming around ADHD, self-regulation, medical student wellness, and tobacco/alcohol cessation; and was involved in multiple inter-professional clinics.
professional presentations
“OT in Transit: Addressing Travel & Transportation”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2023
“ADHD + You: Understanding and Working with Your Brain”
Caltech, November 2022
“OT on the Go: Addressing Travel Needs”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference, October 2022
“A Person-Centered, Occupation-Based Approach to Smoking Cessation”
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2022
“Embodied: Physical Activity as Ends and Means”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2022
“Embodied: Physical Activity as Ends and Means”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference, October 2021
“Integrating OT into Med School: Curriculum, Accommodations, and Therapy”
with Kelcie Kadowaki OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference, October 2021
“Doing Happy: Depression Management in Outpatient Therapy”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS & Erin Bussell OTD, OTR/L
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2021
“Evidence-Based Self-Regulation Training for Adolescents and Adults”
with Noelle Schorn OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, March 2021
“The Psychosocial Determinants of Weight”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS & Raquel Saunders OTD, OTR/L
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2020
“Addressing Eating Routines to Enhance Function and QOL”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, March 2020
“Post-Hospital Geriatric Primary Care Integrates OT and Pharmacy”
with Patrick Tabon PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, March 2020
“Screening and Intervention Tools for Adults with Sleep Difficulties”
Continuing Education for the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, October 2019
“Ergonomics: The Office and Beyond”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2019
“OT Practitioners with Chronic Conditions: Exploring the Lived Experience of Balancing Work and Self-Management”
with Rebecca Cunningham OTD, OTR/L
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2019
“Sexual Health in OT Practice: Addressing Identity, Expression, and Function”
with Rebecca Cunningham OTD, OTR/L & Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2019
“Addressing Sleep in OT: A 24-Hour Approach”
with Rebecca Cunningham OTD, OTR/L & Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2019
“Assertiveness and Self-Advocacy for Health Promotion”
with Rebecca Cunningham OTD, OTR/L & Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2019
“Addressing Anxiety Disorders with Lifestyle Management Approaches”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS & Danielle Lombardi OTD, OTR/L
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2019
“Occupational Therapy in Primary Care: Empowering Patients to Change Health Behaviors”
Primary Health Care Research Conference in Melbourne, AU, August 2018
“The Time is Now: Diabetes Prevention and Management”
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2018
“Metacognition and Health Behavior Change: An OT Toolkit”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS
Occupational Therapy Association of California Spring Symposium, March 2018
“Therapeutic Communication Techniques that Promote Motivation and Participation in Therapy”
with Marissa Marchioni OTD, OTR/L, CEAS & Rachelle Nagata OTD, OTR/L
“An OT Practitioner’s Self-Management of an Autoimmune Disease: The Synthesis of Clinical Reasoning and Lived Experience Perspectives”
with Rebecca Cunningham OTD, OTR/L
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2017
“Filling the GAP: OT’s Role in Interprofessional Geriatrics”
with Caitlin Chaney Greene OTD, OTR/L, Ashley Halle OTD, OTR/L, & Phuong Nguyen OTD, OTR/L, CLT
American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, April 2017
“Partnerships in Primary Care: Empowering Patients to Change”
with Ashley Halle OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Association of California Annual Conference, October 2016
publications
Marchioni, M. & Valasek, S. (2023, December). Embodied: Physical activity as ends and means. OT Practice, 28(12).
Collins, C. R. & Valasek, S. (2023). Addressing depression in primary care. In S. Dahl-Popolizio, K. Smith, M. Day, S. Muir & W. Manard (Eds.), Primary Care Occupational Therapy: A Quick Reference Guide. Springer.
Valasek, S., Cunningham, R., Rich, E., & Cohen, S (2020). Self-interventions: Applying your occupational therapy skills to your personal health. OT Practice, 25(5), 18-22.
Tabon, P. & Valasek, S. (2019). Post-hospital geriatric primary care clinic integrates OT/pharmacy expertise into PCP’s care plan. The Senior Care Pharmacist, 34(9), 568.
Marchioni, M., Cunningham, R., & Valasek, S. (2019). Sexual health: Addressing identity, expression, and function in occupational therapy practice. OT Practice, 24(8).
Cunningham, R., Valasek, S. (2019). Occupational therapy interventions for urinary dysfunction in primary care: A case series. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(5), 7305185040p1-7305185040p8.
Valasek, S. & Halle, A. (2018). Practicing in an established primary care setting: Practical tips and considerations. OT Practice, 23(15).
Valasek, S. & Jacobs, K. (2017). Breakfast with Grandma Ruthie: A Story for Children Learning About Dementia. [self-published]. Illustrated by Samantha Valasek.
everyone has their own definition of success
embrace yours
stay connected
Sign up with your email address to receive a therapist-written newsletter. You will receive educational posts on important wellness topics and updates on clinic events. This will not be spam and you can unsubscribe anytime.