Inspiring Conversations with Sarah Anderson of Elevated Wellbeing OT

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Anderson

Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been a practicing occupational therapist for 10 years, but my journey into this field wasn’t exactly what I initially envisioned. When I started college, I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist—until I discovered occupational therapy. What drew me in was the seamless interplay between physical and mental health, the recognition that a person’s well-being isn’t just about movement but about their ability to engage in life in a meaningful way.
During graduate school, I quickly realized that mental health was my passion. The coursework came naturally to me—it was the most engaging, thought-provoking content I had ever encountered. I saw how deeply occupation was tied to identity, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. This realization shaped the direction of my career.
Early Career and Academic Pursuits
After graduating, I started my career in pediatric home health, where I worked with children and their families in their everyday environments. From there, I transitioned into a clinic setting and then to a school for the deaf.
By my third year of practice, I found myself filled with more questions than answers. I wanted to understand the “why” behind what I was seeing clinically. That desire for deeper knowledge led me to pursue my doctorate. Around the same time, a teaching position opened at my alma mater, Midwestern University. Although I was only three years out of school, a professor encouraged me to apply. I knew the odds weren’t in my favor, and ultimately, the position went to someone more experienced—Dr. Christopher Trujillo, who is now the program director.
A few months later, the then-program director reached out and asked if I’d be interested in a very part-time teaching position—one that had the potential to grow into something more. It was a leap of faith, but I took it, leaving a full-time job to pursue this opportunity.
Merging Academia and Clinical Practice
Around this same time, I was offered a position at Childhelp, an advocacy center for children who had experienced significant trauma. For the next two years, I balanced teaching at Midwestern with working at Childhelp, gaining invaluable experience in trauma-informed care. Eventually, I transitioned into a full-time faculty role at Midwestern, where I taught mental health content, as well as courses on emerging areas of practice and population-based care.
Even though I loved academia, I started to feel like something was missing. I missed working directly with clients. I needed variety. So, I dipped my toes into private practice, initially just a few hours a week. But as time went on, I realized how much I loved being in the clinical space again.
The Birth of Elevated Wellbeing OT
For several years, I worked in private practice as a contracting provider for another practice, gaining valuable experience and refining my approach to mental health occupational therapy. However, in 2024, I knew I wanted something of my own—a practice where I had full autonomy to shape the care I provided and create a space truly aligned with my values.
In July 2024, I launched Elevated Wellbeing OT, and by February 2025, we have grown into a thriving group practice with a team of dedicated occupational therapists.
As a neurodivergent clinician myself, I understand firsthand how brain differences impact daily life. I know the importance of having flexible, supportive environments that honor individual strengths while providing structure where it’s needed. This perspective deeply informs how we approach care.
At Elevated Wellbeing OT, we specialize in working with neurodivergent individuals—those with ADHD, autism, OCD and others who experience executive functioning challenges—but our work extends beyond that. We also support individuals navigating trauma, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and addiction recovery. Our goal is to help clients build fulfilling, meaningful lives by developing routines, self-awareness, and practical strategies that support long-term well-being.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely wasn’t a smooth road—there were plenty of bumps and steep learning curves along the way. I’m a big idea person, but I struggle with the little details, and realizing that about myself has been huge. Getting my ADHD diagnosis helped me understand myself in a way I never had before. I’ve learned how to better meet my own needs, how much structure I actually require to reach my goals, and how to navigate my personal relationships more effectively.

One of the biggest hurdles was overcoming imposter syndrome—especially being so young in academia. But while there have been challenges, I recognize that my path has been easier than what many others have faced. And I have to give credit where it’s due—I have the world’s most supportive spouse.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Elevated Wellbeing OT, we specialize in working with neurodivergent individuals—those with ADHD, autism, OCD, and others who experience executive functioning challenges—but our work extends beyond that. We also support individuals navigating trauma, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, and addiction recovery. Our goal is to help clients build fulfilling, meaningful lives by developing routines, self-awareness, and practical strategies that support long-term well-being.

We offer 1:1 therapy, group programs, and comprehensive sensory evaluations to ensure our clients receive the support they need in a way that works best for them.

Why Mental Health Occupational Therapy?
Many people hear “occupational therapy” and think of physical rehabilitation. But at Elevated Wellbeing OT, we focus on mental health occupational therapy because our work is centered on helping people engage fully in their daily lives—not just physically, but emotionally, cognitively, and socially.

We specialize in sensory processing and executive functioning, two areas that profoundly impact daily life but are often overlooked in traditional mental health care.

Sensory Processing and Its Role in Mental Health
Sensory processing plays a fundamental role in how we experience the world. For some, sensory input is processed in a way that feels manageable and predictable. However, for others—especially those who are neurodivergent or have a history of trauma—the brain may amplify, diminish, or misinterpret sensory information, making daily life feel overwhelming, exhausting, or dysregulating.

We help clients understand their sensory processing patterns and develop strategies to create environments and routines that support regulation, comfort, and focus.

Executive Functioning and Daily Life
Executive functioning is what allows us to plan, organize, manage time, and follow through on tasks—all critical skills for independence and success. Many of our clients struggle with:

Time blindness (difficulty estimating how long tasks take or remembering schedules).
Task initiation challenges, leading to procrastination or feeling stuck in a cycle of avoidance.
Emotional regulation difficulties, making it hard to shift gears, manage frustration, or tolerate uncertainty.
We work with clients to develop structure, routines, and practical strategies that align with how their brain works—so they can feel more in control and confident in their day-to-day life.

Supporting Clients in Addiction Recovery
Addiction is often rooted in emotional dysregulation, sensory processing challenges, and executive dysfunction. Many individuals in recovery struggle with impulsivity, difficulty managing stress, and finding healthy, fulfilling ways to engage in daily life post-treatment.

We work with clients to:

Identify sensory and emotional regulation tools to manage cravings and triggers.
Develop new leisure activities and routines that support long-term sobriety.
Address underlying executive function difficulties, such as planning, organization, and follow-through, that impact recovery success.
A Lifespan Approach
One of the things that sets our practice apart is that we see clients across the lifespan. Mental health and neurodiversity do not just affect one stage of life—they evolve, presenting different challenges and opportunities from childhood to adulthood. We work with:

Children and teens who need support with emotional regulation, sensory processing, and executive function skills.
Young adults navigating transitions, independence, and identity formation.
Adults managing work, relationships, and daily responsibilities while balancing neurodivergence or mental health challenges.
As a mother to a neurodivergent child, I understand firsthand the importance of family-centered care. We don’t just focus on the individual—we also work with families to create supportive environments that foster growth, connection, and success.

Our Mission: Helping Clients Engage in Life Fully
At its core, our practice is about helping people engage with life in a way that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and true to who they are. We don’t believe in just managing symptoms—we believe in helping people create meaningful, fulfilling lives. Whether that means improving self-care routines, learning how to navigate social relationships, or finding ways to make work and home life more manageable, we take a strengths-based approach that empowers each client to thrive.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe the qualities most important to my success are my authenticity, my ability to wear many hats, and my tenacity. Additionally, being neurodivergent has shaped the way I approach both my work and my relationships, giving me a unique understanding of my clients’ needs. I’m a big idea person and absolutely thrive when I can immerse myself in creative, forward-thinking projects.

Another key quality is my love for connecting with people. Networking with other incredible providers has been essential to my success—without them, my practice wouldn’t be thriving. I’m naturally tenacious, but what truly fuels my drive is being surrounded by a community that believes in me. My network of support has been invaluable, and their belief in me has been a cornerstone of my journey.

Pricing:

• Our 1:1 Services Vary but we are private pay–we do provide a superbly for clients who want to submit one to their insurance company for reimbursement
• Sensory Evaluations: 350
• Groups Vary: 35-45$ per group session. We will be having a wide variety of groups starting in late spring/early summer of 2025.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elevatedwellbeingot.com
• Instagram: elevatedwellbeingot
• Other: TikTok: @drsarahanderson_

Image Credits
I unfortunately do not remember who took my headshot–and I have no way of finding out as it was through another practice. I took the rest–they are photos of our practice space. Many of our rooms don’t have art yet so there are just a few spaces I have photographed. You do not have to use all of them!