Denise Peick
OTR/L, C-SIPT, CST-T

CranioSacral Therapy

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Specialties: 

Degrees & Training:  

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Occupational Therapy from The Program in Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• Certified CranioSacral Therapists Teaching Member (CST-T)
• Certified Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (C-SIPT)
• MNRI Training: Lifelong Reflexes, Dynamic and Postural Reflexes, Tactile Integration Protocol, Oral/Facial Reflex Integration

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Denise is a Licensed Occupational Therapist and CranioSacral Therapist with over 35 years of experience treating people with sensory processing disorders.

She has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Occupational Therapy from the University of Minnesota, holds certifications in Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (C-SIPT), and has extensive training in varied sensory-based intervention techniques. She is a techniques-level certified CranioSacral Practitioner with advanced and pediatric training in CranioSacral Therapy (CST). Her career has led her through various experiences treating those with sensory processing disorders and helping them thrive. She has worked in outpatient settings, school programs, and day treatment programs, treating a wide variety of children and young adults with complex needs.

As a CranioSacral therapist, Denise seeks to support the body’s natural healing abilities using light touch. CST is used along with other techniques including MNRI and those specific to occupational therapy, to help lay sensorimotor foundations needed to support development of motor, self care, feeding, and self regulation skills. She meets the patient where they are, individualizing treatment based on the issues that are interfering with the patient and their family’s ability to engage in activities that they want and need to do in order to thrive. CST is also used to help patients release trauma held in the tissues that is actually interfering with the body’s ability to balance and heal itself physically, emotionally, or spiritually. By staying grounded, supportive, and non-judgemental, Denise is able to create a safe space for patients to do this work if/when it is needed.

Denise’s specialty area of practice within occupational therapy is treating people with sensory processing disorders. She has worked with this population for over 35 years, initially treating children and gradually expanding her practice to treating people across the lifespan. Areas impacted by sensory processing challenges include emotional regulation, the ability to achieve and maintain optimal arousal needed to engage across settings, motor and self-care skills, feeding issues, and the development of social skills. Areas of concern are addressed in therapy, targeting those skills that are of most importance to the patient and their caregivers, allowing for full engagement in their family structure and community. Occupational therapists are trained to look at the whole person in order to support their ability to engage in life tasks at different developmental stages. A major component of a successful occupational therapy program is the provision of parent and caregiver education regarding their loved one’s challenges, how it is presenting in their child, and how to address this in everyday situations. 

In her free time, Denise enjoys spending time with friends and family. She finds joy in gardening and the outdoors.