Hi there, I’m Shayla, but many people call me Shay 🤗👋🏼 

Welcome here!  

I’m a neurodivergent occupational therapist (OT) living and working on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I’ve spent over 10 years supporting folks with all kinds of body-minds, needs, and ways of being. I’m grateful to get to bring my values of justice, curiosity, and play into the work I do, and I hope you can see a little bit of yourself in my story and approach. 

Many of the folks I work with are navigating neurodivergence, queerness, burnout, or the challenges of finding routines and rhythms that work for them. Some have tried different kinds of talk therapy and are looking for something more practical, collaborative, and grounded in everyday life. 

As a queer and neurodivergent person, I’m drawn to finding creative ways for people to be, do, and belong in a world that often doesn't make room for them. My mixed ancestry (Ukranian, Cree/ Red River Métis with ties to Fisher River Cree Nation) also informs my ongoing curiosity about identity, belonging, and the ways we make meaning of who we are and how we move through the world. 

I love working with people who are curious about themselves and the world around them, and who want to explore ways of being and doing that feel more aligned with their values, desires, and sense of self. 

My lived experience and how OT helped me: 

Like many people, my neurodivergence went relatively unnoticed in childhood. As adult responsibilities piled up, the systems and strategies I had relied on stopped working. I found myself trying harder to meet expectations that didn't necessarily fit how my brain worked. Eventually, I realized that learning to work with my brain, rather than against it, was going to be a much more sustainable path forward. 

I was fortunate to find an occupational therapist who helped me explore habits, routines, and environmental adaptations that made everyday life more manageable. While receiving a diagnosis helped me better understand myself and develop self-compassion, OT helped me translate that understanding into concrete changes in my day-to-day life. 

I knew OT was the path I wanted to pursue professionally, but I was still surprised by how much this kind of support could change my own life. This experience is a big part of why I love what I do. I believe OT offers a unique kind of support for people trying to build meaningful lives in a world that wasn't necessarily designed with them in mind. 

Me as an OT (and a human): 

At the heart of my work is helping people do the things they want and need to do in ways that leave them feeling more empowered, capable, and like themselves. 

My approach is collaborative, practical, and curious. Together, we explore what's getting in the way of the life you want to live, experiment with strategies that fit your brain and body, and find ways to make everyday activities feel more accessible. This might mean building routines, navigating executive dysfunction, improving sleep, reconnecting with fun, figuring out self-care (like getting out the door or cooking a meal), or making space for creative work. 

I’m interested in more than just productivity or checking things off a list. I want to help you figure out what matters to you, what you want more of in your life, and what needs to shift to make that possible. Sometimes that means building skills and routines; other times, it means changing expectations, adapting your environment, or letting go of the rules you were never meant to fit into. 

Getting started:  

I know finding the right person to work with can feel daunting, especially when you're already exhausted from trying to figure things out. I value building lasting relationships with clients and aim to be a supportive landing pad you can return to as your needs, priorities, and circumstances change. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to living well, and you don't have to figure everything out at once. We can start wherever you are. 

I look forward to meeting you and exploring what feels possible together.  

If you’re interested in working with me, take a peek at my areas of practice areas! And don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in working together. 

Hope to (virtually) see you soon! 🌱 

Shayla’s top areas of specialty are:

• ADHD, Autism, & AuDHD

• Neurodivergent Burnout and Fatigue

• Work and School Challenges

• Navigating/ Creating Accommodations

• Rejection Sensitivity

• Sensory Need Exploration and Accommodation

• Procrastination

• Socializing/Unmasking

• Confidence, self esteem, self advocacy, and boundary setting

• Gender/ Sexuality Exploration

• Leisure and Creative Work Exploration

Shayla is currently accepting new clients. Shayla offers sessions on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings.

Note: Be sure to change your timezone on our booking page to reflect your location.

Shayla offers services to clients located in the following provinces and territories:

Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut

Note: Be sure to change your timezone on our booking page to reflect your location.

A few more tidbits about me… 

• Superpowers: Buzzer-beating task completion, pretty latte art, asking curious questions, game-ify-ing something boring, meal prepping interesting lunches 

• Arch nemeses: Overbooked days-off, vague deadlines, task-switching, loading the dishwasher in any organized fashion 

• Likes: '90s hip-hop, teamwork, dancing nights at the local queer spot, running at a pace you can talk at 

• Dislikes: gluten and the word ‘should’  

• Favourite recovery strategies: Snacks in the bathtub, harvesting plants and medicines with loved ones, group breathwork and community time, cuddles with my foster-fail pup 

• Neurodivergent lifelines: Loop (switch) earlplugs, a Pomodoro timer, my special ’training wheels’ agenda book, a weighted robe (yes, they exist!)