Lara Levine, OTD, OTR/L 

My Origin Story

I didn’t come to this work by accident. I came to it through noticing—early on—how often children and families need support that simply isn’t available when it matters most.

In 1999, I packed up my Honda Accord and moved from Virginia to Portland, Oregon. I began working with teen parents in an alternative school and later in community mental health with children and families. I loved the depth of that work, but I kept seeing the same pattern: people were being asked to function beyond their capacity, often without the support, understanding, or safety their nervous systems needed.

That question—what does support actually look like?—never left me.

I wanted a way to work with the whole picture: the body, the nervous system, daily life, and the relationships surrounding a child. That search led me to occupational therapy, and once I found it, everything made sense.

Over time, my work has been shaped not only by professional training but also by lived experience. I know what it’s like to navigate systems that don’t understand nervous systems. I know what it means to carry both trauma and neurodivergence in a world that often expects people to “push through.” And I know, as a parent, how different it feels when the work you’re doing isn’t theoretical—it’s personal.

Because of this, my work is less about fixing behavior and more about protecting capacity. It’s about creating conditions where regulation is possible, where support comes before expectation, and where children and caregivers are not asked to override themselves in order to belong.

I’ve worked across schools, hospitals, and outpatient settings, and one thing has become clear: regulation doesn’t live in a therapy room. It lives in routines, relationships, environments, and how supported people feel in their daily lives. My approach is strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and guided by a deep respect for how hard this work actually is.

This work is not just my profession—it’s part of how I move through the world.

Outside of my professional role, I’m a sober mom living in Portland with my two boys and two dogs. We love being outdoors, traveling when we can, and laughing together. Children and families continue to be my greatest teachers, and it’s an honor to walk alongside them. In 1999, I packed up my Honda Accord and moved from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Portland, Oregon. I first worked with teen parents in an alternative school, and then with children and families in a community mental health setting. While I loved the work in the mental health arena, I craved a more comprehensive approach to working with children and families.  Then I found OT and life has never been the same!

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I have worked in school districts, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. Working in such a variety of settings has given me the knowledge and skills needed to support teachers, parents, and children in many different environments. 

I hold a doctorate in occupational therapy from the University of Montana. I have a specialized certificate from the University of Southern California in working with children with sensory integration differences. I also participated in advanced training working with children who have experienced trauma and I always use a strength-based approach. My work is guided by anti-racist principles and uses a strong neurodiversity lens.

I am currently working for Portland Public Schools in a specialized mental health program (DART) for our students who are being supported by our community mental health partners in day or residential treatment. In this role, I serve students who have Individual Educational Plans (IEP) with OT services. I also coordinate the social emotional learning for the DART schools.

It is a true joy to work with children and families; they are my greatest teachers. 

When I am not being an OT nerd, I am a sober mom who lives in Portland, Oregon, with my two dogs, one cat, and two teen boys.  We love to travel, hike, and watch shows together!