About Dr. Kristin

 

Dr. Kristin McConnell, OTD, OTR/L

Kristin is a licensed and registered occupational therapist (OT), certified yoga teacher, and trauma-informed facilitator. Her mission is to help people feel safe and connected to their bodies so they can learn, grow, and thrive. She holds a clinical doctorate and master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California. She completed her doctoral residency at the USC Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice where she provided Lifestyle Redesign® services to individuals with a range of chronic conditions and led the expansion of an OT program for individuals with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and dysautonomia.

In addition to her OT experience, Kristin is passionate about facilitating trauma-informed spaces, whether she is leading an embodiment yoga class, mindful nature experience, or ocean therapy circle. She enjoys helping people connect more deeply to their inner world, their community, and nature, and believes these interwoven relationships are foundational for true healing.

Podcasts featuring Dr. Kristin

Expert tips on nervous system regulation featuring Dr. Kristin McConnell on the Learning to Glow podcast

Learn more about Dr. Kristin McConnell, including her journey to occupational therapy, her expertise in supporting patients with POTS, and surf therapy.

My Approach

For me, it’s about honoring where you have been and providing you with the skills, tools, and support to help you move forward, overcome barriers, and create a personally meaningful life.

My therapeutic style has been described as compassionate, patient, collaborative, and action-oriented, and my holistic approach aims to always serve the whole you, rather than diagnostic labels. I believe that health is not merely the absence of illness, but a life lived fully, in connection with others and the earth, marked by feelings of wholeness and belonging.

Clinical expertise supporting clients with:

  • Dysautonomia/POTS

  • Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

  • Chronic pain and/or fatigue

  • Apraxic Autism (non-, minimally-, unreliable speakers)

  • Late/Self Diagnosed Autism

  • ADHD and executive functioning difficulties

  • Migraines/headaches

  • Anxiety, stress, and/or depression

  • Trauma

  • Neurological conditions (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc.)

  • Life transitions

Additional Certifications & Training

  • POTS Provider Course by OT Emily (Comprehensive rehabilitation techniques for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

  • Brain and Sensory Foundations, Level I and Level II (Training in rhythmic movement and reflex integration by Move Play Thrive)

  • Integral Movement Method, EDS ECHO by Jeannie Di Bon (movement training for hypermobility)

  • EDS ECHO Program

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) for Occupational Therapists

  • Surf Therapy Facilitator and Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery Trainer, Groundswell Community Project

  • Life Management Series (Training on Lifestyle Redesign®)

  • 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training, Yogaworks

  • Trauma-informed Yoga Training, Prison Yoga Project