Who Are We?
Welcome to our dedicated space where passion and expertise meet to enhance the lives of children in school-based settings. We are a team of enthusiastic school-based occupational therapy practitioners, deeply committed to the well-being and success of every child we encounter. Our mission is to change how educators think about and support challenging behavior by embracing a trauma-sensitive approach utilizing a curriculum that connects, regulates, and empowers students.
Recognizing a vital need in the educational landscape, we set out to bridge the gap between therapy and the classroom. Our passion led us to partner with teachers and empower them to create therapeutic environments that seamlessly incorporate trauma-sensitive intervention strategies throughout the day. Our goal is to enable students to be fully prepared to learn, flourish, and succeed.
At the core of our approach is a belief that every child is capable of success. We advocate for centering connected relationships, empowering students to tend to their regulation needs, and ensuring that every child is seen and heard in their classroom. Our commitment to these principles forms the foundation of our work and drives us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the children we serve.
Join us on our journey to create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive, and educators have the tools they need to make it happen. Together, we can make a difference, one child at a time!
Dawn Paulson, MS, OTR/L, RYT200
Dawn has more than two decades of experience in delivering occupational therapy services to children and families in home, clinic, and school settings. She is known for her creativity and program development, bringing an integrated perspective to her work as an OT, coach, mentor, and soon-to-be marriage and family therapist. Dawn attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned her degree in OT. After graduating, she was fortunate to work with Sheila Frick, a leading innovator in OT practice. In 1999, Dawn co-founded Integrated Development Services (IDS), a multidisciplinary clinic providing outpatient and in–home therapy services for children with autism throughout the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Along with her work at IDS, she became a Registered Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor and co-founded Move Out Loud (MOL) studio, providing creative movement, yoga, and dance education to children of all abilities. She also became certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Trauma (Pat Ogden). After transferring ownership of IDS and MOL, Dawn continued her private practice in Minnesota and eventually joined Heather and her team at Integrative Therapy and Integrative Education. A lifelong learner, she is currently in the graduate program for Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary’s University in Minnesota and anticipates receiving her degree in the summer of 2025.
Disclosure Statement: Dawn Paulson is co-founder of 1-2-3 RESET™ and receives financial compensation for both speaking and direct sales of 1-2-3 RESET™ publications.
Heather Schmidt, MS, OTR/L
Heather is a dedicated advocate for OT, education, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. With over 20 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist, Heather has had the privilege to serve diverse age groups and abilities, employing a holistic approach to therapy. In 2009, Heather founded Integrative Therapy, which delivers high-quality OT services to schools. Her specialty lies in supporting students in charter schools, where she has honed her skills across age groups, from pre-K to high school. Heather’s team of dynamic therapists serves over 30 schools in Minnesota, employing a sensory integrative and trauma-responsive lens to provide comprehensive support to students. Heather’s dedication to education extends beyond her direct therapeutic practice; she has educated and trained many paraprofessionals and teachers about OT, sensory processing, and trauma-responsive Education over the years. In 2018, fueled by her passion for education, Heather established Integrative Education, a platform that offers innovative professional development opportunities for OT practitioners, physical therapists, speech therapists, and educators.
Disclosure Statement: Heather Schmidt is co-founder of 1-2-3 RESET™ and receives financial compensation for both speaking and direct sales of 1-2-3 RESET™ publications. She is also the founder and director of Integrative Therapy.
How Can I Learn From You?
A great first step is to purchase the book 1-2-3 RESET™: A Trauma-Sensitive Guide to Behavioral Intervention. It includes detailed information about the 5 principles of RESET™, a step-by-step guide to implementing the 8-week lesson plans, and 38 complimentary handouts. Each book has online access to handouts, video links, and 8 pre-created Google slides that complement the lessons. Click here to buy it now!
We will also present our 6-hour continuing education course, Supporting Regulation with 1-2-3 RESET™: Embedding a Trauma-Sensitive Framework into the Classroom, on August 6, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST, live on Zoom with recording access. In it, we will examine the material in depth so you can confidently start using this approach in your classroom or therapy practice right away. Sign up for our mailing list (click the “subscribe” button below) to be notified when registration goes live on July 1st!
Your school team can work with us directly!
We offer a variety of packages to support your school’s needs.
Please read more details of our packages here.