Your Nervous Syster

04. Cultivating Capacity

Rebecca Mattie — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:18:48 GMT

The conversation revolves around the concept of capacity, particularly in the context of the nervous system and regulation. Becca Mattie discusses the importance of co-regulation, the development of the cultivating capacity program, and the need to disrupt unhelpful patterns to build capacity.

Takeaways

Capacity is the ability to hold what's important and show up for meaningful activities.
The cultivating capacity program aims to help individuals disrupt unhelpful patterns and build capacity for their nervous system.

Important Links

Cultivating Capacity Program

Grow Beyond Collective

Plan & Pour Monthly Call

Manifest, Disrupt, & Build Series: Manifest

Rebecca Mattie — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Manifesting is a deliberate process of aligning thoughts, emotions, and actions to bring about a desired future. It involves evidence-informed practices such as visualization, implementation intentions, affirmations, journaling, repetition, and emotional congruence. Self-fulfilling prophecies, self-efficacy, and the importance of taking action are also key aspects of manifestation. The practice of manifesting goes beyond wishing and requires deliberate action and work.

Takeaways

Deliberate action and work are essential components of effective manifestation.
Manifestation involves evidence-informed practices such as visualization, implementation intentions, affirmations, journaling, repetition, and emotional congruence.

Important Links

Plan & Pour Monthly Call

Cultivating Capacity Program

Grow Beyond Collective

Manifest, Disrupt, & Build Series: Disrupt

Rebecca Mattie — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The episode delves into the concept of disruption and its impact on our daily habits and patterns. It explores the role of the nervous system in maintaining these patterns and the process of disrupting them to achieve personal growth and change.

Takeaways

Disruption of ingrained patterns is essential for personal growth and change.
The nervous system plays a significant role in maintaining habitual patterns and needs to be disrupted to create change.

Important Links:

Plan & Pour Invitation

Cultivating Capacity Program

Grow Beyond Collective Membership

03. Craniosacral Therapy in Practice

Rebecca Mattie — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:19:48 GMT

Join Your Nervous Syster as we explore the journey into the world of craniosacral therapy, from initial skepticism to its integration into practice. We delves into the definition, application, and impact of craniosacral therapy, highlighting its role in occupational therapy and its unique approach with children.

Takeaways

Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on, light touch gentle massage focused on the health of the nervous system.
Craniosacral therapy has shown to support incredible change for clients and can be a grounding tool in times of distress.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy
01:19 Discovering Craniosacral Therapy
04:09 Training in Craniosacral Therapy
08:20 Understanding Craniosacral Therapy
12:08 Misconceptions about Craniosacral Therapy
14:19 Application of Craniosacral Therapy in Occupational Therapy
21:07 Craniosacral Therapy for Children
23:19 Impact of Craniosacral Therapy

02. What do you actually do?

Rebecca Mattie — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:41:34 GMT

Here's the scoop on what I actually do and care about as an occupational therapist. It's no secret I love answering this question and I love my career.

Tune in to hear what is bringing my nervous system regulation today as well!

01. Introducing Your Nervous Syster

Rebecca Mattie — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:39:30 GMT

Welcome to Your Nervous Syster podcast! This episode brings a calm introduction to the podcast and host, Becca Mattie.

Becca is an occupational therapist and self-proclaimed "master co-regulator." Get cozy and tune in when you're ready to have conversations about life, healing, and finding home in your body.

Think of me as your therapist friend or stand-in older syster when you need one. I am so glad you found me, you belong here.

Tea with the OT | Using Social Stories to Build Confidence and Calm

Rebecca Mattie — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:06:54 GMT

Does your child or student struggle with transitions, "unwritten" social rules, or new experiences? You aren’t alone. In today’s episode of Tea with the OT, we are diving deep into one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) tools in an OT’s toolkit: Social Stories.

We’re moving past the idea of "behavioral scripts" and reframing these stories as bridges to predictability and regulation. Grab your tea, and let’s talk about how to help our kids feel safe, seen, and prepared for the world around them.

Tea with the OT | Occupational Harmony

Rebecca Mattie — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:05:55 GMT

Feeling exhausted by the pressure to "balance" work, family, and self-care? You’re not alone! Occupational Therapist and Honeybee OT owner Becca Mattie is here to tell you that balance is the wrong goal.

In this episode, Becca introduces the concept of Occupational Harmony, a more realistic and forgiving framework where your many roles and activities support, rather than compete with, each other. Learn how to:

Identify your biggest energy drainers vs. your energy givers.
Stop falling into the "All or Nothing" trap.
Use the snowball effect to make small, powerful changes that truly last.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or provider looking for a less stressful way to thrive, grab your mug and join Becca for some practical, encouraging takeaways!

Tea with the OT | My Favorite Online Resources for Kids

Rebecca Mattie — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:26:02 GMT

My Favorite OT Websites. Looking for trustworthy, evidence-based tools to support your child’s development? In this episode of Tea with the OT, I’m sharing my favorite websites for fine motor, gross motor, sensory, and emotional regulation activities—all created by therapists, educators, and professionals in the field.

☕ Let's sip some tea and talk about resources that make our lives easier and our kids more supported.

MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO

Websites I Love:
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
Tools to Grow OT: https://www.toolstogrowot.com/
Your Therapy Source: https://www.yourtherapysource.com/
Everyday Speech: https://www.everydayspeech.com/
The OT Toolbox: https://www.theottoolbox.com/
The Inspired Treehouse: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/
Harkla: https://harkla.co/
CDC Milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/m ...

Tea with the OT | How to Fit Home Programming into Real Life

Rebecca Mattie — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:23:31 GMT

Does the "therapy folder" on your counter give you a sense of dread? You aren't alone. As parents, we are already stretched thin, and being asked to "do" 20 minutes of home programming can feel like the straw that breaks the camel's back.

In this episode, I’m helping you let go of the "homework guilt" and showing you how to integrate therapy goals into the things you are already doing.

We’re talking about:

Why "more" exercises often lead to "less" progress.
The "Rule of One": How to prioritize what actually matters this week.
Habit Stacking: Turning laundry, mealtime, and car rides into therapeutic moments.
How to have an honest conversation with your therapist when you’re overwhelmed.

Tea with the OT | Accessing OT & What to do While You Wait

Rebecca Mattie — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:14:15 GMT

Did you know that in Wisconsin, you can access occupational therapy without a physician referral? In this episode of Tea with the OT, I explain how direct access works, what it means for families, and how to get started. I also share simple, practical ways to support your child’s development at home if you're stuck on a waitlist or can’t get scheduled with a therapist right now. Whether you’re working on bike riding, emotional regulation, or everyday routines, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you feel empowered and confident.

Tea with the OT | Social Stories in my Practice

Rebecca Mattie — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:57:48 GMT

Welcome to another episode of Tea with the OT! Today, we’re diving into the world of social stories—a powerful tool to help kids understand and manage different social situations. Social stories are short, personalized narratives that provide kids with a framework for navigating challenging moments, whether it’s dealing with anxiety, building emotional regulation skills, or preparing for new experiences.

Join me, Becca Mattie, as we explore how social stories can address specific behaviors, support neurodivergent kids, and reduce anxiety around day-to-day routines. I’ll share tips on how to create these stories to fit your child’s unique needs, and discuss when and how to use them for the best results.

Grab a cup of your favorite tea and let’s chat about practical strategies to make social situations a little easier and more predictable for our kids!

Talk After the Tea | Expanding Services Without Expanding Burnout

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:02:21 GMT

In this episode of Talk After the Tea, Becca discusses strategies for preventing burnout while expanding professional services. She emphasizes the importance of intentional diversification, exploring group-based services, product offerings, and teaching opportunities. Ethical considerations in service expansion are also highlighted, ensuring that practitioners can grow their impact without compromising their integrity.

Tea with the OT | Routines on Track

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:51:03 GMT

This month we are discussing routines and how to build an ideal routine for yourself.

Highly recommend checking out the book Atomic Habits by James Clear for an incredible deep dive into this topic and beyond!

Rooted Provider | Time Saving Tips for Documentation

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:48:57 GMT

Documentation is the "invisible" work of healthcare, the administrative weight that often sits between us and the reason we started practicing in the first place. Whether it’s the daunting evaluation report or the mountain of daily progress notes, documentation can feel like a burden that steals our time and energy. But what if it didn't have to be?

In this episode, Becca Mattie, OT, dives into practical, actionable strategies to optimize your documentation rhythm. We discuss how to maintain the therapeutic relationship while documenting in real-time, how to carve out "focus hours" that actually work, and how to leverage smart phrases and even AI to reclaim your schedule.

In this video, we cover:

The pros and cons of Point-of-Care documentation.
Creative ways to document in pediatric settings without a screen.
How to design a "Focus Environment" (and why you need a "Do Not Disturb" sign).
Exploring the role of AI in daily treatment notes.

Talk After the Tea | Facing Burnout & Dysregulation

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:26:02 GMT

Welcome to Talk after the Tea, a special series from Tea with the OT where we go deeper into the real talk behind the work.

In this episode, I'm getting vulnerable about therapist burnout—what it really feels like, how dysregulation shows up in our bodies, and why your values matter more than your productivity.

So pour a fresh cup and let’s talk about how to regulate, realign, and reignite your spark as a therapist.

Rooted Provider | Creating Effective Home Programming

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:24:27 GMT

It can be the most frustrating part of being a provider: the client who stops showing up or the home program that never gets touched. But what if "ghosting" isn't a lack of motivation, but a breakdown in the system?

In this episode, we dive into the evidence-based reasons behind non-adherence. We’re moving away from the "compliance" mindset and toward a "capacity" mindset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The "Rule of One" and why less is always more in home programming.
How to use Habit Stacking to make treatment feel like a natural part of the day.
How to build a guilt-free clinical bridge.
The 72-hour Feedback Loop that saves your follow-up rates

Stop taking non-adherence personally and start building systems that work for real, busy human beings.

Tea with the OT | Reflecting on Emotions as a Family

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:22:51 GMT

Helping kids express their feelings starts with small, everyday moments! In this episode of Tea with the OT, we’re talking about the importance of emotional reflection, normalizing tough feelings, and giving kids different ways to express themselves. Learn simple, practical strategies to make talking about emotions easier for the whole family. Grab your tea and let’s dive in! ☕💛

Tea with the OT | Engaging with the Evaluation

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:21:07 GMT

Getting a 15-page evaluation report for your child can feel overwhelming. It’s full of clinical jargon, percentages, and data that often feels like it’s written for insurance companies rather than families.

In today’s episode, I’m showing you how to flip the script. I'm here to help you pull out the practical parts of the eval—the strengths, the success secrets, and the functional goals that actually impact your daily life. This will help you walk into your next session feeling like the confident part of your child’s care.

In this episode, we cover:

Why evaluation reports feel so complicated (and it’s not your fault!).
How to filter a clinical report for practical, "real-life" information.
How to turn confusing clinical terms into meaningful questions for your provider.

Talk After the Tea | Evidence-based Practices for Anxiety

Rebecca Mattie — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:49:00 GMT

In this episode, we're diving into evidence-based approaches to supporting anxiety across the lifespan—from young children to older adults and caregivers. This video offers insight into practical strategies and research-backed frameworks that can guide your work.

Topics covered include:
Recognizing anxiety
CBT, DBT, and Polyvagal theory in therapy
Sensorimotor regulation strategies
Nature-based and music-based therapy for anxiety
Developmentally appropriate emotional regulation

👇 Let’s keep the conversation going!
Share your go-to anxiety supports or questions in the comments.

Tea with the OT | Self-Regulation for Parents

Rebecca Mattie — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:02:15 GMT

In this episode, we are talking about self-regulation and co-regulation. Building the capacity for regulation and modeling the behavior we want to see in our little ones is key. Check it out and let me know in the comments what your favorite regulation activities are!

Rooted Provider | Negotiating Beyond Salary

Rebecca Mattie — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:34:19 GMT

Why does talking about money feel so "icky" as a healthcare provider?

We entered this field led by our hearts, often putting the needs of others entirely before our own. But here is the hard truth: You cannot show up sustainably for your patients if you are constantly stressed about your own financial survival.

In this episode of Rooted Provider, we are pulling back the curtain on compensation, contracts, and the discomfort of asking for more. We need to normalize negotiation not as an act of greed, but as a necessary step toward professional sustainability and preventing burnout.

We’re diving into:
🌱 Shifting the mindset around the "money conversation."
🌱 Moving from arbitrary salary goals to knowing your "survival number" vs. your "growth number."
🌱 How to evaluate the "hidden salary" in a benefits package when the base pay doesn't meet your goal.

It’s time to be as brave in our financial lives as we are in our clinical ones.

Rooted Provider | Translating Data to Care

Rebecca Mattie — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:16:26 GMT

Discover the "Eval At-A-Glance," a powerful one-page tool designed to revolutionize your handoffs and empower both your team and your patients.

Distill complex clinical information into four essential sections:

Individual Strengths & Assets: Highlight what the patient brings to the table.
Current Needs to Support Participation: Identify crucial environmental or sensory supports.
Top 1-3 Functional Goals: Set clear, plain-language outcomes.
The Path Forward: Outline recommended frequency and high-impact home/community recommendations.

This isn't just about saving time; it's about enhancing communication, fostering team collaboration, and ensuring every patient receives consistent, client-centered care. Make the shift from overwhelming reports to actionable insights!

Tea with the OT | 7 Questions for Your Potential Therapist

Rebecca Mattie — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:36:13 GMT

Looking for a therapist for your child—or yourself—but not sure what to ask beyond “Do you take insurance?” In this episode of Tea with the OT, I’m sharing 7 important questions that can help you find a therapist who’s the right fit for your needs. From scheduling and session style to progress tracking and parent communication, these questions go beyond the basics and help you feel confident in your choice.

Whether you're a parent or an individual starting your therapy journey, this one's for you! ☕💛

Talk After the Tea | Shifting Perspective: Behavior or Sensory?

Rebecca Mattie — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:33:55 GMT

The holidays are magical, but let's be honest: the overwhelming lights, loud music, sugar overload, and busy crowds can turn "merry and bright" into "meltdown central" fast! This is where sensory integration comes in.

This one is for the teachers, therapists, and providers supporting children through sensory processing challenges.

Tea with the OT | Teaching Time Management

Rebecca Mattie — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 02:37:28 GMT

In this episode of Tea with the OT, Becca shares practical strategies for teaching time management to children. Learn how to help kids understand the passage of time, build routines, and develop independence through fun, functional activities. Perfect for parents, teachers, and therapists looking to support executive functioning and daily living skills.

Tea with the OT | Why is she just playing games?

Rebecca Mattie — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 22:59:54 GMT

Have you ever sat in an OT observation room and thought, “Wait… they’re just playing Freeze Dance? I could do that at home!”

In today's episode of Tea with the OT, Becca Mattie (Occupational Therapist and owner of Honeybee OT) pulls back the curtain on play-based therapy. While it might look like "just games" from the outside, every movement, rule, and interaction is a carefully chosen building block for your child’s development.