Amy M. Drees, OTR/L

I'm a pediatric occupational therapist (OT) passionate about helping children and families. As a developmental clinician, I care for patients with various challenges and diagnoses. I am particularly interested in treating children with emotional regulation disorders and those with a history of trauma. I also have training in craniosacral therapy.

I knew I wanted to work with children from a very young age. I also hoped I would work for Cincinnati Children's one day. One of my first jobs was babysitting a child with severe asthma. I considered becoming a teacher or a pediatrician, but ultimately, I chose occupational therapy due to the holistic approach and ability to work with children individually.

My treatment approach involves creating a safe environment that communicates unconditional acceptance for all my patients. It is within this space that children feel comfortable exploring and attempting challenging tasks. I aim to make therapy fun so children do not know they are being challenged.

I strive to collaborate with families to get to the heart of their issues which can lead to meaningful outcomes for the patient and family. I want caregivers to have the knowledge to advocate for their children and to feel empowered to make changes at home.

In addition, I am a clinical trainer for new employees within our department. I enjoy the opportunity to serve as a mentor. I've been practicing for over 20 years and still love my job! I strive to provide empathetic and compassionate care to all my patients and families.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my two children and our two dogs — Braxton and Geronimo. We love trying new restaurants, exploring the city, cheering on local teams and watching Marvel movies.