Learn How One Occupational Therapist is Finding Her Purpose in a Profession with Many Career Paths

Who is Chelsea Ellison MS, OTR/L, CLC?

Founder of Nature & Nurture, LLC.

My name is Chelsea Ellison MS, OTR/L, CLC. I have been a pediatric occupational therapist for 8 years now. My route to OT was unique in that I was a volunteer for a hippotherapy program run by a physical therapist in my undergraduate program, and I fell in love with this treatment modality. I chose to become an Occupational Therapist and pursue specialization in this area. I have since become American Hippotherapy Board Certified in utilizing skilled manipulation of equine movement (hippotherapy) as a treatment tool and I run a business providing this service through my business, Nature & Nurture LLC.

My route to this success has involved working for various pediatric outpatient clinics. I have always enjoyed the therapists I work for and with, but I became frustrated with the business model as a whole.

I am the (unfortunately) common story of a burnt-out therapist. I have grown to dislike the treatment business model that pushes productivity over the quality of treatment. I feel dissatisfaction from the lack of ability to adequately plan, research, and implement treatment methods that are best for my patients. I am frustrated with the medical field as a whole and letting insurance companies dictate access to services for my patients.

This led me to start thinking differently and truly soul-searching for other ways to support myself and my family in ways that align with my values. I continue to explore different specializations (lactation, infant massage) and business models (affiliate marketing and service-based) that highlight my unique skills and align with my values.

I became interested in lactation consulting through my breastfeeding journey with each of my two sons. I felt a lack of access to skilled intervention in my rural town and wanted to fill this need. I became a Certified Lactation Consultant through training with the Healthy Children’s Project and through courses offered by the Lactation OT.

I am an introvert. I am not always confident in a service-based realm and a profession where we are (unrealistically) expected to be experts on such a wide variety of topics. Where I do shine with confidence is in the area of the two specializations that I provide. I feel great fulfillment and joy in providing those service-based interventions. 

However, service-based business is not my full-time ambition, as I have other talents to offer. I enjoy writing, I enjoy entrepreneurship, and I enjoy the flexibility that my Occupational Therapy degree offers to me to explore these throughout my career. I have decided to embark on a journey as an affiliate marketing agent for online Continuing Education Courses and other self-development courses that are applicable to the pediatric OT, PT, ST therapist.

Someone once asked me: “if you could do anything with the rest of your life, what would it be?”. I replied “be a professional student”. I am passionate about learning and mastering concepts and ideas that build me up as an individual and encourage success in my patient relationships and life in general. 

Part of my business venture is to share this passion with others, to provide easy access to courses where you can explore and develop your own interests and specializations while optimizing your personal skills. I can help you out of a professional ‘rut’ through exploration and development of skills you are passionate about and can monetize to promote success. 

We are all in the therapy business because we want to develop ourselves in a way that allows us to best serve others while feeling a sense of personal fulfillment. Join me on this journey! Maybe you will find a specialization that brings you joy, or a new business skill. Let’s nurture our natural abilities together!