- Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Downstate Program of Occupational Therapy
- Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner
- Educational Director East West Rehab Institute
Richard is a Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Downstate’s Occupational Therapy Program and serves his patients in clinical practice. He also leads a variety of therapy rehab groups at Beth Israel Medical Center. Whether working one-to-one or in groups, Richard assist clients with diverse issues including chronic neck, back and pelvic pain. He also provides wellness/health promotion programs for elders. In all these venues, he has successfully integrated Western therapeutic approaches with Eastern philosophy and practice.
This integrated practice evolved from Richard’s own personal experience. After 20 years of back pain, he discovered the benefits of Yoga, mindfulness, breath work and the Feldenkrais Method. As he began to weave this practice together with his traditional training as an occupational therapist, he felt less pain and began to re-engage in activities he abandoned years ago. Richard brought these ideas into his clinical practice and found the response overwhelming positive. Clients felt less pain and made impressive functional gains. Richard’s personal experience and the response of his clients have fostered the continued exploration and growth of an integrated therapeutic practice.
Richard has been invited to teach his integrative rehabilitation approach at several occupational and physical therapy professional degree programs. He regularly teaches mindfulness, managing pain, moving with ease, breath, integrative rehabilitation and fall prevention to groups. Through East West Rehab, he has taught workshops for health professionals to incorporate restorative yoga and breath work into therapeutic practice. Richard has published articles on his work in OT Practice, Advance for Occupational Therapists and been interviewed by OT Practice on complementary and alternative practices in rehab. Richard’s insightful understanding of integrative rehabilitation, combined with his compassionate presence and unique perspective, make him a sought after teacher and clinician.
|
