Jess Draper, OTR/L, IBCLC, EP-C 

• Holistic Infant & Toddler Occupational Therapist

• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

• Pelvic Floor Therapist ​

 

Hali’a Therapeutics was born out of necessity.

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When my daughter was born with a tongue-tie, body tension, oral motor dysfunction, and breastfeeding difficulties, I struggled to connect with a local provider who could holistically assess and treat her whole body and sensory systems with a root-cause collaborative mindset. I needed someone to guide me through the process, offering tangible techniques to improve our feeding relationship. I wanted someone who would truly hear me and give me clear, actionable steps. Since I couldn’t find that kind of support locally, I began working with providers outside of Eugene, but I knew this community deserved more accessible, comprehensive care.

 

As an Occupational Therapist with experience in pediatric sensory clinics, a Level 1 trauma ICU, and feeding clinics, I immediately dove deeper into understanding the intricacies of breastfeeding. Before my daughter turned 6 months old, I had completed over 100 hours of continuing education. I also enrolled in an IBCLC mentorship program, where I collaborated on thousands of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding sessions with families across the world. I was fortunate to learn 1:1 from some of the leading experts in lactation and infant development.

 

 While attending graduate school at the University of Southern California back in 2012, I was offered a somewhat rare opportunity to be mentored by a pelvic floor PT in adult rehabilitation.I have used this knowledge in all of my practice areas since. During my labor I experienced some complications resulting in tearing of my hip muscles and dislocating my pelvis. While I had the knowledge to rehabilitate myself, I didn't want to be my own OT. However that's exactly what I ended up doing because again... pelvic floor therapy resources in Eugene were far and few between. 

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There simply is not enough support for birthing parents, new families, and infant development or feeding. 

 

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​Hali’a Therapeutics has allowed me to merge these two areas of expertise: supporting infant development and providing pelvic floor rehabilitation for birthing parents. I offer holistic, root-cause care through preventative birth preparation, lactation education, and therapeutic interventions to help families thrive.

 

For babies under 2, I specialize in breast or bottle feeding difficulties, tongue and lip ties,  head-shape concerns (plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly, or Scaphocephaly), body tension (torticollis or milestone delay), and developmental delays (unexplained, Cerebral palsy, CMV, etc) including reflexes, sucking, tummy time, rolling, grasping, sitting, and crawling. 

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For expectant parents, I provide personalized birth preparation sessions designed to protect the pelvic floor and promote a positive birth experience. My approach helps pregnant individuals prepare their bodies for labor, addressing common concerns such as pelvic floor relaxation, perineal massage, and optimal birthing positions. I also teach techniques to prevent injury during birth and support postpartum recovery, helping you feel empowered and confident as you prepare to welcome your baby.I also have a pelvic floor birth preparation course. 

 

Whether your goal is to safeguard your pelvic floor during labor, reduce pain, or ensure a smooth postpartum recovery, I am here to guide you through every step of the journey.