About Me
Dr. Savanna Forry, OTD, OTR/L
Hi, I’m Dr. Savanna, an occupational therapist focused on helping individuals thrive by understanding how they work and creating strategies that actually support their daily lives.
I specialize in supporting individuals who learn, think, and move through the world a little differently. My work focuses on helping daily demands feel more manageable, sustainable, and aligned with how you function best.
My approach is strength-based, function-focused, and sensory-informed looking at the whole picture of how you function. That means our sessions are practical, collaborative, and centered on real life- not just talking about challenges, but actively figuring out what helps you do the things that matter most.
I’ve had the privilege of working across a wide range of settings, including outpatient pediatrics, hospital-based care, schools, homes, and community environments. I’ve also worked closely with college athletes and students, and have published research on learning supports and occupational therapy interventions for college students with learning differences.
Most importantly, I strive to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported- a place where your differences are respected, your strengths are valued, and growth feels possible.
Together, we’ll build the tools to help you show up with confidence- in school, at home, and in everyday life.
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I earned my Bachelor’s in Human Development Studies from UC San Diego (UCSD), where I was also a track and field athlete.
After that, I earned both my Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC).
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I take a personalized, strength-based approach, focusing on what works for you while providing tools to support growth.
Using function-focused and sensory-informed strategies, I help you thrive in daily life, empowering you to build independence, resilience, and confidence.
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At the core of my practice is a commitment to providing culturally competent and affirming care for every client. I embrace all identities, religions, sexualities, races, cultures, lifestyles, and abilities, striving to make everyone I work with feel genuinely welcomed, accepted, understood, and valued. I continuously reflect on my own biases and build upon my understanding by listening and learning from others.
My practice is a no-judgment zone, where you are free to share openly and honestly, knowing that I will meet you with compassion and understanding. I recognize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment where your experiences and perspectives are respected and honored.
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Some of my favorite ways to spend my free time are by moving my body with different sports and fitness classes, attending a live sporting event, and spending time with my family (and cats),
As your therapist, I see you as the expert of your own life. My role is to meet you where you are to help you uncover your strengths, gain clarity, and build resilience.
Together, we’ll explore your experiences and empower you with the tools to create meaningful change and reach your fullest potential.
Scholarly Work and Publications
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2022, Vol. 76(6), 7606390010.
“Occupational Therapy Interventions for College Students With Learning Differences”
November/December 2022
American Occupational Therapy Association, 2021, SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(1), 19–20
“Implementing knowledge translation to guide effective interventions: Evidence-based intervention for a supported education center within a university”
February 2022
https://www.aota.org/publications/sis-quarterly/mental-health-sis/mhsis-2-22
Support for Day-to-Day Life
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Self-Regulation & Emotional Health
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Academics & School
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Work & Job Responsibilities
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Executive Function
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Social Relationships
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Stress Management
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Sports & Physical Skills
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Play, Hobbies, & Personal Interests
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Daily Function & Routines
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Health & Wellbeing
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Rest, Leisure, & Sleep
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Identify & Personal Growth
Specialty Areas
working with kids, teens, adults
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(High school, college, and professional athletes and competitors)
Understanding the demands of competitive sport on mind and body
Recognizing signs of burnout and preventing overtraining
Coping with injury, setbacks, or performance plateaus
Supporting emotional well-being in high-pressure environments
Managing performance anxiety and competitive stress
Strengthening confidence, focus, and mental resilience
Building routines, structure, and consistency during training seasons
Balancing sport, school, work, relationships, and personal life
Enhancing recovery through sleep, nutrition, pacing, and mental rest
Improving executive functioning, time management, and follow-through
Understanding neurodivergence in elite performance
Supporting sensory needs, arousal regulation, and processing time
Developing pre-performance routines, visualization skills, and goal setting
Navigating identity challenges when sport becomes “everything”
Preparing for transitions: college recruitment, graduation, retirement, or injury
Cultivating sustainable habits for long-term health and success
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(All types — inattentive, hyperactive, and combined; no diagnosis necessary)
Understanding how ADHD shows up in daily life
Managing symptoms, behaviors, and emotional responses
Improving focus, attention, and task initiation
Supporting impulse control and emotional regulation
Building executive functioning and organizational skills
Strengthening motivation and follow-through
Creating routines and systems that stick
Developing self-esteem, self-compassion, self-advocacy and self-awareness
Navigating school, work, and social expectations
Reducing overwhelm and preventing burnout
Cultivating strengths and reframing challenges
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(All presentations across the spectrum with PDA and ODD experience; no diagnosis necessary)
Understanding and embracing neurodivergent identity
Supporting sensory needs and sensory regulation
Enhancing emotional regulation and coping strategies
Building routines, structure, and predictability
Improving executive functioning and flexible thinking
Navigating transitions and unexpected changes
Developing self-advocacy and communication skills
Strengthening social understanding and connection
Reducing overwhelm, shutdowns, and meltdowns
Fostering independence in school, work, and daily life
Supporting special interests as tools for motivation and growth
Cultivating environments that affirm neurodiversity
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(General learning differences and difficulty; specific diagnoses such as dyscalculia, dyslexia, and dysgraphia; no diagnosis necessary)
Understanding your unique learning profile across school, work, and daily life
Managing academic and workplace challenges with confidence
Strengthening reading, writing, math, and functional literacy skills
Building effective study, test-taking, note-taking, and information-processing strategies
Supporting working memory, processing speed, and comprehension
Creating systems for organizing assignments, deadlines, and daily responsibilities
Developing individualized learning and problem-solving strategies
Improving focus, task initiation, and task completion in all environments
Using tools and technology to support learning, productivity, and independence
Navigating academic and workplace expectations with self-advocacy
Enhancing communication, planning, and follow-through skills
Reducing overwhelm and stress by building predictable routines
Cultivating a growth mindset, resilience, and confidence in your abilities
Applying strengths-based strategies to succeed in school, work, and everyday tasks
“I wish I could tell you how important Dr. Savanna is to us as a family, and how grateful we are to her. She is my daughter’s trusted confidant, her advisor, and the person who helps her figure things out. Teen years are hard with so many changes, and Dr. Savanna is still the one my daughter trusts and depends on. Thank you!!”
“Dr. Savanna has totally changed things for me. Before, I was always behind on assignments and felt so stressed out, especially during sports season. She helped me figure out ways to stay organized and manage my time better, so now I feel way more in control. She really gets what it’s like to be a student-athlete, and her advice has helped me stay focused and calm. I’m so thankful for everything she’s taught me!”
“Working with Dr. Savanna was truly life-changing for me. I struggled with time management and felt overwhelmed by my school workload, always playing catch-up. Dr. Savanna helped me break down my work and showed me practical strategies to organize my time. Her guidance not only helped me get more done but also made me feel more in control and confident about my day. Now, I’m on top of my coursework, and I finally feel like I have what I need to do well. I can’t recommend her enough!”
“Dr. Savanna was so helpful, compassionate, and caring. I do not think I would have been able to pass my exam without her support.”
“I worked with Dr. Forry to help manage my stress and anxiety for an important exam and it was extremely helpful. She helped me identify specific struggles that I had been enduring and taught me multiple strategies to manage it. Months later, I continue to utilize the skills that she taught me to better cope and manage my stress and anxiety! I highly recommend working with her.”
“Dr. Savanna has been a game-changer for my son. We’ve seen such a positive shift in his confidence and decision making skills to balance everything he has going on. She truly understands the demands of student-athletes and works with them in a way that feels relatable and encouraging. ”
“Savanna helped me build realistic systems to organize my time and manage my stress. She really got what I was going through and gave me tools that actually worked.”
