About Me
Dr. Savanna Forry, OTD, OTR/L
Hello! My name is Dr. Savanna Forry, OTD, OTR/L. I am a licensed (#21913) and registered occupational therapist in the Los Angeles area with a passion for empowering student-athletes and neurodivergent individuals to reach their full potential.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients, including college athletes, graduate students, and kids of all ages in outpatient, hospital-based, home, community, and school settings.
I’ve also published research on learning supports and occupational therapy interventions for college students with learning differences.
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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 school, work, sports, and 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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On a personal note, some of my favorite ways to spend my time are by moving my body with different sports and fitness classes, attending a sporting event, spending time with my family.
I’m a foodie who enjoys the ambiance of unique restaurants, and I could always go for an ice-cold Coca-Cola.
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
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(All types — inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, 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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(General learning differences and difficulty; specific diagnoses such as dyscalculia, dyslexia, and dysgraphia; no diagnosis necessary)
Understanding your unique learning profile
Managing academic challenges with confidence
Strengthening reading, writing, and math skills
Building effective study, test-taking, and note-taking strategies
Supporting working memory, processing speed, and comprehension
Creating systems for organizing information and assignments
Developing learning strategies tailored to individual needs
Improving focus, task initiation, and task completion
Using technology and tools to support learning
Navigating academic expectations with self-advocacy
Cultivating a growth mindset and academic resilience
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(All presentations across the spectrum; 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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(Anxiety, depression, mental health challenges & disorders, chronic stress; no diagnosis necessary)
Understanding how mental and cognitive health affect daily life
Managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation
Supporting executive functioning under chronic stress or fatigue
Rebuilding focus, memory, and cognitive endurance after injury or illness
Creating routines that support mental and emotional balance
Strengthening stress management and nervous system regulation
Developing coping strategies to manage overwhelm and shutdowns
Navigating school, work, and social demands with flexibility
Enhancing motivation, energy, and follow-through
Building self-awareness and confidence in managing emotions
Practicing self-compassion and realistic goal setting
Cultivating supportive environments that reduce stress and promote healing
Specialty Areas
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Understanding how to process and learn information
Starting and staying consistent with assignments
Managing deadlines and academic responsibilities
Improving test-taking, studying, and note-taking skills
Strengthening reading comprehension and focus
Building writing skills for clarity and organization
Navigating academic websites, software, and platforms
Advocating for academic accommodations confidently
Preparing for college entry and graduate board exams
Planning and completing college or transfer applications
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Boosting productivity
Conserving energy
Managing your time
Getting organized
Improving focus & attention
Harnessing creativity
Planning, prioritize, and executing tasks
Setting realistic goals
Managing your lifes priorities
Adapting and expanding upon problem-solving strategies
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Developing and utilizing coping strategies
Learning about your sensory preferences and profile
Adjusting your environment to meet your needs
Incorporating informed sensory strategies
Balancing activity and rest
Preventing & managing stress and anxiety
Promoting self-esteem
Navigating challenging conflicts
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Optimizing well-being
Diagnosis education and understanding
Improving efficiency
Setting up meaningful daily routines
Creating management systems that work
Enhancing social relationships
Preventing & managing fatigue
Building healthy habits and routines
Managing health, conditions, disabilities, and disorders
Increasing life skills
Cultivating environments of success
Maintaining physical fitness and diet
“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.”
