Kathleen Yopp, MOT, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist, educator, and holistic practitioner specializing in nervous system regulation, emotional development, and functional skill building in children.

With a foundation in occupational therapy and advanced training in nutrition, holistic health, and trauma-informed care, Kathleen integrates neuroscience, polyvagal theory, sensory processing, and body-based regulation strategies to support children, families, and therapists.

Her work focuses on a Regulation-First™ approach, recognizing that behavior, learning, feeding, toileting, and emotional development are all deeply connected to the state of the nervous system. Rather than addressing behaviors in isolation, Kathleen teaches therapists and parents how to identify nervous system states and apply regulation-based interventions that support safety, connection, and long-term developmental success.

Kathleen is the founder of Helping Hands Therapy Services, a pediatric therapy practice providing occupational, physical, and speech therapy services through a holistic, nervous system–informed model of care.

She is also the creator of several professional training programs hosted by Helping Hands Therapy Resources, an educational platform for therapists, educators, and other professionals. These programs include courses focused on:

• emotional regulation and nervous system development
• feeding and sensory integration
• trauma-informed pediatric therapy
• nervous system-based approaches to toilet training
• regulation strategies for learning and behavior

Through her training programs and certifications, Kathleen equips therapists around the world with the knowledge and tools to move beyond behavior-based approaches and implement nervous system–informed interventions that support regulation, resilience, and connection.

Her work bridges clinical neuroscience, holistic health, and functional therapy, helping practitioners better understand the body–brain connection and its role in emotional regulation, development, skill building, and overall health and well-being.

Kathleen is passionate about empowering both therapists and families with practical tools that support nervous system health and create meaningful change in children’s daily lives.

Helping Hands Therapy Resources Education & Certification Programs

Regulation-First™: Transforming Therapy Through a Nervous System–Informed Approach

Category: Training Provider

Helping Hands Therapy Resources provides professional continuing education and certification programs designed to help therapists and pediatric professionals integrate nervous system–informed approaches into clinical practice.

Our educational programs explore the relationship between nervous system regulation, emotional development, sensory processing, behavior, learning, feeding, toileting, and functional participation. By integrating current neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, sensory integration principles, interoception, trauma-informed care, child development, and holistic health concepts, we provide clinicians with practical frameworks and evidence-informed strategies that can be immediately implemented across a variety of pediatric settings.

Our programs are designed for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology assistants, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, educators, behavioral professionals, psychologists, counselors, coaches, and other pediatric professionals seeking to better understand the role of the nervous system in child development and functional outcomes.

At the heart of our educational philosophy is the Regulation-First™ Framework, which recognizes that meaningful participation in everyday occupations is influenced by the state of the nervous system. Rather than focusing solely on behaviors or isolated symptoms, our programs teach clinicians to identify underlying contributors to dysregulation and develop individualized intervention plans that promote safety, connection, participation, and long-term developmental success.

Professional Education & Certification Programs

Helping Hands Therapy Resources currently offers professional education in:

• Emotional regulation and nervous system development
• Polyvagal-informed pediatric practice
• Trauma-informed therapy
• Regulation-first toilet training
• Pediatric feeding and mealtime participation
• Sensory processing and sensory integration
• Interoception and body awareness
• Executive functioning and self-regulation
• Sleep, nutrition, and gut health as contributors to regulation
• Parent coaching and caregiver education

Each program combines current research, clinical reasoning, practical intervention strategies, case-based learning, downloadable clinical resources, and competency assessments to support immediate application in therapeutic, educational, and community settings.

Toilet Training Success Academy Certification Programs

Level 1 – Regulation-First™ Toilet Training Practitioner (RFTTP)

Description

The Regulation-First™ Toilet Training Practitioner certification prepares professionals to implement a nervous system–informed approach to pediatric toilet training for children of all abilities, including neurotypical children, neurodivergent children, and children with complex medical, sensory, behavioral, and developmental needs.

Rather than relying solely on developmental readiness checklists, participants learn to evaluate nervous system regulation, sensory processing, interoception, environmental influences, and family dynamics to develop individualized, child-centered intervention plans.

Topics include:

• Regulation-First™ clinical framework
• Polyvagal Theory and toileting
• Neuroception and environmental design
• Interoception and body awareness
• Sensory processing
• Co-regulation strategies
• Trauma-informed practice
• Documentation and scope of practice

Eligible Participants

OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, BCBAs, RBTs (under supervision), psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, early intervention professionals, and special education teachers with pediatric experience.

Duration: 8+ Hours
Format: Online
Assessment: Knowledge assessment included
Certificate: Awarded upon successful completion

Level 2 – Certified Toilet Training Specialist (CTTS)

Description

The Certified Toilet Training Specialist (CTTS) certification expands upon the foundational principles introduced in Level 1 and prepares clinicians to manage more complex pediatric toileting presentations.

Participants learn advanced clinical reasoning related to nervous system regulation, sensory processing, trauma, interoception, neurodivergence, bowel and bladder function, environmental modification, family coaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, documentation, and treatment planning.

This certification emphasizes comprehensive assessment, individualized intervention planning, and regulation-based clinical decision making for children with complex developmental and medical presentations.

Prerequisite

Successful completion of the Regulation-First™ Toilet Training Practitioner (RFTTP) certification or equivalent foundational education in nervous system regulation.

Duration: 10+ Hours
Format: Online
Assessment: Knowledge assessment included
Certificate: Awarded upon successful completion

Certified Emotional Regulation Specialist (CERS)

Course Name

Improving Emotional Regulation, Sensory Processing, and Social Engagement CEU Course and Certified Emotional Regulation Specialist Certification Program (CERS)

Description

The Certified Emotional Regulation Specialist (CERS) certification provides pediatric professionals with a comprehensive clinical framework for understanding emotional regulation through the lens of nervous system function.

Rather than viewing emotional regulation as a collection of behavioral strategies alone, participants learn to identify the underlying physiological, sensory, developmental, medical, and environmental contributors influencing a child’s ability to regulate.

The curriculum integrates neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, sensory processing, interoception, trauma-informed care, executive functioning, sleep, nutrition, gut health, chronic illness, co-regulation, and evidence-informed intervention planning.

Participants learn how to conduct comprehensive regulation-focused assessments, develop individualized intervention plans, coach caregivers, and apply regulation-based strategies across therapy, school, home, and community environments.

Topics include:

• Regulation-First™ Framework
• Polyvagal Theory
• Nervous system states
• Neuroception
• Co-regulation
• Sensory processing
• Interoception
• Executive functioning
• Emotional regulation assessment
• Sleep and nervous system health
• Nutrition and gut-brain connections
• Chronic illness and regulation
• Trauma-informed pediatric practice
• Documentation and clinical reasoning

Duration: 12+ Hours
Format: Online
Assessment: Knowledge assessments and competency activities included
Certificate: Awarded upon successful completion

This certification is intended for licensed and credentialed professionals who work with children and adolescents in therapeutic, educational, behavioral, or healthcare settings and wish to integrate nervous system–informed approaches into clinical practice.

Regulation-First™ Feeding Certification

Course Name

Regulation-First™ Feeding Certification: A Whole-Body, Nervous System–Informed Approach to Pediatric Feeding Therapy

Description

The Regulation-First™ Feeding Certification equips pediatric professionals with a comprehensive clinical framework for evaluating and treating children with feeding difficulties through a whole-child, nervous system–informed approach.

Rather than focusing solely on food intake, oral motor skills, or sensory preferences, participants learn to identify the underlying physiological, neurological, developmental, sensory, medical, nutritional, and psychosocial contributors that influence a child’s ability to eat safely, confidently, and successfully.

Built upon the Regulation-First™ Framework, this certification emphasizes clinical reasoning and comprehensive assessment to help practitioners determine why a child is struggling with feeding before selecting intervention strategies. Participants learn to integrate nervous system regulation, polyvagal principles, sensory processing, interoception, oral motor development, nutrition, gastrointestinal health, caregiver coaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration into individualized treatment plans.

Topics include:

• Regulation-First™ Feeding Framework
• The occupation of feeding and mealtime participation
• Neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory in feeding
• Anatomy and physiology of pediatric feeding
• Oral motor development and feeding readiness
• Sensory processing and interoception
• The Eight Body Systems Assessment Model
• Comprehensive feeding evaluation
• Medical contributors to feeding difficulties
• Nutrition, gut health, and the gut-brain connection
• Preparing the body and nervous system for feeding success
• Evidence-informed intervention strategies
• Parent coaching and family-centered care
• Interdisciplinary collaboration and referral decision-making
• Clinical reasoning through case studies

Duration: Approximately 12 Contact Hours

Format: Online, self-paced

Assessment: Knowledge assessments and competency-based learning activities

Certificate: Awarded upon successful completion

Target Audience

Designed for occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology assistants, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, physicians, dietitians, psychologists, behavioral professionals, early intervention providers, educators, and other pediatric professionals working with children experiencing feeding and mealtime participation challenges.

Status

Approved for AOTA Continuing Education.

Mission

Helping Hands Therapy Resources is committed to advancing pediatric practice through high-quality professional education that bridges neuroscience, occupational participation, and whole-child development.

Our mission is to equip therapists and pediatric professionals with practical, evidence-informed frameworks that help them recognize the foundational role of the nervous system in child development, support meaningful participation in everyday occupations, and improve outcomes for children and families through regulation-first, compassionate, and collaborative care.