The Flourish Neonatal Therapy Training Course uses a proven 6-step approach to help OTs, PTs, SLPs and students build foundational clinical reasoning skills, evaluate, treat, and advocate for medically fragile infants in the NICU.
get started today for just $99
Learn the ins and outs of NICU therapy and grow confident working with medically fragile infants.
the flourish neonatal therapy training course!
Practicing in the NICU is a whole, new ballgame (no standard pediatrics here!). As an advanced area of practice, working with medically fragile infants can humble you...FAST.
Knowing all about term infants or outpatient pediatrics doesn't necessarily mean you have what you need to practice in the NICU setting.
Micropreemies, prone rolls, the synactive theory...are you ready for it?
it's time to ditch the confusion surrounding nicu therapy.
I'm Katie Ross
Katie is an experienced certified neonatal therapist with a Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She holds additional certifications in neonatal touch and massage, as well as lactation.
With clinical experience in a 100+ bed, level 4 NICU, Katie is an expert on the specialized developmental and medical needs of NICU infants and their families.
She has presented on the state and national levels, as well as published research related to the roles of neonatal therapists in the NICU, and is passionate about empowering aspiring and current neonatal therapists in their roles.
meet your instructor
OTD, OTR/L, NTMTC, CNT
"I've never worked in the NICU, how am I supposed to know what I'm doing is right?"
"What does a neonatal therapist actually do? I don't know what types of interventions are safe, let alone, how to do them."
"I love being a NICU therapist, but wish I wish I wasn't second guessing what I'm doing."
"I'm super interested in the NICU but haven't learned anything about how to practice or pursue that setting."
maybe you've been plagued by self-doubt or uncertainty and thought things like...
"I'm terrified of all the medical equipment and worried I'll do something wrong."
I know you've probably spent some time trying to piece fragments of NICU knowledge together, or wish you knew more about what to actually "do".
"This was such a wonderful course, and I’m so glad I was able to take it! Having worked some in the NICU, it is so important to gain increased understanding of what’s needed for the littles. This course provided so much information relevant to clinicians! From some other courses on NICU before, they’re mostly theoretical info you can't take to work with you the next day. I wish there was a Part 2!"
FIVE STARS FROM OUR STUDENTS
LINDSAY, LEVEL 3 NICU PHYSICAL THERAPIST
"take it to work the next day"
Even though I had many hours of NICU education under my belt before practicing independently in the NICU, I remember feeling overwhelmed by what to actually spend my time DOING with a baby during my treatment.
I struggled with understanding what was typical for a premature baby versus a term baby when doing an evaluation.
I sought validation and reasoning with my mentor frequently to make sure I was practicing safely and effectively.
if you've felt that too...
you're in the right place.
Whether you're a therapy student interested in the NICU setting, or a level 4 NICU therapist... it's time to ditch the confusion and overwhelm surrounding NICU therapy.
What if you could...
it's time you have exactly what you need to flourish as a neonatal therapist.
Know the exact strategies to use on that 32-week preemie you got an order for?
Follow a step-by-step approach that helps you complete an evaluation from start to finish?
Deliver interventions that address the musculoskeletal compensations of a baby with chronic lung disease?
Feel empowered in your NICU skill-set and ability to evaluate and treat medically fragile infants?
The Flourish Neonatal
The Flourish Neonatal Therapy Training Program
In the Flourish Neonatal Therapy Training Course, we use a 6-step approach to help you gain the skills and confidence to evaluate, treat, advocate, and support medically fragile babies in the NICU.
get started now for only $99
plus, earn 13 hours of ce credit!
Therapy Training Course
it's all possible with...
A step-by-step approach that builds the foundational neonatal therapy skills needed to effectively evaluate and intervene with medically fragile infants---even if you have no NICU experience.
Get instant access to video modules, demonstrations, supportive cheat sheets, helpful algorithyms, and more.
(thats right! it's beginner-friendly!)
Module 1: Introduction to Neonatal Therapy
Module 2: The Unique Lens of a Neonatal Therapist
Module 3: Theoretical Foundations in Neonatal Therapy
Module 4: Foundational Frameworks in the NICU
Module 5: Fitting the Pieces Together
Module 1: Prenatal Development
Module 2: Full-Term Infant Development
Module 3: Development after Premature Birth
Module 4: Full-Term vs. Premature Development
What's inside the course
Foundations in Neonatal Therapy
Prenatal & Infant Development
unit 1
Therapeutic Evaluation in the NICU
unit 4
Module 1: What Makes Up the NICU Environment?
Module 2: The Sensory Systems
Module 3: Neonatal Pain & Stress
Module 4: Early Sensory Experiences & Brain Development
The NICU Environment
unit 3
LET'S BREAK it DOWN
Module 1: Brachial Plexus Injury
Module 2: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Module 3: Gastroschisis
Module 4: Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Special Case Studies: NICU Edition
unit 6
unit 2
Therapeutic Intervention in the NICU
Module 1: Overview of Neonatal Evaluation
Module 2: Standardized Evaluation Tools
Module 3: The Non-Standardized NICU Evaluation
Module 4: Do No Harm: Understanding Safe Evaluation
Module 5: A NICU Evaluation Walk-Through
unit 5
Module 1: Overview of Neonatal Intervention
Module 2: Categories of Neonatal Therapy Interventions
Module 3: What do we actually “do?”
BEGIN APPROPRIATE HANDLING AND OBSERVATION OF NICU BABIES
01
02
THIS NEONATAL THERAPY mentoring PROGRAM INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO:
CREATE A PROBLEM LIST AND IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS
03
Deliver neuromuscular, manual, sensory, family and co-occupation based interventions
04
advocate for your role AND COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH PEERS AND NICU FAMILIES
05
COMPLETE A NON-STANDARDIZED NICU EVALUATION START TO FINISH
This course isn't just information; it helps you take action.
enroll now →
"OMG you have truly inspired me! Your knowledge is amazing." -Sarah
"Hi Katie, I just wanted to say...I signed up for the Flourish course in Aug 2022 and then life happened. I have just completed the course and OMG you have truly inspired me. Your knowledge is amazing and the way you delivered the course makes neonatal therapy seem very logical and heartwarming. My heart and soul is full. Thank you so much..."
"The handouts and resources are so helpful and worth having in your toolbox."- Carly
"This course is an excellent resource for individuals currently practicing in the NICU or would like to work in the NICU! The handouts and resources are so helpful and worth having in your toolbox. The self-pace format allowed me to complete the course while working full-time and being present for my family."
self-paced format helped me balance life
"I learned so much and I loved having the concrete information on things we as neonatal therapists can do."- Jen
"I finally finished the flourish course (it's been a busy summer!) and I just wanted to reach out and say THANK YOU so much for making this resource!! I have not been able to get any hands-on experience in the NICU and I feel like this will help give me a leg up. I learned so much and I loved having the concrete information on things we as neonatal therapists can do and advocate for our tiny patients and their family. Thanks again!!"
will have a leg up when getting a nicu job
nicu therapy now makes sense
I'm all about making things easier for you, so along with the 6 course modules, you also get...
some amazing nicu bonus materials
- NICU Infant Cues Cheat Sheet
- Stop/Pause/Engage Interaction algorithm
- New Initial NICU Evaluation Template
- Preemie Development Reference Page
- Special Case Study Treatment Guidelines
- The Ultimate NICU Therapist Reference Page
10+ NICU-specific cheat sheets and algorithms for quick reference
Bonus...
tools to simplify your daily life in the nicu and ease the burden of knowing "all the things!"
plus, more!
log in today, use the techniques tomorrow!
1. Obtain foundational information and knowledge on NICU concepts and theories.
2. Add in knowledge of evidence-based, developmental interventions and critical reasoning skills.
3. Apply your new NICU knowledge to clinical case studies on premature infants and other diagnoses.
This is your chance to go beyond simply learning information & actually get the tools that put it into action.
Understand how theories are used to inform your clinical decisions in the NICU.
Be able to communicate your role to team members and grow more assertive in your practice.
Have a clear plan on how to progress through an initial NICU evaluation.
Have a vibrant excitement and motivation to continue on your neonatal therapy journey.
Have practical intervention ideas you can start using at the NICU bedside.
Be prepared to get hands-on and deliver safe, high quality interactions with medically fragile infants.
By the end of the Flourish Training Program, you will...
ENROLL NOW→
I really enjoyed this course, it made me fall in love with learning again. Having access to the portal meant I could definitely learn at my own pace and go over anything. From the first unit to the end this course provided me with lots of information that is changing my practice straightaway. It has given me a solid foundation and reinforced some things that I already knew (in my gut). I would definitely recommend this course to any therapist working in neonatal care. Thank you Katie for sharing your knowledge.
ella, nicu ot
"provided me with lots of information that is changing my practice straightaway."
I loved this course, every aspect of it, and I am so thankful I found Katie and her resources. As a newer OT in my career and wanting to learn more about the NICU, this course helped teach me foundational concepts to support my work in the NICU as a therapist. It is filled with evidence-based practices. On top of the guidance Katie provides, her literature and NICU guides are beyond resourceful.
chelsea, nicu ot
"helped teach me foundational concepts to support my work in the NICU as a therapist"
"Thank you so much Katie for sharing your experience, knowledge and joy with me. This course significantly helped me gain confidence and knowledge during my transition into the NICU. The information you have provided is invaluable, and I still reference it everyday. 🧡"
maggie, nicu ot
"significantly helped me gain confidence and knowledge during my transition into the NICU"
This neonatal therapy training course is unique because...
it focuses on a wide range of nicu therapy topics. it covers the a to z of nicu therapy.
When approaching the care of medically fragile babies, it's important to have a well-rounded approach. We want you to not only have an answer, but to understand the theoretical foundations and frameworks that led to that decision.
Flourish doesn't focus solely on one topic, like the positioning of infants in the NICU, we cover almost every aspect of NICU care so you can leave the course ready to take real action.
IT COMBATS CONFUSION WITH A STEP-BY-STEP FORMAT.
You will leave this course feeling more confident and less confused, because you won't start off with topics and concepts that are difficult to understand. Before we dive into more advanced topics, like evaluating or treating medically fragile babies, you will learn the basics.
Each module builds on the previous, giving you a systematic approach to NICU therapy that will make sense and simplify the transfer of information to clinical practice.
You have it in you to not only practice in the NICU setting, but feel supported along the way!
Positioning infants using positioning aids
Supporting appropriate posture with manual techniques
Decreasing pain and stress with cue-based care and stress-prevention interventions
Optimizing midline and flexor movement with neuromuscular techniques
Meeting the sensory needs of infants to minimize overstimulation and stress
Promoting family involvement through diapering and other infant activities
There are so many powerful ways NICU therapists can support preemies and other medically fragile babies.
ENROLL NOW →
the tools are yours inside this course.
This is for you if:
You're interested in what a therapist does in the NICU setting
You're already a certified neonatal therapist (CNT)
Are a therapy student doing a DEC or fieldwork in the NICU (Use code STUDENT20 for 20% off)
You would consider yourself an advanced NICU clinician
Are a NICU therapist (in any level!) wanting intervention or evaluation strategies
It's probably not for you if...
You're not an OT, PT, or SLP (or student in those fields)
It's probably not
for you if...
Need continuing education hours towards yearly requirements
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Let's get started!
does this count for continuing ed?
when do i get access to the course?
if i get the premium package, when will the live calls happen?
let's cover some
frequently asked questions
I'm located outside the united states. can i still sign up?
I'm a student. when should I think about taking the class?
How long can i access the course content?
Is this something I can do on my own time?
Can neonatal nurses take flourish?
how much does it cost?
When you upgrade to the premium course experience, you get access to monthly group mentorship calls with a certified neonatal therapist for an entire year! These happen inside our exclusive Flourish Together community and vary month-to-month to accommodate differing schedules and time zones. The calls are recorded and saved in your online portal.
We’ve had students take Flourish their first semester of OT school, all the way through to students
who take it while they’re on their Level 2 Fieldworks. I recommend you take it after completing
your first year learning foundations of OT. If you’re doing a Level 2 or capstone/fellowship
experience in the NICU, I highly recommend taking it prior to that.
Use code: STUDENT20 FOR 20% off a course package.
The basic course package is $397. You have the option of making a one-time payment or doing a 4-month payment plan.
The premium mentorship course package is $795 and includes a one-time payment or 6-month payment option. The premium package includes a year of live group mentorship calls and access to the exclusive community, Flourish Together.