Vera Chan
Founder, Senior Therapist
Registered Occupational Therapist (Singapore) | BSc Occupational Therapy
Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) | Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga Teacher (Embodied Woman Yoga, RPYT)
Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist
Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
Hi, I’m Vera. I am a registered occupational therapist and a certified yoga instructor in Singapore and a mother of two adorable girls.
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​I started my career in the field of mental health working with adolescents and adults, then over the years developed a specialization in working with infants and children. After the birth of my daughter, I discovered my passion for maternal health through my own journey in becoming a mother. My lived experience, together with my love of learning, has inspired me to support women as they transition into their motherhood journey. It is also my mission to help women thrive in their life role as mothers, find balance within their own life and maintain those valued identities outside of being a parent.
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I deeply value the mind-body connection that yoga fosters and its profound impact on the nervous system. For me, yoga has been essential for maintaining physical and mental wellness, providing a way to connect with my body through various stages of womanhood, from pre-pregnancy to postpartum. Through yoga and mindfulness practices, I've learned to recognize and manage my thoughts and worries, effectively handling the stress of a busy life as a working mother. Integrating these practices into my occupational therapy interventions has proven to be the most effective way to support my clients' progress toward their individual goals.
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Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of gaining extensive experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools (both special education and mainstream), clinics, and community environments. My work has spanned mental health and pediatrics, enabling me to assist individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including those with developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit disorders, dyspraxia/developmental coordination disorder, mood disorders, chronic pain, and other learning difficulties. I firmly believe in a holistic, mind-body approach to therapy, and I am grateful that my diverse experiences have equipped me with the skills to integrate both physical and mental health strategies into my practice.
Continuing Education:
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Registered Yoga Teacher- RYT 200
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University of Southern California Chan Sensory Integration Continuing Education Certificate Programme: Certification in Sensory Integration
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Certificate in Dyspraxia (Maude Le Roux)
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Interoception (Maude Le Roux)
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DIR Floortime 201- Certificate of Proficiency
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Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP)
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Brazelton Touchpoints Centre – Touchpoints Individual Level Training
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Embodied Woman Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga- Teacher
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Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator Training
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The Lactation OT: Supporting Oral Motor Skills in the Infant: Assessment, Adaptation, and Remediation
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The Lactation OT: Tongue Ties, Breastfeeding, and the Lactation Savvy Therapist
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The Lactation OT: Bodywork for Better Breastfeeding: Hands-on Modalities to Improve Feeding Readiness and Outcomes
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Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES) [In progress]
MY MATRESCENCE
The transition from pregnancy to postpartum was so drastic and immediate- from a maiden to a mother overnight, from monthly ob/gyn visits to only 2 visits postpartum to check on my c-section stitches, and that was it. I felt that I was left on my own to navigate this new body of mine while navigating the adventures of a growing baby.
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The first month postnatal, was a busy period with frequent visits to the child's clinic for my baby’s jaundice review, developmental check, and vaccinations. However, as a mother, we don’t get such frequent follow-ups on how we were doing.
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During my early days of motherhood, I often find myself feeling overwhelmed and under-equipped in many ways, but unsure of where to turn for help. The transition to motherhood has such a profound impact on so many areas of our lives.
6 months postpartum, I tried going straight back into the gym workouts I was doing pre-pregnancy and ended hurting myself as my body wasn’t ready and I didn’t know. I was not spared from postnatal anxiety, despite recognizing the signs of it. It took me a while to realize that I don't have to do this alone, that I can seek help and support, and learn to manage it.
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The journey in motherhood may feel lonely at times but it doesn't have to be this way. That was when deep down I realized I want to bring about change in the world of motherhood.
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You are not alone, Mama. Lets journey together.
Women everywhere deserve to have more support during pregnancy and through their baby’s first year of life. Going to the pediatrician and a six-weeks follow-up with an OB/GYN are just not enough to troubleshoot the trials of motherhood and feel supported with the navigation of matrescence.