Menu
Dr. Monica Quintanilla Goldstein is a California native who relocated to Santa Barbara from her home city Los Angeles in 2020. Monica received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a rehabilitation emphasis in 2015 from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). After graduation, Monica worked as a faculty instructor at CSULA’s The Mobility Center, where she educated university students in therapeutic exercise for pediatric and adult community clients. Monica graduated from West Coast University – Center for Graduate Studies with her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree in 2020.
A clinical rotation at UCLA Outpatient Rehabilitation sparked Monica’s passion for neurorehabilitation and pediatric occupational therapy, specifically feeding interventions. Monica’s dedication to promoting breath and airway health is deeply rooted in her personal experience with orofacial myofunctional disorders and their profound impact on sleep. This journey fuels her commitment to providing comprehensive therapy that addresses both the immediate needs and long-term well-being of her infant, children, and adult patients. Monica holds an advanced practice certification in neurological rehabilitation and continuing education in infant feeding, breath and airway, and orofacial myofunctional myology. Monica has clinical experience in outpatient rehab, post-acute care, skilled nursing, early intervention, and home-based occupational therapy.
Monica is the founder and CEO of three distinct ventures: Adira Occupational Therapy. Dr. Mama OT an occupational therapy-inspired merchandise brand that promotes diversity and advocates for students and practitioners in the field, and Adira Ergonomics Safety and Workplace Rehab, a consultancy serving businesses and corporations in Santa Barbara, specializing in enhancing workplace safety to ensure the well-being of their employees.
When not practicing occupational therapy, Monica spends her time with her husband, Aaron, and daughter, Scout—living their very best lives together.
The most anxiety-inducing component of starting my private practice was choosing the perfect name, for sure.
Storytime: A couple of weeks before my delivery date, I developed preeclampsia. For a week, I attempted to induce naturally with no success. For my and the baby’s safety, my midwife, husband, and I checked into the hospital for a synthetic induction. After two days of a pretty uneventful hospital stay, my water broke—six hours of active labor without pain medication, and our baby was born within 30 minutes of pushing. A very swift entrance Earthside. Our daughter, who we lovingly named Scout, had a fast and intense delivery, requiring strength from both her and me.
A few days later, my husband and I had to choose Scout’s Hebrew name, and we wanted a mighty one for our tiny person who had made quite an entrance. Our Rabbi suggested Adira, which means “strong, noble, and powerful.” It was perfect, and she was perfect.I wanted to invoke the same meaning, especially when thinking of your little ones who may be facing some adversity in the early parts of their lives. For they, too, are strong, noble, and powerful. And at last, I had a name, Adira Occupational Therapy.