We recently had the chance to connect with Marlee Olson & Alexi Christensen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marlee & Alexi , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
As occupational therapists, we continually learn and evolve our approaches to better serve our clients. We are now approved for use of county waivers and grant funding, along with partnering with Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has significantly broadened our resources. The most valuable educators for us right now are our county case workers and mission officers that we collaborate with in the Make-A-Wish chapters around the country, who are guiding us through the funding process and helping us understand how we can best support their clients. Additionally, we continue to collaborate with our colleagues and contractors all over the country, gaining diverse perspectives and innovative techniques to enhance our practice through continuing education and collaboration.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
SENSE-ational Spaces was co-founded by Alexi and Marlee, two licensed and registered pediatric occupational therapists united by their passion for family-centered care, sensory-friendly design, and the power of play. With a shared vision, they create environments and routines that help children thrive, supporting families in fostering growth, engagement, and everyday success.
Through their occupational therapy expertise, Alexi and Marlee guide parents in promoting their child’s development by offering education, tailored strategies, and thoughtfully designed sensory-friendly spaces. Their recommendations are grounded in clinical reasoning, research, and years of diverse professional experience
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Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge spanning schools, mental health facilities, autism clinics, outpatient services, hospitals, and acute care settings. Their teamwork, both professionally and personally, fuels their creativity and commitment to individualized care. Their passion for transforming environments into spaces where children and families flourish grew even stronger in 2020, when they recognized the rising need for at-home support during teletherapy services.
At SENSE-ational Spaces, every project reflects their dedication to designing personalized solutions that encourage participation, enhance routines, and nurture meaningful connections.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Partnering with Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters across the country has been incredibly impactful for us. As well as working with various counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin through waivers and grants, we’ve been able to bring sensory spaces into families’ homes and backyards, often creating life-changing opportunities for play and connection. Each consultation and every reveal shifts our perspective, reminding us of the sacrifices families make, the challenges they face daily, and the resilience they carry. Even something as simple as adding a swing or rock wall can transform their outlook, opening the door to new activities and shared experiences as a family.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes, we do remember many times when someone truly listened to us. Throughout our careers, both as students and as a practicing occupational therapists, we have been fortunate to work with professors, mentors, and colleagues who valued our perspective and professional insight. Those moments of being heard reminded us how powerful listening can be, it creates connection, validates ideas, and reinforces that the work we do truly makes a difference. Experiencing that ourselves has shaped how we approach our clients and their families. We strive to ensure that each individual we work with feels equally heard and valued, because being truly listened to is often the first step toward meaningful progress in therapy.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see is truly who we are. At SENSE-ational Spaces, we strive to create a comfortable, welcoming environment where families feel safe sharing their stories and needs. Every project is deeply personal, and we believe collaboration and open communication are at the heart of meaningful design. Families are the experts in knowing their own lives, and we see ourselves as partners, bringing our expertise in sensory strategies and education to help them build spaces that truly support and benefit their family.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Absolutely, we love what we do! Every day brings something new, and the variety in our work keeps us energized and inspired. Using our therapeutic reasoning to problem-solve and design spaces is rewarding in itself, but nothing compares to the joy of revealing a one-of-a-kind sensory space to a family. Their excitement reminds us why we do this work. As our business continues to grow and evolve, we’re constantly challenged to adapt and innovate, and that keeps us just as excited to show up each day as when we first started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.senseationalspaces.com/
- Instagram: @senseational_spaces
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sense-ational-spaces-llc
- Facebook: SENSE-ational Spaces
- Other: Pinterest: @senseationalspaces
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@senseationalspaces
