We recently connected with Kathy Bonesho and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kathy, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
After many years working in a traditional medical setting, where most interventions were one-size-fits-all, I began to see the limitations of conventional approaches. When our own son struggled with eating, sleeping, and sensory processing, we were at a loss. A cousin introduced us to craniosacral therapy, a concept we knew little about, yet we were willing to try anything to help our son. The results were nothing short of life-changing, transforming not only his health but our entire family dynamic. I immediately knew I wanted to understand this approach fully, leading me to begin my training in Craniosacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute in 2003.
I founded Balanced Babies to provide the time and care each baby, child, and family deserves. My mission is to listen to families who, like I once did, feel unheard or are navigating conflicting advice while seeking solutions. I’m driven to identify root causes and enact meaningful, lasting change. I love taking on the role of a “detective,” piecing together insights to understand the unique restrictions affecting each child’s health—whether in feeding, GI issues, sleep, or development. Every baby and every body is unique, and I am deeply committed to delivering the highest level of individualized care.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Kathy Bonesho, an Occupational Therapist and founder of Balanced Babies, a private therapy clinic in Menomonee Falls, WI, dedicated to helping babies and children start life with the healthiest foundation possible. At Balanced Babies, we specialize in early intervention and are committed to nurturing a holistic, family-centered approach to wellness. Our practice emphasizes craniosacral therapy and bodywork, which we believe is beneficial across all ages, fostering both individual and family health.
As both a practitioner and a mother of four, I understand the profound joys and challenges that come with parenting. My own journey into craniosacral therapy began out of necessity when traditional medical approaches did not yield the desired results for my family. Witnessing the transformative power of craniosacral therapy firsthand was a revelation, sparking a passion that has only deepened with time.
This work, while gentle and seemingly subtle, is immensely powerful. Craniosacral therapy works by releasing restrictions within the body to facilitate balance, often appearing as quiet, almost playful interaction. Some might say, “So, you just hold babies and play all day?” It’s not that simple, of course, but there is a magic to it! Behind every session lies over 30 years of experience, advanced training, and certifications. My approach integrates insights from musculoskeletal, neurological, visceral, fascial, craniosacral, and lymphatic systems, creating a comprehensive, whole-body systems approach to therapy.
Through these hands-on techniques, we aim to improve the body’s structural harmony, which can enhance a range of functions. For our clients, this might look like better digestion, improved body symmetry, relief from colic, enhanced mobility, or progress in developmental milestones. Every family receives an in-depth assessment, personalized therapy, and practical recommendations for at-home follow-through, helping them achieve lasting results.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Craniosacral therapy’s gentle nature makes it safe and beneficial for almost anyone, even newborns. As a practitioner, it is critical to provide compassionate care, and possess the knowledge and skill set to allow for treatment of a variety of diagnoses as well as ages. Clients are often families seeking support for newborns and infants experiencing feeding challenges, tongue-ties, colic, digestive issues, positional preferences, torticollis, plagiocephaly, or recurrent ear infections. We also work with children who have sensory processing or modulation issues, attention difficulties, neurological or orthopedic conditions, and more. For teens, we address emotional regulation, anxiety, and general tension, while for adults, we support those pre-conception, throughout pregnancy, and post-partum, as well as those managing TMJ, migraines, chronic pain, stress, and post-concussion recovery.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
That’s an easy answer—my friend, Allison. She has been a true support, fulfilling multiple roles: my IT expert, business manager, marketing guru, confidant, and all-around mentor. I’m a therapist at heart; it’s what I studied and what feels natural. But starting and running a business? That’s a whole different challenge. Allison’s guidance, encouragement, and expertise were invaluable in turning my vision into reality, and I am endlessly grateful to her for helping me make Balanced Babies what it is today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balancedbabies.org
- Instagram: balancedbabiesot.wi
- Facebook: Balanced Babies OT WI
Image Credits
Jacob Gordy Photography
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