Marlene Handler

Hi. I’m Marlene and I am a licensed occupational therapist. I am passionate about educating and empowering individuals about pelvic health + wellness. I am also a mom to two magical and independent little humans. After going through pregnancy and childbirth, I realized there was a lot I didn’t know about my own body. I had issues with pelvic pain, urinary leakage (also known as urinary incontinence), pelvic organ prolapse, and decreased orgasm during sex which caused me to feel embarrassment and shame. Rather than reaching out for help, I stopped doing the activities I enjoyed most (having sex, working out, socializing with friends, etc.). However, once I began educating myself on various pelvic floor conditions related to pregnancy and postpartum, I soon realized that I was not alone. According to data collected on the perinatal population, nearly 50% of women suffer from urinary leakage, pain, or sexual challenges in the months following pregnancy and childbirth. Now, thanks to my own pelvic floor therapist and the work I’ve done and continue to do, I am back to living a life I love. Building trust by active listening and empathy is essential to my work. When we work together, I will bring openness and sensitivity and treat the whole person rather than viewing your challenges in isolation. No topic or question is off the table. I will strive to make you feel a deep sense of ease and comfort during our interactions that will be pivotal for your healing journey. I graduated from New York University (NYU) in 2015 with a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy. Before that, I graduated summa cum laude from Hunter College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I am a licensed and registered occupational therapist in New York State. I trained in pelvic floor rehabilitation from my fellow occupational therapist, Lindsey Vestal of The Functional Pelvis, and with the renowned and accredited Herman & Wallace Institute.