Meet Our Team

Gwen Claussen is the owner of Flourishing Lives in St. Clair Shores, MI. Her journey into this field began in 2011 when her son, Gage, was born prematurely and faced numerous medical challenges. As a first-time mom, she felt lost and overwhelmed, but was determined to find solutions. Discovering the transformative power of occupational therapy, particularly in sensory integration, changed their lives. Gage went from struggling to thriving, and this experience ignited Gwen’s passion for helping other families navigate similar challenges.

In 2014, Gwen transitioned from a dedicated parent to managing the clinic that had supported her family. Then, in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, the clinic faced significant challenges and had to shut down. Despite living 1,000 miles away in Georgia and not being an occupational therapist, Gwen couldn’t let the clinic that had given them so much close its doors. She made the decision to buy the clinic, rebrand it as Flourishing Lives, and start from scratch. Her mission is to ensure every child and family receives the support they need to flourish, driven by the same dedication and passion that fueled her own journey.