Pediatric Therapy - PlayWell Brooklyn

PlayWell affiliated therapists provide occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and play therapy for kids of all ages and abilities

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Occupational Therapy

A child's main job is to PLAY! Through structured and enjoyable play experiences, Occupational Therapists help children learn skills for sensory processing and self-regulation, self-care/self-help skills, interacting with others, and fine and gross motor skills.

Physical Therapy

Pediatric Physical Therapists work to boost children's physical development and mobility through enjoyable activities. Their aim is to enhance motor skills and promote functional independence, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for overall well-being.

A speech therapist looking at a kids tongue

Speech Therapy

Pediatric speech therapists specialize in helping children develop effective communication skills. They work on improving both verbal and non-verbal language abilities, addressing speech and language disorders. Additionally, they may assist with challenges related to feeding and swallowing, contributing to overall communication and oral function in children.

Play Therapy

DIR/Floortime trained therapists utilize play-based interventions to support the emotional and psychological well-being of children. This approach emphasizes interactive and child-led play to promote social-emotional development. Through the DIR/Floortime model, therapists support children in building connections, enhancing communication, and developing essential skills in a playful and nurturing setting.

Meet PlayWell Affiliated Therapists

Rita Sverdlova

MSOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy

Rita is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience in New York City. She is passionate about helping children overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Rita believes in the power of play-based therapy and intervention, recognizing that children learn best through engaging and enjoyable activities.

Kristine Alexandersson

OTR/L

Occupational Therapy

Kristine is a pediatric Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience working with children from early intervention to high school. Kristine makes sure that children have lots of fun with play-based activities, while still working on achieving their goals. Whether they are sensory processing, self-regulation goals, or fine motor and visual motor skill goals, Kristine provides outstanding support to children, their families, caregivers and teachers.

Meghan O'Grady

SLP

Speech Therapy

Meghan is a neuro-affirming speech therapist who is passionate about her work with Gestalt Language Processors, late talkers, and children with articulation challenges.Her private practice, Speech Language Play NYC, provides play-based speech therapy to children in Brooklyn.Meghan's approach to speech therapy is informed by her previous experience as a pre-kindergarten teacher and school-based speech therapist. She strives to understand the whole child and support them in meeting their speech therapy goals while also being mindful of and incorporating strategies to support their physical, sensory, and emotional needs.

Jennifer Andersen

PsyD

Play Therapist

Dr. Jennifer Andersen is a New York State licensed psychologist, in private practice since 2019. She holds a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. Dr. Andersen specializes in psychotherapy with children and adolescents, addressing anxiety disorders, ADHD, depressive disorders, frustration tolerance, and social communication. Dr. Andersen is also passionate about providing collaborative, high-quality treatment for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder.

Colleen O'Neil

OTR/L

Occupational Therapy

Colleen O’Neill is a board-certified pediatric occupational therapist with almost 10 years of experience working with children and families in Brooklyn. Colleen has various areas of expertise - sensory processing/self-regulatory skills, fine motor & gross motor coordination, pre-writing/writing skills, feeding therapy and social interaction skills. Colleen offers individual and group therapy, as well as sessions at PlayWell and in-homes.

Sara Loesch

LMSW, PMH-C

Social Worker

Sara Loesch, LMSW, PMH-C is a licensed clinician with nearly 20 years of experience supporting neurodivergent children and their caregivers. She has worked as a behavioral assistant, early interventionist, parent coach, and in a pediatric clinic, specializing in developmental differences, mood and anxiety disorders, and attachment challenges. Using a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach, Sara centers caregiver involvement to empower parents and foster resilience and well-being in children.

Christine Beavers

PT, DPT

Physical Therapy

Christine is a licensed physical therapist and founder of Growing Gains Therapy, a boutique pediatric practice in New York City. Since 2018, she has worked in preschools, home care, teletherapy, and special education schools, building strong connections with children and families. Christine takes a collaborative, team-based approach, partnering with parents, educators, and therapists. Using a neuroaffirming, strengths-based philosophy, she integrates each child’s unique interests into play-based activities that build confidence and celebrate progress.

Vanessa Ramos

MS Ed

Parenting Coach & Social Skills Groups

Vanessa is the founder of The Uninterrupted Child LLC and creator of the Social Skill Readiness Program for children ages 2–8. With dual MS degrees in Early Childhood and Special Education, she brings expertise in play-based learning, sensory integration, and neurodiversity-informed support. Her work spans family coaching, inclusive classrooms, early intervention therapies, and outdoor nature classrooms built during the pandemic.

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Are you a pediatric therapist looking to see clients at PlayWell?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why have your child’s therapy sessions at PlayWell?

For those receiving therapy services, inclusive playspaces like PlayWell offer a practical and motivating setting to work on therapeutic goals, creating a natural and fun experience when compared to a traditional clinical setting. At the same time, such playspaces foster social skills and inclusion, allowing individuals of different abilities to play together and learn from one another. As a result, inclusive playspaces break down stigmas, reduce isolation, and create a sense of community, contributing to a more inclusive society overall.

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Great question! OT focuses on function in everyday activities. Meaning, how we are existing in this world. OT’s can support families who are struggling with disproportionate emotional or behavioral responses, delays in fine and gross motor skills, sensitivities around clothing, sounds, or foods, and more.

Who are the PlayWell Affiliated Therapists?

PlayWell Affiliated therapists are highly trained and qualified professionals with expertise in areas such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and child psychology. They are dedicated to creating personalized plans for each child. Each therapist is independent of PlayWell and works directly with their clients within our space.

How does play contribute to therapy?

Play is a natural medium for children to express themselves. Having your child’s therapy sessions at PlayWell helps harness the power of play to engage children in activities that promote their overall development and well-being. Through play, children can process their experiences, build coordination and strength, and learn how to interact and problem solve with their peers.

What happens during a therapy session at PlayWell?

Each therapist tailors each session to the child's needs and may include a combination of play-based activities, exercises, and structured interventions designed to address specific therapeutic goals. They have access to our modular sensory suspension system and fine motor areas throughout their sessions!

Can parents be involved in the therapy process?

It is totally up to you and your therapist! Therapists often provide strategies and activities that parents can incorporate into daily routines to reinforce therapeutic goals at home. While we encourage parental involvement during open play and some of our classes, some therapists and clients may have goals they are working towards that are better achieved without direct parental involvement during the session. This is something to discuss directly with your therapist.

Is therapy covered by insurance?

Each therapist works at PlayWell independently and it is up to them if they decide to work with your insurance. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to determine out of network coverage.