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.

MaryEllen Cavaleri

OTR/L

Occupational Therapy

MaryEllen owns and operates Kidz in the Zone, and is passionate about bringing joy to the community. With a deep understanding of the importance of play and its role in child development, MaryEllen has leveraged her expertise as an occupational therapist to help create an inclusive playspace that fosters growth, exploration, and happiness.

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.

Katherine McCarthy

MSOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy

Katherine is a pediatric occupational therapist who graduated with a BA in psychology from Providence College and a MA in Occupational Therapy from New York University. I have a background working with children (birth-eighteen) in sensory gym, home, and school-based settings. I have experience providing service to children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, sensory processing disorder, and mental health needs.

Lera Yavich

MS CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Speech Therapy

Lera Yavich is a multilingual (English, Spanish, Russian) speech-language pathologist (SLP) and founder of Speech in Bloom. Her path to becoming an SLP began as a child, observing her brother with Down Syndrome receive speech therapy and the transformative impact of a caring, passionate SLP. She credits her brother as her inspiration for pursuing a career as an SLP with a whole-family focus. Lera is deeply passionate about helping your child learn to communicate and express themselves authentically. She has experience working in schools, homes, clinics, and private practices focused on a variety of speech and feeding delays, disorders, and diagnoses. Lera holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her practice focuses on holistic, compassionate, and mindful care.

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

My name is Colleen and I have been a pediatric therapist in the neighborhood for the past 8 years. I’m in the process of being a board certified pediatric occupational therapist!

Rachel McClellan

OTR/L

Rachel McClellan, OTR/L is an occupational therapist who has been working since 2014. She has experience in a variety of settings including school-based, early intervention and acute care in a hospital. Rachel specializes with pre-school and elementary aged children in the areas of self-care, sensory regulation, fine motor skill development and handwriting. She is a born and raised New Yorker and a current Brooklyn resident working at the Mary McDowell Friends School in Cobble Hill. Rachel is excited to work with families and students on meeting their individual goals.

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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.