At Irvine Therapy Services, we are proud to have a highly skilled and compassionate team of licensed and registered Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). Our therapists bring advanced training and a deep understanding of child development to every session. We are certified in the administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and have specialized expertise in sensory integration evaluation and treatment techniques.
Our SLPs also incorporate principles of sensory integration into their therapy when appropriate, and both our OT and SLP teams include Certified DIRFloortime® (Developmental, Individual differences, Relationships-based) practitioners.
Together, our therapists have extensive backgrounds in areas such as play-based therapy, neuroanatomy, sensory integration, motor development, handwriting development, and social-emotional growth. We take a holistic, relationship-centered approach to care—collaborating closely with families, educators, and other professionals to support each child’s unique strengths, needs, and goals. Our mission is to enhance every child’s functional abilities and overall quality of life in meaningful, lasting ways.
Co-Owner | Creative Director | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Co-Owner | Director of Occupational Therapy | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Director of Speech Therapy | Speech-Language Pathologist | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Speech-Language Pathologist | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Senior Therapist | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Senior Therapist | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Pediatric Occupational Therapist | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Office Assistant | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Co-Owner | Creative Director | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Jennie brings 25 years of experience and a relationship-based, play-driven approach to occupational therapy, grounded in deep respect for each child’s unique nervous system. She focuses on creating safe, supportive, and co-regulated interactions where children feel free to explore, take risks, and discover new ways of engaging with their world.
She follows the child’s lead while offering developmentally appropriate affordances—rich sensory, motor, and social opportunities that invite problem-solving, ideation, and flexible thinking. Jennie works closely with families and caregivers, building on each child’s strengths to support meaningful progress that carries into everyday life.
| Specialties: | Sensory Integration, DIRFloortime, Safe and Sound Protocol, Polyvagal Theory–informed practice, Trauma-Informed Care & Felt Safety, School-Based Support, Adolescents & Adults |
| Works With: | Preschool through Adult |
| Languages: | English, Chinese (receptive) |
| Education: | B.S. Psychology & Zoology (University of Wisconsin–Madison); M.S. Occupational Therapy (Tufts University) |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT, USC Chan Sensory Integration CE Certificate (#1811), Handwriting Without Tears Level 1 Certification, DIRFloortime Basic Certification, iLs + Safe and Sound Protocol trained |
| Fun Fact: | Jennie is obsessed with Canva and loves designing staff t-shirts. |
| Nickname: | The Big Picture Guide |
Co-Owner | Director of Occupational Therapy | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Aparna brings 23 years of experience and a strengths-based, play-focused, and relational approach to occupational therapy. She supports sensory-motor foundations to help children build and refine skills while fostering emotional regulation and overall well-being through meaningful interactions and connection.
She believes children’s strengths should be celebrated and embraced, with areas of growth addressed creatively in ways that make learning motivating and fun. By offering just-right challenges in each session, Aparna helps children feel empowered, capable, and confident in what they can accomplish—and loves sharing these successes with families. Every session is designed to spark joy, laughter, and an unmistakable gleam in a child’s eye.
| Specialties: | Sensory Integration, Play-Based Therapy, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorders |
| Works With: | 18 months through Adolescence |
| Languages: | English |
| Education: | B.S. Occupational Therapy (USC); M.A. Occupational Therapy (USC) |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT, SIPT Certified; DIRFloortime Informed |
| Fun Fact: | Aparna loves adventure and creativity, and currently channels it through cooking and travel. |
| Nickname: | The Strategic Problem Solver |
Director of Speech Therapy | Speech-Language Pathologist | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Amanda brings 22 years of experience and a developmental, relationship-based approach to speech therapy that is neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based, child-directed, and deeply family-centered. She believes meaningful communication grows through connection, play, and trust—and works intentionally to support each child’s unique communication profile in ways that feel safe, joyful, and motivating.
Amanda wholeheartedly believes in supporting the whole family as part of the team. She includes caregivers in sessions whenever possible and provides coaching, consultation, and connection to support groups and workshops to empower families with understanding, confidence, and practical tools to support their child.
| Specialties: | Autism, DIRFloortime, Gestalt Language Processing, Reading & Spelling, Parent Coaching |
| Works With: | Toddlers through Teens |
| Languages: | English |
| Education: | B.A. English Literature (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo); M.S. Communicative Sciences & Disorders (Cal State Northridge) |
| Training & Certifications: | ASHA Certified (CCC-SLP); DIRFloortime Basic Certification, Lindamood Bell??? |
| Fun Fact: | Amanda has a creative and entrepreneurial spirit and loves thinking outside the box—Canva definitely helps! |
| Nickname: | The Communication Pathfinder |
Speech-Language Pathologist | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Carina brings 12 years of experience supporting children and families, including 9 years as a therapist and 3 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Her approach is rooted in connection, curiosity, and celebrating every child for exactly who they are. She recognizes that every child’s brain and nervous system is as unique as a human fingerprint, and this guides her individualized, neurodiversity-affirming care.
Carina supports communication through shared joy, meaningful engagement, and authentic interaction—always following a child’s interests to help them feel understood and empowered. She cares deeply about every family she serves and views therapy as a true partnership, working closely with caregivers to support each child together. Her goal is for therapy to feel safe and relational, where communication can naturally grow and each child’s strengths truly shine.
| Specialties: | Autism & Neurodiversity, DIRFloortime® / Developmental Therapy, Gestalt Language Processing, Parent Coaching & Family Partnership |
| Works With: | Early Intervention through Adults (experience ranging from 18 months to 38 years) |
| Languages: | English |
| Education: | B.A. Psychology + B.S. Human Development (UC Davis); M.A. Speech-Language Pathology (San Diego State University) |
| Training & Certifications: | ASHA Certified (CCC-SLP); DIRFloortime Certified Therapist (DIR 201 & 202); AAC + Gestalt Language Processing (NLA Trained Clinician, Meaningful Speech); Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Intro + Advanced Certificates |
| Fun Fact: | When she’s not playing on the floor with kids, Carina is probably rearranging furniture somewhere in the clinic! |
| Nickname: | The Connection Curator |
Senior Therapist | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Jennifer brings 17 years of experience and a thoughtful, child-directed approach to occupational therapy rooted in supporting the neurobiological foundations of development. She helps children and families better understand their unique sensory differences while creating a therapy experience that feels respectful, individualized, and empowering.
Jennifer believes every individual has inherent value that exists independent of achievement or circumstance, and that everyone deserves to be treated with understanding and care. Her sessions are tailored to each child’s strengths, needs, and interests, with a strong focus on fostering safety and well-being as the foundation for connection, engagement, growth, and adventure.
| Specialties: | Sensory Integration, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorders |
| Works With: | Toddlers through Teens |
| Languages: | English |
| Education: | B.A. Psychology & Social Behavior (UC Irvine); M.A. Occupational Therapy (USC) |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT, SIPT Certified (#4470); Safe and Sound Protocol trained; iLs Focus program trained, DIRFloortime Informed |
| Fun Fact: | She finds things. She knows things. She has questions. |
| Nickname: | The Foundations Specialist |
Senior Therapist | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Melanie brings 30 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist, including 25 years in clinic-based practice with school-based consultation and over four years at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia across acute care, rehabilitation, and outpatient settings. Her approach blends relationship-centered, play-based therapy with evidence-based interventions that support the neurobiological foundations of development and help children succeed in daily life.
Creating a sense of safety for children to explore, grow, and build confidence is central to Melanie’s work. She believes every child brings a unique combination of strengths, needs, interests, and values to therapy, and she tailors each session with a science-backed approach that honors the intersection of the individual, environment, social connection, communication, and engagement. Melanie deeply values partnering with parents and caregivers throughout the therapy process to support meaningful, lasting growth—and feels honored to learn from the children and families she serves.
| Specialties: | Infant & Child Development, Sensory Integration, Emotional Regulation, Self-Regulation, Autism, ADHD, Neurodiversity, Mental Health, Developmental Delay, Neurological Disorders, Parent Education & Collaboration, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, School-Based Consultation, Sensory-Based Picky Eating |
| Works With: | Infants through Adolescents |
| Languages: | English |
| Education: | Postgraduate Degree in Occupational Therapy (Temple University); Postgraduate Degree in Psychology (University of South Africa); B.S./Postgraduate in Early Childhood Education; B.S. Social Sciences (University of Cape Town) |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT, WPS Sensory Integration Certification (#560); Unyte iLs trained (Safe and Sound Protocol + iLs Focus), DIRFloortime Informed |
| Fun Fact: | Melanie is a parent of adult twins and a rambunctious labradoodle who keeps her on her toes. Outside the clinic, she loves nature trails, the beach, gardening, painting, and time with family and friends. |
| Nickname: | The Developmental Anchor |
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Heather brings 5 years of experience and a relationship-focused approach to occupational therapy, grounded in the belief that meaningful growth starts with safety, connection, and trust. Her sessions are play-based and child-led, honoring each child’s interests, strengths, and needs while supporting the neurobiological foundations that help children feel more regulated and capable in daily life.
Heather also believes it is crucial to partner closely with parents and caregivers. She supports families in understanding their child’s unique sensory differences and what their nervous system needs to feel grounded, confident, and ready to engage.
| Specialties: | Sensory Integration, Parent Coaching & Family Partnership |
| Works With: | Toddlers through Young Adults |
| Languages: | English |
| Education: | M.S. Occupational Therapy (California State University, Dominguez Hills) |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT, Safe and Sound Protocol trained, DIRFloortime Informed |
| Fun Fact: | If she’s not in the clinic, Heather is most likely out on adventures with her sons! |
| Nickname: | The Playful Presence |
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Stacey brings 8 years of experience supporting children in a variety of pediatric settings, including 3 years as a licensed occupational therapist. Her approach is strongly play-based, sensory-integrative, strengths-focused, and deeply child-led. She prioritizes connection and regulation first, meeting each child exactly where they are.
Stacey is highly attuned to each child’s interests, communication style, and sensory needs. She uses movement, relationship-building, and meaningful routines to support confidence, regulation, and functional participation across both school and home environments.
| Specialties: | School-Based Support, Sensory Integration, Play-Based Therapy, Neuroaffirming & Trauma-Informed Care, Child-Led Practice |
| Works With: | Toddlers through Teens/Young Adults |
| Languages: | English; Vietnamese (conversational) |
| Education: | Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy (University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences) |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT DIRFloortime Informed |
| Fun Fact: | Stacey is left-handed, can’t hear a word without singing a song, and loves diving into new creative hobbies every month. |
| Nickname: | The Creative Chameleon |
Pediatric Occupational Therapist | DIRFloortime® Certified Therapist
Amy has been a licensed occupational therapist since 2006, with experience spanning wellness-focused community mental health, clinic-based pediatrics (since 2014), and school-based practice (since 2025). She brings a gentle, playful, and encouraging presence to each session—meeting children exactly where they are and supporting them as they grow, unfold, and feel truly known.
Amy integrates DIRFloortime with Ayres Sensory Integration to support sensory processing, regulation, and social-emotional development through connected, meaningful play. As a neurodiverse person parenting two neurodiverse children, she brings deep respect for developmental differences and the unique (and often intertwined) journeys of childhood and parenting. Amy’s sessions are often described as “magical,” but her work is rooted in neuroscience and backed by research—helping families build capacity through play, relationship, and just-right challenges in the moment.
She partners closely with caregivers through collaboration and coaching, supporting sensory enrichment over time in ways that are realistic for busy family life and include caregiver self-care. Amy also provides education to families and communities with a guiding belief that sensory health is for everyone—any age, any ability.
| Specialties: | DIRFloortime + Ayres Sensory Integration, Trauma-Informed Care & Felt Safety, Parent Coaching & Collaboration, School-Based Support (including restraint collapse), Ocular-Postural Concerns, Anxiety & Mental Health Support, Sensory Enrichment Home Programs, Caregiver & Community Education |
| Works With: | Ages 1 and up |
| Languages: | English |
| Education: | Master of Occupational Therapy (Loma Linda University), 2005 |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT , WPS/USC Sensory Integration Certification (#5105); SIPT/EASI performance-based SI evaluation; DIRFloortime Proficient; Tomatis Listening Method Consultant (Level 2) |
| Fun Fact: | Amy once played her best game of tag with a broken toe (and LOTS of affect!). She’s also writing a sci-fi/fantasy children’s novel (no rush—it’s evolving with her), and she makes a pretty darn good soup. |
| Nickname: | The Sensory Chef |
Office Assistant | Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Athalie has supported the pediatric community for two years at Irvine Therapy Services and became a licensed occupational therapist in 2025. During her fieldwork rotations, she developed a holistic, flexible approach to therapy—adapting to each client’s needs while prioritizing rapport, relationship-building, education, and a safe environment for growth.
As Athalie continues building her skills as an OT, families will also continue seeing her at the front desk helping keep everything running smoothly. From greeting families with a warm welcome to coordinating schedules, organizing paperwork, and sending out monthly newsletters, Athalie plays an essential role in supporting both the clinical team and the families we serve.
| Specialties: | Holistic, Client-Centered Care; Rapport Building; Family Education & Support |
| Works With: | Pediatric through Older Adult |
| Languages: | English, Spanish |
| Education: | B.S. Kinesiology (Cal State Fullerton); Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy (University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences) |
| Training & Certifications: | NBCOT Certified; California Licensed OT |
| Fun Fact: | Athalie loves going to amusement parks, taking long walks, and watching movies. |
| Nickname: | The Systems & Smiles Specialist |
