MEET THE TEAM

I am a dedicated and compassionate Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) licensed to practice in California and certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Born and raised in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, South Africa, I grew up with a deep appreciation for diversity, resilience, and the power of community. These values have shaped my personal and professional journey, guiding me toward a career focused on helping others achieve their fullest potential.

In 2017, I embarked on a new chapter in my life, emigrating to the United States with my family. Settling in the beautiful city of San Diego, California, I have embraced the opportunity to contribute to my new community while continuing to pursue my passion for occupational therapy. My multicultural background and life experiences have enriched my ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life, fostering empathy and understanding in my practice.

As a therapist, I am deeply committed to a "hands-on" approach, ensuring that I am fully present and engaged in every aspect of my work. My passion lies in helping children, clients, and fellow caregivers navigate challenges and achieve meaningful progress. Whether working in private practice or school-based settings, I strive to create personalized, client-centered interventions that empower individuals to overcome obstacles and thrive in their daily lives.

One of my specialized areas of expertise is behavioral feeding therapy, where I work with children and families to address feeding difficulties, sensory aversions, and mealtime challenges. I understand that feeding issues can be complex and emotionally taxing for both children and their caregivers, and I take a holistic, family-centered approach to create positive mealtime experiences. By combining sensory integration techniques, behavioral strategies, and caregiver education, I help children develop healthy relationships with food and build the skills necessary for successful feeding.

In my private practice, I have honed my skills in addressing a wide range of developmental, sensory, and motor challenges, tailoring my interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. In school-based settings, I have collaborated with educators, parents, and other professionals to support students in reaching their academic and social-emotional goals. My experience spans working with children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, and other conditions that impact their ability to participate fully in life’s activities.

Beyond my professional role, I am a devoted advocate for my clients and their families, recognizing the importance of a strong support system in achieving success. I am passionate about educating and empowering caregivers, equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to support their loved ones effectively, especially in areas as critical as feeding and nutrition.

Living in San Diego has allowed me to enjoy a balanced lifestyle, where I can pursue my love for outdoor activities, cultural exploration, and spending quality time with my family. My journey from Johannesburg to San Diego has been one of growth, resilience, and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those I serve.

I am proud to be an occupational therapist, and I look forward to continuing my mission of helping individuals of all abilities live their lives to the fullest, one step and one bite at a time.

Hi, I’m Dani! I am a national board certified occupational therapist and native San Diegan. I graduated as the valedictorian from the University of St. Augustine in 2017 and found a passion for working with kiddos soon after. I also have 3 years of experience teaching OT curriculum at a graduate level. 

Originally a physically therapy major at my undergraduate university, I stumbled upon OT and fell completely in love with the idea of rehabilitating individuals as a whole versus a piece of them. The creativity I foster in OT sessions helps target each kiddo’s unique needs with an end goal of helping them achieve their highest potential in daily life. For me, work really is play, and I pride myself in using a healthy balance of child and adult led activities in my practice. 

In addition to focusing on activities of daily living, fine and gross motor skills, I have experience with sensory and reflex integration, hippotherapy, and feeding therapy. Additionally, I strive to make therapy family-centered so that parents and caregivers can support their kids not just in clinic, but at home, in school and the community. 

On a personal note, I am a wife, mom to son (born 2023) and to doggo (Bones the Great Dane). I also run @milestonemamas on Instagram for OT tips and tricks for littles. I love the fresh air and I enjoying yearly camping on Catalina island, weekly trips to the beach, and many zoo days with my little one. I look forward to meeting you and helping your kiddo get the most out of life!

I am a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) licensed to practice in California and certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). I have a passion for helping people thrive through compassionate, goal-oriented therapy. Whether working with children, adults, or families, I strive to create a safe, encouraging space where progress feels both achievable and meaningful. I am a dedicated and compassionate Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). With a career spanning diverse clinical settings- from acute care and the ICU to inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, I bring a depth of experience to my work as an occupational therapist. While my early years as a clinician were spent serving patients across the lifespan and acuity levels, I eventually found my true calling in pediatrics.
In pediatric outpatient clinics and school-based settings, I have specialized in child development and functional skill acquisition, focusing on areas such as sensory integration, motor coordination, self-care independence, and play-based learning. My approach blends evidence-based neurological interventions with creativity, ensuring each child receives individualized, engaging, and functional support to help them thrive in their daily environments.
In addition to my clinical work, I am the co-founder of Little Dolphins Surf Therapy Camp with Wavehuggers, an inclusive surf camp and therapy program for neurodiverse children. Here, I merge my love for the ocean with the therapeutic benefits of surfing - fostering confidence, sensory regulation, and joy in a uniquely supportive setting.
Having grown up all over the world, I carry a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. Today, I’m grateful to have built a strong sense of community in North County San Diego, where I am honored to serve and support local families through occupational therapy. 

I am a licensed and registered pediatric occupational therapist (OTD, OTR/L) with a passion for helping children reach their full potential. I find fulfillment in supporting children’s neurodevelopmental growth through a play-based, child-led approach, while also teaching caregivers how to best support their children’s sensory needs. I earned both my master’s and doctoral degrees in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California. My doctoral thesis focused on systematizing sensory processing measures to create a user-friendly guide for therapists to evaluate these areas.
Since beginning my career as an occupational therapist in 2016, I gained extensive experience in outpatient sensory integration clinics across Los Angeles, where I immediately developed a strong passion for collaborating with clients and their families. After returning to my hometown of San Diego, I continued my work in the same field. I also have substantial in-home experience in early intervention, working with children from birth to three years old. In my spare time, I enjoy quality outdoor adventures with my husband and toddler, including hiking, beach outings, and visits to Legoland, the aquarium, and nearby coastal spots.

Kate is a pediatric occupational therapist with a background in behavioral neuroscience, having earned her undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Stanbridge University, where she conducted thesis research on pediatric feeding challenges—specifically exploring practical, home-based strategies to support children with picky eating and to help bridge the gap between clinical feeding therapy and everyday family routines.

Kate currently works as a school-based occupational therapist in a preschool setting, where she is actively implementing a food science program designed to support food exposure and sensory exploration, fostering developmental skills through a play-based, no-pressure approach.

With clinical experience spanning pediatric outpatient clinics, schools, and hospital settings, Kate brings a well-rounded and collaborative approach to care. She is passionate about creating inclusive, child-centered environments that support growth, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

With over 28 years of experience, I am a dedicated and compassionate pediatric  occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration, executive functioning, and  developmental motor skills. I provide personalized, in-person evaluations and therapy  for children from birth through school age, with an emphasis on collaboration between  families, schools, and therapeutic providers.  My clinical focus spans across a broad range of pediatric needs, including fine and  gross motor development, handwriting, feeding, and executive functioning. I take pride  in offering hands-on, individualized interventions that empower children to thrive in  their home, school, and community environments. I also work closely with educators  by leading workshops and participating in IFSP and IEP meetings, ensuring a team based approach to care.  Throughout my career, from New York to New Mexico to Southern California, I’ve had  the privilege of working in diverse settings, including private practice, early intervention  programs, and school-based consultative services. These experiences have shaped  my approach where I prioritize not just the child’s development, but also caregiver  education and support.  I hold active licenses in California and New Mexico and maintain a strong commitment  to ongoing professional development through continued education in areas such as  executive functioning, feeding, and sensory processing.  Outside of work, I’m a proud mom to three college-aged kids and love calling San  Diego home. I enjoy staying active through exercise and tennis, and I’m passionate  about living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.  

I’m a seasoned Education Specialist and Behavior Therapist with over 25 years of experience empowering young learners and their families. I hold a Master’s in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Development, along with specialized credentials in Early Childhood Special Education and Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

For the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children and families navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder—an extension of my lifelong passion for developmental care across early childhood and adolescence. My approach combines evidence-based behavioral strategies with compassionate, family-centered support.

Beyond the clinic and classroom, I’m also a proud mom to two energetic boys and two equally joyful chocolate labs—who keep me grounded in the playful wonder that fuels my work.