Occupational Therapists

Michele received her Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from New York University and a Bachelor of Art in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from the University of Delaware. She began working at SPOTS in 2003 as a staff therapist and joined the evaluation team in 2007. She has worked with children of all ages in a variety of settings, including preschools, elementary schools, and middle schools, and most recently, in a school for twice-exceptional learners. She has received advanced training in NDT, sensory integration, self-regulation, executive functioning, interoception, Therapeutic Listening, reflex integration, Rhythmic Movement Training, Handwriting Without Tears, S’Cool Moves, Social Thinking, and The Alert Program. 

During her free time, Michele loves being the mother of two active daughters, and spending time with family and friends. She enjoys running, hiking, traveling, reading, taking her dog for long walks in Prospect Park and exploring the Catskills. 

Michele can be reached at michele.a@spotsot.com

Read More “Michele Amoroso, OTR/L”

Soraya received her associate degree at LaGuardia Community College. She is bilingual (Spanish/English). She is trained in the Handwriting Without Tears Program. She has attended many professional development workshops and in-services. She is a fieldwork supervisor for Level 1 students. She also has experience working as a Home Health Aide with kids and adults. Additionally, she has worked as an occupational therapy assistant in various nursing & rehabilitation facilities.

Soraya is currently working in 2 schools with children ages 3-5 years-old in the mornings and at SPOTS in the afternoons. She also has been one of SPOTS Summer Camp Co-leaders for the past 10 years and she conducts 30-minute screenings for kids that don’t attend SPOTS.

During her free time, Soraya enjoys traveling, spending quality time with family and friends, she enjoys long walks, watching movies and reading. She also enjoys & appreciates the many long-term friendships she has made by working at the schools and at Spots. She is a member of The Kings Church of Christ and she is involved in many activities to help the community. She also continues to bake her delicious “Pineapple Upside-Down cake” for special events.

Vanessa Larrick received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology (major) and Biology (minor) from Georgia State University. Vanessa is also a graduate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She works part-time with SPOTS and also works part-time as a Certified Integrative Holistic Health Coach. On occasion, she also works with individuals at an adult rehabilitation and nursing facility.

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Jose received his Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University and his Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Fordham University. He is trained in the Handwriting Without Tears Get Set for School program and NDT (Neurodevelopmental Treatment) approach to infant treatment. Jose is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at Columbia University studying motor learning and motor control and its relation to the acquisition of motor skills.

During his free time, Jose enjoys running, hiking, and baking.

Jose can be contacted at: ot.josef@gmail.com

Read More “Jose Fernandez, OTR/L”

Andrea is a bilingual (Spanish-English) COTA/L that received her associate’s degree in Applied sciences (Occupational therapy) at Laguardia Community College. Her experience includes working at different outpatient organizations with children and adults, in addition to her school-based therapy expertise. She works full-time at SPOTS and services a small school in the West Village. She has experience working with children with ASD, sensory processing disorders, and learning disabilities. Andrea focuses her OT interventions on a play and multi-sensory-based approach, exposing each child to “just the right challenge.” She loves working with little ones as she has treated many children, overseen their growth, and seen them overcome challenges. During her free time, Andrea enjoys crafting, sewing, and reading.

Andrea can be contacted at andrea.n@spotsot.com.

Catherine received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY and her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Neuroscience with a minor in Anthropology from Binghamton University. She is the clinical fieldwork coordinator for SPOTS and currently supervises level II students. During the summer, she co-leads the SPOTS Summer Camp. In addition to her experience in pediatrics, she has experience in skilled nursing and sub-acute rehabilitation and enjoys the opportunity to continue to grow her skills while working per diem at a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center on Long Island.

In her free time Catherine enjoys having dinner with friends and family, biking, kayaking, and exploring the city with her dog.

Catherine can be contacted at: catherine.b@spotsot.com

Danielle received a Bachelor and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Long Island University Brooklyn and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CUNY, Hunter College. She currently works part-time with SPOTS and part-time at the International Institute of the Brain. During her graduate studies, she provided treatment to both adults and children in various settings including community-based centers, inpatient and outpatient hospital settings and a District 75 public school grades K-12. Danielle has many years of experience working with students with developmental disabilities. She has experience working as a paraprofessional, associate teacher and substitute teacher in various classroom settings.

During her free time, Danielle enjoys dancing, reading and doing yoga. 

Maddie is an Occupational Therapist who holds a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from McGill University. Maddie is dedicated to providing family-centred, evidence-based care to enable her clients to achieve their goals and reach their highest potential at home, at school, and on the playground. She currently works in the SPOTS office after school and also works in a school with twice-exceptional students. Maddie is committed to continuing education and has training in Handwriting Without Tears, the Interoception Curriculum, Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), reflex integration, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Maddie loves living in New York City, trying new restaurants, and traveling all around the world. She enjoys spending time with her family back in Canada.

To get in touch, please email Maddie at maddie.cherney.ot@gmail.com.

Miranda received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. She sees children at a private school in Manhattan and at the SPOTS sensory gym. In addition, she is responsible for maintaining the practice’s website and various other administrative tasks at the practice. Before becoming an OT, Miranda taught nursery school on the Upper West Side, and she is grateful to continue working with a pediatric population as an OT.

In her free time, Miranda enjoys spending time with her friends, lifting weights, biking, traveling, and doing crossword puzzles.

Miranda can be contacted at Miranda.K@spots.ot.com

Mindy received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Ithaca College and her Bachelors of Science in Occupational Science from Ithaca College. Mindy currently works at SPOTS as well as at a pre-school for children with communication and language delays. Mindy is passionate about her work in pediatric occupational therapy to help children find their strengths and interests through play-based and sensory-based therapy. She loves connecting with each child in different ways, as each child she works with is an individual with their own interests and passions.

In her free time, Mindy enjoys running, yoga, reading, and going to the beach!

Mindy can be contacted at Mindy.P@spotsot.com.

Yeimy is a bilingual (Spanish & English) COTA/L who received her associate degree in Applied Sciences (Occupational Therapy) from St. Catherine’s University and received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the College of the Holy Cross. In addition to her work at the SPOTS gym, Yeimy currently works at Northern Manhattan and the ACE Integration school with children ages 3-5 years old. She is also responsible for the monthly billing duties of the practice. Yeimy has received training in the Handwriting Without Tears intervention and evaluation tools.

During her free time, she enjoys traveling, going on long walks, relaxing and spending time with her family.  

Yeimy can be reached at yeimy.g@spotsot.com.