OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kimberly Gardener

Kimberly is a licensed Occupational Therapist and graduated from the University of Southern California with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. She has extensive training in Sensory Integration and received her SIPT certification, as well as her Advanced Practice in Swallowing, Assessment, and Intervention Certification (SWC). Kimberly specializes in children with oral motor and feeding sensitivities, food intolerances, and difficulties with the transition to solids. Kimberly has experience with both the pediatric and adult settings and previously worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as provided in-home therapy for older adults. She currently owns and manages TP4K, a multidisciplinary clinic in Santa Monica CA.

Kimberly has worked closely with a variety of top clinicians and professionals in the pediatric therapy business and has experience in a wide array of learning programs to help children struggling in school including PACE (Processing & Cognitive Enhancement), AMPS (Attention, Memory & Processing Skills), The Listening Program and Integrated Listening Systems, Handwriting Without Tears, Social Thinking, and Retrain The Brain. She also has had experience with professional and teacher in-service training, and local parent support groups.

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Caroline Fournier

Caroline Fournier, MOT, OTR/L, SWC is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with a passion for working with children and helping them reach their full potential. She holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University and is Sensory Integration certified through the University of Southern California (USC). Caroline has worked with children of various ages, from infants to teenagers, in an array of pediatric treatment settings including clinic-based, school-based, in-home and tele-health. She has supported children with a variety of needs including global delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) sensory processing differences, feeding difficulties, reflex integration, and social emotional challenges.

In addition to her certification in Sensory Integration, Caroline has completed several specialized trainings. She holds her Advanced Practice in Swallowing Assessment, Evaluation & Intervention (SWC) and is trained in the “SOS Approach to Feeding,” allowing her to support children with feeding difficulties and expand their dietary repertoires. Caroline is also trained in the “Handwriting Without Tears” program, empowering her to assist children in developing legible and efficient handwriting skills through a multi-sensory approach. Furthermore, Caroline has completed the STAR Institute Level 1 Intensive Mentorship program, which has further enhanced her expertise in sensory integration therapy and deepened her understanding of the sensory needs of children.

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Rebecca Prosser

Rebecca is a California native who recently moved back from Chicago to rejoin the amazing team at a Therapy Place 4 Kids. After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University in California in Early Childhood Education, she taught preschool for several years before returning to school. After graduating from California State Dominguez Hills with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, she combined her love of education and working with children and families and began her career as a pediatric occupational therapist. Rebecca has an extensive history of working with children with a variety of abilities such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy (CP), and more. In Chicago, she helped to create and run their fieldwork education and mentorship program for new graduate therapists. She enjoys working with a great multidisciplinary team to provide holistic, quality care and is excited to be back at TP4K!

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Anais Baghdoyan

Anais Baghdoyan is a licensed occupational therapist from Torrance, California. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California Santa Barbara, in sociology. She spent 5 years as an early intervention teacher for a non-profit sensory integration clinic with children with global developmental delays. With her passion and love towards sensory integration, she received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Saint Augustine Miami, Florida. Anais is passionate about helping individuals of all ages discover their unique sensory preferences and optimize their ability to engage with the world around them. With experience in sensory integration theory and practice, Anais is dedicated to providing client-centered care that honors each individual’s sensory needs and preferences. She also thrives on approaching her therapy sessions creativity, enthusiasm, and a deep understanding of her patients and families.

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Julianna Mauriello

Julianna received her B.A. in Psychology from Middlebury College, before completing her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University. Drawing from a background in dance and theatre, Julianna is passionate about using movement, play, and sensory exploration to foster a sense of confidence and independence with her clients as they work to develop new skills! Prior to joining the TP4K team, Julianna worked in the outpatient sensory clinic setting and as a school-based OT for several years. She has attended continuing-education courses and is familiar with a range of programs, including Handwriting Without Tears, DIR Floortime, Social Thinking, Zones of Regulation, The Alert Program, ‘Get Ready, Do, Done!’, and Sensory Integration training with the STAR Institute. Julianna is a native New Yorker, but has called Los Angeles home for about two years. She is very proud to be part of the wonderful team of multidisciplinary therapists at TP4K!

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Rachael Jonik

Rachael received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Valparaiso University in Indiana and moved back to California to pursue a career in occupational therapy. Before earning her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, California, she worked as a yoga instructor and a paraeducator in a special education program for children with moderate to severe ASD. She has also worked with children with various diagnoses/ disabilities (i.e. ASD, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Spina Bifida, developmental delays, Muscular Dystrophy, and other neurological conditions) as a swim instructor, as a summer camp counselor at a recreational therapy summer camp associated with Riley Children’s Hospital, and as a behavior interventionist. Although she has experience working with adults with orthopedic and neurological injuries, Rachael has decided to return to her roots in pediatrics as she is most passionate about nurturing every aspect of a child’s development in their daily activities within a holistic and multidisciplinary setting. She is excited to continue her education in sensory integration and physical rehabilitation.

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Natalie Waechter

Natalie Waechter, MS, OTR/L earned her bachelor’s degree in health sciences and her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Springfield College in Springfield, MA where she also competed on the collegiate swim team. She has spent her career working with children in both outpatient and early intervention settings and worked with children with various disabilities and diagnoses. She has taken continuing education courses in Handwriting without Tears, sensory integration, feeding-related disorders, and sensory-motor approaches to feeding. Natalie is passionate about making therapy fun and enjoyable for children and their families in order to best support them and help them achieve their goals.

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Cheyanne Garcia

Cheyanne received a Bachelor of Arts in Health and the Human Sciences with a minor in Occupational Sciences from the University of Southern California in 2019. Cheyanne discovered occupational therapy during her first semester of undergraduate as she participated in USC’s Lifestyle Redesign program and fell in love with the profession’s mission to provide individuals with client-centered care and opportunities to improve their participation within meaningful occupations. She then moved to Massachusetts to receive her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Boston University in 2022. The majority of Cheyanne’s clinical experiences center around pediatrics, varying from early intervention, school-based settings, and outpatient pediatric clinics, heavily influencing her decision to pursue a career as a pediatric occupational therapist. Cheyanne is passionate about providing a fun and inviting therapeutic experience for children and their families. She is interested in functional play, sensory integration, and feeding therapy. She is excited to continue her professional development and learn more about diverse practice areas within pediatrics. When not in a clinical setting, Cheyanne enjoys spending time with friends and family.

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Abby Leven

Abby Leven is an occupational therapist with a passion for working with children from infancy through adolescence. She earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from California State University, Dominguez Hills, following her undergraduate studies at Tulane University, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Management with a focus on Marketing.

Abby has extensive experience working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, as well as Global Developmental Delay. Her expertise also includes addressing sensory processing challenges, feeding difficulties, social-emotional issues, and reflex integration. She has worked with children in a variety of settings including clinic-based, school-based, in-home, as well as in the community. She holds her Advanced Practice in Swallowing, Assessment, and Intervention Certification (SWC) and has specialized training in the SOS Approach to Feeding and Beckman Oral Motor Approach. Additionally, she is certified in DIR Floortime and utilizes a play-based, holistic approach to therapy. Her approach to therapy is centered on individualization and a comprehensive understanding of each child’s specific needs, ensuring that every child receives the highest quality care. In addition to treating clients, Abby has a passion for mentorship, managing graduate fieldwork students as well as volunteers at the clinic.

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