Occupational Therapists

What our families are saying:
“My son has been transformed. I have my son back and we understand his needs and how to approach him and talk to him. I think PPTFTH has been a place where he, for the first time, feels understood.”

"Compassionate and caring staff."

Matt Aubrey, COTA-L Matt graduated from Salem State University in May of 2016 with a degree in exercise science. He returned to school at North Shore Community College earning a degree as an occupational therapy assistance in May 2019. He has previously worked in a hockey and lacrosse store and has a vast amount of knowledge on both. He has been at Peer Projects Therapy From The Heart since 2016 as a rehab aide helping out in sessions and helping with every day tasks of the clinic. He is looking forward to transitioning into a therapist role and getting to continue watch all the growth of the great kids he gets to work with. In his free time he enjoys watching and playing sports and also playing with his dog Zeke.

Brooke Belmont, MS, OTR/L has been a registered and licensed occupational therapist since she graduated with her Master’s degree from University of New England in 2018. Brooke became part of the Peer Projects – Therapy from the Heart team in October 2018 after having the pleasure of completing her last fieldwork rotation here in 2017. Brooke has pediatric experience in a variety of pediatric settings including the school setting and outpatient clinics. Brooke values working closely with families and utilizing play to address client centered meaningful goals. Brooke loves spending time with her family and friends and being outdoors, especially on the beach! She is very excited to be a part of the PPTFTH team and is looking forward to meeting you!

Monique Bleau, MS, OTR/L earned her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Salem State University in May 2019. Previously, she attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Communications. Monique has experience working with children and adolescents in the school setting and early intervention. For the last three years, she has enjoyed working as an inclusive paraprofessional at a middle school. Prior to that, Monique was employed as a behavior therapist at an early intervention agency implementing ABA therapy to children on the autism spectrum. She is passionate about pediatrics and loves seeing the progress children make towards their individualized goals. Monique is very excited to join the Peer Projects - Therapy From the Heart team and looks forward to meeting you!

John Chambers, MS, OTR/L has been a registered and licensed occupational therapist since he graduated with his Master’s degree from American International College in August of 2015. John has previous experience working in the school system setting where he learned his passion for helping children. He recently joined the Peer Projects-Therapy from the Heart team in June 2017. He enjoys incorporating families as much as possible and seeing children progress through therapeutic intervention. In his free time John enjoys staying active by participating in a number of organized sporting activities such as baseball, football, golf and often attends a local fitness center. John also enjoys superheroes and Disney; so don’t be afraid to ask who his favorites are.

Elizabeth Cross, MS, OTR/L joined Peer Projects – Therapy from the Heart in August 2017. Elizabeth completed her graduate studies in Occupational Therapy at Boston University in January 2017. She has experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings, including roles in pediatric outpatient rehabilitation, community-based life-skills, self-advocacy training, social skill development, and behavior regulation programs. She values family-centered care and utilizing multi-sensory play to address goals that are occupation-based and meaningful to the children with whom she works. Elizabeth loves dancing and singing along to Broadway show-tunes, exploring the great outdoors, and performing improvisational comedy. She is thrilled to be part of the PPTFTH team and looks forward to meeting you!

Bryna Hart, COTA/L has had training in multiple pediatric settings including public schools, special educational programs, and outpatient sensory clinics. Bryna graduated from North Shore Community College with an Associate degree in health sciences as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the spring of 2014. Bryna also obtained an Associate degree in Science with a focus on Business Administration in 2011. During her educational career, Bryna was a child care provider for multiple families on the North Shore. She is extremely passionate about working with clients and their families to increase their overall health and well-being, their independence across all areas of life, and towards obtaining individualized goals. Bryna has been working at Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart since September, 2014. She specializes in individual and small group therapy, and is also a co-group leader for larger peer groups. Bryna is Handwriting without Tears Certified for K-5 school aged children. In addition, you’ll sometimes see Bryna lending a hand to work on administrative tasks in the clinic.

Deborah Jaskey, MS, OTR/L joined Peer Projects – Therapy from the Heart in January 2015. Her educational training includes a BS in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Early Intervention from Clemson University. Following her undergraduate degree, Deborah worked for 7 years in early intervention which sparked her interest to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. She chose to do her Master’s thesis at Sage Graduate School on the Family Centered Approach in Early Intervention, and the importance of parent follow through. Deb has experience in multiple settings, including schools, home care and healthcare facilities. She has worked with children on the autism spectrum, collaborating with ABA specialists, and enjoys each child's energy and uniqueness. In addition to traditional OT modalities, Deb employs her knowledge of sensory integration techniques in her daily work. We are so glad that she chose to relocate to Danvers, after living in SC and VT. Just like many of her kids, Deb likes to stay active and outdoors, kayaking, hiking and chasing her dog, Indigo.

Mary Lafleur, MS, OTR/L graduated with her masters in Occupational Therapy from Salem State University in May 2019. Mary’s previous OT experience included clinical placements in an elementary school, adult inpatient psychiatric unit, and home health. Prior to pursuing the field of OT, Mary worked in a pediatric facility that provided early intervention services and school based services for eight years. During this time she found her passion was providing educational and therapeutic activities to children of all abilities to help each child in reaching their full potential. She enjoys working with children of all ages and values a family-centered approach. Mary has a strong interest in the use of sensory integration therapy to assist children in making meaningful progress. In her free time, Mary enjoys hiking, running, yoga, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to be a part of the PPTFTH team and is looking forward to meeting you!

Diane Levinson, MS, OTR/L has been a practicing pediatric occupational therapist for over 30 years. She has worked in school systems, hospitals, clinics and private practice. She established the first occupational therapy department within the Brockton Public Schools, worked at Youville Hospital in Cambridge with Dr. Margaret Bauman and the Pediatric Team that evolved into the LADDERS Program and co-founded Project CHILLD, an occupational therapy clinic specializing in integrating occupational therapy treatment with the field of sound training. Diane presently works at the Marblehead Charter School, at OTA the Koomar Center and at Peer Projects ~ Therapy from the Heart as a staff therapist and listening consultant.

Kelly McLaughlin graduated in 2019 from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She has 19 years of direct care experience, working with ages 0 to 21, across a variety of settings. In that time, she worked closely with children and families impacted by neurological and developmental disabilities including but not limited to Down syndrome, ASD, and Cerebral Palsy. Kelly is a certified DIRFloortime practitioner, and she uses this to guide her intervention approach. Kelly enjoys spending time with family and friends in her free time. Kelly is happy to be outdoors, especially on the beach and loves to bring her dog along with her. When the weather keeps her indoors, you can usually find her sitting with a knitting project. Kelly is thrilled to be part of the PPTFTH family and looks forward to working with you.

Jennelle Noll, MS, OTR/L graduated with a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Salem State University in May 2018. In addition to her master’s degree, Jennelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Jennelle’s previous OT experiences include clinical placements at a local elementary school, an orthopedic hospital specializing in hand therapy, a geriatric rehabilitation facility, and an adult psychiatric unit. Jennelle completed her final fieldwork experience as a graduate student here at Peer Projects-Therapy from the Heart, where she found her passion working with children and their families! She has many interests within the field of pediatrics, including the use of play, sensory integration and neurodevelopmental approaches in helping children thrive and live life to the fullest. Jennelle is so excited to join the Peer Projects -Therapy From the Heart family! In her free time, Jennelle enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending time with her friends and family, especially her young daughter who was born in March 2018!

Hillary Perron is an occupational therapist who grew up on a dairy farm in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. She enjoys working with children and families and has gained hands on experience working in special education and teaching adaptive swim skills to children with disabilities and sensory challenges. After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College in 2012, Hillary had the privilege of mentoring under multiple OTs, SLPs, and Floortime providers in a Developmental Individual-Needs Relationship Based (DIR) home program. The lessons that Hillary learned in her role as a 1:1 caregiver inspired her to go back to school to pursue a career as an occupational therapist. Hillary recently graduated with her Master’s degree in OT from the University of New Hampshire in 2018. Hillary is DIR/Floortime certified and passionate about helping others live more fulfilling, independent lives!

Amanda Ranttila, MS, OTR/L, has been a licensed and registered therapist since she graduated with her Master’s Degree from Boston University in May of 2016. Amanda previously worked in a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related diagnoses. She worked with children ranging from ages 5-21. Amanda also has prior experience with children in a variety of other settings, such as day camps, swim lessons, and outpatient clinics. Amanda is certified in Handwriting Without Tears, and has seen the benefits of using a multi-sensory approach. She values involving families as much as possible throughout the therapy process, and enjoys watching the children grow through meaningful activities! When Amanda is not working, she enjoys running, hanging out with her friends, singing, and cuddling with her cat, Monty!

Nicole Rogato joined Peer Projects – Therapy from the Heart in December 2018. She earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Salem State University in May 2018. Prior to that she worked as an Occupational Therapy assistant for 5 years in the public school system primarily working with preschool and high school aged students. She has experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings including summer camps, after school programs, and daycare centers. She values using a client centered approach, to meet clients and families where they are at, to ensure they make meaningful progress. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, podcast, spending time with friends and family especially her niece. She is excited to be starting this next chapter at PPTFTH and looks forward to meeting you!

Michelle Rust, BA, COTA/L joined the Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart team during the summer of 2014. Previously, she earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Delaware. Then, while working in administrative positions in outpatient pediatric OT clinics, Michelle watched miracles happen through the power of therapeutic relationships, music, and play, inspiring her to study Occupational Therapy. She also has experience as a nanny, is a weighted blanket maker, avid bicyclist, synchronized swimmer, and yogini. Michelle completed a clinical affiliation studying Ayurveda, yoga, and alternative nutrition. She has received formal training in Handwriting without Tears, is a Reiki Level II practitioner, has completed training in Mindfulness Fundamentals, and earned a certificate in Mindful Educator Essentials - introducing mindfulness into educational systems and institutions. Most recently, she earned a certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from eCornell and T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. You can also find her helping out in the office, assisting in group sessions, and creating customized weighted blankets!

Lisa Swain, COTA/L has been a certified occupational therapy assistant for 18 years. After graduating North Shore Community College in 2000, she has worked in a variety of settings including school systems, outpatient therapy, home care and skilled nursing facilities. Currently, Lisa sits on the board at North Shore Community College Advisory Board helping shape the curriculum of OTA students. She also serves as a clinical field work supervisor mentoring 3 students a year. Lisa enjoys watching children grow through purposeful play as well as working with families to achieve their goals. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family of 3 children and a grandson, crafting, going to the beach and reading.

Amanda Towne, MS, OTR/L became part of the Peer Projects – Therapy from the Heart team in May 2015. Her interest in the field of occupational therapy first began when she was a young girl in elementary school. Years later after she received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University in January 2012,
she decided to pursue a professional career as a pediatric occupational therapist. Amanda has experience working in a variety of pediatric settings, including school systems and outpatient clinical-based settings. She has received formal training in self-regulation in children, the Handwriting Without Tears program as well as the Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) program. Amanda incorporates the use of both sensory-based strategies and purposeful activities to foster the development of independence in a variety of skill areas for each child who she treats. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is committed to providing children and their families with supportive
and effective occupational therapy services.