OUR THERAPISTS
Jessica Zambito, M.S. OTR/L, Owner & Director
Jessica created BLOOM sensory gym after 13+ years of passionate work as a n occupational therapist specialized in pediatrics.Jessica utilizes an evidence-based, holistic, neuro & sensory integrative approach in working with children. Jessica is the sole owner of 3 established private therapy practices including Bloom OT & Spring Ahead OT.
Jessica holds a dual B.S. in Psychology & Biology & Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. She will be pursuing her PHD In 2024, Jessica has practiced in a variety of pediatric settings with ages 0-18. She has worked in public, charter & private schools, early intervention, sensory integration clinics, outpatient hospital settings & volunteer work throughout the world.
Jessica has extensive experience in providing evaluations & treatment for children with neurological, sensory integration & neurodevelopmental differences. Jessica specializes in sensory integration & floor-time. She is trained in a variety of specialized programs such as Astronaut Training, Therapeutic Listening, Denver STAR,Alert Program, DIR/FLOORTIME, Brain Gym, Children’s Yoga, DPPT/Willbarger protocol, Reflex Integration, NDT & Handwriting Without Tears.
Jessica enjoys working with children and families. She utilizes an affirming, holistic & whole child approach. She believes in a joyful & meaningful engagement with children throughout their therapy and enjoys collaborating with all members of a child’s life to help support a child’s independence & success.
Nicole Gravalis OTD, OTR/L CASI
Nicole is a pediatric occupational therapist who graduated with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, she has worked with children in sensory gyms in Hawaii and Nashville for the last seven years. While in Nashville, she additionally combined her love of gymnastics with occupational therapy by providing adaptive gymnastics classes for children of all abilities. Nicole is passionate about providing child-centered care emphasizing children's strengths and interests within sessions. She has completed a variety of training including her Certification in Ayres Sensory Integration, SOS Approach to Feeding, DIR/FloorTime, Integrated Listening Systems, and Safe and Sound as well as functional vision. Nicole has centered her practice on neurodivergent affirming care to ensure that children feel valued, respected, and comfortable embracing their authentic selves. She works to ensure that children and their families have the knowledge and tools to advocate and succeed across their natural environments. Nicole is a full time therapist providing services at our Spring Ahead, Williamsburg, and Green Point Locations.
Sandy Song M.A. OTR/L Senior Occupational Therapist
Sandy has graduated with a M.A. in Occupational therapy at the University of Southern California in 2008 and has been working in pediatrics in NYC since. She has worked in various settings including schools, clinics, early intervention, as well as specialized work-readiness programs for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sandy has developed training and specialty skills in NDT facilitation, Myofascial Release, DIR/Floortime, Kinesiotaping, Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, Handwriting Without Tears, Visual/ Perceptual Skill rehabilitation, Solisten/Tomatis, Nutrition, SOS Feeding, and the CAN-EAT approach. Throughout the years, she has grown in her passion to help her clients claim their right to play, learn and grow within their communities. Sandy has special interests in Sensory Processing Disorder, Neurodevelopmental Treatment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and early childhood development. While grounded in sensory-motor integration principles, Sandy’s treatment approach is engaging and unique to each child, embedded in the powerful medium of ‘play’ and a relationship grounded in trust and respect. Sandy is a valued member of Bloom & a full time Senior Occupational Therapist at our Greenpoint facility.
Dr. Tovy Aube PT, DPT Physical Therapist
Tovy is an exceptional pediatric physical therapist who has been practicing for 14+ years. Tovy is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and graduated from University of Southern California in 2007. Tovy has extensive experience with early intervention, preschool, school & tween populations. Tovy is confident and comfortable in working with children in our sensory gym, schools, community & homes. She has extensive experience in outpatient facilitates, home based services and school based settings. She is skilled in evaluating & treating children with neurological, motor & sensory integration differences including ASD, Down syndrome, Hypotonia, Cerebral Palsy, Dyspraxia & global developmental delays. She draws from a variety of techniques including biomechanics, NDT, sensory- motor & kinesiotaping. She is skilled in gait training, ambulation & orthotic management. She utilizes an effective and dynamic approach in working with children and families to help them achieve gross motor skill goals independently. Tovy works with families in our Williamsburg & Manhattan offices & home/school by appointment.
Maithilee Kadam PT, MSPT, DPT
Maithilee is a dedicated and passionate pediatric physical therapist with 12+ years of clinical experience. She received her Masters degree in Musculoskeletal Physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011 and later pursued her Doctor of Physical therapy from the University of Montana. Her educational journey was marked by a passion for pediatric and neurodivergent conditions, setting the stage for her commitment to specialized care. Maithilee has extensive experience with early intervention, preschool and school age population. She has experience working in various settings, including school based pediatric settings, sensory gyms, pediatric outpatient units, Telehealth as well as home-base care. She has experience treating a wide spectrum of conditions, including developmental delays, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Torticollis, cerebral palsy, among others. Her expertise encompasses techniques such as sensory integration, NDT, biomechanics, kinesiotaping and orthotic management as well as Yoga. Maithilee’s exploration of yoga and meditation began at a young age and as a result, she takes a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing that healing is a multidimensional process. Her approach is not only evidence-based but also play-based, making therapy a fun and engaging experience. Maithilee works with families in our Williamsburg and Manhattan offices.
Regan Bolding MSOT, OTR/L
Regan is a pediatric occupational therapist who graduated with a B.S. in Health Studies and a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Oklahoma. Upon graduating, she has worked with children in sensory gym, home and school-based settings for several years. Regan is passionate about emphasizing the value of play, while providing holistic, family-centered care. She has experience working with children with a multitude of strengths, interests, and goals. She utilizes a variety of programs such as QuickShifts, the Alert Program, Zones of Regulation, and Learning/Handwriting Without Tears to support her therapeutic practice. Regan’s goal is for each child she meets to feel respected, valued, and capable, while also ensuring the family has the knowledge and tools needed to be empowered at home. Regan is a full time therapist at our Williamsburg office & community.
Katelyn Dobranski MSOT, OTR/L
Katelyn is a passionate pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to helping all children ages birth to eighteen. Katelyn received a bachelors degree in health sciences and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University. Since graduation, she has gained extensive experience in outpatient hospital, rehabilitation center, private practice, and home care settings. Before entering a full time position at Bloom, Katelyn worked at NYU outpatient in the sensory intensive program and outpatient pediatric program. Katelyn believes in utilizing a holistic approach, considering the physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of each child. She uses various treatment techniques including sensory integration, DIR/Floortime, NDT approaches, learning without tears, astronaut training, therapeutic listening, and play-based interventions to tailor treatment plans to each individual client. Her dedication and expertise have helped numerous children overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable progress.
Tiffany Huynh M.A. OTR/L
Tiffany is a licensed occupational therapist who graduated with a B.A in Behavior and Health from Boston University and a M.A. in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University. She is experienced in working with children in various school, home, and gym-based settings within NYC. She is currently serving the North Brooklyn community at a preschool for children with special needs, in addition to BLOOM. Tiffany emphasizes the incorporation of sensory integrative and child/family-centered approaches into evidence-based interventions to not only enhance occupational engagement in the classroom and home, but in social settings and the community as well. She has formal training in Primitive Reflex Integration Training, DIR/Floortime, Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, and the S’cool Moves for Learning Program. Ultimately focusing on promoting well-rounded development, Tiffany aims to support all aspects of children’s physical, social and emotional well-being through her practice of occupational therapy. Tiffany's treatment approach is rooted in her belief in the power of independence, confidence, self-advocacy, and most importantly, play in shaping children's success throughout all stages of their development. Tiffany practices at Children’s Academy school full time and our Greenpoint facility part time.
Meg Roy, COTA/L
Meg Roy is a passionate and confident therapist with 8 years of experience working in pediatric Occupational Therapy. She is originally from Atlanta, GA where she obtained her COTA/L degree and began her career in various settings such as Montessori programs, sensory gyms, home care, school settings, and early intervention with ages 0-18. She utilizes many different techniques and methods to OT including DIR/Floortime, the Alert Program, the Zones of Regulation, Brain Gym, primitive reflex integration, Learning/Handwriting Without Tears, Rhythmic Movement training, Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening and Quickshifts. Meg has experience working with ADD/ADHD, ASD, DCD, picky eaters, Sensory Integration Disorder, and developmental delays. She takes a holistic, child-led approach to her sessions and views OT as a collaboration between the child, the therapist, and the child’s caregivers in all environments. She believes strongly in the value of parent education, as well as building a child’s confidence and self-esteem through play.
Emily Katz M.S. OTR/L
Emily graduated with a MS in Occupational Therapy from Stony Brook University. Previously, she graduated from Binghamton University with a major in psychology and minor in health and wellness. Emily has extensive experience providing services in the Ayers Sensory Integration and DIR/Floor-time frameworks. She works as an occupational therapist full time at the Rebecca School and part time at our Williamsburg facility. She combines neuroscience and play as her foundation to facilitate engaging, fun, and productive therapy sessions. She has completed continuing education in DIR/Floortime, Therapeutic Listening, Safe and Sound Protocol, and the SpIRIt clinical reasoning tool. In addition to seeing clients at Bloom, she works full time in an independent special education private school. She is passionate about providing respect- based, developmentally appropriate services for all clients and creating a strong therapeutic relationship based using her client’s interests.
Gabrielle Sapienza COTA/L
Gabrielle has worked in pediatric outpatient settings including sensory gyms and schools. She received her BSin Health Sciences from Sacred Heart University and received her AAS in occupational therapy from Eastwick College. Gabrielle is currently pursuing her master's degree in OT at the New England Institute of Technology. She is passionate about learning by furthering her education in the field of occupational therapy and values the occupation of play. Gabrielle loves creating meaningful connections with families, kids, and co-workers to help support a child's success. Gabrielle believes in using a holistic approach in her treatments to help kids accomplish their goals through creative and playful activities.
June Ilowite MSOT, OTR/L
June has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for several years in school-based, early intervention, and outpatient settings. She received her BA from Emory University studying sociology and predictive health and went on to receive her MS in occupational therapy from Columbia University Medical Center. She is interested in the intersection between research and intervention and is currently completing a second master’s degree from Columbia University Teacher’s College in neuroscience and education. She is passionate about play-based therapy and incorporates DIRFloortime principles into every session including following the child’s lead and building on passions and interests. She has experience with many different treatment approaches as well as training in Learning/Handwriting Without Tears, reflex integration, DIRFloortime, sensory integration, interoception, and therapeutic listening. She loves forming meaningful connections with children, young adults, and their families, and hopes that clients leave sessions feeling regulated, confident, and in control of their bodies. June works as a a full time OT at Rebecca School In Manhattan and offers therapy sessions at our Greenpoint facility.
Alyssa Burdge MOT, OTR/L, CLT
Alyssa has worked in the pediatric population for several years in school-based, early intervention and homecare settings. She received her Masters Degree from Quinnipiac University in 2018, and has experience working with adults in oncology and neurology prior to her time in pediatrics. She values play-based practice with heavy incorporation of sensory techniques. She utilizes a treatment approach that works on children's physical, social and emotional wellbeing to improve their independence in each stage of their life. Alyssa believes in holistic, meaningful engagement with the children that she works with in a way that will spark joy and excitement each time they come to OT! She is very interested in gaining more experience in pediatric NDT and hopes to receive the specialized NDT certification in the near future. Alyssa works full-time at Kennedy Children's Center and part time at our Williamsburg facility.
Jen Axman, M.S. OTR/L
Jen is a licensed occupational therapist who received a M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Long Island University, Brooklyn in 2018. Prior to that, Jen received a B.S. in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz in 2012. Jen has been working as a pediatric occupational therapist for five years in clinical, school, and home settings. She has extensive experience working with children ages 3-21 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other developmental disabilities. Jen strongly believes in an individualized child centered approach. She enjoys meeting each child on their level, learning about their special interests, and using those interests to inspire participation and growth in all areas of occupation. She is trained in the Zones of Regulation, ALERT Program, Learning/Handwriting Without Tears, Rhythmic Movement Training, Therapeutic Listening, and Astronaut Training. Jen also enjoys incorporating art making into her therapeutic practice while working on areas such as fine motor skills, emotional regulation, and executive functioning skills.
Lauraine Mann - Office Assistant
Lauraine is British and recently moved to Brooklyn NY. Lauraine works as a psychosomatic therapist alongside her position as an office assistant at Bloom. You will find her answering your phone calls, emailing you in response to your questions and working behind the scenes, so that all the OTs and PTs can give their undivided attention to your child! Email: office@bloomoccupationaltherapy.com