Meet Our Team

Occupational Therapy Department

Monica Belanger, OTR/L, CAS

CEO of Dedicated Pediatric Therapy

I am a pediatric occupational therapist and Certified Autism Specialist. All my life I have been shaped by challenging the standard. I was born and raised in Maine and attended Husson University where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2014 and Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2015. After my coursework, I moved to Florida to pursue my clinical internships in OT, and lived there for nearly 9 years. I now live in Puerto Rico and travel to Florida, Maine, and USVI to continue my life goal of impacting under-served communities with exceptional occupational therapy services.

I love working with children of all ages and do all that I can to ensure my kids are enjoying therapy with intrinsically motivating activities. My guiding principle in OT is "regulation before expectation"- ensuring every child's sensory system is regulated before expecting them to engage in functional tasks. In October of 2023, I was honored to present at the MEOTA Conference for two sessions- one on regulation before expectation, and the other on classroom design to support the academic success of Autistic students. My most rewarding days include when a child achieves a skill they may have previously thought was impossible, but by adapting the environment and building strength and coordination, we are able to achieve almost anything! I enjoy cooking, traveling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and volunteering for local dog rescues.

Elizabeth Peller, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy Department Lead

Hi! My name is Ms. Beth. I have been an occupational therapist for the past 7 years and I absolutely love being an OT! Being a part of this special needs community has allowed me to discover a whole new meaning to the words “love” and “acceptance”. Knowing that I get to go into work everyday and play with some of the most loving children makes my job a pretty rewarding one. Children with special needs are some of the most accepting children. They don’t see differences. They find beauty and fun in everything they do, and even some of the simplest of joys, can mean a world of excitement to the children I’m lucky enough to work with. Their unique and authentic outlook has opened my eyes to cherishing and celebrating every triumph, no matter how big or small. Their tenacity and strength inspires me to be better in my life and profession. With all of the families I work with, I recognize and accept the responsibility I have, to not only be their child’s therapist, but also their friend; A coach, a cheerleader, and a confidant.

Robin Gordon, OTR/L

Hi, my name is Robin. I’ve been an OT for many years, and I am passionate about working with children. I was born and raised in Philly, graduated from Temple University, and worked in a variety of pediatric settings in PA. I moved out of Philly to enjoy family life and raise my children in the suburbs. After life’s twists and turns, I fled the cold and snow and here I am in South Florida. I live on the beach, with my husband and (a very spoiled) Maltese mix. Once I took the necessary steps to acquire my license to practice in Florida, I began evaluating and treating kiddos in Broward County. I was fortunate enough to meet Monica, the founder of DPT, and was thrilled when I was invited to become a member of her team. Working with children and their families inside the home provides the opportunity to formulate goals and treatment plans that are geared specifically toward the child’s needs, as well as those of the entire family. Engaging siblings in treatment sessions often teaches them an understanding of what we are trying to accomplish and why. Having been on both sides of the IEP table, I understand the stress from both perspectives, as a parent and as a therapist. We must be aware that it’s not only the needs of the child, but those of the entire family that should be considered. Effective communication is key to a positive outcome.

Trisha Sundberg, OTR/L

Hi! My name is Trish Sundberg and I am an OTR/L. I’m a true Floridian as I was born and raised right here in South Florida. I graduated from Florida State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. Since then, my professional experience includes working in the nonprofit sector providing vocational rehabilitation services to transitioning adolescents and adults with various disabilities. In 2020, I graduated from the University of St. Augustine earning my master’s in occupational therapy. What I love about OT and working in pediatrics is how flexible and innovative therapeutic sessions can be. While children think they are just playing, meaningful, thoughtful, therapeutic activities are carefully utilized to effectively guide children through their progression of development and growth. Together, we are able to create fun experiences while working to reach their therapeutic goals. I am so excited to be a part of the DPT team and to experience the potential, growth, and development of each one of my clients. In my spare time, you can find me practicing yoga, walking my two dogs (Mox and Abe), or in the kitchen testing out new recipes.

Allison Smalling,

COTA/L & SLPA

I am Allison Smalling and I am an Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology Assistant. My professional background started with classroom teaching in Florida, South Korea and Abu Dhabi. Now I am providing evidence based therapy from several approaches. Pediatrics is my passion and I enjoy providing opportunities for children to evolve. I take the role of a therapist advocating, collaborating, empathizing, encouraging, instructing and problem solving to heart daily. DPT is a great to team and I am happy to be a part of it.

Tiffany Harris, COTA/L

Hi! My name is Tiffany and I’m a South Florida native. I enjoy traveling, reading and spending time with family. I have one beautiful daughter and she is my world! I graduated from Keiser University and I’ve been a COTA since 2012. In 2014, I went on to earn my Bachelors of Health Science degree. I absolutely love the career field I have chosen. I’ve worked with the geriatric population - outpatient, inpatient acute care and long term care for many years. I enjoyed it but eventually wanted a change. So I decided to explore Peds. And let me tell you, working with special needs children has been so rewarding. Seeing their little faces light up everyday when they see me, makes my heart melt. I make sure to build a rapport with each family. I find out every child’s likes and dislikes, this will then help me create a session that makes them feel comfortable and safe. The growth and progress that I see daily from many of them, makes it all worth it. It could be something as simple as trying a new food or properly combing their hair. I’ve had moments when parents have shed tears because their child is doing something new that they believed was impossible. I’m so excited to be apart of DPT family and to reach my full potential. I love making a difference in these families lives, I have finally found my calling.

Kaitlyn Worthington, COTA/L

My name is Ms. Katie and I’m a pediatric occupational therapy assistant. I was born and raised here in South Florida, and graduated from Keiser University in 2014. While completing my internships, I fell in love with the pediatric setting. Being able to work with kids has taught me a lot about myself and has been such a rewarding experience. I strive to help each child reach their specific goals in a fun and creative way, while also building a trusting relationship with that child’s family. I am also a mom to two beautiful young girls, both under the age of 5! In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors with family and friends, going on long walks with my dog, reading, doing yoga, and creating arts & crafts. I’m very excited to be a part of the DPT team, and I hope to make a difference in the lives of each child that I get to meet!

Brianna Kneebone, COTA/L

Hi! My name is Brie, and I’m an occupational therapy assistant. I found my way to the field of occupational therapy after working as a teacher assistant, nanny, and behavior technician and seeing the results of OT in my students and clients. In 2022, I graduated with an Associate of Science degree from Keiser University’s OTA program. I am passionate about helping children and their families accomplish their goals by using evidence-based approaches. I love using child-led, play-based activities to work on increasing skills and independence while also making therapy engaging and meaningful. In my free time, you can find me practicing photography and trying to find the best coffee shops in Broward. I’m thrilled to be a part of the DPT team and hope I can make an impact on the children and families in this community.

Michelle Merandieu, COTA/L

My name is Michelle. I graduated from Keiser University's occupational therapy assistant program in 2017. I have had the pleasure of working as a COTA in the pediatric population in outpatient, daycare, PPEC, and home health settings. I love working with kids! I am also a mom to three wonderful tiny humans. I have learned so much in my professional and personal life in regards to helping children learn to be as independent as possible in their day to day life, and activities. Working in this population requires dedication, patience, and innovation. It is among the most rewarding aspects of my life. I am happy to be a part of the DPT team.

Speech Therapy Department

Amy Cole, CCC-SLP

Speech Therapy Department Lead

Amy Cole is a nationally certified and Florida state licensed Speech Language Pathologist. Since 2011, she has been working to improve the communication and quality of life of her clients. Amy earned her bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida, and her master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from Florida Atlantic University. Amy has provided services in schools, home health, hospitals, pediatric private practice, equine therapy, and outpatient rehab centers. She has had the opportunity to work with an extensive variety of populations and disorders, in clients aged 6 months through 90+ years. She loves working with both adults and children, and her specialty areas of focus are Dysphagia, Language Disorders, and Alternative Augmentative Communication. Amy is a South Florida native. She is a mom of two and enjoys being outdoors. Her goal is to support and collaborate with parents and caregivers while providing the highest quality treatment techniques to her clients.

Kari Hendry, CCC-SLP

Kari Hendry is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Processes and Disorders and from Nova Southeastern University with a Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She specializes in pediatric therapy and has provided services in schools, home health and private practice environments. She has administered therapy to individuals with language delays and disorders, fluency, articulation and voice. She also has expertise providing teletherapy to people with a variety of exceptionalities. Kari has evaluated and administered therapy to students ranging from 2 to 21 year olds.

Kari now provides in home pediatric speech therapy services in the St. Pete Beach (St. Petersburg) area.

Silvia Azcárate, CCC-SLP

Silvia Azcárate M.S., CCC-SLP brings her experience to Dedicated Pediatric Therapy by treating children through the teletherapy platform. She treats articulation disorders, language disorders, dysphagia, aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, phonological disorders, voice disorders, and provides cognitive retraining. Silvia graduated from the University of Oregon with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed by the State of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. With a second Master’s degree in early intervention, Silvia addresses the needs of children birth to 5 in a holistic manner. Her passion lies in working with children with different levels of ability, finding creative ways to carryover skills from the virtual platform to the home environment, and empowering parents through education.

Alyssa Abraham, SLP

Hi! My name is Alyssa. I am a new Speech Language Pathologist, as I graduated with my Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in August 2022. I have worked in home health and have a background in Applied Behavior Analysis and Play Therapy. In all of these settings I have specialized in working with children with Autism. I love being able to advocate for children with autism and their needs. I believe that every individual is unique and deserves a therapist that will take the time to learn about them and be able to bring families closer together by counseling caregivers. I believe that each child holds their own strengths that deserve to be recognized and utilized. As a part of this team, I will serve as not only a Speech Therapist, but the child's unrelenting supporter.

Physical Therapy Department

Yonellie Jean, PT, DPT

Hi, my name is Yonellie Jean and I am a Physical Therapist. I am originally from Long Island, New York, and moved to South Florida at a young age. I received my bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science from Nova Southeastern University, and my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Clarkson University. I love working with children and helping them reach their developmental and gross motor milestones. It’s important for me to provide the best care, and to help children achieve a better quality of life. It is more than a job for me, it’s an opportunity to see patients, parents, and caregivers watch their child accomplish a goal they thought was unreachable. I have worked with children with various disabilities, and truly believe that pediatrics is where my heart lies. I am so excited to join the DPT family and to bring about a change to all the families!

Office Staff

Adriana Gonzalez

Office Assistant

I was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and have lived in South Florida for most of my life. This is where I raised my daughter and son while establishing my career as an Administrative Assistant working in the legal field with banks, attorneys, trustees, and judges for over 20 years. In 2015 my twin grandsons were born premature and with this came some complications; they were both diagnosed with special needs. Each having their own special “personalities”, they have made a tremendous impact in my life. Everyday teaches me to have patience with others and to understand that some things are beyond my control. Over the years, therapy has been an incredible resource in assisting our family with unique and creative ways of helping our boys and our family live our best lives possible. Seeing how much therapy has helped us over the years sparked my interest and inspired me to change my career. I am currently in school obtaining my BBA as well as becoming DSPATHS Certified to better help me build my skills in working with individuals with developmental disabilities and other specialized care needs. I look forward to building lasting relationships as well as developing my knowledge in this industry and leaving a positive impact in the lives of others by helping families like mine find the assistance and resources necessary to make each day worth smiling about.

Our values include excellence and service.

Do your values align with ours?

Are you a creative, energetic, and reliable therapist? Are you wanting a job that gives you the freedom to create your own schedule, choose your clients, choose the areas you travel to, and provides exceptional supervision & mentorship? At Dedicated Pediatric Therapy we're committed to our therapist's professional development and job satisfaction just as much as we're committed to our client's success.

If you have a passion for pediatrics, are flexible for patient needs, and are willing to give 110% when it comes to advocating for and treating your patients with the utmost respect, dignity, and compassion- please send your resume to the email below.

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