Christina Gallo, MS, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Founder
CEO
Christina was born and raised outside of Boston. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in the Biological Basis of Behavior. This major integrated psychology and neurobiology sparked Christina’s interest in functional neurobiology and therapeutic interventions that impact brain processing. She then pursued a Master's of Science in occupational therapy with the specific intent to work with children using a neurobiological approach to therapy. She graduated from Temple University and earned Temple’s Award for Highest Academic Achievement. Her Master’s thesis explored the relationship between Sensory Processing and ADHD. Christina has also completed an advanced practice certificate in Infant-Parent Mental Health through U. Mass Boston. She is an Advanced Mentored Clinician in Sensory Processing Disorder, via the STAR Institute. Additional training/certifications include Assistive Technology, DIR/Floortime, therapeutic listening, interactive metronome, Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to feeding, and Brain Gym. Christina sits on the Advisory Board for Down Syndrome Connection of the East Bay. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Coach Art, a non profit organization that brings the arts and athletics to children with chronic illness. She is an exercise enthusiast and enjoys adventuring and spending time with her friends and family.
CA License 11034
CA License 11034
Bri Bennett, MS, SLP-CCC
Speech and Language Pathologist
CBri hails from Houston, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She was driven to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology after observing underlying language and comprehension issues while working in early childhood development and providing personalized learning to high schoolers with significant achievement gaps. She went on to earn her Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Hampton University. Bri has worked with pediatric and adult populations in medical facilities, schools, and in private practice. She has developed and implemented individualized treatment plans for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, language and articulation disorders, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, velopharyngeal insufficiency, auditory processing deficits, and hearing impairments. Bri uses a play-based approach fueled by children's curiosity and strengths. She understands caregivers are the primary interventionists, and strives to empower them to expand and enrich communication opportunities within their families. Her training is continuous, and she is thrilled to advance her practice at Child's Play. Bri fills her free time cultivating plants, learning simple woodworking, trying fresh recipes, and exploring the Bay area with the people and pups she loves. CA lic 26835
Lindsay Bettencourt, B.S., SLPA
Speech and Language Pathology Assistant
Lindsay grew up in the Central Valley and now resides in the East Bay with her husband and two young sons. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Stanislaus followed by 2 years in the real estate industry before deciding to make a career shift. Prior to receiving her Speech-Language Pathology Assistant License from San Joaquin Delta College in 2015, she worked as a play-based preschool teacher in San Francisco for 5 years. Her speech therapy experience includes pre-K to middle school-aged children with a wide variety of speech and language needs. She enjoys the creative process that goes into planning therapy activities tailored to each individual's interests, but helping clients evolve into confident communicators is what she is most passionate about. As a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Lindsay finds team collaboration with the SLP to be a huge benefit for both the client and herself as she always strives for professional growth. When she is not providing speech therapy or watching her children grow, she loves to cook, do yoga, binge on podcasts, and camp with her family.
CA Lic 3307
Lindsay grew up in the Central Valley and now resides in the East Bay with her husband and two young sons. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Stanislaus followed by 2 years in the real estate industry before deciding to make a career shift. Prior to receiving her Speech-Language Pathology Assistant License from San Joaquin Delta College in 2015, she worked as a play-based preschool teacher in San Francisco for 5 years. Her speech therapy experience includes pre-K to middle school-aged children with a wide variety of speech and language needs. She enjoys the creative process that goes into planning therapy activities tailored to each individual's interests, but helping clients evolve into confident communicators is what she is most passionate about. As a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Lindsay finds team collaboration with the SLP to be a huge benefit for both the client and herself as she always strives for professional growth. When she is not providing speech therapy or watching her children grow, she loves to cook, do yoga, binge on podcasts, and camp with her family.
CA Lic 3307
Yasmine Campos, B.S.
Administrative Assistant
Yasmine was raised in Bay Point, California. Yasmine completed her undergraduate studies at Sacramento State University, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Minor in Chicanx/Latinx Studies. She has a passion for working with children and hopes to one day pursue her Doctorate Degree in Audiology, where she will be able to provide pediatric services. Yasmine loves going to baseball games, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She's excited to part of the Child's Play family and working with all of our families.
Sarah Guy, COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sarah Guy, COTA, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and received her undergraduate degree from University of Minnesota in Philosophy. Upon moving to Oakland in 2000, Sarah began working at a small progressive elementary school, where she was a teacher for more than ten years. There she served in various roles such as Assisting Kindergarten Teacher, Director of the Afterschool Program, and PE Teacher. As the PE teacher, Sarah became passionate about the power of movement to change and strengthen a child’s body, mind, and spirit. Sarah felt compelled to return to school to study occupational therapy because she wanted to learn how to better serve children with special needs. Sarah received her Associates of Applied Science degree from St. Catherine University in Minneapolis. Sarah has training in Handwriting Without Tears curriculum, Zones of Regulation, mindfulness meditation, and sensory integration therapy. Sarah is very excited to combine her recent training with her experience as a teacher to support children toward health and well-being. During her free time Sarah enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband and two girls, Roxy and Ramona.
CA Lic 4976
CA Lic 4976
Dalya Heller, M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Dalya Heller, MS, OTR/L, was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington (in Seattle) in Medical Anthropology and Global Health and her Masters in Occupational Therapy (OT) from Washington University in St. Louis. Dalya decided to pursue Occupational Therapy after many years of working in the adaptive recreation field and being a caretaker for two families with children who had special needs. She has clinical experiences in pediatrics and in adult inpatient rehabilitation. In addition to working at Child’s Play, She currently works at a school for children with severe physical and speech impairments as well as running OT groups in the East Bay Regional Parks. Dayla has completed level 1 mentorship program through the STAR Center. When not working, you can find her exploring the outdoors, eating delicious food, and spending time with her family.
CA license 17312
Loren Landrus, MS, SLP-CCC
Pediatric Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist
Loren was born and raised in Southern California. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of the Pacific and graduated summa cum laude with a double major in Speech-Language Pathology and Spanish Language and Literature. After graduating from Pacific, Loren attended the University of Arizona and received a Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology and completed the bilingual certificate program. Loren has a special interest in early intervention and treatment planning for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and language delays. She uses a play-based approach to therapy to engage her clients and encourage generalization of speech skills to the child’s everyday environment. In addition to working with clients, Loren loves being able to work with parents and family members. Outside of work, she enjoys playing soccer, baking, hanging out with her cats, and spending time with family.
Irene Lestari, M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Director of OT Department and Clinical Education
Irene was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. She moved to the Bay Area during her high school years, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley. While pursuing her undergraduate degree at Berkeley, she discovered her love for Occupational Therapy when caring for a boy with autism. She then pursued a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. Irene has worked in various settings treating children with numerous disabilities at the clinic as well as home-based and school-based settings. She has partaken in many Sensory Integration workshops, including having completed certification in SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test) and a level 1 mentorship program with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller and Dr. Sarah Schoen. Additional training includes multiple listening programs, Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding, Perceptual Enrichment Program (PEP) and various handwriting approaches. She has obtained a core specialist status from the MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration) program. Irene enjoys traveling, taking culinary trips and spending time with her family.
CA License : 7552
CA License : 7552
Lisette Oliu, OTD, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Lisette was born and raised in the Bay Area. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences at California State University, East Bay. She became interested in occupational therapy while completing her undergraduate degree and began working as a special education assistant for the school district. She has a passion for working with children and over 10 years of experience working in childcare. Lisette completed her Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) at Samuel Merritt University. She grew her knowledge in pediatrics while completing her clinical experience at UCSF Children’s Hospital- Mission Bay and by her capstone research exploring parent’s perceptions of pediatric occupational therapy to improve service delivery. Lisette enjoys hiking, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family in her off time.
Tatiana Salazar, B.A., SLPA
Speech and Language Pathology Assistant
Tatiana was born and raised in the Bay Area. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2019 from California State University, East Bay. After graduating, she had an incredibly rewarding opportunity to complete a speech pathology internship at the Gabrielle Children's Rehab Centre, in Moshi, Tanzania. At the center, she treated children with various challenging neuro-cognitive disorders. Her speech therapy experience includes toddlers to college students with a wide range of diverse speech and language needs. Tatiana prides herself on a patient-centered collaborative approach. She believes the best outcomes are ones where the patients, families, and therapists are all part of a treatment team. Her sessions and coaching often use a naturalistic method, one that incorporates everyday scenarios and routines. She really enjoys conducting group therapy sessions. In her spare time, Tatiana loves gardening, the beach, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Tamra Scanlon, SLP-CCC
Pediatric speech and language pathologist
Tamara grew up in Grass Valley, California. She received her Bachelors and Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Chico. After completing her master's program Tamra moved to the bay area where she worked in a private clinic. After a year in the private clinic, Tamra began working in public schools. Tamra has worked in elementary and middle schools for the past 6 years. During this time she has worked with students with a wide range of speech and language delays. In her free time, Tamra enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
Nicolette (Nikki) Zader, MS, OTR/L
Pediatric OT and Feeding Therapist
Nicolette “Nikki” was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to Fort Collins, CO to attend Colorado State University and earn her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies and then her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Nikki worked in early intervention and pediatric home health for the past 12 years in Denver, CO and recently relocated to the East Bay Area. She specializes in feeding therapy and earned her certification in the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach back in 2010 and has been utilizing the SOS feeding program in therapy for the past 10 years. She is also certified in the Beckman Oral Motor Approach. Nikki’s passion for feeding therapy stemmed from her own feeding difficulties as a child and she is able to relate directly to those with sensitivities and aversions to food. Her greatest joy is participating with children learning to explore and love food! Outside of work, Nikki enjoys exploring the Bay Area, cooking for her family, and reading fiction novels.